Local

TRHD remains focused on widespread vaccinations

BAKERSVILLE — All three health departments within the Toe River Health District are administering COVID-19 vaccines as quickly and as often as they can, TRHD Director Diane Creek told the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday, March 15.

Area schools to reopen under Plan A

LEDGER — Mitchell County Schools for grades 6-12 will move into North Carolina’s Plan A school reopening plan, full in-person learning, starting Monday, April 12.

Local teachers give insight into pandemic challenges

LEDGER — Teachers from Mitchell County Schools provided their perspectives on how the pandemic changed their jobs during the regular meeting of the Mitchell County Board of Education Thursday, March 11.

Pelican's SnoBalls lands in Spruce Pine

Pelican’s SnoBalls has arrived in Mitchell County.  The chain that serves up New Orleans-style shaved ice in a myriad of flavors has come to Grassy Creek after Mitchell County’s Luke Stamey brought the brand into the building that used to house Terminix.

Aguayo joins News-Journal staff as ad rep

SPRUCE PINE — Lazaro “Laz” Aguayo joined the News-Journal Tuesday, March 2 as the paper’s advertising sales representative.  “I’m very excited to welcome Laz to our team,” said Cory Spiers, editor and publisher of the News-Journal.

Commissioners to review proposed EMS contract

BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners continues to take concrete steps toward reaching an agreement with Watauga Medics to be the county’s next EMS provider.

Special olympics athletes get unique kickoff

LEDGER — Special Olympics Mitchell County activities have been on pause since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, but the local athletes were treated to a special surprise Monday, March 1.

Spruce Pine Council recaps joint meeting

SPRUCE PINE — The Spruce Pine Town Council at its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 22 discussed its takeaways from its joint meeting on Feb. 15 with the Mitchell County Commissioners, Bakersville Town Council and representatives from the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce.

Joint meeting focuses on marketing Mitchell County

LEDGER — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Spruce Pine Town Council, Bakersville Town Council and representatives from the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Feb. 15 to discuss marketing strategies for the county.

Town seeks grant for park improvements

SPRUCE PINE — The Town of Spruce Pine has big improvement plans in mind for Brad Ragan Park and it hopes grant money through the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) could be a key factor in funding the project.  The Spruce Pine Town Council at its regular meeting on Monday, Feb.