Sports

Project Manager Preston Kendall explains Ingles' tentative plans for a new grocery store at the junction of U.S. Highway 19E and Greenwood Avenue.

Project Manager Preston Kendall explains Ingles' tentative plans for a new grocery store at the junction of U.S. Highway 19E and Greenwood Avenue.

Spruce Pine approves rezoning for tentative Ingles site

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Spruce Pine Town Council voted to rezone a property in the English Woods area from residential to commercial, the first step in it possibly becoming the site of a new Ingles grocery store.A zoning hearing was held last week on this and several other rezoning requests.
Submitted photo. Mitchell Miners earn 2026 Team NC State Junior High Championship for the second consecutive year.

Submitted photo. Mitchell Miners earn 2026 Team NC State Junior High Championship for the second consecutive year.

Miners win second wrestling state championship

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Mitchell Middle School Miners Wrestling Team recently won its second consecutive Team NC Junior High State Championship Team Title. The Miners placed 12 wrestlers en route to the championship. They were: • Sixth grade — Liam Biddix (first), R.J. Watson (first), Jayko Erwins (fourth), and R.J.
Submitted photo. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers show off their 2026 Western Highland Conference medals.

Submitted photo. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers show off their 2026 Western Highland Conference medals.

Mountaineer wrestlers bring home medals

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, January 26, 2026
The Mitchell wrestling teams traveled to Madison County a day early for the 2026 Western Highlands Conference Championships and came away with multiple medals. Senior Bryson McFalls picked up his second Western Highland Conference title to lead the men’s team.
MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers faced the Mountain Heritage Cougars on Friday night with teams competing across three games.

MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers faced the Mountain Heritage Cougars on Friday night with teams competing across three games.

Mountaineers face the Cougars in three games

Blake Thayer
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The Mitchell High School Mountaineers faced the Mountain Heritage Cougars on Friday night, Jan. 9,  with teams competing across three games. The JV boys opened the night with a close 38-30 win over Heritage.
Submitted photo. Mitchell High School’s varsity Mountaineers boys’ wrestling squad competed at the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple recently. Several team members won matches on day two of the event.

Submitted photo. Mitchell High School’s varsity Mountaineers boys’ wrestling squad competed at the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple recently. Several team members won matches on day two of the event.

Local wrestlers place at Great Smoky Mountain Grapple

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, December 29, 2025
According to Mitchell Wrestling, the Lady Mountaineers led the charge in day two at the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple, with three of four Lady Mountaineer placing and the girls team finishing 15th out of 35 teams. Freshman Jayceemae Erwin worked her way to the finals and finished second.
MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mountaineers consider their options while playing the Mountain Island Charter School Rams. Mitchell High School lost to the Rams 58-22 on Black Friday.

MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mountaineers consider their options while playing the Mountain Island Charter School Rams. Mitchell High School lost to the Rams 58-22 on Black Friday.

Mitchell Mountaineers fall to Starmount Rams

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, December 1, 2025
Following the Mountaineers’ big 28-15 win last week against Mountain Island Charter, Mitchell’s postseason run came to an end this past Black Friday with a tough 58-22 loss to the Starmount Rams.
MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers, left, face off against the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Villains. Mitchell defeated the Kernersville team 42-12 and will advance to the next round of the playoffs Friday with a home game at 7 p.m.

MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers, left, face off against the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Villains. Mitchell defeated the Kernersville team 42-12 and will advance to the next round of the playoffs Friday with a home game at 7 p.m.

Villains fall to Mountaineers

Blake Thayer
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Mitchell High School Mountaineers entered Friday night’s matchup with a 7-4 record, facing the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Villains that stood at 9-1. But from the opening whistle, it was all Mountaineers.
MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell Mountaineers thunder onto the field for their 51-13 victory over the Langtree Charter Lions.

MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell Mountaineers thunder onto the field for their 51-13 victory over the Langtree Charter Lions.

Mitchell rolls past Langtree Charter, advances in playoffs

Blake Thayer
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
The Mitchell Mountaineers powered their way to a 51-13 win over the Langtree Charter Lions on Friday night, punching their ticket to the next round of the state playoffs. Mitchell started off slow in the opening quarter, struggling to find early momentum, but everything clicked in the second.
MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers strategize for their big Senior Night victory over the Avery Vikings.

MNJ Photo/Blake Thayer. The Mitchell High School Mountaineers strategize for their big Senior Night victory over the Avery Vikings.

Mountaineers take big win over Avery Vikings

Blake Thayer
Monday, November 3, 2025
The Mitchell Mountaineers closed out their regular season with an explosive 63-14 victory over the Avery Vikings on Friday night. It was a statement win on Senior Night, setting the tone as the Mountaineers head into the first round of the playoffs this week.