Local

Euthanized raccoons test negative for rabies

Mariel Williams
Monday, April 7, 2025
According to the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office, two raccoons euthanized and tested last week were rabies-negative. Sheriff’s deputies have responded to 11 reports of raccoons behaving in a suspicious manner recently, and they have been sent to the Toe River Health District for testing.

Looking for help

Mariel Williams
Monday, April 7, 2025
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards sent staff members to a Mitchell County Board of Commissioners meeting recently to review ways in which the federal government can help Mitchell residents continue to recover from Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).
MNJ Photos/Mariel Williams. Oliver Anthony Music performs for a sold-out crowd on Lower Street (Locust Avenue). The Saturday concert was organized as a fundraiser for the recovery effort from Hurricane Helene, and organizers said they sold 3,000 tickets.

MNJ Photos/Mariel Williams. Oliver Anthony Music performs for a sold-out crowd on Lower Street (Locust Avenue). The Saturday concert was organized as a fundraiser for the recovery effort from Hurricane Helene, and organizers said they sold 3,000 tickets.

Sun shines on Oliver Anthony show

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, April 7, 2025
One of Spruce Pine’s warmest days this year welcomed Oliver Anthony Music to Lower Street (Locust Avenue) for the first concert of the Rural Revival Tour. “I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time,” Anthony said as he walked up on stage.

Apply today! FEMA deadline is Monday

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, March 31, 2025
HICKORY — North Carolinians with uninsured damage or loss from Tropical Storm Helene have less than a week remaining to apply for FEMA financial assistance. The application deadline is April 7, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
MNJ Photo/Noreen Nickolas. State Sen. Ralph Hise speaks at the Helene Economic Impact Forum.

MNJ Photo/Noreen Nickolas. State Sen. Ralph Hise speaks at the Helene Economic Impact Forum.

Storm recovery: State approves $542 million

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, March 31, 2025
Noreen Nickolas MNJ Correspondent During a recent Helene Economic Impact Forum, North Carolina legislators explained to business owners and residents how the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 (HB47) and the money the federal government allocated will not cover all the funding needed but will at least...

Burn ban has been effective

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, March 31, 2025
Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Spruce Pine Fire Chief Josh Boone told the Town Council last week that a new county ordinance allowing for local burn bans has been helpful.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Local artists Katie Elkins, left, and Anita Blackwell work on a mural advertising the first-ever Hellbender Festival, which is scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Elkins, who is also the media and marketing specialist for Downtown Spruce Pine, drafted the design for the mural.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Local artists Katie Elkins, left, and Anita Blackwell work on a mural advertising the first-ever Hellbender Festival, which is scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Elkins, who is also the media and marketing specialist for Downtown Spruce Pine, drafted the design for the mural.

Spruce Pine readies for Oliver Anthony

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, March 31, 2025
Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Approximately 3,000 ticket holders are expected in downtown Spruce Pine Saturday for the first stop on musician Oliver Anthony’s Rural Revival Project tour. After expenses, proceeds from the show will go to help with storm recovery.