Local

MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg - Noella McClellan performs as Cleopatra.

MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg - Noella McClellan performs as Cleopatra.

Mayland hosts murder at Linville

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
JAREN GRAGG - MNJ CORRESPONDENTLINVILLE — Mayland Community College hosted its ninth annual Murder Mystery Dinner recently at Linville Falls Winery, bringing together students and community members for an evening of food, entertainment, and fundraising to support student scholarships.
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.
News-Journal graphic

News-Journal graphic

SBI Investigating shooting in Spruce Pine

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
A man was injured by a self-inflicted gun shot wound on Friday while SBI agents were serving an arrest warrant.According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the incident occurred while Special Agents were serving an arrest warrant near 12021 NC Highway 226 in Spruce Pine.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams - Lea Charlton of Spruce Pine addresses the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners. Charlton read from an extensive list that she said documented instances in which Flock Safety cameras have been abused.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams - Lea Charlton of Spruce Pine addresses the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners. Charlton read from an extensive list that she said documented instances in which Flock Safety cameras have been abused.

Citizens concerned about license plate camera use

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Several Mitchell citizens spoke at the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners last week during the public comment period, expressing concern about the use of Flock Safety cameras in Mitchell County.The Mitchell County Sherriff’s Office uses Flock automated license-plate readers.
News-Journal graphic

News-Journal graphic

Board of Commissioners meets on county business

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners met last week to discuss county affairs.PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEKThe board voted to approve a resolution proclaiming Public Service Recognition Week, a national event. County Manager Allen Cook read the resolution.
MNJ Photo/Laz Aguayo - Run participants line up at the starting line at the Run for Holland.

MNJ Photo/Laz Aguayo - Run participants line up at the starting line at the Run for Holland.

Community comes together for Run for Holland

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
"The Mitchell community came together recently to raise funds for the disabled in the Run for Holland, a popular annual event.Event organizers Brooke and Adam Burleson named the race after their daughter, Holland.

County finishes ID theft investigation

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Mitchell County announced Friday that it has completed an investigation into a ransomware attack last fall that compromised personal data of several clients of Mitchell County Social Services.According to an official release, the county detected ransomware on its computer network on Oct. 20, 2025.
File photo. Mitchell County lost nearly 50 percent of its trees to Hurricane Helene, increasing the fire danger of the current drought.

File photo. Mitchell County lost nearly 50 percent of its trees to Hurricane Helene, increasing the fire danger of the current drought.

State ends burn ban in 81 counties

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Open burning is now allowed in Mitchell County with a valid burn permit, after the state lifted the burn ban in 81 counties this weekend. Mitchell County and most of North Carolina is still in a state of drought, however.