News

Buses are lined up outside East Elementary along with a Swain County SRO vehicle near the end of the school day on Monday. Elementary students in Swain County will be able to attend in-person four days a week beginning Monday, Feb. 22.

Buses are lined up outside East Elementary along with a Swain County SRO vehicle near the end of the school day on Monday. Elementary students in Swain County will be able to attend in-person four days a week beginning Monday, Feb. 22.

In-person instruction to expand for elementary

Jessica Webb
Thursday, February 11, 2021
With an abundance of caution, Swain County Board of Education in an unanimous decision Monday night voted for its elementary school students to return to in-person instruction four days a week beginning on Monday, Feb. 22. The move follows an announcement made by N.C.
A boy works in front of a computer

A boy works in front of a computer

West Swain is a beta site for Starlink satellite internet

News Staff
Thursday, February 11, 2021
You don’t have to have  good internet to know who Elon Musk is, but did you know Swain West Elementary School is among a handful of beta testing sites for Musk’s company SpaceX Starlink’s satellite internet service?
A little space goes a long way

A little space goes a long way

Mask mandate in effect in GSMNP

News Staff
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Hiking boots, check. Trail map, check. Mask, check. A mask mandate is in effect across the National Park System, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway.
The “Rock City” barn on US 19 in Bryson City- across the road from Bear Hunter’s Campground- is a relic of the past, a symbol of a time when tourists traveled mostly on two-lane highways.

The “Rock City” barn on US 19 in Bryson City- across the road from Bear Hunter’s Campground- is a relic of the past, a symbol of a time when tourists traveled mostly on two-lane highways.

Rock City Barn in Bryson City is a historic icon

News Staff
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Cliff Kevill Special contribution to SMT   Unbeknownst to many a passerby as they enter the town of Bryson City from the east, there lies a structural icon to an earlier time of automotive travel. Although dilapidated, the old “Rock City” barn on US 19 is a proud relic of a bygone era.

Return to Swain school campuses delayed one week

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
In a special session Friday, Jan. 22, the Swain County Board of Education unanimously agreed to continue with Plan C remote learning for the school system for the next week. Students will tentatively return to campus Monday, Feb. 1 barring COVID-19 conditions getting worse.
Smoke damage is visible on the metal siding of the building that was formerly operated as a lumber company. The cause is still under investigation, but arson is suspected.

Smoke damage is visible on the metal siding of the building that was formerly operated as a lumber company. The cause is still under investigation, but arson is suspected.

Arson being investigated at structure fire at old lumber building

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Swain County responders were dispatched to 134 Ela Lane off Hyatt Creek Road at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14 for a structure fire. The building is vacant and previously operated as the Monteith Lumber Company. When responders arrived on the scene, the fire was about 10% involved. By 11:22 a.m.

Town takes simplicity as best approach

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In its work session meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen continued discussion on the introduction of a maximum building height restriction in town and on the town’s ordinance for garbage collection, primarily on how to handle commercial collection.