News

Rodney Morrow is the new Swain County tax assessor

Rodney Morrow is the new Swain County tax assessor

County tax department under new leadership

News Staff
Thursday, January 12, 2023
With the retirement of Peggy Hyde last September after she was in her position for 18 years, Swain County starts 2023 with new leadership for its tax department and is about 5 months into splitting the department into the tax collection and tax assessment sides.
Town planning board has suggested a nice, big pavilion for Island Park, similar to the one pictured here at Deep Creek but likely without the stonework and fireplace.

Town planning board has suggested a nice, big pavilion for Island Park, similar to the one pictured here at Deep Creek but likely without the stonework and fireplace.

Planning board suggests a pavilion for Island Park

News Staff
Thursday, January 12, 2023
The Town of Bryson City wants to make Island Park more of a destination for families. Toward that effort, the planning board has suggested installing a large pavilion with the hope it would draw families to use the unique park.

Sheriff's office investigates social media threat to middle school

News Staff
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Swain County Schools notified the public on Sunday that the district had received a threat on social media. The post stated as follows: “On Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8, Swain County Schools was notified of a social media post threatening the safety of students on the middle school campus.
The indoor recreation center has new insulation and will get a new HVAC system this spring

The indoor recreation center has new insulation and will get a new HVAC system this spring

Commissioners to scrap unnecessary ordinances on the books

News Staff
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Board of Commissioners plan to repeal several ordinances on the books that are outdated or unenforceable.
Rep. Mike Clampitt speaks before Swain County commissioners on Tuesday. Commissioner Phillip Carson looks on.

Rep. Mike Clampitt speaks before Swain County commissioners on Tuesday. Commissioner Phillip Carson looks on.

Clampitt tells commissioners to ask for money

News Staff
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   North Carolina Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-119, Swain), spoke before Swain County Board of Commissioners during their first meeting of the year on Tuesday morning, Jan. 3. This was also the second meeting of the newly elected board.
The water above Ela Dam Tuesday morning is frozen over and covered with a dusting of snow.

The water above Ela Dam Tuesday morning is frozen over and covered with a dusting of snow.

Record cold temps wreak havoc on holiday weekend

News Staff
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   We all dream of a cozy Christmas morning, opening presents in front of the fire, while snowflakes flurry outside, but this holiday weekend, extreme cold temperatures ruined much of the country's plans with power outages and travel cancellations.
Swain Emergency responders rescued tubers stranded on Deep Creek on Aug. 11— the rescue involved several small children who fell from their tubes on the upper part of the creek.

Swain Emergency responders rescued tubers stranded on Deep Creek on Aug. 11— the rescue involved several small children who fell from their tubes on the upper part of the creek.

Compelling headlines in 2022

News Staff
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The year 2022 was newsworthy for Swain County including wildfires, high speed car chases, and even an emergency plane landing. Walk with us back in time as we jog your memory of these scary and noteworthy moments from the past year.
Volunteer firefighters work on a house fire in Deep Creek on Christmas Eve.

Volunteer firefighters work on a house fire in Deep Creek on Christmas Eve.

BCFD responds to multiple fires

News Staff
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Friday night around 11 p.m., Bryson City Fire Department and additional Swain County emergency responders were dispatched to a structure fire on McCracken Road in Galbraith Creek community with people still inside the residence.