Local

Mitchell considers GPS tracking for county vehicles

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility of installing GPS tracking devices on county vehicles at its regular meeting last week.Board Chair Jeff Harding opened the discussion.“This tracking system is used in other counties, by large and small businesses,” Harding said.
MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg. Evan Bloemendaal throws a ball at the Special Olympics.

MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg. Evan Bloemendaal throws a ball at the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics takes center stage in Mitchell

(not verified)
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Jaren GraggMNJ Contributor  BAKERSVILLE — The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities, serving nearly 5 million athletes across more than 170 countries.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Jon Blasco and Kayleigh Gill give a presentation to the Spruce Pine Town Council on behalf of engineering firm WithersRavenel. The presentation on revitalizing the downtown streetscape attracted a bigger crowd than usual to the meeting.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Jon Blasco and Kayleigh Gill give a presentation to the Spruce Pine Town Council on behalf of engineering firm WithersRavenel. The presentation on revitalizing the downtown streetscape attracted a bigger crowd than usual to the meeting.

Spruce Pine Council considers downtown revitalization

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Two representatives of engineering firm WithersRavenel gave a presentation to the Town Council last week on potential plans for improving downtown Spruce Pine.
Submitted photo. As of Monday, the most significant ongoing forest fire in Western North Carolina was the Cole Gap Fire, which was 80 percent contained at the time.

Submitted photo. As of Monday, the most significant ongoing forest fire in Western North Carolina was the Cole Gap Fire, which was 80 percent contained at the time.

Burn ban violators will be fined

Mariel Williams
Monday, April 13, 2026
Mitchell County has begun exercising its option to fine violators of a recent and ongoing statewide burn ban, according to a release.
Photo courtesy of Kenny and Heather Burleson. Run for Holland brought these runners together in 2025, and some people who could not attend in person signed up as spirit runners, paying the registration fee and running at their homes. The 5K race will start at 8:30 am on Saturday, May 2, at Riverside Park, Spruce Pine.

Photo courtesy of Kenny and Heather Burleson. Run for Holland brought these runners together in 2025, and some people who could not attend in person signed up as spirit runners, paying the registration fee and running at their homes. The 5K race will start at 8:30 am on Saturday, May 2, at Riverside Park, Spruce Pine.

Run for Holland 5K returns May 2

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, April 13, 2026
Kiesa Kay MNJ Contributor   Holland Burleson, age 12, has been bringing awareness to her community even before the day she was born: Her parents, Adam and Brooke Burleson, started the Run for Holland thirteen years ago to support and celebrate people diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome.
MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg. From left, County Extension Director Brandon Pitman poses with Terry and George Moffitt of Tater Hill Farm.

MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg. From left, County Extension Director Brandon Pitman poses with Terry and George Moffitt of Tater Hill Farm.

Head, Heart, Hands & Health

(not verified)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Jaren Gragg MNJ Correspondent   The N.C. Cooperative Extension of Mitchell County welcomed community members, families, and local leaders to Bear Creek Baptist Church recently for its Report to the People and 4-H Awards Night. Founded in the early 1900s, 4-H is part of the U.S.