News

PAWS took in Apollo and he is currently being fostered.

PAWS took in Apollo and he is currently being fostered.

Jail time for animal cruelty, abandonment

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Staff Reports   A Bryson City man has been sentenced to jail time in an animal cruelty case. On Feb. 3, David Paul George Jr., of Bryson City, was found guilty in Swain County District Court on charges of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and misdemeanor abandonment of an animal.
Piled up wood storm debris fills the exposed riverbed next to the 288 boat ramp.

Piled up wood storm debris fills the exposed riverbed next to the 288 boat ramp.

Riverbed cleanup planned Feb. 22-23

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Sometimes the answer of who will do the work is you. Several Swain County residents are answering the question of who will do the cleanup by taking part in a riverbed cleanup planned along the river at the Old 288 Road Saturday and Sunday Feb.
Jerry Bryan, Swain County animal services director, discussed the design for the shelter.

Jerry Bryan, Swain County animal services director, discussed the design for the shelter.

Interior work taking shape at county animal shelter

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   It might not look like much is going on to those passing by the metal building across from the county recycling that will become the county animal shelter, but inside, county employees are stacking concrete block— and its rooms are taking shape.
You can view a draft map of Bryson City that designates land parcels into districts as part of a Unified Development Ordinance to be adopted into law by visiting Bryson City Town Hall. Yellow is residential, blue is downtown, red is commercial, purple is industrial and pink is specialty.

You can view a draft map of Bryson City that designates land parcels into districts as part of a Unified Development Ordinance to be adopted into law by visiting Bryson City Town Hall. Yellow is residential, blue is downtown, red is commercial, purple is industrial and pink is specialty.

Town board begins UDO discussion

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Town of Bryson City will join other municipalities across the state this year when the board of aldermen adopts a Unified Development Ordinance that establishes zoning in the town that currently has none.

Man fires gun in air at local gas station

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A Sylva man faces one felony and four misdemeanor charges after violent behavior at a Bryson City gas station. On Monday, Jan. 27, Quinton Earl Barker Jr.
Lottie Barker has officially been hired as the new county manager.

Lottie Barker has officially been hired as the new county manager.

County manager contract official

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Following about a 30-minute closed session meeting Tuesday night Jan. 21, Swain County Board of Commissioners in a 4-1 vote adopted a contract agreement officially hiring Lottie Barker as county manager. Commissioner David Loftis opposed.

A legacy of care: Mary Burrell, activities director

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Staff Reports   Mary Burrell has been working at Mountain View Manor, a long-term nursing center on Buckner Branch Road in Bryson City, since she saw an advertisement in this newspaper. Actually, she told her friend, Rachel Sutton, to apply, and that she would soon join her.
A section of Main Street, from town square to IGA, that has seen an increase in pedestrian traffic since Stonebrook Lodge opened is slated for pedestrian improvements.

A section of Main Street, from town square to IGA, that has seen an increase in pedestrian traffic since Stonebrook Lodge opened is slated for pedestrian improvements.

Main Street sidewalk project receives additional funding

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A section of town that has gained more foot traffic in recent years will soon see sidewalk and overall pedestrian improvements. At the Town Board of Aldermen meeting held Tuesday, Jan. 19, the board heard more about the plans and took action.