Local

Next BBQ Festival is set for Oct. 7

The 12th Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival is right around the corner— it’s set for Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine.  Adults get in for $5 each and kids 12 and under are free.  Tickets can be purchased at the festival.

Bowman students chat with an astronaut

The International Space Station may be many miles away, but for Bowman Middle School students, it was closer than ever during the county’s second “Ask an Astronaut” event on Aug. 28. The event was at Harris Middle last October and was with astronaut Robert Hines.

Spruce Pine Hardee's closes permanently

The Spruce Pine Hardee’s has shut its doors for good.  The fast food eatery located on Highway 19E next to Stamey’s was open on Sunday, Aug. 27 but its main marquee sign outside read “closed” on both sides in big, black letters on Monday, Aug. 28.

Local students get CFWNC scholarships

Local students Sadie Struble, Elijah Allen and Kimberly Hughes were recently awarded scholarships through The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.  Struble of Mitchell High, the top recipient, was awarded the Charles C. and Suzanne R.

Crews contain Convenience Center blaze

The Altapass Convenience Center of Spruce Pine is back open to accept household garbage after a fire broke out in the cardboard bundling area late Monday, Aug. 21. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

Spruce Pine trio brings ideas to the town table

Editor’s note: The following is the second part in a planned three-part series of free candidate profiles for local elections in November. Lynn Nelson Holler, Sharon McIntosh and Kim Hageman were profiled in the Aug. 2 edition of the News-Journal.

Nearly 100 ride to honor late Maggie Young

The memory of the late Maggie Young lives on through the annual Maggie’s Ride fundraiser and the 2023 edition of the event proceeded as planned. During the fifth year of Maggie’s Ride on Saturday, Aug.

Students hone valuable skills at horse camp

For the past six weeks, children arrived at the Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center just as the sun came over the trees and gathered at the outdoor pavilion to meet their friends and start their day at horse camp.  Each week of camp focused on a different need. In total, 50 children attended.

BBBSWNC gets ‘Littles’ ready for academic year

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina has been supporting teachers and revving up its school-bound Littles in many of the 18 mountain counties that it serves.

Hurd recognized by DAV Mitchell County Chapter 58

The Disabled American Veterans Mitchell County Chapter 58 recognized Matthew Hurd during its recent regular meeting. Richard Head, chapter commander, recognized Hurd with a citation for his work with Mitchell High students.