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MNJ photo/Mariel Williams. The dried marijuana products on this table added up to approximately 23 pounds and $70,000. Some of the bags came labeled with the names of specific varieties, such as “Trailer Trash” or “Apple Pie.”

MNJ photo/Mariel Williams. The dried marijuana products on this table added up to approximately 23 pounds and $70,000. Some of the bags came labeled with the names of specific varieties, such as “Trailer Trash” or “Apple Pie.”

Marijuana seized

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office unexpectedly seized approximately $70,000 worth of marijuana after responding to a domestic violence report last week. Narcotics investigator John Masters said that Jason Hollifield, 59, was arrested around 1 p.m. Aug.
Photos submitted. Left: Caleb Rudow. Right: Frank Hughes.

Photos submitted. Left: Caleb Rudow. Right: Frank Hughes.

Congressional candidate to visit

The Mitchell County Democratic Party will host an Ice Cream Social at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Several Democratic Party candidates for office will appear at this event, including U.S. House of Representatives candidate Caleb Rudow, N.C.
MNJ photo/Sarah Atkins. Juan Pardo ordered people from the Native American settlement of Joara to build five houses that would have looked similar to the one pictured above.

MNJ photo/Sarah Atkins. Juan Pardo ordered people from the Native American settlement of Joara to build five houses that would have looked similar to the one pictured above.

Uncovering Spanish history in NC

Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com Mike Carpenter, a staff member at Warren Wilson College Field School, gave a presentation on the topic of a Spanish European settlement located near Morganton to the Mitchell County Historical Society last week.
MNJ photo/Sarah Atkins. Ina Hilemon has run a sewing and alterations business for 38 years, and uses this machine she calls “Babe” for many of her projects.

MNJ photo/Sarah Atkins. Ina Hilemon has run a sewing and alterations business for 38 years, and uses this machine she calls “Babe” for many of her projects.

Reflecting on pins and needles

Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com With a kind smile, she opened the door of her home. Her demeanor radiated that of a true Southern woman, one who knows your neighbor and your neighbor’s mama.
MNJ photo/Mariel Williams. The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners recently honored Mike Gunter, a volunteer for Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff, for receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Award. From left are Commissioner Jeff Harding, Commissioner Clayton Roberts, Chair Harley Masters, Vice-Chair Steve Pitman, Commissioner Brandon Dean Pittman, Rebecca Hall of High Country United Way, Gunter’s wife Catherine Gunter, and Mike Gunter.

MNJ photo/Mariel Williams. The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners recently honored Mike Gunter, a volunteer for Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff, for receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Award. From left are Commissioner Jeff Harding, Commissioner Clayton Roberts, Chair Harley Masters, Vice-Chair Steve Pitman, Commissioner Brandon Dean Pittman, Rebecca Hall of High Country United Way, Gunter’s wife Catherine Gunter, and Mike Gunter.

Opioid funds: How should they be spent?

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27, to provide the public with an overview of how a recent opioid lawsuit settlement may benefit the county.

Bill protects mining ops

Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com North Carolina Senate Bill 607, newly ratified by the state senate, prohibits adversarial foreign governments from acquiring quartz mining operations and lands containing high-purity quartz.
Submitted photo The Rev. Nathan Silver, left, of Grassy Creek Baptist Church prays over Kelly Pitman as he prepares to baptize him in Grassy Creek.

Submitted photo The Rev. Nathan Silver, left, of Grassy Creek Baptist Church prays over Kelly Pitman as he prepares to baptize him in Grassy Creek.

‘Down to the river’

Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com River baptisms have been an Appalachian tradition for generations, but as baptism in church buildings has become more and more common, this tradition may seem to be obsolete.