Local

Mitchell County native Abby Garland is sworn into office Tuesday, July 28 by Bakersville Mayor Charles Vines. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell County native Abby Garland is sworn into office Tuesday, July 28 by Bakersville Mayor Charles Vines. (Submitted photo)

Garland in as Bakersville Town Clerk

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — The Town of Bakersville has a new town clerk, finance officer and tax collector.  Mitchell County native Abby Garland was sworn into office to serve all three positions on Tuesday, July 28.

DSS head placed on paid investigative leave

Juliana Walker
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Mitchell County Department of Social Services Director Sara Ross has been placed under paid investigative leave until Monday, Aug. 24. In the first part of the open DSS session during the regular meeting of the Mitchell County Commissioners on Monday, Aug.
Mark Peters, Anna Zheng and Remi Koebel work on a project in wood working class at Camp Spring Creek in Bakersville. The camp has had to accommodate restrictions and guidelines regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mark Peters, Anna Zheng and Remi Koebel work on a project in wood working class at Camp Spring Creek in Bakersville. The camp has had to accommodate restrictions and guidelines regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Careful Planning: How local summer camps are functioning during COVID-19

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, children are unable to play on the playground at the park, go to public pools or have a “normal” summer with friends.  Local summer camps, however, have aimed to ease that isolation and have provided a bit of normalcy.

MCC releases COVID-19 reponse plan

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Mayland Community College has finalized its COVID-19 response plan for the fall semester.  MCC released its five-page response plan Monday, July 20. Rita Earley, MCC Vice President of Instruction and Workforce Development, said the plan was a group effort.

Commissioners OK changes to personnel policy, discuss EMS

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — During its regular session Thursday, July 16, the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners made changes to the new personnel policy, approved the use of Laserfiche Cloud System for the Mitchell County Department of Social Services and discussed the contract with LifeGuard for the...
Sweetgrass Artisan Mercantile co-owners Jessica Charapata (left) and Melissa Andersen (right) smile and pose for a photo inside of their new gallery in Bakersville. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Sweetgrass Artisan Mercantile co-owners Jessica Charapata (left) and Melissa Andersen (right) smile and pose for a photo inside of their new gallery in Bakersville. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Bakersville’s newest gallery aims to showcase talent of area artists

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — A new gallery, Sweetgrass Artisan Mercantile, opened in Bakersville on Wednesday, July 15. Located at 23 Crimson Laurel Way, the gallery sells an array of original arts and crafts from local artisans including paintings, jewelry and woodwork.
Jessie Bomar smiles as she prepares to give a client a massage at her business, Ohana. Bomar offers injury recovery and relaxation massages in her studio. She has been open since 2018 but has recently captured the most business she has had to date. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Jessie Bomar smiles as she prepares to give a client a massage at her business, Ohana. Bomar offers injury recovery and relaxation massages in her studio. She has been open since 2018 but has recently captured the most business she has had to date. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Massage therapist offering natural solutions for healing, relaxation

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Mitchell County resident Jessie Bomar is offering a unique, medication-free way to recover from injuries and relax.  Bomar is a licensed massage therapist and the owner of Ohana Massage, located at 51 Summit Avenue in Spruce Pine, near First Baptist Church.