Regional

Gabe Crow was last seen on Jan. 27 in West Asheville. Anyone with information is urged to contact Lt. Welch with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office by calling (828)250-4503

Gabe Crow was last seen on Jan. 27 in West Asheville. Anyone with information is urged to contact Lt. Welch with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office by calling (828)250-4503

EBCI sounds alarm for missing member, Gabe Crow

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Gabe Crow was last seen on Jan. 27 in West Asheville and concerns continue to grow as his family has not heard from him. On Friday morning, Feb.
A 1990s-themed celebration was held at The Museum of the Cherokee People this past Friday night to honor the retirement of the current permanent exhibit.

A 1990s-themed celebration was held at The Museum of the Cherokee People this past Friday night to honor the retirement of the current permanent exhibit.

Museum of Cherokee celebrates new era

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   With a nod to the past, the Museum of the Cherokee People partied like it was 1998 this past Friday night, Dec. 29.
Several members of Nantahala Area SORBA pose with Trail Dynamics, which works on building new mountain bike trails.

Several members of Nantahala Area SORBA pose with Trail Dynamics, which works on building new mountain bike trails.

Nantahala Area SORBA builds community, maintains trails

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Nantahala Area SORBA Vice President Jack Summers likes the way mountain biking uplifts his soul. “I noticed I’m a lot calmer and more relaxed after riding some,” he said. “If I don’t ride for three or four days, my wife suggests I go ride.
Parking tags or passes are required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for people parking more than 15 minutes. The cost for a day is $5. Annual passes are $40.

Parking tags or passes are required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for people parking more than 15 minutes. The cost for a day is $5. Annual passes are $40.

NPS says Park it Forward in the Smokies a success

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   After almost a year, the Great Smoky Mountains’ Park It Forward parking pass program that caused controversy in Swain County is going strong, according to National Park Service spokeswoman Emily Davis.
Aerial photo of the Black Bear Fire, November 16, 2023.

Aerial photo of the Black Bear Fire, November 16, 2023.

Black Bear Fire along I-40, 150 acres with closures in effect

Mars Hill, NC, November 16, 2023— Firefighters are currently responding to the Black Bear Fire located near Interstate 40 at mile marker 3, in Haywood County on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest.
Shana Bushyhead Condill, executive director of the Museum of the Cherokee People, is excited about modernizing the museum to focus more on local interests in Cherokee.

Shana Bushyhead Condill, executive director of the Museum of the Cherokee People, is excited about modernizing the museum to focus more on local interests in Cherokee.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian rebrands to focus on locals

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has long been a haven for tourists, with the museum proudly visible at the main junction right before tourists would drive to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
From left: Mikel Laws, BJ Taylor, Tim Williams, Jamie Mason and Kenneth Rymer make up Appalachian Smoke. The band has a new album coming out in early 2024, Laws says.

From left: Mikel Laws, BJ Taylor, Tim Williams, Jamie Mason and Kenneth Rymer make up Appalachian Smoke. The band has a new album coming out in early 2024, Laws says.

Appalachian Smoke signs with Mountain Fever

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Bryson City based bluegrass band Appalachian Smoke, now signed to a new label and poised to release their second album, feels like bluegrass isn’t going anywhere.
Bikers, many of whom have Cherokee or other Native American ancestry, met in Cherokee on Friday, Sept. 15 to take a long cross-state ride in tribute to their ancestors in the 1800s who were forced to leave the area by government mandate on the Trail of Tears.

Bikers, many of whom have Cherokee or other Native American ancestry, met in Cherokee on Friday, Sept. 15 to take a long cross-state ride in tribute to their ancestors in the 1800s who were forced to leave the area by government mandate on the Trail of Tears.

Trail of Tears riders honor difficult history

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   At 10 a.m. on the dot Friday, Sept. 15, dozens of motorcyclists revved up and drove out of Cherokee on a mission. The event was the 30th annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, with the first one having taken place in 1994.
Beverly Collins, professor emeritus at WCU, is been the leaf expert for WCU.

Beverly Collins, professor emeritus at WCU, is been the leaf expert for WCU.

WCU professor emeritus shares annual fall color forecast

CULLOWHEE – Fall, the time of year when Western Carolina University’s campus is bustling with activity, classes, football and of course, the brilliant color of autumn leaves.

Hicks will return as EBCI Principal Chief

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   You could call it a landslide. In the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians General Election Sept. 7, voters overwhelmingly favored the return of former Principal Chief Michell Hicks.