Local

Edible Bakersville?

Walk the halls of Gouge Elementary and you’ll smell sugar, frosting and cookies. Nothing is baking. That smell is construction materials. Gouge students earlier this month constructed a model of Bakersville out of gingerbread, candy and other sweet treats.

NC trooper shot during chase, suspect dead

Kevin Glenn, a North Carolina state trooper assigned to Mitchell County, was shot in Yancey County during a chase just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The chase started in Mitchell. Glenn was attempting to put out a tire deflation device on U.S.

State funds will support development of new YMCA branch

The Williams YMCA of Avery County will receive $4.5 million from the state budget to support the development of a new 18,000 square foot branch in Spruce Pine.

Commissioners talk revaluation, public meetings

Commissioner Jeff Harding on Monday, Dec. 6 sent a clear message to anyone with questions about Mitchell County government dealings— come to a public meeting.

Board tables sales tax hike discussion

The ongoing discussion among the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners about adding a sales tax increase to the ballot of a future election will continue. The board, during its regular meeting on Monday, Dec.

NC's primary delayed amid district battles

North Carolina’s 2022 primary election is delayed and all candidate filing is suspended, the North Carolina Supreme Court and State Board of Elections announced on Wednesday, Dec. 8. The primary moves from March 8 to May 17.

Annual Shop With a Cop program serves more than 50

The Spruce Pine Walmart was much busier the morning of Monday, Dec. 13 than it usually is at such a time. Law enforcement officials, volunteers and area kids packed the entrance lobby, waiting for the annual Shop With a Cop event to begin.

Simple gesture of thanks

The holiday season revolves around giving. The Little Switzerland Ladies Club did their part. The club traveled to Gouge Elementary School on Friday, Dec. 3 to deliver 20 $50 gift cards to teachers as a token of gratitude for the work educators have done in the community during the pandemic.

Bakersville officials take oaths of office

The newest Bakersville Town Council is official. The newly-elected council members and Mayor Charles “Chuck” Vines took their oaths of office on Wednesday, Dec. 1 in Town Hall. Clerk of Court Janet Cook administered the oaths.

McDowell blaze sends smoke to Mitchell

Mitchell County residents this past week may have noticed hazy, smoky air. That’s because fire officials and emergency personnel responded to the scene of a forest fire on Pogue Mountain in McDowell County on Tuesday, Nov. 30.