Local

Miss Emerald Ridge ladies hit High Point

Local young ladies from Miss Emerald Ridge recently competed in High Point and brought home some accolades. Emerald Ridge Oustanding Teen Jalon Blackwell was a non-finalist talent winner and Hannah Harvey won four benefactor scholarships and was voted the Congeniality Award winner.

Walk brings attention to elder abuse issue

Nationwide one in 10 of the over 52 million people 65 and over are abused, neglected or exploited. Last year in North Carolina there were 32,075 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation in the senior population resulting in 17,189 investigations.

Arthur Planetarium has grand opening

The Mayland Earth to Sky Park celebrated the grand opening of the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium on June 24 and 25 with a ribbon-cutting, BBQ and 20-minute preview shows inside the planetarium.

Go tell it on Upper Street

Upper Street in downtown Spruce Pine on Wednesday, June 22 buzzed with the sound of live worship music and guest speakers during the first Downtown Worship Event presented by L&L Furniture. People packed Upper Street starting just after 5:30 p.m. to set up lawn chairs and buy food and drinks.

Free Bakersville soccer tournament delivers competition, education

The Williams YMCA of Avery County, through a partnership with the Mitchell County Recreation Department, reached the local Latino community with a day of fun and competition on Saturday, June 25 during the “Score a Goal Against COVID” rapid soccer tournament.

Grateful Girl Gathering Women’s Conference returns in August

Have you ever felt the need to connect with other Christian women in your community? Have you ever had a prayer for a closer relationship with your friends and for ways to impact your community? Have you ever prayed for God to help you be more grateful even on the tough days? You are not alone.

Rhododendron royalty

The 2023 North Carolina Rhododendron Queen and Junior Queen were crowned this past week during the annual NC Rhododendron Pageant, part of the Rhododendron Festival in Bakersville. Pictured are the newest queens Reese Brinckman (left, Junior Queen) and Alora Wilson (Queen).

Bakersville comes alive during festival

The streets of Bakersville were full of life and activity this past weekend as the annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival was again in town for its 75th year. It marked the second straight year the festival hit Bakersville streets.

Commissioners OK resolution paving way for occupancy tax hike

The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday, June 6 unanimously backed a resolution in support of a House bill that allows the county to increase its total occupancy tax to 6%.

Board hears plans for local veterans memorial

Mitchell County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58 is eying improvements to the local veterans memorial at the Mitchell Courthouse in Bakersville.