Local

Jensen and Buchanan appointed to EDC board

The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners held a brief meeting last week to conduct routine administrative business. Commissioner Steve Pitman made a motion to appoint Patti Jensen of the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce to the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission Board of Directors.

Debris removal makes slow progress

Downtown Bakersville should have cleaner waters soon, as FEMA has approved cleaning up some of the excess silt in Cane Creek.

Bakersville Revival

Jaren Gragg MNJ Correspondent   It’s been a year since Helene struck Western North Carolina, forever changing the lives of the people who live and work in Mitchell and surrounding counties.

Spruce Pine says goodbye to departing leaders

The Spruce Pine Town Council devoted the much of its meeting last week to honoring outgoing Mayor Phillip Hise and outgoing Council Member Jackie Rensink, as well as recognizing a number of past leaders who attended in the audience. State Sen.

New Spruce Pine government takes office

New Mayor Beth Holmes and two new Town Council members were sworn in at a Spruce Pine council meeting last week. Tessa Taylor and Larry McKinney (who has served as a council member before) joined the council, having been elected with Holmes in November.

Living history

“Here’s a story, but it can’t be printed.” Dan Barron is the Chair of the Mitchell County Historical Society’s board and an accomplished storyteller, who has spent his life collecting local lore.

County takes over EMS service

Mitchell County will be officially taking over the local emergency medical service on Tuesday. The county has previously used a private contractor for ambulance services.