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SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Animal Shelter is approximately 5,000 square feet, equipped with ten large dog kennels, two quarantine kennels, three small dog kennels, two isolation kennels and space for approximately 20 cats, anticipated to open and start adopting animals this September. Jerry Bryan, Swain County Animal Services Director, would like for Swain County Animal Shelter to function as a non-kill shelter.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Animal Shelter is approximately 5,000 square feet, equipped with ten large dog kennels, two quarantine kennels, three small dog kennels, two isolation kennels and space for approximately 20 cats, anticipated to open and start adopting animals this September. Jerry Bryan, Swain County Animal Services Director, would like for Swain County Animal Shelter to function as a non-kill shelter.

Animal service director is answering calls

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Jerry Bryan, Swain County Animal Services Director, presently manages the upcoming animal shelter’s construction, anticipated to open and start adopting animals this September.
Submitted photo. Faye Bumgarner, Walnut Creek Farm owner, pets Maisie at her 10-acre Bryson City land Aug. 30, 2024. Maisie is one of Bumgarner’s favorites.

Submitted photo. Faye Bumgarner, Walnut Creek Farm owner, pets Maisie at her 10-acre Bryson City land Aug. 30, 2024. Maisie is one of Bumgarner’s favorites.

Roam free at the farm

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
The Bumgarner family — Faye, Robbie and Hilary — love Highland cattle so much that they opened Walnut Creek Farm to the public in April 2024. The family business has done exceptionally well over this past year.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Former Swain County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland was appointed sheriff following a 4-1 vote at a county commission meeting Tuesday.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Former Swain County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland was appointed sheriff following a 4-1 vote at a county commission meeting Tuesday.

Kirkland appointed sheriff

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Former Swain County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland was appointed sheriff following a 4-1 vote at a county commission meeting Tuesday. Kirkland was sworn in Wednesday evening at the Swain County Courthouse. The appointment is through November 2026.
Submitted photo. Tennessee Valley Authority’s 8-decade-old coin imprint mystery solved by Stearns father and son over Father’s Day weekend. Joseph Stearns reunited with his son, Joseph “Grant” Stearns, at the Fontana Dam, unexpectedly finding their late grandfather and great-grandfather WWII US Army Vet. Joseph P. Stearns.

Submitted photo. Tennessee Valley Authority’s 8-decade-old coin imprint mystery solved by Stearns father and son over Father’s Day weekend. Joseph Stearns reunited with his son, Joseph “Grant” Stearns, at the Fontana Dam, unexpectedly finding their late grandfather and great-grandfather WWII US Army Vet. Joseph P. Stearns.

Father’s Day miracle at Fontana Dam

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Joseph Stearns of California was in Tennessee at his wife’s family reunion and his son, Joseph “Grant” Stearns, just so happened to be hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire when Canadian wildfires sent him packing to Atlanta this past June.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Sheriff’s Office receives reports of scammers impersonating local deputies via phone in attempt to defraud residents. If concerned over possible scam calls, contact Swain County Sheriff’s Office.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Sheriff’s Office receives reports of scammers impersonating local deputies via phone in attempt to defraud residents. If concerned over possible scam calls, contact Swain County Sheriff’s Office.

Scammers impersonate sheriff’s deputies

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Swain County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of scammers impersonating local deputies via phone in attempt to defraud area residents.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. A wooden guardrail at the Island Park bridge’s entrance pulled apart Saturday, July 5.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. A wooden guardrail at the Island Park bridge’s entrance pulled apart Saturday, July 5.

Under surveillance

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Island Park now has security cameras. This comes after many locals and visitors have reported feeling unsafe at the town park. Resident Allyson Osgood was among them. “There are too many needles,” said Osgood.
Submitted photo. P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter sells beverages and cozies to fund local animal care during Hillbilly Jam 2024 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds July 27. P.A.W.S will also be accepting donations in the form of Purina dog food, Purina cat chow, Purina Kitten chow and Clorox Bleach for cleaning needs.

Submitted photo. P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter sells beverages and cozies to fund local animal care during Hillbilly Jam 2024 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds July 27. P.A.W.S will also be accepting donations in the form of Purina dog food, Purina cat chow, Purina Kitten chow and Clorox Bleach for cleaning needs.

P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter fundraiser at Hillbilly Jam

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter is selling beverages to raise money for local cats and dogs in need at the Hillbilly Jam at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Meanwhile, Hillbilly Jam will run both days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Submitted photo. Camryn’s Duplex, US-74 off Exit 69 in Bryson City, June 17. The two duplexes are owned by Mike Drinkwater, who strives to provide affordable housing to fulltime workers.

Submitted photo. Camryn’s Duplex, US-74 off Exit 69 in Bryson City, June 17. The two duplexes are owned by Mike Drinkwater, who strives to provide affordable housing to fulltime workers.

Affordable rentals in Bryson City

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Real estate investor and self-sacrificing do-gooder are not always two descriptive phrases found in the same sentence. Mike Drinkwater, originally from Florida, has set out to construct affordable housing options for hardworking area residents.
Curtis Cochran

Curtis Cochran

Cochran indicted by grand jury; faces rape charge

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Curtis Cochran, former Swain County sheriff, was indicted on a second-degree forcible rape charge by a grand jury on Monday, July 21. SBI agents arrested Cochran Tuesday morning, July 22. He was released on a $50,000 secured bond.
Submitted photo. Victory Baptist Church Elevation 4:12 youth group members Savannah Currie (left to right), Sarah Lawson (leader), Kinsley Hyatt and Adison Shuler worship at Fort Bluff Camp in Dayton, Tennessee in July. Victory Baptist Church youth learned about love, life and purpose.

Submitted photo. Victory Baptist Church Elevation 4:12 youth group members Savannah Currie (left to right), Sarah Lawson (leader), Kinsley Hyatt and Adison Shuler worship at Fort Bluff Camp in Dayton, Tennessee in July. Victory Baptist Church youth learned about love, life and purpose.

Elevation 4:12 goes to camp

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Elevation 4:12 faithfully journeyed to Fort Bluff Camp in Dayton, Tennessee Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11. “They came back with a purpose, knowing who God is to them and knowing how God wants to use them,” said Tanner Lawson, youth pastor at Victory Baptist Church.