Local

Traffic on U.S. 19E heading toward the Estatoe area merges into a single lane as cones block off some areas of the road. The project to widen the road from this point to Burnsville should be complete by the middle of September, an NCDOT official confirmed. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Traffic on U.S. 19E heading toward the Estatoe area merges into a single lane as cones block off some areas of the road. The project to widen the road from this point to Burnsville should be complete by the middle of September, an NCDOT official confirmed. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

U.S. 19E widening project nearing completion

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
SPRUCE PINE —  The project to expand U.S. 19E to four lanes from Spruce Pine to Burnsville is expected to be completed by Sept. 15, said David Uchiyama, Communications Officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Western Mountains Area.  The $64.
Two men were arrested this past week accused of stealing a rollback truck belonging to Mitchell County Commissioner Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff.

Two men were arrested this past week accused of stealing a rollback truck belonging to Mitchell County Commissioner Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff.

Stolen truck leads to pair of arrests

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
BAKERSVILLE – Two men were arrested this past week after Mitchell County Sheriff’s Deputies received a call about a stolen rollback truck.  Deputies received a call Monday, July 13, of a vehicle stolen in the parking area beside P&R Grocery.
Harris Middle School students Brinkley Hodshon, Allie Johnson and Ivy Young earned a first-place finish at the Future Business Leaders of America Nationals earlier this month. (Submitted photo)

Harris Middle School students Brinkley Hodshon, Allie Johnson and Ivy Young earned a first-place finish at the Future Business Leaders of America Nationals earlier this month. (Submitted photo)

Harris students notch FBLA Nationals win

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Harris Middle School students Brinkley Hodshon, Allie Johnson and Ivy Young earned a first-place finish at the Future Business Leaders of America Nationals earlier this month in the critical thinking competitive event.

Final suspect convicted in Buchanan murder trial

Cory Spiers
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Regina Pittman was sentenced Tuesday, July 21 to serve a term of 50 to 72 months with 1,346 days of jail credit by the Hon. Gary Gavenus, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge.  Pittman is the final defendant connected to the September 2016 murder of Joshua Emmanuel Buchanan.
Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street dons his mask as he prepares to head out on patrol. Street said masks are not a political issue and said he plans to wear one if it helps protect others. He encourages the public to do the same. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street dons his mask as he prepares to head out on patrol. Street said masks are not a political issue and said he plans to wear one if it helps protect others. He encourages the public to do the same. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell County Sheriff speaks out in support of masks, urges citizens to wear them

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
BAKERSVILLE  – For Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street, masks are not a political issue.  Street and his officers have been donning masks during the COVID-19 pandemic for the safety of themselves and the public.
President of Mayland Community College John Boyd shows off architecture plans for the soon-to-be Three Peaks Enrichment Center. The old Pine Bridge complex and hotel are both under construction to become part of Mayland’s campus.

President of Mayland Community College John Boyd shows off architecture plans for the soon-to-be Three Peaks Enrichment Center. The old Pine Bridge complex and hotel are both under construction to become part of Mayland’s campus.

Pinebridge project: Mayland President talks about progress

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Slowly but surely, progress is being made on the project that will turn the old Pinebridge Coliseum into Mayland Community College’s Three Peaks Enrichment Center.