By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

A 3 to 1 vote by the Swain County Board of Commissioners last week will effectively reduce the salary of the newly elected sheriff.

An uncharacteristically large crowd packed the Swain County commissioners meeting last week (Nov. 21) to oppose a move that will effectively lower the salary of the newly elected sheriff.

While most golfers are clearing space in the closet for their clubs this winter, Travis Stephenson is already thinking ahead to next season. And he’s a bit worried.

A three-year legal saga between the owners of Smoky Mountain Golf Course and the developers of Smoky Mountain Country Club moved one step closer to a resolution this week.

An ongoing lawsuit against the owners of Smoky Mountain Golf Course alleges numerous problems with the course’s management under its out-of-state owners.

The price of a recent land purchase by Swain County for school expansion has raised some eyebrows among candidates running for commissioner and for school board.

It appears Swain County commissioners were out of sync with public consensus two months ago when they decided to postpone the creation of a county planning board.

When word of a shooting in Whittier roused Swain County Sheriff Bob Ogle from his house last Thursday night, he arrived at a complex crime scene.

The Swain County Board of Commissioners heard concerns from a county election board member last week over the adequacy of the county’s early voting station.

The concern of our group is that Swain County appears to have no control of development to inside and outside interests.