News

Screenshot image Swain County Schools produced a short video in memory of sophomore Blake Lantz, who died in a house fire last week. You can view the video online at https://www.youtube.com/user/MaroonDevilsTV

Screenshot image Swain County Schools produced a short video in memory of sophomore Blake Lantz, who died in a house fire last week. You can view the video online at https://www.youtube.com/user/MaroonDevilsTV

Donations to help Lantz after loss of their son

News Staff
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Swain High School is collecting donations in memory of Blake Lantz, a sophomore at the high school who died in a house fire in Ela Campground last week. The school’s goal is to help offset large expenses, such as funeral expenses, by raising $2,000.
Gerald McKinney (incumbent, center), Mitchell Carson (right) and Cody White (left) took their oaths joined by members of their families

Gerald McKinney (incumbent, center), Mitchell Carson (right) and Cody White (left) took their oaths joined by members of their families

Board of Education members swear oaths of office

News Staff
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
The newly-elected officers to serve Swain County Board of Education were sworn into office in a ceremony on Monday morning, Dec. 7 at the Swain County Courthouse.
Roger Parsons swore an oath of office for his next term on the Swain County Board of Commissioners on Monday. He’s pictured with his wife, Ginger Parsons.

Roger Parsons swore an oath of office for his next term on the Swain County Board of Commissioners on Monday. He’s pictured with his wife, Ginger Parsons.

Re-elected commissioners swear oaths of office

News Staff
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Kenneth Parton and Roger Parsons took oaths of office to serve their second terms as Swain County Board of Commissioners in a swearing in ceremony held at the Swain County Courthouse on Monday morning, Dec. 7. The two were the highest vote getters in the Nov. 3 General Election.
Submitted photo Kyla-Jo Farmer is the new 4-H Youth Development Agent at the Swain County Cooperative Extension Office

Submitted photo Kyla-Jo Farmer is the new 4-H Youth Development Agent at the Swain County Cooperative Extension Office

Meet Swain’s new 4-H agent, Kyla-Jo Farmer

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Having grown up on a beef cattle farm raising Black Angus, Kyla-Jo Farmer is well suited for the role of the 4-H Youth Development Agent at the Swain County Cooperative Extension Office.
Snow comes down Monday as commuters travel across Everett Street Bridge

Snow comes down Monday as commuters travel across Everett Street Bridge

First snow of season

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
The start of December brought with it a taste of winter weather to Swain County following blue skies and warm weather for the holiday weekend of Thanksgiving.
Giving Spoon volunteers provide the to go meals

Giving Spoon volunteers provide the to go meals

Giving Spoon serves more than 400 for holiday

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
On Thanksgiving Day, the Giving Spoon in Bryson City provided to-go meals to the community in the afternoon from noon-2 p.m. for the holiday. In total, 408 meals for pick up and delivery were provided for free to community members.
Volunteer Ken Jones helps divvy up the turkey.

Volunteer Ken Jones helps divvy up the turkey.

Pass It On Café serves Thanksgiving

News Staff
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Vehicles circled around the parking lot at Bryson City United Methodist Church last Tuesday night, as a record number of area residents got in line to receive the to-go Thanksgiving dinners provided for free, along with an encouraging Christian message.
Fire investigators speak with the manager in front of two of the units that were a total loss

Fire investigators speak with the manager in front of two of the units that were a total loss

Deadly fire at Ela Campground overnight Sunday

Jessica Webb
Monday, November 30, 2020
A deadly fire swept through several homes in Ela Campground on Sunday, sadly killing a 16-year-old boy. The fire is now under investigation by a consortium of agencies including Swain County Sheriff’s Office and N.C. State Bureau of Investigations. The fire was reported around 11 p.m. Sunday, Nov.
Swain is among the red counties in the state

Swain is among the red counties in the state

Swain enters the red zone ‘critical spread’

News Staff
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Swain County’s community spread of COVID-19 increased in the second week of the state’s County Alert System. Combining three metrics including case rate, percent of people testing positive for the virus and hospital impact, the alert system placed Swain County as Red for Nov. 6-19.