News

Earth Day celebration flyer

Earth Day celebration flyer

Swain High students organize Earth Day celebration for Saturday

Science club Project Endeavor, a team of nature enthusiasts and student volunteers at Swain County High School have organized a free Earth Day Celebration to be held Saturday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Swain County High School Football Stadium. The event welcomes special speakers, Dr.
United Gift Fund and recipients of 2020 donations

United Gift Fund and recipients of 2020 donations

Swain County United Gift Fund celebrates 2020 fund drive success

The Swain County United Gift Fund (SCUGF) celebrated the success of the 2020 fund drive with representatives from local nonprofits on Tuesday, April 12 at Swain County Recreation Park Morgan Pavilion.  The 2020 fund drive yielded $71,071 total for our community.
From left, Travis Smith,Kituwah Homes regional director of operations, and Jeremiah Wiggins, president, are pictured outside the eight model homes on the sales property that is located across the road from Food Lion in Cherokee. It’s slated to open in about a month.

From left, Travis Smith,Kituwah Homes regional director of operations, and Jeremiah Wiggins, president, are pictured outside the eight model homes on the sales property that is located across the road from Food Lion in Cherokee. It’s slated to open in about a month.

Kituwah Homes of Cherokee adding to local housing market

It’s Thursday morning, April 1, and I’m standing inside what will become the sales office for Kituwah Homes, slated to open in about a month. It’s one of eight model homes for the company on a site located across the road from Food Lion in Cherokee.

Building steady through 2020, growing in 2021

The 2020 pandemic put the brakes on a lot of things but building in Swain County wasn’t one of them. Bill Marr with the Swain County Inspections Office reported that building was steady last year before the commissioners at their latest work session.
From left, David DeHart is holding the box that the flag was packed in and sent to the surviving spouse in May 1949 and Justin Kirkland holds a 48 Star American flag that he found and purchased at an Antique Auction House in Waynesville, several years ago.

From left, David DeHart is holding the box that the flag was packed in and sent to the surviving spouse in May 1949 and Justin Kirkland holds a 48 Star American flag that he found and purchased at an Antique Auction House in Waynesville, several years ago.

Burial casket flag returning to soldier’s hometown with help of Swain Genealogical Society

Justin Kirkland found and purchased a 48-star American flag at an antique auction in Waynesville several years ago. Through the help of the Swain County Historical and Genealogical Society, the story of the soldier who this flag honored was discovered.
Pictured from left is library staff Bobbie Sue Smiley, Alexis Faciane and Benjamin Ossoff with American Red Cross representative John Clodfelter and Librarian Jeff Delfield.

Pictured from left is library staff Bobbie Sue Smiley, Alexis Faciane and Benjamin Ossoff with American Red Cross representative John Clodfelter and Librarian Jeff Delfield.

Local library recognized for service by American Red Cross

Widespread changes happened quickly this time last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the need for blood donations didn’t go away. So when Marianna Black Library was able to step in to help keep blood drives in the far west of North Carolina happening, the impact was significant.

Vaccine appointments now open to all groups

The wait is over in Swain County for those who were at the bottom of the list to schedule an appointment to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine. All adults 18 and over can now call the Swain County Health Department to schedule an appointment for the two-dose Moderna vaccine.

State lifts more restrictions as Covid cases plateau

On Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper announced the state will continue to ease restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order 204 will start at 5 p.m. Friday, March 26, and expire on April 30. The statewide mask mandate remains in effect as does guidance on six-foot distancing in businesses.

Swain middle & high school will go 4 days a week

Swain County Middle School and High School students will be returning to a schedule of classroom instruction four days a week beginning Monday, April 12, joining the district’s elementary schools on modified Plan A with Wednesdays still to be used for remote instruction.