News

Brandt publishes latest children’s book

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Juliana Brandt, who taught kindergarten at West Elementary and now teaches second grade in her hometown in Minnesota, will soon have her next children’s book published. The book, “Exit Nowhere” will hit bookshelves Sept.
The festival sign welcomes visitors to the first Nantahala Arts and Crafts Festival held this past Saturday.

The festival sign welcomes visitors to the first Nantahala Arts and Crafts Festival held this past Saturday.

Nantahala hosts first arts & crafts festival

Nantahala Community Development held its inaugural Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, July 27 near the Nantahala River rafting launch site at the corner of 19-74 and Wayah Road.
An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday.

An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday.

Infant drowns on Fontana Lake after boat capsizes

Staff Reports   A Swain County family experienced an unimaginable loss Saturday, July 27, as a day of fun turned into tragedy. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reports they are investigating an incident of a boat capsizing that led to the drowning of a one-year-old baby boy.
Swain County visitors look at listings posted on the windows and doors at Good Life Real Estate located on Everett Street in downtown Bryson City.

Swain County visitors look at listings posted on the windows and doors at Good Life Real Estate located on Everett Street in downtown Bryson City.

Swain’s second home, vacation market still strong

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   When it comes to the real estate market in Swain County this year, second homes and investment properties continue to rule.
Swain High's Ian Roper takes a tour at TekTone with Amber Mauthe, technical support manager, as part of the Kenan Fellows Program.

Swain High's Ian Roper takes a tour at TekTone with Amber Mauthe, technical support manager, as part of the Kenan Fellows Program.

Swain’s Roper takes part in Kenan Fellows Program with TekTone

Gary Ayers ayers5315@bellsouth.net   To say it has been a busy and rewarding summer for Swain High teacher, counselor and coach Ian Roper is a true understatement. Just after being named by the U.S.

Shuler is named East Elementary Principal

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Earlier this week, Swain County Schools announced that Tyler Shuler has been named as the new principal for East Elementary School. Shuler started with Swain County Schools in 2014.
Amanda Pack and Cara Smith of Angel Medical Center trained Fontana Regional Library staff to help patrons to check out and use Libraries with Heart blood pressure monitoring kits.

Amanda Pack and Cara Smith of Angel Medical Center trained Fontana Regional Library staff to help patrons to check out and use Libraries with Heart blood pressure monitoring kits.

Libraries with Heart program Expands to Fontana Regional Library

Fontana Regional Library patrons are now able to check out healthier hearts and brains through an expansion of the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program.
A pedestrian crosses Main Street toward Stonebrook Lodge. The Bryson City Planning Board has identified this section of Main Street as the best area to direct limited grant funding toward sidewalk repairs, in part because most of the utilities under the sidewalks have been upgraded unlike on the other side of the road toward Veterans Boulevard.

A pedestrian crosses Main Street toward Stonebrook Lodge. The Bryson City Planning Board has identified this section of Main Street as the best area to direct limited grant funding toward sidewalk repairs, in part because most of the utilities under the sidewalks have been upgraded unlike on the other side of the road toward Veterans Boulevard.

Main Street sidewalk plans shift to new area

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Sidewalks are important in every town. Main Street in downtown Bryson City sees a lot of foot traffic on its sidewalks that have not been upgraded in decades and present challenges for safe walking.
According to the county, the previous property owner is responsible for demolishing the old building on Black Hill Road where the school system plans to build a new middle school.

According to the county, the previous property owner is responsible for demolishing the old building on Black Hill Road where the school system plans to build a new middle school.

Arranging the pieces for new middle school

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Board of Education has a vision for a new Swain Middle School campus to be located on Black Hill Road. Most recently, the district put out a Request for Qualifications for design and planning.