Local

Students enjoy summer accelerator program

Local students Rue Rambo-Mohr and Blake Thayer this past July were chosen from a long list of applicants to participate in North Carolina’s School of Science and Math Summer Accelerator Program.

UWNC has new leader

United Way of North Carolina announced this past week that Brittany Pruitt Fletcher is its next president and CEO, effective Oct. 3. She will succeed Laura Zink Marx, who retires on Sept. 9 after eight years in the role.

Trio crowned at Miss Emerald Ridge competition

The 2023 Miss Emerald Ridge competitions were held on Aug. 27 at Mitchell High, as seven teen candidates and three Miss candidates competed for titles. Reigning titleholders Jalon Blackwell and Hannah Harvey were honored and were on hand to crown their successors.

Mitchell gets $500,000 in PARTF grant funding

Mitchell County was awarded a $500,000 grant via the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to go toward its Mitchell Recreational Complex project in Bakersville. Gov.

BRRH’s Neill tabbed as Great 100 nurse

Teressa Neill of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital has earned a special honor. Neill, MSN, RN, who serves as director of hospital clinical operations for BRRH, was recently named one of the Great 100 nurses for North Carolina.

Bakersville poet drops new volume

Bakersville poet and disability advocate Marilyn McVicker has released a new volume of poetry dubbed “As for Life” which was awarded an honorable mention in North Carolina’s 2020 Lena Shull Book Contest.  The volume, published by Redhawk Publications earlier this year, is McVicker’s third book.

SHOOTING FOR STATES

The Mountaineers 4-H Shooting Sports Club is headed to the highest level of competition in the state after a strong showing at the 2022 West Region 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament earlier this month at Polk County Gun Club in Columbus.

M-Y Habitat gives new beginning to Mitchell woman

Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity’s new partner, Deloris Braswell, is looking forward to moving into her new home in Mitchell County in March 2023. The home build started 10 months ago and is progressing through mostly the work of volunteers.

Mayland Cosmetic Arts Center opens with ribbon-cutting

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Mayland Community College Cosmetic Arts Center at the Three Peaks Enrichment Center, formerly known as Pine Bridge, was held under sunny skies on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Local ladies prepare for Miss Emerald Ridge Scholarship Program

The 2023 Miss Emerald Ridge Scholarship Program is set for Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. at Mitchell High School. Young ladies from across Western North Carolina will vie for the titles of Miss Emerald Ridge and Miss Emerald Ridge Outstanding Teen. This year, two teens will be crowned.