SwainCountyNC

Members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs will hold a Christmas concert entitled “Music in the Mountains” at 3 p.m., Saturday. The groups met for rehearsal Sunday.

Members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs will hold a Christmas concert entitled “Music in the Mountains” at 3 p.m., Saturday. The groups met for rehearsal Sunday.

Combining efforts for a higher cause

Latresa Phillips
Friday, December 5, 2025
West Fort Hill – On Sunday, members of both the Robbinsville United Methodist Church and Bryson City First Baptist Church choirs met together for the first rehearsal of a concert that will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Robbinsville United Methodist Church.
Swain County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe this is the Jeep Cherokee used in the Sept. 6 shooting incident at the Paddle Inn Rafting Co. The owner of the vehicle was arrested Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Swain County Sheriff's Office

Swain County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe this is the Jeep Cherokee used in the Sept. 6 shooting incident at the Paddle Inn Rafting Co. The owner of the vehicle was arrested Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Swain County Sheriff's Office

Atlanta man arrested in Nantahala shooting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Nantahala – Exactly 3 ½ weeks after a sign supporting President Donald Trump was torn down and a gun was fired in the direction of a business owner, authorities with the Swain County Sheriff's Office apprehended a suspect in the incident.
A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rescue boat revealed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Lemmons Branch – Three months of speculation regarding the purchase of a new search and rescue boat was cleared up at a quick convergence of local and regional officials Aug. 14.  Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland thanked U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.

Former Swain sheriff arrested on rape charge

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Bryson City – More than three weeks after news of his arrest and subsequent retirement shocked western North Carolina, former Swain County sheriff Curtis Abraham Cochran was placed behind bars once more on a new charge last week.

Swain sheriff retires

Kevin Hensley
Friday, July 11, 2025
Bryson City – On the same day that Curtis Cochran made his first court appearance related to a June 27 arrest on four charges related to alleged sexual misconduct, he retired from his role as Swain County Sheriff. The 72-year-old Cochran was suspended the same day of his arrest.
Curtis Cochran speaks at the Border-to-Border Tail of the Dragon Program Launch, which was held at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort on June 13, 2023. Cochran was suspended from his duties as Swain County Sheriff on Friday, following his arrest in connection to alleged, recent sexual misconduct. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Curtis Cochran speaks at the Border-to-Border Tail of the Dragon Program Launch, which was held at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort on June 13, 2023. Cochran was suspended from his duties as Swain County Sheriff on Friday, following his arrest in connection to alleged, recent sexual misconduct. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Swain County sheriff arrested, suspended

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Bryson City – In a move that sent shockwaves across western North Carolina, Curtis Cochran was arrested Friday by members of both the State Bureau of Investigation and Cherokee Indian Police Department, then suspended from his duties as sheriff of Swain County.

Lawsuit against Swain sheriff dismissed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 3, 2024
A lawsuit filed nearly three years ago against Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran and former Deputy Charles Robinson has been dismissed with prejudice – meaning it can never be brought back before a court. The Sept. 20 declaration by U.S. Magistrate Judge W.

Funding for police boat signed into law

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Washington – Search and rescue missions in Graham County will soon have a new resource to rely on. Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) recently procured $80,000 in funding for a new police boat, which will be readily available to both Graham and Swain counties as needed.

It’s all in a day’s work

Latresa Phillips
Friday, December 8, 2023
Raleigh – North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. Rocky R. Deitz joined troopers Jonathan “Ty” Gibbs and Trooper Johnathan R. Jones in receiving the Samaritan Group Award on Nov. 22, recognizing them for extraordinary acts of bravery and public service. The awards ceremony took place at the N.C.