News

Photo submitted. Jason “Jay” Kirkland holds his granddaughter, Poppy Rae Crow Sept. 9.

Photo submitted. Jason “Jay” Kirkland holds his granddaughter, Poppy Rae Crow Sept. 9.

County chair selected

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Jason “Jay” Kirkland was named Chair of Swain County Board of Commissioners in a unanimous vote Tuesday evening. “I think what makes a good chairman is a lot of listening and a lot of common sense, but most important is doing what’s best for the people of Swain County,” said Kirkland.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Hanging out outside Alpine Dispensary with Jonathan Gonzales (left to right), Trinity Segredo, Dude (dog), Eddie Askeldsen and Finley Hamilton in August 2025.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Hanging out outside Alpine Dispensary with Jonathan Gonzales (left to right), Trinity Segredo, Dude (dog), Eddie Askeldsen and Finley Hamilton in August 2025.

Alpine Dispensary’s fight against pain

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Alpine Dispensary opened for business in the building that was once Unplugged Pub on Aug 1. Eddie Askeldsen, CEO of Alpine Dispensary, said business has been good, with over 14,000 email subscribers nationally. “We’ve been well received by the community,” said Askeldsen.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Paul Crawley serves a cup of ice cream to Nikki Stephenson Oct. 17. Soda Pops has been a town staple for 25 years.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Paul Crawley serves a cup of ice cream to Nikki Stephenson Oct. 17. Soda Pops has been a town staple for 25 years.

Soda Pops @ the Yard

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Soda Pops made a triumphant come back as Soda Pops @ the Yard on Depot Street Friday, Oct. 10. Soda Pops has been a town staple for 25 years, formerly located next to High Test Deli and 125 Everett Street. Paul Crawley, owner, is in cancer remission and was unable to operate the store while sick.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Approximately 250 participants lined the sidewalks of Everett and Main Streets at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Approximately 250 participants lined the sidewalks of Everett and Main Streets at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18.

No Kings rally

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The chants of No Kings erupted from approximately 2,600 gatherings around the nation into Bryson City on Oct. 18. “Swain County residents joined nearly seven million people nationwide in peaceful protest,” said Swain County Democratic Party Chair Garrett Lagan.

County chair appointment tabled

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
A special Swain County Board of Commissioners session will take place Tuesday, Oct. 28,  at 5:30 p.m. to ensure commissioners thoroughly understand the appointment process of county chairperson as it pertains to moving Commissioner Phillip Carson to the position. This meeting is public.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. A school bus driver takes students home Aug. 18. Swain County Public Schools is facing a school bus shortage.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. A school bus driver takes students home Aug. 18. Swain County Public Schools is facing a school bus shortage.

Help! School bus drivers needed

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Swain County Public Schools is in dire need of school bus drivers. “We are short approximately six afternoon routes a day that we have to seek out substitute drivers to fill their routes,” said Dennis Jones, director of safety and transportation. “We run 22 routes, right now.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County resident Courtney Dills addresses members of the Swain County Board of Commissioners at the Oct. 21 meeting.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County resident Courtney Dills addresses members of the Swain County Board of Commissioners at the Oct. 21 meeting.

Residents oppose animal control ordinance

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
With a full room and nearly 1,000 YouTube viewers as of Wednesday morning, the Swain County Commissioners meeting was well attended Tuesday evening.
Submitted photo. Great Smoky Mountains National Park donated a surplus brush truck to Bryson City Fire Department.

Submitted photo. Great Smoky Mountains National Park donated a surplus brush truck to Bryson City Fire Department.

Fire department receives $50K OSFM grant

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Office of State Fire Marshal awarded the Bryson City Fire Department a Disaster Relief Grant in the amount of $50,000 Aug. 18. Section 10 of S.L. 2025-2026 (House Bill 1012) provided OSFM $18 million to grant eligible fire department and rescue squads $50,000.
Photo submitted. A Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show advertisement alerts those passing by about the “family friendly” magicians scheduled to perform at Swain Arts Center Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. 

Photo submitted. A Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show advertisement alerts those passing by about the “family friendly” magicians scheduled to perform at Swain Arts Center Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. 

Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
The Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show is coming to Swain Arts Center Saturday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.  Swain County High School students will experience the same show during a special assembly to close the school day Friday.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sutton (front, left to right) and Wyatt Williams meet Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland and NC State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Kevin Milligan at Everett Street Diner where local law enforcement celebrated National Faith & Blue Weekend Monday morning.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sutton (front, left to right) and Wyatt Williams meet Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland and NC State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Kevin Milligan at Everett Street Diner where local law enforcement celebrated National Faith & Blue Weekend Monday morning.

Faith & Blue weekend in Bryson

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Swain County Sheriff’s Office deputies and NC State Highway Patrol troopers met at Everett Street Diner to celebrate National Faith & Blue Weekend Monday morning.