A look back at some of the most memorable moments of 2021
This list of top stories was compiled using website data, social media information, staff input and general feedback and are not necessarily in any order of importance.
1. Mitchell goes to states
For the second time in school history, the Mitchell High varsity football team is headed to the State Championship. The Mountaineers punched their ticket to the biggest stage by ousting visiting Robbinsville 34-21 on Friday, Dec. 3 in front of a large, raucous crowd in Ledger. (Cory Spiers)
2. Boone tabbed to lead DSS
Wendy Boone is the new director of the Mitchell County Department of Social Services after being appointed by the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners Monday, July 19 during a special session. Boone takes over for Interim Director Charles “Chuck” Vines who has served in the role since the unanimous dismissal of former Director Sara Ross in August 2020. Boone, a Mitchell High graduate, earned her associate’s degree from Mayland Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb. (Ariana Maniatis)
3. Mitchell benefits from budget
North Carolina has a working budget for the first time in more than two years and Mitchell County will get $17,677,692 for improvements over the next two years. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the budget into law on Thursday, Nov. 18. The most expensive item on the list of local improvements is $5 million for a Mitchell County Law Enforcement Center, which the county commissioners and Sheriff Donald Street have touted as a big need for years. (Cory Spiers)
4. Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel opens
The Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel had a special grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, June 29 in which Mayland Community College President Dr. John Boyd spoke on behalf of the hotel and all those who put work into renovating and upgrading the hotel. “For people who have walked through this building a while back, it has really made a transformation,” Boyd said. (Ariana Maniatis)
5. Vaccine arrives in Mitchell
The Mitchell County Health Department held its first vaccination pop-up clinic on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Spruce Pine Fire Department in an effort to speed up the vaccination rollout. The clinic, which was held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drew hundreds of local senior citizens aged 75 or older. By the end of the day, Nursing Supervisor Christy Duncan said they had vaccinated 350 people. (Juliana Walker)
6. County gets new EMS provider
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners terminated Lifeguard as the county’s EMS provider this past January after several months of contention. The commissioners have spent the past several months closing in on a deal with Watauga Medics, which eventually came to fruition and led to the establishment of the now existing Mitchell Medics, LLC. (Cory Spiers/Staff)
7. Pine Line launches
There’s a new transportation route coming to Mitchell County. Beginning Nov. 1, Mitchell County Public Transit will operate a fixed route in Spruce Pine. The first pick up is slated for 6 a.m. (Staff)
8. Johnson in as MHS principal
Dylan Johnson is set to become the next principal at Mitchell High School. Johnson, who is entering his eighth year in education, will take over for Mark Woody, who is retiring after 13 years as principal at Mitchell High. Johnson will officially begin his duties on July 1. Johnson comes to Mitchell from North Buncombe High where he most recently served as assistant principal. He has also been a high school science teacher, physical education teacher, athletics coach and athletic director. (Cory Spiers)
9. Peoples sold
Occupying a space on Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine, Peoples Furniture has anchored the upper street shopping district for more than 70 years. Last week the business was sold. Although the name will change, the commitment to community that people have come to expect will remain, said new owner Walton Shepherd. (Staff)
10. Joint meeting held
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Spruce Pine Town Council, Bakersville Town Council and representatives from the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Feb. 15 to discuss marketing strategies for the county. The meeting, which was held at the Mitchell County Schools Central Office in Ledger, was organized in an effort to accomplish one of the board’s short-term goals made in a special meeting last month: promote Mitchell County. (Juliana Walker)
11. Pelican’s lands
Pelican’s SnoBalls has arrived in Mitchell County. The chain that serves up New Orleans-style shaved ice in a myriad of flavors has come to Grassy Creek after Mitchell County’s Luke Stamey brought the brand into the building that used to house Terminix. The local Pelican’s opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday, March 9 and Manager Candice Wiseman said business boomed right away. (Cory Spiers)
12. Canipe retires, Butler in
After serving as Spruce Pine Town Manager for 21 years, Richard Canipe is retiring. Taking over the town manager position is Darlene Butler, who has served as the town clerk for the past 23 years. (Juliana Walker)
13. Mitchell girls make run
The long, successful run that was the COVID-shortened 2021 season came to an end for the Mitchell High School varsity girls’ basketball team Tuesday, March 2 in the 1A West Regional Finals. Visiting Murphy beat the Mountaineers 60-46 to end Mitchell’s playoff run and give the team a 16-1 final record. (Cory Spiers)
14. Sales tax hike on hold
The ongoing discussion among the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners about adding a sales tax increase to the ballot of a future election will continue. The board, during its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, unanimously approved a decision to again table the discussion following lengthy deliberations and points from both sides of the spectrum. An increase will not be on the May ballot but could be revisited for the November ballot if the board chooses.
15. Rhododendron Festival returns
The annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival is set to return Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19. The 74th iteration of the festival, which was originally set for June 19-20, 2020, was postponed in April 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Festival’s return is expected to usher in the usual hundreds of visitors from all over the region. The regular event staples, including the Rhododendron Festival Pageant, the nightly street dance and the annual Car Show will all return. (Cory Spiers)
16. Dellinger’s closes
Dellinger’s Christian Book and Gift Shop on Lower Street in downtown Spruce Pine will soon close its doors permanently. Owners and sisters-in-law Linda and Jewel Dellinger recently announced the news, adding that The Ark Church, currently housed on Upper Street, has plans for the building. The two women’s husbands bought the building in 1986. Over the years, the shop specialized in gifts and decorative keepsakes. The shop also engraved Bibles and sold small jewelry pieces, among other things. (Ariana Maniatis)
17. Pump track opens
The Mitchell County Chamber and Town of Spruce Pine’s efforts to expand outdoor recreation in the area yielded tangible fruits Saturday, May 22 as the new mountain bike pump track at Brad Ragan Park officially opened with a special grand opening ceremony. The Town of Spruce Pine held the grand opening for the track, which is an endless loop of rollers and berms in which riders propel themselves through the track by shifting their body weight as the track banks, rather than having to pedal. (Cory Spiers)
18. Laz joins MNJ
Lazaro “Laz” Aguayo joined the News-Journal Tuesday, March 2 as the paper’s advertising sales representative. Aguayo’s primary responsibilities will be helping new and established businesses thrive by offering marketing tools through the News-Journal’s respected print and digital advertising. (Cory Spiers)
19. Bakersville gets new pharmacy
A new pharmacy has arrived in Bakersville. Roan Mountain Pharmacy, of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, has opened a second location at 604 Highway 226 South in Bakersville, next to Mammie’s Kitchen. Pharmacists Jordon Baker and Anthony Hudson said they were happy to bring a pharmacy to the town after Bakersville Pharmacy closed nearly a year ago when the company which owned the pharmacy, Longs Drugs, was bought by CVS. (Juliana Walker)
20. Grateful Girl Gathering brings women together
Nearly 100 women filled the Cross Street Commerce Center Saturday, March 20 for the Grateful Girl Gathering, a conference designed for a sisterhood of women that featured times of study, worship, encouragement and fun. The conference, which aimed to connect Christian women in the community regardless of age, church membership or background, got underway at 9 a.m. and continued until about 3 p.m. (Cory Spiers)
21. Imagination Library hits milestone
The Blue Ridge Partnership for Children recently provided its 200,000th book through the Imagination Library Program. Imagination Library, a program founded by Dolly Parton in 1995, provides children with a free book in the mail from birth until their fifth birthday. Four-year-old Magnolia Burleson of Yancey County was the lucky recipient of the 200,000th book in the tri-county region BRPC serves. (Juliana Walker)
Plenty happened in the community in 2021. One list of 21 happenings doesn’t cover it all. Sound off— what will you remember most from 2021? Send your thoughts to editor@mitchellnews.com along with your name and town of residence to have it run as a letter to the editor in January.