News

A whole lot of fun at Mountain Heritage Day

It was a welcome return for the annual Mountain Heritage Day festival this past Saturday at Western Carolina University. With perfect fall weather, the festival was a real crowd pleaser with something for everyone from traditional fair food to craft demonstrations, music, dance and more.

New, free Covid testing site opening Friday

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   After Labor Day weekend, every doctor’s office and urgent care in the area was packed full of people seeking a Covid-19 test. Some relief is on the way to address long wait times and other hassles of testing. Beginning Friday, Oct.

Covid outbreak adds stress at jail

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A now almost contained recent Covid outbreak at Swain County Detention Center caused problems for not just inmates but put detention officers and their families at an increased risk.

Tradition continues at Mitchell Cemetery Decoration

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A group dedicated to maintaining the North Shore cemeteries that are no longer accessible by road, had their monthly decoration this past Saturday for Mitchell Cemetery.

Residents appeal to county for help to fix East Alarka Road

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Board of Commissioners heard from residents of East Alarka Road during the board’s work session meeting Thursday, Sept. 23. The message was a desire to work together to get N.C.

SCHS Class of 1965 honors 58 Veterans at 56th reunion

The SCHS class of 1965 held its 56th reunion at The Chestnut Tree Inn on Saturday, Sept. 25. This was a special Veterans Appreciation Reunion. All veteran classmates and spouses were honored. The group included many family members of the 58 veterans represented as many are now deceased.

Cases leveling but Covid spread still high

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Like all of North Carolina counties, Swain County’s community transmission rate for Covid-19 remains high, according to the U.S.

Local hospital system averaging 12-15 Covid patients

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Clinical Hospital Pharmacist Kayla Mullinax works at Swain Community and Harris Regional Hospital.

Tensions high at September Board of Education meeting

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Board of Education met for a regular meeting Monday, Sept. 13. Among decisions were a minor mask mandate change and $1,000 bonuses for school employees.

Council keeps status quo on same sex marriage ban

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council voted to keep a 2014 same sex marriage ban on its books during its meeting held last Thursday, Sept. 9.