News

Photo/Charles Bryson. A structure fire on Balltown Road March 14.

Photo/Charles Bryson. A structure fire on Balltown Road March 14.

Lightning-sparked fires damage four homes

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Four structure fires sparked by a passing storm kept firefighters busy Wednesday morning, with crews responding to multiple calls within an hour.
Photo/Hannah Robinson. Indie, born on Independence Day in 2024, was discovered with her umbilical cord still attached and burns from hot asphalt. BCCS raised her through Hurricane Helene until she could safely return to her original finders.

Photo/Hannah Robinson. Indie, born on Independence Day in 2024, was discovered with her umbilical cord still attached and burns from hot asphalt. BCCS raised her through Hurricane Helene until she could safely return to her original finders.

Cat Sanctuary gives felines a second chance at life 

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Bryson City Cat Sanctuary is giving area cats a second chance at life through a network of volunteer foster homes, with a whopping 28 currently up for adoption.
Photo/Jacqueline S. McWhorter. Kadie Cline (front), (back, left to right) Alex Neugin and Faith West tour Cherokee Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cherokee March 6.

Photo/Jacqueline S. McWhorter. Kadie Cline (front), (back, left to right) Alex Neugin and Faith West tour Cherokee Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cherokee March 6.

Swain Academy: Exploring the journey of clean water

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Jacqueline S. McWhorter Contributor   It is easy for us to take for granted life’s simplest necessities, like clean, safe water.
Photo Submitted. Madison Weston, eighth grade, (left to right) stands alongside Elsie-Mae Clayton, seventh grade, (not pictured is Avery Roland, ninth grade) at Regional National History Day in Hendersonville in March 2026.

Photo Submitted. Madison Weston, eighth grade, (left to right) stands alongside Elsie-Mae Clayton, seventh grade, (not pictured is Avery Roland, ninth grade) at Regional National History Day in Hendersonville in March 2026.

3 Swain students advance to state History Day contest

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Regional National History Day competitions for 2026 featured the theme “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Swain County Middle School students competed in regional contests in Hendersonville this month, with three winners advancing to the NC History Day State Contest at UNC Greensboro May 2.
Photo/Kent Maxy. Volunteers spent two days cleaning up along the Tuckaseegee River during Swain Clean's annual river clean up, held March 13 and 14.

Photo/Kent Maxy. Volunteers spent two days cleaning up along the Tuckaseegee River during Swain Clean's annual river clean up, held March 13 and 14.

SWAIN CLEAN

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
This past Friday and Saturday, the community came together once again for the annual Swain Clean River Cleanup—and what a success it was. Gina Wiggins, a dedicated river and lake advocate, helped lead this effort alongside an incredible team of volunteers, local businesses, and organizations.
Brandon Sutton

Brandon Sutton

Sutton to lead Swain County Schools

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Brandon Sutton, a longtime educator in Western North Carolina, has been named the new superintendent of Swain County Schools, bringing nearly two decades of experience in teaching, school leadership and district administration to the role.
Submitted photo. Renowned beekeeper Bob Binnie presents to the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association during an educational program at Swain County Business Training Center in 2025.

Submitted photo. Renowned beekeeper Bob Binnie presents to the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association during an educational program at Swain County Business Training Center in 2025.

Welcome to the hive

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Beekeepers from across the Southern Smokies come together each month to share knowledge, support new beekeepers and promote healthier pollinator populations through the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association.
Submitted photo. Swain County Recreation Park June 24, 2025.

Submitted photo. Swain County Recreation Park June 24, 2025.

Rec center joins Alliance, expands youth programs

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Swain County Recreation Park has taken a major step forward in youth sports and community programming by joining the National Alliance of Youth Sports. “Our coaches are now required to complete classes and national background checks,” said Taylor Woodard, park director.
Submitted photo. Seven lucky shelter dogs enjoy a day out by the lake with the new P.A.W.S. Tailblazers club in April.

Submitted photo. Seven lucky shelter dogs enjoy a day out by the lake with the new P.A.W.S. Tailblazers club in April.

P.A.W.S. launches ‘Trailblazers’ group

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
A new volunteer program is giving shelter dogs in Bryson City a chance to stretch their legs and it is all thanks to P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter.  Dogs get to explore the world beyond the kennel and connect with potential adopters.