Local

Wickedly wonderful

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.

MCC’s Halloween party breaks records

Beginning in 2015, Mayland Community College’s early Halloween festival, Spooktacular, has welcomed children.

Spruce Pine races uncontested

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.

Two Mitchell schools need improvement

Mitchell Middle School and Mitchell Elementary School have received D ratings from the state and need to begin implementing an improvement plan, according to school officials.

Bakersville man dies in Avery plane crash

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

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.

Board of commissioners approve new recreation safety policies

The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners approved new Recreation Department policies designed to safeguard children at a recent meeting. County Attorney Four Eggers said that the policy changes will bring the county into compliance with recently enacted state laws.

Phillips named Building Inspector of the Year

Mitchell County Building Inspector Dillon Phillips was honored at a recent Mitchell County Board of Commissioners meeting for having been named the 2025 Building Inspector of the Year.