Local

Executive order will increase high school venue capacities

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
RALEIGH — North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced Wednesday, Feb. 24 that restrictions on crowd limits at high school sporting events will be eased via a new executive order that will allow outdoor venues to operate at 30 percent capacity effective Friday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.
Allen family

Allen family

Fitness Express will move to old Flick Video building

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
SPRUCE PINE — Fitness Express gym will soon be on the move.  The gym will soon transition from its current location at the Cross Street Commerce Center to the building that used to house Flick Video, next to Stamey’s Grocery on U.S. Highway 19E.

Grateful Girl Gathering set for March 20

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
SPRUCE PINE — A fresh, new kind of women’s conference is coming to Spruce Pine.  A Grateful Girl Gathering, a conference designed for a sisterhood of women that will feature times of study, worship, encouragement and fun, will be at the Cross Street Commerce Center on Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m.
The Jones family smiles as they enjoy a carriage ride through downtown Spruce Pine on Saturday, Feb. 13. The rides were part of a promotion from the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce that encouraged folks to shop local. The Jones family consists of April, Brandon, Finley and Audrey. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

The Jones family smiles as they enjoy a carriage ride through downtown Spruce Pine on Saturday, Feb. 13. The rides were part of a promotion from the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce that encouraged folks to shop local. The Jones family consists of April, Brandon, Finley and Audrey. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Locals enjoy carriage rides, support area businesses

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
There weren’t just cars in the streets of Bakersville and Spruce Pine this past weekend.
At the board’s regular session on Wednesday, Feb. 10, commissioners unanimously approved a decision to begin negotiations for a contract with Watauga Medics, which would be called “Mitchell Medics” if hired by the county. (Photo by Juliana Walker/MNJ)

At the board’s regular session on Wednesday, Feb. 10, commissioners unanimously approved a decision to begin negotiations for a contract with Watauga Medics, which would be called “Mitchell Medics” if hired by the county. (Photo by Juliana Walker/MNJ)

Commissioners closing in on next EMS provider

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners have made a significant step toward hiring a new EMS provider.  At the board’s regular session on Wednesday, Feb.

Commissioners address sundown law allegation

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners denounced racism and other forms of discrimination while addressing an allegation of a possible racist policy at their regular session on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
This past fall, volunteers from Spruce Pine United Methodist Church rallied to support a local senior with roof repairs. Volunteers restored the ceiling where water levels had caused damage. Pictured above repairing the ceiling is volunteer Mike Murphy. (Submitted photo)

This past fall, volunteers from Spruce Pine United Methodist Church rallied to support a local senior with roof repairs. Volunteers restored the ceiling where water levels had caused damage. Pictured above repairing the ceiling is volunteer Mike Murphy. (Submitted photo)

Housing coalition seeks community partners

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
As homes age, it is inevitable that minor repairs will be needed.   Unfortunately, if families do not have the ability to address those repairs, small repair needs quickly grow into larger concerns.
As of Jan. 30, Mitchell County is no longer considered a ‘red tier’ county by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The county is now classified as ‘yellow tier’ meaning there is significant community spread. (NCDHHS)

As of Jan. 30, Mitchell County is no longer considered a ‘red tier’ county by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The county is now classified as ‘yellow tier’ meaning there is significant community spread. (NCDHHS)

Mitchell down to ‘yellow tier’ COVID county

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
While the numbers have dipped in recent weeks, COVID-19 continues to stay present in Mitchell County. According to the Mitchell County Health Department, as of Wednesday, Feb. 3, the county had 20 active positive cases and 27 COVID-related deaths.
Yancey County resident Magnolia Burleson, 4, poses in Spruce Pine Riverside Park with her Imagination Library book in front of a life-size cut-out of program founder, Dolly Parton. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Yancey County resident Magnolia Burleson, 4, poses in Spruce Pine Riverside Park with her Imagination Library book in front of a life-size cut-out of program founder, Dolly Parton. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Imagination Library hits milestone

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
SPRUCE PINE —The Blue Ridge Partnership for Children recently provided its 200,000th book through the Imagination Library Program. Imagination Library, a program founded by Dolly Parton in 1995, provides children with a free book in the mail from birth until their fifth birthday.