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Caroline Atkins is the daughter of Jeff and Angela Atkins of Spruce Pine. She plans to attend East Tennessee State University in the fall of 2020. (Photo Courtesy of Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce)

Caroline Atkins is the daughter of Jeff and Angela Atkins of Spruce Pine. She plans to attend East Tennessee State University in the fall of 2020. (Photo Courtesy of Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce)

Mitchell County Chamber announces first Shirley Hise scholarship recipient

The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce presented the first Shirley Hise Memorial Scholarship to 2020 Mitchell High School graduate Caroline Atkins.  Caroline Atkins is the daughter of Jeff and Angela Atkins of Spruce Pine. She plans to attend East Tennessee State University in the fall of 2020.
MNJ photo/Michael Vess - The Bradshaw Fire Department refurbished the old playground at the former Tipton Hill School.

MNJ photo/Michael Vess - The Bradshaw Fire Department refurbished the old playground at the former Tipton Hill School.

Childs play: Bradshaw FD refurbishes playground

TIPTON HILL – The children of Tipton Hill have a playground again. The Bradshaw Fire Department finished repairs on the playground next to the former Tipton Hill School to make it functional for local kids.
MNJ Photos/ Juliana Walker: Robbie Bell, owner of Speckled Dog Pottery, said he has sold a decent amount of his work online during the past three months.

MNJ Photos/ Juliana Walker: Robbie Bell, owner of Speckled Dog Pottery, said he has sold a decent amount of his work online during the past three months.

The business of art

BAKERSVILLE – As local art galleries reopen their doors, local artists are looking forward, and backward, at how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affects them.

When will kids go back to school ?

LEDGER – The Mitchell County Board of Education met Monday, June 29 to discuss possible plans to reopen schools in the fall. In early June, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) released requirements and recommendations for schools to reopen for the 20-21 school year.
Front row (left to right): Ra’naa Gray, Autumn Staubitz, Brandy Laws, Hanah Evans, and Tiana Thomason. Back row (left to right): Catherine Honeycutt, Whitney Harding,  Tabithia Shelton, Brittney Hughes, Brooke Buchanan, Jesse Miller, and Faith Stewart. (Photo submitted by Faith Stewart)

Front row (left to right): Ra’naa Gray, Autumn Staubitz, Brandy Laws, Hanah Evans, and Tiana Thomason. Back row (left to right): Catherine Honeycutt, Whitney Harding, Tabithia Shelton, Brittney Hughes, Brooke Buchanan, Jesse Miller, and Faith Stewart. (Photo submitted by Faith Stewart)

MCC nursing students celebrate, reflect on accomplishments

SPRUCE PINE – After postponing for more than a month, Mayland Nursing Program graduates held their pinning ceremony Friday, June 12.
A new dental clinic has opened in Bakersville through the Mountain Community Health Partnership. (Photo provided by MCHP)

A new dental clinic has opened in Bakersville through the Mountain Community Health Partnership. (Photo provided by MCHP)

New dental clinic opens in Bakersville

BAKERSVILLE – There is a new dental clinic at the Bakersville Community Health Center. During the last several months, Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP), transformed the annex in the Bakersville office into a dental clinic.
Lillian Benton, a patient involved with the Community Health Program in Mitchell County, waves to her community health worker. Photo courtesy of MCHP.

Lillian Benton, a patient involved with the Community Health Program in Mitchell County, waves to her community health worker. Photo courtesy of MCHP.

Community outreach

BAKERSVILLE – Community health workers have been finding new ways to connect with patients during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
MNJ Graphic

MNJ Graphic

Four plea in charges from 2016 murder

BAKERSVILLE – Four of the six defendants involved in the 2016 murder of Joshua Buchanan have plead guilty to charges and been sentenced.   Buchanan, 26, went missing on Sept. 22, 2016. His body was found several days later in a shallow grave on private property.

COVID 19 cases increase in Mitchell County

SPRUCE PINE – “Nothing has changed with COVID-19,” Director of Toe River Health District Diane Creek said on Wednesday, June 17.   Creek acknowledged many people are feeling as if the coronavirus pandemic has lessened in severity, but warned the virus has not disappeared.