Regional

This billboard on 441 advertises the towns in southwestern NC that are seeking visitors

This billboard on 441 advertises the towns in southwestern NC that are seeking visitors

Promoting fall tourism in WNC

News Staff
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Staff Reports editor@thefranklinpress.com   Just as the fall tourism season was set to begin, Hurricane Helene blew through causing devastation throughout western North Carolina. People lost their lives, homes and businesses in the flooding.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Great Smoky Cannabis Co. facility will open recreational cannabis sales Sept. 7.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Great Smoky Cannabis Co. facility will open recreational cannabis sales Sept. 7.

Cherokee to open marijuana sales for non-tribal adults

News Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Thomas Sherrill reporter@thefranklinpress.com   Following through on its tribal mandate, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will open its recreational cannabis sales to all adults aged 21 and up on Sept. 7. The tribal-owned dispensary Great Smoky Cannabis Co.
Darnell Farms, led by Nate Darnell (left) and sister Afton Roberts, is the recipient of the organizational Mountain Heritage Day award.

Darnell Farms, led by Nate Darnell (left) and sister Afton Roberts, is the recipient of the organizational Mountain Heritage Day award.

Mtn Heritage Award honors Darnell Farms

News Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
CULLOWHEE—Western Carolina University will present the 2024 Mountain Heritage Awards during the Mountain Heritage Day festival Saturday, Sept. 28, on the Ingles Blue Ridge Stage around midday.
Photo by Marc Hunt / 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Montgomery, AL Evy Leibfarth, of Swain County, earned the bronze medal in women's canoe slalom WC-1.

Photo by Marc Hunt / 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Montgomery, AL Evy Leibfarth, of Swain County, earned the bronze medal in women's canoe slalom WC-1.

Evy Leibfarth wins Olympic bronze in Paris

News Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Cannon Crompton sports@cherokeescout.com   BRYSON CITY – An Olympic bronze medal is coming back to Western North Carolina from Paris courtesy of Evy Leibfarth, who had the run of her life on July 31 in the canoe slalom WC-1, where she secured a bronze medal. Leibfarth won Team U.S.A.
Amanda Pack and Cara Smith of Angel Medical Center trained Fontana Regional Library staff to help patrons to check out and use Libraries with Heart blood pressure monitoring kits.

Amanda Pack and Cara Smith of Angel Medical Center trained Fontana Regional Library staff to help patrons to check out and use Libraries with Heart blood pressure monitoring kits.

Libraries with Heart program Expands to Fontana Regional Library

News Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Fontana Regional Library patrons are now able to check out healthier hearts and brains through an expansion of the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program.

U.S. Poet Laureate to visit Smokies

News Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
GATLINBURG—The beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has inspired artists for nearly 100 years. Ada Limón, the country’s 24th Poet Laureate, will celebrate that legacy at a special event at Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Saturday, July 20.
The annual Freedom Festival concludes with a huge fireworks display at 10 p.m.

The annual Freedom Festival concludes with a huge fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Freedom Fest returns to Bryson City July 4th

News Staff
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
On Thursday, July 4, from 10 a.m.–10 p.m., the Swain County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the annual Freedom Fest event in downtown Bryson City, and a full day of family friendly fun for everyone to enjoy.
Swain Arts Center will have an event for Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day on Sunday, April 28.

Swain Arts Center will have an event for Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day on Sunday, April 28.

Swain Arts Center has a full slate of 2024 events

News Staff
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
The theatre was full at Swain Arts Center recently when Swain High School put on its production of “Grease School Version.” The entertainment is scheduled to continue this spring.
Midnight Hole in Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular spot for swimming in the summer.

Midnight Hole in Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular spot for swimming in the summer.

13 million visits at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2023

News Staff
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Last week, the National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022. At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 2023 visitation was 3% higher than 2022. With 13.