Local

Blue Ridge Parkway announces additional modifications to operations

  National Park Service officials have announced additional modifications to operations on the Blue Ridge Parkway in a continuing effort to support federal, state and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Pisgah National Forest temporarily shutting down dispersed camping, several roads, trails

ASHEVILLE – In alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors and volunteers, Pisgah National Forest will temporarily shut down dispersed camping and the roads and trails listed at https://www.fs.usda.

ON A MISSION

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends everyone wear a mask in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19, and a recent shortage of masks has led local craftspeople to sew their own and donate them to people in the community.

Dr. Taylor Townsend offers $500 scholarship to local students

SPRUCE PINE – Local dentist Dr. Taylor Townsend has offered a $500 scholarship opportunity to local students. In a Wednesday, April 1, Facebook video post, he announced his business, Taylor Townsend DDS, PLLC, will offer the scholarship to a student who comes up with an idea for a local business.

Jared Pittman named Morehead-Cain Scholar

    GREEN MOUNTAIN – Mitchell High School senior Jared Pittman has been chosen to receive the Morehead-Cain Scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina. Pittman is one of 67 Morehead-Cain Scholars overall, one of 35 from North Carolina and the lone recipient from Mitchell County.

Toe River Arts June Studio Tour canceled

Note: To ensure all area residents to have important local information about the coronavirus health emergency, the Mitchell News-Journal has lifted its paywall and is providing unlimited access to virus-related articles on our website. We need your support to continue this important work.

TOWN OF SPRUCE PINE: Residents asked to not flush ‘flushable’ wipes

SPRUCE PINE – The town of Spruce Pine is asking residents to avoid flushing sanitation wipes even if the package states they are “flushable.

Submit info to ‘The Corona Times’

The Mitchell County Historical Society’s online journal for the COVID-19 pandemic is now active at mitchellnchistory.org/the-corona-times.  People may send anything they would like included or linked to the journal.

ASK DENISE: Woman torn between 2 men

Editor’s note: Writer’s answers do not reflect those of the Mitchell News-Journal and are not meant to replace medical or mental health care.   Dear Denise: I think I am in trouble. I have two men I am involved with and think I love them both.

COLUMN: How we're covering COVID-19

Newspaper journalists have long been told we work in a dying industry. Now it seems we are working during its rebirth. While enduring the current pandemic people need a reliable source for information, and nothing provides that source better than newspapers.