Local

Mitchell Transportation earns pair of NCPTA honors

Mitchell County Transportation is standing out among its peers in the state. MCT recently earned a pair of awards via the North Carolina Public Transportation Association— a safety award and the honor of Transit System of the Year. MCT recently introduced a new route in Spruce Pine.

Annual Run for Holland returns May 7

The annual Run for Holland charity race returns to Spruce Pine Saturday, May 7.

CAREERS OF COMPASSION

Ashley Gouge and Whitney Banks are living their childhood dreams. The two are nurses at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, making good on their childhood hopes of becoming nurses. Gouge works in the outpatient unit. Banks is an acute care nurse.

Sheriff candidates square off at forum

The two candidates vying for Mitchell County Sheriff went head-to-head on Tuesday, April 12 during a candidates’ forum hosted by the Buladean Community Foundation at the former Buladean School. Current sheriff Donald Street and challenger Dean Corn are on the ballot for the May 17 Primary Election.

BoC candidates stump at Buladean forum

Five candidates for Mitchell County Commissioner attended a candidates’ forum Tuesday, April 12, hosted by the Buladean Community Foundation at the former Buladean School.

A quiet time of prayer and reflection

A group of locals gathered in Riverside Park on Thursday, April 7 to pray for Ukraine. The Rev. Michael Poulos and Rev. Rick Schilling led the group in prayer and song. In the photo, a group of attendees takes a moment to reflect on the events in Ukraine during the service. 

Substance abuse, mental health key local issues, health assessment finds

The Mitchell County 2021 Community Health Assessment is complete. The assessment was a 76-question questionnaire designed to allow residents to express concerns and give opinions about the quality of life in the area.

Grant to help launch nature adventure program

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina recently awarded a $3,000 Fund for Mitchell County Grant to High Country Caregivers (HCC). This grant will help fund HCC’s program “Eyes in the Wild”, a nature adventure program for teens being raised by their grandparents.

Gouge students get hands-on with poetry at Story Trail

Gouge Elementary students in Michelle Lord’s third-grade class on Wednesday, April 6 got outdoors to appreciate poetry. The students visited the Riverside Story Trail, which currently features the book “Daniel Finds a Poem.

Spruce Pine has discharge of untreated wastewater

The Town of Spruce Pine had a discharge of untreated wastewater on April 12 of an estimated 5,000 gallons from a manhole near Smith Road in Spruce Pine. The untreated wastewater was discharged into English Creek in the Toe River Basin.