News

Bryson City town worker Logan McCall runs the residential recycling pick-up on Wednesday morning. He's pictured here collecting recyclables from homes on Hospital Hill.

Bryson City town worker Logan McCall runs the residential recycling pick-up on Wednesday morning. He's pictured here collecting recyclables from homes on Hospital Hill.

Take it to the curb: Bryson City has recycling program

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   If you live in Bryson City and want to recycle, mark your calendars for Wednesdays, that’s the day the town recycling truck does its rounds to pick up cardboard, glass, plastic and paper products from residential customers.
The area’s Special Olympics team helped lead Monday night’s school board meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The area’s Special Olympics team helped lead Monday night’s school board meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

School board advocates better teacher, staff pay

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Monday night’s school board meeting saw the board hearing about various updates planned for mental health and curriculum going forward, now that the school year has officially ended.
New recreation director Taylor Woodard has numerous projects she’s overseeing for the department. She is pictured with programming director Mitchell Green.

New recreation director Taylor Woodard has numerous projects she’s overseeing for the department. She is pictured with programming director Mitchell Green.

New recreation director hits refresh on department

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Barely six months into her job, Swain County recreation director Taylor Woodard is looking at big new projects and digital-age upgrades to improve the department. Woodard rattles off a list of various projects coming up.

Commissioners pass budget and approve land swap

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of Commissioners' meeting Tuesday morning, June 6, saw the commissioners passing a budget for the year in a 3-2 decision, but clashing over issues about the recreation park updates and the Black Hill Road land swap.
Two businesses, Smoky Mountain Campground LLC and Creek Life Tubes LLC, located at the Deep Creek entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, have requested to have satellite annexation to the town of Bryson City.

Two businesses, Smoky Mountain Campground LLC and Creek Life Tubes LLC, located at the Deep Creek entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, have requested to have satellite annexation to the town of Bryson City.

Town board weighs annexation request

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A satellite annexation request was tabled by Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen during the board’s regular meeting Monday, June 5, as the board seeks more information as to whether it could fulfill requirements for services to the area.
Roger Puta Great Smoky Mountain Railroad has a projected date for early 2026 Debut and entry back into service for the Southern Railway Engine 722, pictured above.

Roger Puta Great Smoky Mountain Railroad has a projected date for early 2026 Debut and entry back into service for the Southern Railway Engine 722, pictured above.

GSMR begins restoring steam engine 722

News Staff
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR), owned and operated by American Heritage Railways (AHR), is proud to announce the rebuild of historic Southern Railway Steam Locomotive 722.
Visitors to Bryson City look at the menu outside Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant on Tuesday.

Visitors to Bryson City look at the menu outside Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant on Tuesday.

Downtown Bryson busy for holiday

News Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and downtown businesses were mostly satisfied with the numbers of tourists who were on the streets.
A lunch at Swain County High School, which will be free for students under the newly adopted CEP program this coming year.

A lunch at Swain County High School, which will be free for students under the newly adopted CEP program this coming year.

School board adopts CEP program to provide free meals

News Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County School Board has adopted the CEP program, which will let every student eat a free breakfast and lunch at school if they want to.
Swain High School Principal Sonya Blankenship presented the Principal’s Award to Ryleigh Long

Swain High School Principal Sonya Blankenship presented the Principal’s Award to Ryleigh Long

Swain High School hosts Academic Awards Banquet

News Staff
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County High School  held the 34th annual Academic Awards banquet on Thursday, May 25 in the high school gym. Presenting this year’s awards were: Kathleen Gray (Teacher of the Year), Anna Roland, Cindy Thompson and Amelia Allman.