Local

Mayland president talks projects, vision

Mayland Community College’s Pinebridge hotel and colosseum projects are both steadily progressing, MCC President John Boyd said Tuesday, July 19 during the regular meeting of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners.

Mitchell native tabbed as next EDC director

Matthew Ward is the newest Mitchell County Economic Development Commission executive director, EDC board chair Richard Canipe announced this past week. Ward starts in the position on Aug.

Hands-on with health

Mitchell High health science students recently got a variety of firsthand experiences through the grant-funded CTE Summer Accelerator Program.

Pair of annual summer gem shows set to return to Spruce Pine

The pair of annual mineral and gem shows will soon make their way to Spruce Pine. The 38th annual Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem Show will be at the Upper Skyview Circle property near Spruce Pine Chevy from Sunday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 7.

MCAR gets $15,000 grant from Petco Love to improve pet’s lives

Mitchell County Animal Rescue has received a $15,000 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for animals in Mitchell County.

Some on COVID frontlines turned to faith as antidote

Anjelika Ortiz, a registered nurse who lives and works in Western North Carolina, has been on the front lines with COVID-19 for more than two years now. She compares it to a war zone.

Juvenile mediator offers valuable help for anxious local students

Fred Rogers, the man known to generations as Mr. Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, famously said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Who are the helpers in our community?

A special visit to Penland

North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper recently stopped into Mitchell County to visit Penland School of Craft. She toured the campus, watched workshops in progress, met some resident artists and closed her visit with a tour of the Penland Gallery.

Silver, Bonaminio selected for Inez McRae scholarship

The Mitchell County Historical Society this past week announced that Annali Rae Silver and Elizabeth Ann Bonaminio are the 2022 recipients of the 7th annual Inez McRae Memorial Scholarship.

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.