Local

New sheriff coming to town

Mariel Williams
Monday, November 24, 2025
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners voted last week to offer the next sheriff a salary commensurate with his or her experience and training. Candidate filing for sheriff and other North Carolina elected offices begins in December.
MNJ Photo/Lorie Shaffer. Taste & See Bakery, one of a number of new businesses helping to fuel a recovery in downtown Spruce Pine, had a grand opening Friday. The bakery sells cupcakes and other sweet treats.

MNJ Photo/Lorie Shaffer. Taste & See Bakery, one of a number of new businesses helping to fuel a recovery in downtown Spruce Pine, had a grand opening Friday. The bakery sells cupcakes and other sweet treats.

After the storm

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Jaren Gragg MNJ Contributor   In late September of 2024, Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land) struck the High Country and Western North Carolina, causing close to $60 billion worth of damage statewide.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. State Sen. Ralph Hise speaks at the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce annual member dinner.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. State Sen. Ralph Hise speaks at the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce annual member dinner.

Chamber unveils Hello Mitchell

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual member dinner last week. The Chamber used the event as an opportunity to announce its new app, Hello Mitchell. The app will offer users business listings, a calendar of community events, and many other features.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Painter Carmen Grier, left, chats with three Charlotte art collectors while wrapping their purchases. The biannual Studio Tours bring in a number of art fans from outside the area.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Painter Carmen Grier, left, chats with three Charlotte art collectors while wrapping their purchases. The biannual Studio Tours bring in a number of art fans from outside the area.

A Tour of Studios

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Toe River Arts’ second of its biannual Studio Tours was launched with a customary reception Friday night at the Kokol Gallery in downtown Spruce Pine.
MNJ Photos/Mariel Williams. Mitchell County Recreation Department Director Brock Duncan cuts the ribbon on the new Recreation Center in Bakersville.

MNJ Photos/Mariel Williams. Mitchell County Recreation Department Director Brock Duncan cuts the ribbon on the new Recreation Center in Bakersville.

County opens new Rec Center in Bakersville

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Mitchell County held a ribbon cutting for its new Recreation Center recently. The new center is located in Bakersville beside the county’s administration building. Brock Duncan, director of the Mitchell County Recreation Department, spoke about the department’s importance to local youth.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Sheriff Donald Street cuts the ribbon on the new Mitchell County Law Enforcement Center.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Sheriff Donald Street cuts the ribbon on the new Mitchell County Law Enforcement Center.

Mitchell County unveils Law Enforcement Center

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Mitchell County belatedly hosted a ribbon cutting for its new Law Enforcement Center last week, with State Sen. Ralph Hise as the guest speaker.

Hyatt, Staton win Bakersville election

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Gary Hyatt and Matthew Staton won the two Bakersville Town Council seats up for election last week. Bakersville Mayor Charles Vines ran for re-election unopposed and will continue serving in that capacity. Spruce Pine also had a municipal election, but all of those races were uncontested.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Residents and visitors enjoyed the Blue Ridge Christmas Craft Stroll held at the Cross Street Commercial Center.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Residents and visitors enjoyed the Blue Ridge Christmas Craft Stroll held at the Cross Street Commercial Center.

Craft Stroll

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Fresh from the success of last month’s Spruce Pine Potters Market, the Cross Street Commercial Center played host last weekend to a crowded preview of the Christmas season.

Missing teen found in Ohio

Mariel Williams
Monday, November 3, 2025
A Bakersville girl was found in Ohio after an Amber Alert was issued for her over the weekend. The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office said that the missing 15-year-old had been found in a Facebook post in the early morning hours of Monday.
MNJ Photos/Jaren Gragg. Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show sings at the Hilloween Benefit Concert.

MNJ Photos/Jaren Gragg. Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show sings at the Hilloween Benefit Concert.

Hilloween rocks Spruce Pine

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, November 3, 2025
Old Crow Medicine Show, along with Bandana Rhythm, took the stage at the Hilloween’s 2025 Benefit Concert, playing fan favorites such as “Wagon Wheel” to the many in attendance recently.