Local

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.
Pharmacists Anthony Hudson and Jordon Baker pose for a photo inside of the newly-opened Roan Mountain Pharmacy location in Bakersville. The Bakersville Pharmacy left after CVS bought the company that owned it, but Baker and Hudson wanted to bring a pharmacy back to town. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Pharmacists Anthony Hudson and Jordon Baker pose for a photo inside of the newly-opened Roan Mountain Pharmacy location in Bakersville. The Bakersville Pharmacy left after CVS bought the company that owned it, but Baker and Hudson wanted to bring a pharmacy back to town. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Roan Mountain Pharmacy opens Bakersville location

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
BAKERSVILLE — A new pharmacy has arrived in Bakersville.  Roan Mountain Pharmacy, of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, has opened a second location at 604 Highway 226 South in Bakersville, next to Mammie’s Kitchen.
Ezra McClure, a student in Michelle Stafford’s third-grade class at Deyton Elementary, sews the pages of his moon journal. Students and teachers were forced to adapt to the new virtual format this year. (Submitted)

Ezra McClure, a student in Michelle Stafford’s third-grade class at Deyton Elementary, sews the pages of his moon journal. Students and teachers were forced to adapt to the new virtual format this year. (Submitted)

Annual moon journal project goes virtual

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
The moon journal project, which has been a staple of the third-grade curriculum in Mitchell County for 20 years, went virtual this year.
Spruced Boutique, which previously called downtown Spruce Pine home, will move to this location in Little Switzerland in April, when the Little Switzerland Inn opens for the season. The boutique will continue to sell women’s clothing but hopes to expand its offerings some in the new building. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Spruced Boutique, which previously called downtown Spruce Pine home, will move to this location in Little Switzerland in April, when the Little Switzerland Inn opens for the season. The boutique will continue to sell women’s clothing but hopes to expand its offerings some in the new building. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Spruced Boutique poised to move to Little Switzerland

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
LITTLE SWITZERLAND — Spruced Boutique, the local women’s clothing store, is moving to Little Switzerland. The boutique, which was previously located in the Wiley Building in downtown Spruce Pine, is setting up shop at the resort grounds at the Little Switzerland Inn.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of Monday, Feb. 1, Mitchell County had 159 positive cases in the last two weeks.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of Monday, Feb. 1, Mitchell County had 159 positive cases in the last two weeks.

Mitchell County waits for COVID vaccine restock

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
The ongoing pandemic continues.  According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of Monday, Feb. 1, Mitchell County had 159 positive cases in the last two weeks.
Watauga Medics Director Craig Sullivan (left) listens as Board of Commissioners Chair Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff asks questions. The board approved a decision to terminate Lifeguard as the county’s EMS provider and Watauga Medics is a possibility to become the next provider. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Watauga Medics Director Craig Sullivan (left) listens as Board of Commissioners Chair Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff asks questions. The board approved a decision to terminate Lifeguard as the county’s EMS provider and Watauga Medics is a possibility to become the next provider. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Commissioners terminate county EMS provider

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
After months of contention, the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners terminated Lifeguard as the county’s EMS provider at its regular session on Tuesday, Jan. 19.  After a lengthy closed session, commissioners emerged and began questioning Lifeguard Representative Josh Spencer.  On Jan.

Commissioners talk goals at special session

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Friday, Jan. 22 to set short-term and long-term goals. “I think it’s a good process,” Board Vice Chair Steve Pitman said at the opening of the discussion.