Local

Sibelco eliminates jobs, EDC offers help

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The Mitchell Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce will be working to assist local residents affected by last week’s announcement of a significant workforce reduction by Sibelco Corp. at its Mitchell County operations.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Outgoing Mayland Community College President John Boyd, right, introduces his replacement, Aron Gabriel, to the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Outgoing Mayland Community College President John Boyd, right, introduces his replacement, Aron Gabriel, to the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners.

Aron Gabriel takes over at Mayland

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Aron Gabriel is the new president of Mayland Community College, as of Friday. Gabriel took over from retiring president John Boyd in a small ceremony at the college Friday, with the faculty in attendance.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Dana Moore works on both a dog and a cat portrait in her Deer Park Lake Studio.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Dana Moore works on both a dog and a cat portrait in her Deer Park Lake Studio.

Capturing animals in oils

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
During Toe River Arts’ November Studio Tours, painter Carmen Grier was wrapping purchases of her work for a group of Charlotte visitors when one of them spotted a business card on Grier’s work table. She asked about the card, which featured an oil portrait of a white terrier.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Mitchell County Commissioner Steve Pitman, standing left, presents John Boyd with a plaque honoring him for his service. Boyd retired as president of Mayland Community College Friday.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Mitchell County Commissioner Steve Pitman, standing left, presents John Boyd with a plaque honoring him for his service. Boyd retired as president of Mayland Community College Friday.

Saying good-bye

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
John Boyd handed the reins to incoming President Aron Gabriel at a brief ceremony at Mayland Community College Friday, Jan. 9.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Bill Hoag, executive director of the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County, said that day passes for pool use have been popular during the winter break period for local schools.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Bill Hoag, executive director of the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County, said that day passes for pool use have been popular during the winter break period for local schools.

YMCA filling up in the new year

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
January is a traditional time to recommit to physical fitness for many, and staffers at the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County report that exercise facilities have been bustling the first couple days of 2026. “Today has been really busy,” said Executive Director Bill Hoag on Friday.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. From left, Councilman Charles Nash, Mayor Charles Vines and Councilman Gary Hyatt listen to a presentation on plans to reinvigorate Bakersville.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. From left, Councilman Charles Nash, Mayor Charles Vines and Councilman Gary Hyatt listen to a presentation on plans to reinvigorate Bakersville.

Toward a new Bakersville

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Bakersville’s monthly town council meeting at the end of December opened with Mayor Charles Vines describing a comic scene in town that day, as a blustery wind unanchored numerous holiday decorations downtown. “I found myself running down the road, chasing after decorations,” Vines said.

Extended

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 29, 2025
Just before Christmas Gov. Josh Stein said that the deadline to apply for Renew NC, the Hurricane Helene housing recovery program, has been extended until Jan. 31. After that, another significant disaster recovery deadline is coming up in February—storm victims have until Feb.

Hacked

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 29, 2025
Mitchell County administration is recovering from an attack by unknown cyber criminals, in which some personal information of county residents was compromised.