Regional

Governor extends school closures, shutters businesses

News Staff
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
In the latest Executive Order in response to the public health crisis caused by the rapidly spreading coronavirus, NC Governor Roy Cooper announced in a press conference Monday afternoon he was extending K-12 public school closures through May 15 for in-person instruction.
Alum Cave Trail parking on Sunday March 22

Alum Cave Trail parking on Sunday March 22

National Park closes to support regional COVID-19 prevention efforts

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced Tuesday morning that all park areas, except the Foothills Parkway and the Spur, will close at noon on Tuesday, March 24 through Monday, April 6, in a continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the...
Hand washing steps

Hand washing steps

Taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
On Tuesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper went before the public to report that the state had its first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus in Wake County. The previously unknown severe respiratory virus was first found in humans in Wuhan, China, Dec. 31, 2019.

Federal indictment made in fentanyl overdose death case

News Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Staff reports   A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte returned a criminal bill of indictment on February 20, 2020, charging Shannon White, 42, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and resident of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, with distributing fentanyl that resulted...
The Tuckasegee River overflowed its banks on Thursday following 3-4 inches of rain. Pictured above, the river reaches beyond Island Street and up by Grumpy's Car Wash in downtown Bryson City.

The Tuckasegee River overflowed its banks on Thursday following 3-4 inches of rain. Pictured above, the river reaches beyond Island Street and up by Grumpy's Car Wash in downtown Bryson City.

Flash flooding, river flooding impacts county

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Several areas across Swain County saw flash flooding and landslides on Thursday, Feb. 6 due to about 3-4 inches of rain that began on Wednesday and has continued with thunderstorms overnight and into the following day. Initially, Swain County Schools set a two-hour delay, but by 7:30 a.m.
oan Parks describes the global impacts of climate change

oan Parks describes the global impacts of climate change

Getting schooled on climate change

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
About 30 people attended a Climate Crisis Forum sponsored by Indivisible Swain held at the Marianna Black Library on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Early voting for primary just 2 weeks away

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
The general election might not be until Nov. 3, but the primary is just around the corner with one stop voting opening Thursday, Feb. 13 and absentee ballots already available. Early voting opens at 8 a.m. and will be available weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gina Collias, of Buncombe County, speaks to Swain County Democrats on why she's running for U.S. Congress District 11.

Gina Collias, of Buncombe County, speaks to Swain County Democrats on why she's running for U.S. Congress District 11.

A word from the candidates: Democrats

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
  Early voting starts in less than a month, and Swain County Democrats got to hear from candidates during their monthly meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21 held at the United Community Bank with about 30 voters attending. There was palpable enthusiasm for how the U.S.