Local

MNJ Photo/Sarah Atkins. From left, County Commissioner Harley Masters, Mitchell County Schools Superintendent Chad Calhoun, County Manager Allen Cook, school board member Brenda Sparks, county commissioner candidate Dale Blevins and Mitchell High School Athletic Director Travise Pittman break ground on a new athletic center.

MNJ Photo/Sarah Atkins. From left, County Commissioner Harley Masters, Mitchell County Schools Superintendent Chad Calhoun, County Manager Allen Cook, school board member Brenda Sparks, county commissioner candidate Dale Blevins and Mitchell High School Athletic Director Travise Pittman break ground on a new athletic center.

Breaking new ground

(not verified)
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com   The new student athletic complex broke ground last week, marking the first day of construction on the newest addition to Mitchell County Schools facilities.
Stock image. The annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival will be held in downtown Bakersville Friday and Saturday.

Stock image. The annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival will be held in downtown Bakersville Friday and Saturday.

Rhododendron Festival begins Friday in Bakersville

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Macie Greene Mg8797@mhslive.net   The 77th annual Rhododendron Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday in Bakersville. This festival has been a significant part of Mitchell County history, popular with both locals and tourists.
MNJ Photos/Sarah Atkins. The B&K Carnival has fun rides for all ages, including a new one called the Orbiter. Carnival goers enjoy riding the Ferris wheel and swings.

MNJ Photos/Sarah Atkins. The B&K Carnival has fun rides for all ages, including a new one called the Orbiter. Carnival goers enjoy riding the Ferris wheel and swings.

Carnival comes to town

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com   Hundreds of Mitchell locals and visitors alike came out for the opening of the Parkway Fire and Rescue B&K Carnival last week. The carnival will be in town for nine days this summer, with the last being Saturday.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Gloria Schulman of Spruce Pine asks a question about the future of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. Representatives of Affiliated Monitors, Inc. recently came to Spruce Pine to hear community concerns.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Gloria Schulman of Spruce Pine asks a question about the future of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. Representatives of Affiliated Monitors, Inc. recently came to Spruce Pine to hear community concerns.

Healthcare concerns

(not verified)
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com   Concerned citizens packed a community meeting to discuss the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital last week. Dogwood Health Trust and Affiliated Monitors hosted the meeting at Cross Street Commerce Center on  June 11.
MNJ Photos/Sarah Atkins. Colten Phillips, right, and brother Brayden Phillips proudly show off their catch.

MNJ Photos/Sarah Atkins. Colten Phillips, right, and brother Brayden Phillips proudly show off their catch.

Troutacular

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, June 10, 2024
Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com The beginning of June means many things in Mitchell County; for many children and teenagers under 18, it means waking up early to go fishing. Troutacular is a free fishing event for children and teenagers of Mitchell County.
Photo submitted. District Court Judge Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, right, swears in Mitchell County’s newest Guardian ad Litem, Megan Hicks, in the Mitchell County Courtroom.

Photo submitted. District Court Judge Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, right, swears in Mitchell County’s newest Guardian ad Litem, Megan Hicks, in the Mitchell County Courtroom.

GAL program needs advocates

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, June 10, 2024
Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com Volunteers are needed for the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program, which advocates for children in the court system. GAL has served and advocated for neglected and abused children for over 40 years.

Budget

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, June 10, 2024
Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners will vote on its 2024-2025 budget on Tuesday, June 25, in a special session at 8 a.m. The board held a hearing to allow public comment on the proposed budget at the beginning of its June 3 meeting in Bakersville.
MNJ photos/Mariel Williams. Aliens of all shapes and sizes came to Spruce Pine Saturday to shop, play, listen to music and participate in the Alien Festival costume contest, among other activities.

MNJ photos/Mariel Williams. Aliens of all shapes and sizes came to Spruce Pine Saturday to shop, play, listen to music and participate in the Alien Festival costume contest, among other activities.

Alien Invasion

(not verified)
Monday, June 10, 2024
Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Some came for the costumes, some for the bounce houses, and some came to learn if they’re really out there.
MNJ photo/Sarah Atkins. Pine Line picks up passengers at a stop in downtown Spruce Pine.

MNJ photo/Sarah Atkins. Pine Line picks up passengers at a stop in downtown Spruce Pine.

Getting behind the Pine Line

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Sarah Atkins mnjreporter@gmail.com The Pine Line has been running in Spruce Pine for nearly three years, yet many Mitchell County residents have yet to hop on board and see what this addition to everyday life is all about.
MNJ photo/Sarah Quintas. Mariel Williams is the new editor of the Mitchell News-Journal.

MNJ photo/Sarah Quintas. Mariel Williams is the new editor of the Mitchell News-Journal.

New editor joins the Mitchell News-Journal

Sarah Quintas - editor@mitchellnews.com
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
The Mitchell News-Journal welcomed new editor Mariel Williams to its staff last week.  Williams is an experienced journalist with a diverse background. Growing up in Yancey County, William’s journalism aspirations began with a desire to write as a child.