News

Lauda Cemetery is home to some of the graves that were moved from North Shore Cemetery.

Lauda Cemetery is home to some of the graves that were moved from North Shore Cemetery.

Decoration Day

Hannah Styles Contributing writer Memorial Day Weekend, a time filled with cookouts and family fun, but this year we should not forget what the start of the summer holiday represents.
Gov. Roy Cooper visited Wake County’s Human Services Center in Raleigh to see people receive their vaccines.

Gov. Roy Cooper visited Wake County’s Human Services Center in Raleigh to see people receive their vaccines.

Mask mandate lifted

As a testament to the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, North Carolina lifted its mass gathering, mask mandate and social distancing requirements for most settings this past Friday.
From left, Tasha Lee and Stephanie Rodeck represent Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at a hiring fair held at the Marianna Black Library last week.

From left, Tasha Lee and Stephanie Rodeck represent Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at a hiring fair held at the Marianna Black Library last week.

Employers work to entice new seasonal and FT hires

Now that the economy is recovering from the gut punch of the pandemic last year, employers are finding they are now in an employees’ market. Businesses, many now able to increase capacity, are scrambling to fill positions.
The board hears Preston Kendall from Ingles talk about plans for the new store

The board hears Preston Kendall from Ingles talk about plans for the new store

A new Ingles is coming

Grocery store shoppers from Swain County, who have visited the newer, renovated Ingles locations in neighboring counties, will have to be envious of their neighbors no longer.
Swain agriculture fair

Swain agriculture fair

Swain TDA gives grant to support Agriculture Fair

After approving the minutes from the board’s April 14 meeting, the Swain County Tourism and Development Authority heard from Rob Hawk with a request to support the Swain County Fair on Wednesday, April 28.
Juanita Lester holds a framed picture of her childhood home that was in the Bushnell community, one of several lost to the formation of Fontana Lake.

Juanita Lester holds a framed picture of her childhood home that was in the Bushnell community, one of several lost to the formation of Fontana Lake.

Under water: The stories of towns lost to Fontana Lake

Editor’s Note: Austin Campbell is a sophomore at UNCA and served in the Air Force before college. He writes for the UNCA Blue Banner. He is a mass communications major with a minor in German. His hometown is Asheville.