Local

Water & sewer recovery is ongoing

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, June 29, 2026
Jaren Gragg - MNJ Contributor SPRUCE PINE — Even more than a year after Helene devastated Western North Carolina, state and local officials have estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars are still being directed toward recovery efforts in the High Country.

Rhododendron Festival marks its 79th year

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, June 29, 2026
Steffen Silvis - MNJ ContributorOne of the victims of 2024’s storm was Bakersville’s renowned North Carolina Rhododendron Festival, which lost its centrality downtown, due to the damage to the Cane Creek park and the businesses along N.C. Highway 226.

Spruce Pine works on stormwater drainage

Mariel Williams
Monday, June 29, 2026
The Spruce Pine Town Council met for its last June meeting last week.Stormwater planAlisha Goldstein of WithersRavenel gave a presentation on the town’s Stormwater Master Plan.WithersRavenel is a Cary-based civil engineering firm with offices in Asheville.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams - Spruce Pine staffers put up banners in honor of the 250th United States Independence Day.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams - Spruce Pine staffers put up banners in honor of the 250th United States Independence Day.

Mitchell preps for 250th Independence Day

News Staff
Monday, June 29, 2026
Jaren Gragg - MNJ ContributorSPRUCE PINE — As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Mitchell County residents are getting ready to mark Independence Day in their own unique way.

Beans Creek Fire 100 percent contained

Mitchell News-Journal
Friday, May 29, 2026
North Mitchell residents had a scare last week when they were asked to be pre- pared for a possible evacuation while firefighters battled to get the Beans Creek Fire under control.Mitchell County emergency staffers used the "Ready, Set, Go!
Longtime community leader and Mayland Community College Trustee Keith Holtsclaw was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during the May 18 meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees.

Longtime community leader and Mayland Community College Trustee Keith Holtsclaw was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during the May 18 meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees.

Keith Holtsclaw awarded Order of the Long Leaf Pine honor

Mitchell News-Journal
Friday, May 29, 2026
Longtime community leader and Mayland Community College Trustee Keith Holtsclaw was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during the May 18 meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees.The award, considered North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, was presented by N.C. Sen.