Regional

Clampitt bill would lower legal alcohol limit for drivers

News Staff
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Right now, there is just one state where the legal blood alcohol level is 0.05, Utah. But if Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-119, Swain), has his way, North Carolina will be the second to lower the limit from 0.08. He has sponsored a bill (HB148).

North Carolina legislators approve Medicaid expansion

News Staff
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Thomas Sherrill reporter@thefranklinpress.com   A deal between Republican majority leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly will fast-track a Medicaid expansion bill that local representatives say will help many under-insured people in rural North Carolina.
Photo by Hannah Styles/SMT WNC Regional DWI Task Force’s Ellen Pitt speaks at Monday’s press conference raising awareness for “Blue Wednesday,” where officers across WNC will be out at 6 p.m. with blue lights on at locations where someone was killed or seriously injured in a DWI involved accident.

Photo by Hannah Styles/SMT WNC Regional DWI Task Force’s Ellen Pitt speaks at Monday’s press conference raising awareness for “Blue Wednesday,” where officers across WNC will be out at 6 p.m. with blue lights on at locations where someone was killed or seriously injured in a DWI involved accident.

Turning ‘Blackout Wednesday’ blue

News Staff
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Monday, the WNC Regional DWI Task Force held a conference in Waynesville to announce a new operation. Thanksgiving Eve, Nov.
National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and Rear Admiral Denise Hinton speak to students and staff on National Public Lands Day Saturday.

National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and Rear Admiral Denise Hinton speak to students and staff on National Public Lands Day Saturday.

National Public Lands Day

News Staff
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
On Saturday, Sept. 24, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams traveled to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to commemorate National Public Lands Day (NPLD) by thanking volunteers for their stewardship in America’s most visited National Park. Rear Admiral Denise Hinton, U.S.
Image courtesy of SCRAM System The CAM bracelet is a monitor worn around the ankle that can detect alcohol in the person's system.

Image courtesy of SCRAM System The CAM bracelet is a monitor worn around the ankle that can detect alcohol in the person's system.

Commissioners green light CAM bracelets

News Staff
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A pilot program targeted at reducing repeat drinking and driving is now closer to reality for the seven far western N.C. counties of the 43rd prosecutorial district. On Thursday night, Sept.
Pictured is Ouroboros Uk’tena, an acrylic on canvas by John Henry Gloyne (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Pawnee Nation, Osage Nation). It is one of many original pieces by Cherokee artists to be on display as part of the show Disruption at the museum.

Pictured is Ouroboros Uk’tena, an acrylic on canvas by John Henry Gloyne (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Pawnee Nation, Osage Nation). It is one of many original pieces by Cherokee artists to be on display as part of the show Disruption at the museum.

Art show Disruption opens at Museum of Cherokee Indian

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 8, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (MCI) opens Disruption, an art intervention of the Museum’s permanent exhibition.
Ellen Pitt speaks at the county commission meeting

Ellen Pitt speaks at the county commission meeting

Swain could lead pilot program to prevent drunk driving

News Staff
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   It’s heartbreaking when someone is killed or injured due to drunk driving, and it’s particularly enraging if it’s caused by a repeat offender. Swain County could be a leader in preventing repeat offenders from being behind the wheel.
A group stopped in at Soda Pop's

A group stopped in at Soda Pop's

Mini Takes the States drivers buzz through Bryson City

News Staff
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   It’s a classic American road trip: winding two-lane highways, stops in small towns and at scenic overlooks, except this one is with 2,000 of your closest friends and you’re all driving tiny cars that are sometimes jokingly called clown cars.
Clingmans dome

Clingmans dome

Effort begins locally to restore indigenous name to Clingman’s Dome

News Staff
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Thursday, July 14, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of restoring the name Kuwahi to the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known currently as Clingman’s Dome.