News

Grocery prices are up 8.4% since this time last year.

Grocery prices are up 8.4% since this time last year.

FRC sees strain as food benefits end

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Family Resource Center’s food bank is seeing the strain now that pandemic-era benefits have expired.

DA says no charges will be pressed in Wilson death

Staff reports   In a press release issued Tuesday night, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said no criminal charges will be brought against a South Carolina resident who shot and killed Lambert Wilson last fall. Law enforcement officers arrived in the evening hours of Oct.
The town will still be building a new sewer plant with ARPA funding.

The town will still be building a new sewer plant with ARPA funding.

Town rejects USDA loan for sewer improvements

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Monday, May 1, Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen made the tough decision to reject a 1.375% fixed-rate 40-year loan agreement of $6.
The Quin Theatres reopened under new ownership as Catamount Cinemas in Sylva last July.

The Quin Theatres reopened under new ownership as Catamount Cinemas in Sylva last July.

Movie theater owners optimistic about future

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   David Parlier, co-owner of Catamount Cinemas in Sylva, sounds optimistic about the future of his theaters.
Fighting kudzu was suggested during public comment.

Fighting kudzu was suggested during public comment.

Commissioners divided over homestead exemption

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of County Commissioners deliberated over whether to submit a resolution for a homestead exemption tax to state reps and also talked what to do about kudzu at their meeting Tuesday, April 18.
The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians is moving to its new location on Island Street to open next month. The new building, pictured above, is modeled after a log cabin and was built by county workers.

The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians is moving to its new location on Island Street to open next month. The new building, pictured above, is modeled after a log cabin and was built by county workers.

TDA unsure of Christmas light display plans

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Bryson City Tourist Development Authority quibbled over the specifics of a new Christmas light event for this year – with some members unsure of whether to move forward at the board’s recent meeting last Wednesday.
From left, Katelynn Ledford-McCoy and Kallup McCoy hold up the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians flag while visiting Boston for the 127th Boston Marathon.

From left, Katelynn Ledford-McCoy and Kallup McCoy hold up the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians flag while visiting Boston for the 127th Boston Marathon.

McCoy completes Boston in 2:40

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County’s own Kallup McCoy completed his first Boston Marathon on April 17, 2023, with a time of 2:40:24—a true testament to what hard work, faith and change can manifest.

Schools to upgrade security cameras, Chromebooks

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   At the Swain County school board meeting Monday night, April 17, the board approved numerous budget amendments for RFPs (request for proposals) to fund new security cameras and laptops for the schools.
Children participate in an hands-on activity hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at a previous Swain High Science Club Earth Day Celebration.

Children participate in an hands-on activity hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at a previous Swain High Science Club Earth Day Celebration.

Swain science students invite you to an Earth Day Celebration

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County High School Science Club is making its Earth Day Celebration a tradition. In its third year, the club is inviting the public to get involved at the annual event to be held at the memorial stadium on Saturday, April 22.