Local

Jensen and Buchanan appointed to EDC board

Mariel Williams
Friday, December 19, 2025
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.
MNJ photo/Jaren Gragg. Cane Creek in downtown Bakersville flooded during Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).

MNJ photo/Jaren Gragg. Cane Creek in downtown Bakersville flooded during Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).

Bakersville Revival

Mitchell News-Journal
Friday, December 19, 2025
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.

New EMS service is recruiting staff

Mariel Williams
Friday, December 19, 2025
Mitchell County said last week that there is still a need for emergency medical technicians to staff the new Mitchell County Emergency Medical Service, which officially took over from Mitchell Medics Dec. 16.

Spruce Pine says goodbye to departing leaders

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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.
MNJ Photo/ Steffen Silvis. Rhonda Gunter and Jaime Shrier discuss genealogy at the Mitchell County Historical Society open house.

MNJ Photo/ Steffen Silvis. Rhonda Gunter and Jaime Shrier discuss genealogy at the Mitchell County Historical Society open house.

Living history

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
“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.
MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg. More than 100 people helped put together Bakersville’s Journey to the Manger last weekend.

MNJ Photo/Jaren Gragg. More than 100 people helped put together Bakersville’s Journey to the Manger last weekend.

Journey to the Manger

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Jaren Gragg Contributor   Journey to the Manger brought the community of Bakersville and event attendees together, bringing the Christmas story to life and reminding everyone of the “reason for the season.” The annual two-night event was held over the weekend, at Bowman Middle School.

County takes over EMS service

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
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.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Lines of festive cars join the Bakersville Christmas Parade.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Lines of festive cars join the Bakersville Christmas Parade.

Bakersville: County seat’s parade has longtime fans

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
In the crowd for Bakersville’s annual Christmas Parade last Saturday were two veterans of the town’s holiday celebrations: sisters Laura Slagh and Amy Ferguson, who live in different areas near Greenville, South Carolina.