Local

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: No. 7-ranked Mitchell wins back-to-back games

LEDGER – The Mitchell High School varsity girls’ basketball team notched back-to-back wins this past week over Western Highlands Conference opponents.  The Class 1A No. 7-ranked Mountaineers (10-4, 3-1) won 72-43 at Madison Tuesday, Jan. 14, and Friday, Jan.17, beat visiting Polk 65-34.

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING: Mountaineers defeat Owen, fall to high-powered Avery

Swannanoa – The Mitchell Mountaineers wrestling squad came away Tuesday, Jan. 14, with a 54-27 victory over the Owen Warhorses on senior night in Swannanoa, thanks to a great team effort and some clutch wins by seniors.

BOYS' BASKETBALL: Mitchell loses at Madison, gets win over Polk

LEDGER – The Mitchell High School varsity boys’ basketball team split its two games this past week to move its record to 4-8 overall and 1-3 in the Western Highlands Conference.  The Mountaineers lost 73-66 at Madison Tuesday, Jan. 14, but responded Friday, Jan. 17, with a 49-31 home win over Polk.

Roby's Reads

BOOK: The Green Bicycle AUTHOR: Haifaa al-Mansour  The Green Bicycle tells the story of spunky Wadjda, an 11-year-old girl living in Saudi Arabia.

COLUMN: Small papers trusted by communities they serve

The temptation for journalists to work at national and regional news organizations has always been strong, but as the companies that own those organizations merge and identify efficiencies, the number of journalists in those newsrooms continues to shrink.

NEWS-JOURNAL EDITORIAL: Breaking down perception vs. reality

It appears as if the Mitchell County Department of Social Services director has begun the process of creating a perception that somehow the Mitchell News-Journal is at least partly responsible for the lack of foster homes in Mitchell County.

COMMISSIONERS: County gives building to Ledger Fire Department

BAKERSVILLE – A new building is on the horizon for the Ledger Volunteer Fire Department.  The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Monday, Jan.

Mental health professional coming to county schools

LEDGER – A certified mental health professional is coming to Mitchell County Schools.  One certified mental health professional, who has been selected but has not yet been named, will soon be on call to assist at all Mitchell County Schools.

Martial arts instructor passes what he's learned to his students

BAKERSVILLE – Richie Jarrett walks into the Bakersville Fire Department, flips on the lights and lays out padded mats. Several young people dressed in martial arts attire walk through the door and each one is greeted with a bow.

COMMISSIONERS: Fire chiefs discuss concerns, problems

BAKERSVILLE – The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 6, received reports from members of the Mitchell County Fire Association leading to a conversation that started quietly but escalated when tempers flared over staffing issues.