Local

MNJ Photo/Kiesa Kay. Raelin Allen, of Renew NC, speaks at a recent “Town Hall Meeting” covering storm recovery in Mitchell County.

MNJ Photo/Kiesa Kay. Raelin Allen, of Renew NC, speaks at a recent “Town Hall Meeting” covering storm recovery in Mitchell County.

Town meeting supports ongoing flood recovery

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, November 3, 2025
Kiesa Kay MNJ Contributor Downed telephone poles, uprooted trees, smashed refrigerators, broken beams – much debris from Hurricane Helene remains more than a year after the flood, despite the efforts of county officials, the NC SMART Program, Crowder Gulf, and more.

Wickedly wonderful

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Ghosts, goblins and princesses will be wandering the streets of Spruce Pine on Friday as Downtown Spruce Pine hosts the annual trick-or-treating event. Festivities will get underway at 4 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis . From left to right, Jonah Crowder, Liam Knowles, Jude Williams and Rowan Knowles enjoy an imaginary ride in the “Scooby-Doo” Mystery Machine.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis . From left to right, Jonah Crowder, Liam Knowles, Jude Williams and Rowan Knowles enjoy an imaginary ride in the “Scooby-Doo” Mystery Machine.

MCC’s Halloween party breaks records

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Beginning in 2015, Mayland Community College’s early Halloween festival, Spooktacular, has welcomed children.
Spruce Pine candidates

Spruce Pine candidates

Spruce Pine races uncontested

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The Spruce Pine election next Tuesday features two open Town Council seats and a new mayor — all uncontested races. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. that day.
Bakersville candidates

Bakersville candidates

Bakersville: Four seek council seats

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Bakersville residents have four options for the two available seats on the Bakersville Town Council this coming Tuesday. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. that day.

Bakersville man dies in Avery plane crash

Mariel Williams
Monday, October 20, 2025
A Bakersville man was killed in a small plane crash at the Avery County Airport/Morrison Field Friday. James Webb,75, of Bakersville died when his small plane crashed and caught fire. Reportedly, Webb was the only person on board at the time.

New school athletic complex on track for a November opening

Mariel Williams
Monday, October 20, 2025
The Mitchell County Schools Board of Education met Thursday for its regular October meeting.   Facilities update Mitchell County Schools hopes to open up its new athletic complex sometime in November. Superintendent Chad Calhoun said that the finished facility should be quite impressive.
Submitted photo. Gina Phillips

Submitted photo. Gina Phillips

Old Crow Medicine Show set for Saturday

Mariel Williams
Monday, October 20, 2025
Hilloween will host a benefit concert Saturday, Oct. 25, featuring Old Crow Medicine Show and opening act Bandana Rhythm. Concert tickets are $30 and proceeds will benefit the Mitchell County Development Foundation’s hurricane recovery and rebuilding efforts.