Local

For Rosasco, Barbies are way more than just toys

Has Barbie movie mania driven you into remembrances of childhood experiences with Barbie dolls?  Mica artist Simona Rosasco has been playing with these dolls since 2014, creating scenes that she then photographs to create fun and quirky notecards.

Yancey’s Haven Lee is Toe River Arts scholarship recipient

Haven Lee of Yancey County is the latest recipient of a $1,000 Toe River Arts scholarship for college tuition. Lee, a sophomore product design major at the Kansas City Art Institute, demonstrated a passion for his art studies, showing artistic commitment and a willingness to take creative risks.

New report finds WIC funding falling short in NC

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recently released a report showing WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) needs additional funding to avoid turning away eligible families.

CMS gives Blue Ridge Regional a 5-star rating

The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid recently updated its Overall Hospital Quality Ratings for 2023, recognizing Spruce Pine’s Blue Ridge Regional Hospital with a prestigious five-star rating.

High Country Caregivers gets grant from Mountain Air Community Fund

With the recent award of a grant from Mountain Air Community Fund, High Country Caregivers has begun the process of hiring social workers to provide additional social work support to the Kinship Navigation program in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

A rock hound's paradise

The annual mineral and gem shows were back in town this past week.

Mayland’s Ebernickel completes SolidWorks motorcycle tour

Adam Ebernickel, an instructor in Mayland Community College’s Applied Engineering Department, recently completed the IronSWUG 2023 Motorcycle Tour.

Next Paws in the Park event is Aug. 12 in Spruce Pine

Mitchell County Animal Rescue’s Paws in the Park 2023, presented by Bill and Connie Sales at Crooked Little Flower Studios, is set for Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Riverside Park.  Paws in the Park is a family fun day spent at the park with pooches.

High Country Caregivers will use grant funds for social workers

High Country Caregivers recently received a $70,000 grant from the Dogwood Health Trust which will aid in the hiring of social workers to support the Kinship Navigation program in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

Local women file for public office with concrete plans in mind

A trio of local women— Lynn Nelson Holler, Sharon McIntosh and Kim Hageman— have grand visions for the future of Spruce Pine and have thus filed to run for public office in the next election.  The three filed right away when registration for the election opened this past month.