Local

Candidates vying for town council seats

Rachel Hoskins - rhoskins@thefranklinpress.com   The municipal general elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for seats on Bakersville  and Spruce Pine town councils as well as the mayor of Spruce Pine.

Ladies earn titles at Miss Emerald Ridge competition

The 2024 Miss Emerald Ridge, Emerald Ridge’s and Mineral City’s Teen competitions were held recently at Mitchell High.  Five Teen contestants and four Miss contestants competed for titles.

Silbelco, OVTA offer educational experience

The Sibelco Schoolhouse Quartz Plant this past week hosted about 350 guests again during the annual Overmountain Victory Trail Association event.

Norton aims to help area kids through 4-H

Erin Norton wants today’s Mitchell County youth to have all the opportunities she had growing up in Western North Carolina.  She’s an FFA alumnae who interned at Henderson County Cooperative Extension.  “It’s where I learned about Extension,” she said. “Working at Extension is my dream job.

Grindstaff named Youth Heart Ambassador

Mitchell County’s Aticus Grindstaff was selected by the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, to serve as a volunteer National Youth Heart Ambassador for the 2023-24 school year.

Mayland’s Sports Medicine Technology program gives students options

The Sports Medicine Technology program at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Learning Center just started for the fall semester.

Young represents county at 4-H Electric Congress

Mitchell County’s Owen Young traveled to the annual North Carolina 4-H Electric Congress in Wilmington as the county’s youth representative.  Young received this honor as the county 2023 4-H electric champion.

Wheeler suits up for USA Beach Wrestling

Mitchell High grad Halley Wheeler was part of a recent historic performance for USA Beach Wrestling in Constanta, Romania.  Wheeler competed in both the Under 20 World Championships and the Senior World Series division.

Local helps woman connect with familiar portrait

When Virginia Smith (Mississippi Memaw on Facebook and TikTok) saw a familiar-looking oil painting posted online, she immediately began a virtual hunt.