Local

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.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Regular Santa appeared last Saturday, while Big Foot Santa, arrives in Buladean this coming Saturday.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Regular Santa appeared last Saturday, while Big Foot Santa, arrives in Buladean this coming Saturday.

Buladean: Small community turns Christmas into big event

Steffen Silvis
Monday, December 8, 2025
In the lead-up to the Buladean Christmas Parade Saturday, viewers huddled in their cars to avoid the freezing temperatures, with vehicles lining the parking lots and fields along N.C. Highway 226 into the community.

Vines, Buchanan recognized by HCC

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, December 8, 2025
Three local officials were recognized at the 50th Annual Banquet of the High Country Council of Governments held at Appalachian State University in Boone Oct. 10. Mayor Charles Vines of Bakersville was recognized by the Council as the 2025 Outstanding Executive Board Member.

Harding remains chair after dispute

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 8, 2025
After several divided votes, the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners elected incumbent Jeff Harding to serve another year as board chairman last week. Initially, the board struggled to reach a firm majority on the question of the 2026 chair.

Burn ban rescinded

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 1, 2025
The Mitchell County Fire Marshal’s Office rescinded a burn ban last week. Mitchell County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director Andrew Brewer had originally issued the burn ban on Nov. 18, because of dry weather conditions. However, the Nov.
Submitted photo. Mitchell County Manager Allen Cook, left, accepts the 2025 Outstanding Local Government Manager award from the High Country Council of Governments.

Submitted photo. Mitchell County Manager Allen Cook, left, accepts the 2025 Outstanding Local Government Manager award from the High Country Council of Governments.

Cook named 2025 Outstanding Local Government Manager

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 1, 2025
Mitchell County Manager Allen Cook was recently named the 2025 Outstanding Local Government Manager in the High Country region. Cook was honored by the High Country Council of Governments at its annual banquet.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. The Grinch makes one of many appearances in the Spruce Pine Christmas Parade.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. The Grinch makes one of many appearances in the Spruce Pine Christmas Parade.

Christmas is coming

Steffen Silvis
Monday, December 1, 2025
Floats lit up an icy winter night for the Spruce Pine Christmas Parade Saturday. With the temperature dipping just below freezing, Spruce Pine’s parade goers employed different methods to keep warm.