News

The puppy has been named Apollo and is now getting lots of care and attention through PAWS before he will be adopted.

The puppy has been named Apollo and is now getting lots of care and attention through PAWS before he will be adopted.

Puppy recovers at PAWS after flung from car

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A German Shepard mix puppy is recovering at PAWS Animal Shelter in Bryson City after being thrown from a vehicle, shelter owner Beth Cline said on Thursday, Sept. 14. “He’s doing good now,” Cline said.
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are linked to increased overdose deaths across the United States.

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are linked to increased overdose deaths across the United States.

Man indicted on death by distribution charges

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A Cherokee man has been indicted for selling fentanyl-laced drugs that led to a woman’s death a year ago. Dylan Keith Wahnetah, 37, of Tom McCoy Road in Cherokee, reportedly sold fentanyl to a victim on Oct. 29, 2022.
Bikers, many of whom have Cherokee or other Native American ancestry, met in Cherokee on Friday, Sept. 15 to take a long cross-state ride in tribute to their ancestors in the 1800s who were forced to leave the area by government mandate on the Trail of Tears.

Bikers, many of whom have Cherokee or other Native American ancestry, met in Cherokee on Friday, Sept. 15 to take a long cross-state ride in tribute to their ancestors in the 1800s who were forced to leave the area by government mandate on the Trail of Tears.

Trail of Tears riders honor difficult history

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   At 10 a.m. on the dot Friday, Sept. 15, dozens of motorcyclists revved up and drove out of Cherokee on a mission. The event was the 30th annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, with the first one having taken place in 1994.
Beverly Collins, professor emeritus at WCU, is been the leaf expert for WCU.

Beverly Collins, professor emeritus at WCU, is been the leaf expert for WCU.

WCU professor emeritus shares annual fall color forecast

CULLOWHEE – Fall, the time of year when Western Carolina University’s campus is bustling with activity, classes, football and of course, the brilliant color of autumn leaves.
Jackie Thomason was killed at his residence on McCracken Road, pictured above, after Daniel Sutton and Jeremy Solomon went to his home to confront him about a truck title.

Jackie Thomason was killed at his residence on McCracken Road, pictured above, after Daniel Sutton and Jeremy Solomon went to his home to confront him about a truck title.

Sutton declared guilty of first degree murder

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Daniel Sutton, on trial for murder for the past week, will spend the rest of his life behind bars per the verdict reached by a jury of his peers on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 6.
West Principal Lisa Sutton (left) recognizes student Christoph Ensley for good character at the Monday, Sept. 11 school board meeting, held at the middle school media center.

West Principal Lisa Sutton (left) recognizes student Christoph Ensley for good character at the Monday, Sept. 11 school board meeting, held at the middle school media center.

School board talks security, legislation

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   At the Sept. 11 Swain County Board of Education meeting, the board made quick work of going through updates on school security, meal plans and statewide legislation.

Hicks will return as EBCI Principal Chief

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   You could call it a landslide. In the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians General Election Sept. 7, voters overwhelmingly favored the return of former Principal Chief Michell Hicks.
Utility work being conducted on Everett Street is progressing, albeit with an end date later than initially thought. It’s now set to end on Oct. 13.

Utility work being conducted on Everett Street is progressing, albeit with an end date later than initially thought. It’s now set to end on Oct. 13.

Utility work gets new estimated completion date of Oct. 13

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A meeting with the Town of Bryson City regarding the ongoing utilities work saw business owners requesting that the town just keep construction going on weekends, so as to hopefully get the roads open earlier.