News

A recent activity for a Big and Little was visiting Winchester Farms in Swain County with the Little’s friend.

A recent activity for a Big and Little was visiting Winchester Farms in Swain County with the Little’s friend.

Bigs, get paired with a Little for the new school year

News Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   What is the value of friendship? To have someone to share fun experiences with, learn together and laugh might just be priceless. Big Brothers Big Sisters has been in the nonprofit business of friendship for 120 years.
Swain Commissioners now have a Code of Conduct & Ethics.

Swain Commissioners now have a Code of Conduct & Ethics.

County commissioners adopt Code of Conduct 3-2

News Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Board of Commissioners now have a Code of Ethics and Conduct, having adopted the rules at their regular meeting Aug. 20 in a 3-2 vote.
Jessica Webb/SMT A crowd made up mostly of Bryson City business owners filled the seats at Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen meeting to question water and sewer rate increases.

Jessica Webb/SMT A crowd made up mostly of Bryson City business owners filled the seats at Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen meeting to question water and sewer rate increases.

Business owners, residents cry foul over water rates

News Staff
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen knew they would have to change their regular meeting location to a bigger room. Even before last Tuesday night’s meeting Aug.
Keith Payne coached Swain High's runners since 2019.

Keith Payne coached Swain High's runners since 2019.

Swain Coach Keith Payne passes away

News Staff
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Staff reports   The first day of the school year for Swain County Schools Monday was shrouded by sadness as the district marked the passing Saturday, Aug. 17 of esteemed running coach Keith Payne. Coach Payne was the head cross country and indoor track coach and assistant outdoor track coach.

Guilty plea entered in 2013 murder cold case

News Staff
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Staff Reports   ASHEVILLE – Ernest D. Pheasant, Sr., 47, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Pheasant entered his guilty plea before U.S.
New water and sewer rate structures in town have equated to exorbitant bills for some businesses.

New water and sewer rate structures in town have equated to exorbitant bills for some businesses.

New water rates send shockwave through town

News Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The start of the new fiscal year was July 1, and with that new water and sewer usage rates went into effect for the Town of Bryson City customers.
The timeline for county workers to finish the new animal control building is unclear

The timeline for county workers to finish the new animal control building is unclear

Commissioners recruiting for animal services committee

News Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The topic of starting a new animal services department has been a heated one for the current Swain County Board of Commissioners.
Darnell Farms, led by Nate Darnell (left) and sister Afton Roberts, is the recipient of the organizational Mountain Heritage Day award.

Darnell Farms, led by Nate Darnell (left) and sister Afton Roberts, is the recipient of the organizational Mountain Heritage Day award.

Mtn Heritage Award honors Darnell Farms

News Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
CULLOWHEE—Western Carolina University will present the 2024 Mountain Heritage Awards during the Mountain Heritage Day festival Saturday, Sept. 28, on the Ingles Blue Ridge Stage around midday.
Photo by Marc Hunt / 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Montgomery, AL Evy Leibfarth, of Swain County, earned the bronze medal in women's canoe slalom WC-1.

Photo by Marc Hunt / 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Montgomery, AL Evy Leibfarth, of Swain County, earned the bronze medal in women's canoe slalom WC-1.

Evy Leibfarth wins Olympic bronze in Paris

News Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Cannon Crompton sports@cherokeescout.com   BRYSON CITY – An Olympic bronze medal is coming back to Western North Carolina from Paris courtesy of Evy Leibfarth, who had the run of her life on July 31 in the canoe slalom WC-1, where she secured a bronze medal. Leibfarth won Team U.S.A.

Moving forward with fire positions across the county

News Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   In an effort toward modernization, the fire departments in Swain County are adding personnel. Both the Town of Bryson City aldermen and Swain County commissioners dedicated funding for positions in the most recently adopted 2024-2025 budgets.