Local

Masters completes 100 Counties Prepared training

Mitchell County Commissioner Harley Masters completed the 100 Counties Prepared Emergency Preparedness for County Officials training program, held this past month at the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.

Rhododendron royalty

Cassidy McHone (left) and Karlee Sanderford were crowned NC Rhododendron Queens at the annual pageant at Bowman Middle, part of the NC Rhododendron Festival. McHone took home the crown in the junior division and Sanderford was tabbed as queen. 

Local educators get Farm Bureau grants

Mitchell County teachers Neva Winters (Mayland Early College), Britney Carver and Molly Crowder (Greenlee) and Kellie Chapman (Deyton) are recipients of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s annual Ag in the Classroom Going Local grants.

An out-of-this-world experience

The Alien Festival was in Spruce Pine on Saturday, June 10. The event brought droves of people to Upper Street to celebrate all things out of this world. Above, two aliens pose together during the festival before enjoying activities.

Planning begins for 12th BBQ Festival

Planning has already begun for the 12th Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, 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. The event features live entertainment, food and craft vendors and activities for kids.

Franchise official talks Spruce Pine Hardee's temporary closure

The Spruce Pine Hardee’s has reopened and operated without incident since a temporary, voluntary closure on Tuesday, May 30 that extended into the morning of Wednesday, May 31.

CM Literary Festival will return Sept. 7-9

The 2023 Carolina Mountains Literary Festival’s 29 authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, children’s and young adult books will come to Burnsville Sept. 7-9.  Free readings and discussions will take place at venues around the Town Square all day Friday and Saturday.

Mayland’s Carpenter part of Leadership NC’s 30th class

Monica Carpenter, Mayland Community College’s associate vice president of workforce development, was part of Leadership North Carolina’s recent graduation ceremony for its 30th class.

Bakersville man arrested after throwing eggs, attempting break-in

A Bakersville man who garnered attention on Monday, June 5 for throwing eggs at cars now faces several charges.

Local small businesses get grants

Nine local businesses in the north end of Mitchell County were recently awarded grants through the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission and the Bakersville Area Merchants Association.