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Square dance

Square dance

Rhododendron Festival back after 2020 postponement

BAKERSVILLE — The annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival is set to return Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19.  The 74th iteration of the festival, which was originally set for June 19-20, 2020, was postponed in April 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bakersville man in BLM incident appears in court

JONESBOROUGH — A backlog of hearings caused by the pandemic pushed Jared Benjamin Lafer’s appearance in court back several months, but on Thursday, May 27 the Bakersville man accused of running over a Johnson City Black Lives Matter protester this past September stood before a judge.
Thickets

Thickets

Brad Ragan mountain bike trail opens with ceremony

SPRUCE PINE — The Mitchell County Chamber and Town of Spruce Pine’s efforts to expand outdoor recreation in the area yielded tangible fruits Saturday, May 22 as the new mountain bike pump track at Brad Ragan Park officially opened with a special grand opening ceremony.
Fortner

Fortner

Fortner Insurance gives officers free meal

Fortner Insurance of Spruce Pine made it a point to thank local law enforcement with a special lunch for local on and off-duty officers on Wednesday, May 19. Eight local officers, including Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin, made the trip to Fortner for a free lunch.