Editor’s note: From new faces in influential positions to events that made locals smile, the following are 10 moments that made many readers smile during 2022. The list is not exhaustive, as there was plenty of positive news in 2022. But the following stand out to the News-Journal staff as some of the brightest spots of the year.
10. Local children brighten smiles during annual GKAS event, February
More than two dozen area children brightened up their smiles through free dental care on Friday, Feb. 4 at the East Carolina University Dental Community Service Learning Center in Spruce Pine.
The learning center’s services are part of its involvement in the nationwide “Give Kids a Smile” initiative– an 18-year-old partnership between the American Dental Association and dental vendors that gives children complementary comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, treatment plans and X-rays.
9. Mitchell man plays hero after head-on car wreck, January
Mitchell County native Trevor Self flexed his heroism on Monday, Jan. 31 when he pulled Marion police officer Breanna Toney from a burning car following a wreck on NC 226 in the Snow Creek area.
The crash happened just after 6 a.m. on Jan. 31 when two vehicles— including a 2021 Dodge Charger driven by Toney— collided. The other vehicle, a 2017 Toyota Tacoma driven by Audie Peterson, Jr., traveled across the center line and struck Toney head-on as she was commuting to work.
After the impact, Toney’s car caught fire. She was trapped. Self, who was coming through while on his way to work, forced the driver-side door open and pulled Toney to safety.
8. Masks come off as COVID cases plunge, February
The steep decline in COVID cases observed across the state and nation is also happening locally.
The Toe River Health District released the latest round of case numbers on Saturday, Feb. 26.
For the period of Feb. 20-26, there were 68 new positives in Avery, 42 in Yancey and 25 in Mitchell. In the period, Avery had 27 active positives, Yancey 18 and Mitchell 11. Yancey has 32 COVID deaths, Avery 24 and Mitchell 20.
The post from the TRHD said the weekly case report will be paused indefinitely with numbers dropping rapidly. If cases pick up or something changes, the updates may begin again, the post read.
The numbers are down across the board.
When soaring amid the Omicron variant surge, cases routinely topped triple digits in all three counties. Between higher vaccination rates and widespread natural immunity, cases have tumbled in Mitchell County and beyond.
7. Commissioners OK Cook as next county manager, March
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting this past week confirmed Bakersville resident Allen Cook as the county’s newest manager.
Cook takes over for Lloyd Hise, who has been serving in an interim capacity since the retirement of the previous manager Tim Greene on Dec. 31, 2021. Cook starts in the position on April 4.
6. Cheers to 21 years, March
It’s the end of an era and the dawn of a new one for the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce.
After 21 years with the chamber, longtime director Patti Jensen is retiring. She was honored with a drop-in retirement ceremony at the Market on Oak in downtown Spruce Pine.
In her time as director, Jensen worked to promote Mitchell County and its businesses locally and beyond.
Through her efforts, she helped the county be featured in major magazines, websites and media outlets.
In the wake of Jensen’s announcement, the chamber board voted to name staff member and member services director Mandi Polly as the next director.
5. Mitchell Transportation earns pair of NCPTA honors, April
Mitchell County Transportation is standing out among its peers in the state.
MCT recently earned a pair of awards via the North Carolina Public Transportation Association— a safety award and the honor of Transit System of the Year.
4. A show of support, May
Mitchell County Recreation Director Brock Duncan made some things clear Tuesday, May 31 during a meeting of the Bakersville Area Merchants Association— the proposed new multi-use recreation complex would have a large, positive impact on the county and is slated to cost the taxpayers nothing.
Duncan was invited to the BAMA meeting to give a presentation about the rec center, which is proposed for the plot of county-owned land behind Gouge Elementary School in Bakersville.
Nearly 50 people packed the Bakersville Fire Department to attend the meeting and show their support for the project and ask questions.
The center would feature ample playing space for rec league sports, a walking track accessible to the public, a large parking lot with more than 70 spaces and a multi-use gymnasium, also accessible to the public when not in use for rec league sports.
3. Mitchell native tabbed as next EDC director, July
Matthew Ward is the newest Mitchell County Economic Development Commission executive director, EDC board chair Richard Canipe announced this past week.
Ward starts in the position on Aug. 1 and will be responsible for employing professional and managerial expertise in the performance of promotional and consultative work to develop and direct an economic development program for the county.
Ward was born and raised in Mitchell County and has worked for several government organizations during his career in urban planning and community revitalization.
2. Toys for Tots brightens Christmas for 353, December
A large fundraising effort culminated earlier this month when 353 Mitchell County children experienced a Merry Christmas and received gifts through the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
Toys for Tots is organized by Mitchell County’s own Mark Thomas.
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is to collect new, unwrapped toys in October, November and December of each year.
Those gifts are then distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
Toys for Tots is fueled by donations and volunteer hours.
1. Go tell it on Upper Street, June
Upper Street in downtown Spruce Pine on Wednesday, June 22 buzzed with the sound of live worship music and guest speakers during the first Downtown Worship Event presented by L&L Furniture.
People packed Upper Street starting just after 5:30 p.m. to set up lawn chairs and buy food and drinks. Claudia’s Food Truck and CJ’s BBQ sold hot food. Pelicans SnoBalls and Sips Soda sold cool refreshments and another booth offered snacks like popcorn and cotton candy.
The worship and praise portion of the event started around 6:45 p.m. Up to that point, kids enjoyed activities like inflatables and face painting.