News

Mike Colcord, a volunteer with The Giving Spoon, gets ready to hand out meals at the Bryson City Presbyterian Church.Credit: Larry Griffin/SMT

Mike Colcord, a volunteer with The Giving Spoon, gets ready to hand out meals at the Bryson City Presbyterian Church.Credit: Larry Griffin/SMT

Swain County low-income workers face troubles amid high prices

News Staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
The Swain County Social Services Department is seeing some more activity lately, with more people applying for SNAP benefits in the wake of high grocery prices.

Bryson City TDA considers global economy in planning budget

News Staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Tourism & Development Authority (TDA) met at the McKinley Edwards Inn on Wednesday, Jan. 25, for an annual retreat where they spoke about budgeting for the coming year, parking pass issues and more.
Robin Roper shops at Ingles in Bryson City.

Robin Roper shops at Ingles in Bryson City.

Local grocery store shoppers dispirited by high prices

News Staff
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Customers who browse the shelves at Bryson City IGA and the Ingles in town are wincing as they see the prices. Everything from eggs to produce to meat is hitting their wallets more these days, they say, as the nation keeps reeling from inflated prices for food across the board.
NCDOT engineers show Bryson aldermen the improvement plans.

NCDOT engineers show Bryson aldermen the improvement plans.

Everett Street improvements planned for spring

News Staff
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
North Carolina Department of Transportation District 14 District Engineer Chris Lee and Resident Engineer Nathan Tanner spoke to Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen on Monday evening, Jan. 23 about current road projects in town. The first large project includes several intersection improvements.

Elections board seeking termination of director

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Swain County Board of Elections has filed a petition with North Carolina Board of Elections to terminate the county director. Few details about the reason behind the petition have been released, but a decision could come as early as the end of this month.
A fishing boat floats on the Tuckasegee River near the Governor's Island bridge.

A fishing boat floats on the Tuckasegee River near the Governor's Island bridge.

Commissioners table repeal of erosion control ordinance

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Swain County Commissioners took action on repealing two ordinances at the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Jan. 17 but decided to take more time for input on the erosion control ordinance before making a decision.

Swain has new 4-H agent

News Staff
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Kristi Griggs is the new 4-H agent at the Swain County Cooperative Extension Office. A North Carolina State 2014 graduate, Griggs is from Robbinsville and has a background in education. She will continue building on the current programs at 4-H and find new ways to keep the youth engaged.
Swain Community Hospital and Harris Regional Hospital area both owned by Duke LifePoint. Both hospitals have been busy the past few weeks with the increase in respiratory illnesses.

Swain Community Hospital and Harris Regional Hospital area both owned by Duke LifePoint. Both hospitals have been busy the past few weeks with the increase in respiratory illnesses.

Swain/Harris says staffing, resources adequate

News Staff
Thursday, January 19, 2023
While it might not be what it was during the height of the pandemic, Swain Community Hospital and Harris Regional Hospital, like other hospitals throughout Western North Carolina have seen an increase in patients as respiratory illnesses have been widespread this past month.
Firefighters climb to the roof of the home on Coopers Creek to put out a fire.

Firefighters climb to the roof of the home on Coopers Creek to put out a fire.

Residential fire reminder to clean chimneys

News Staff
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Bryson City Fire Department responded to a fire early on Thursday morning. The call for a structure fire came at 2:16 a.m. to a home located at 2664 Coopers Creek Road. The smell of smoke awoke the residents inside, and no one was injured.