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To make a shift toward a healthier lifestyle, many people attempt to make huge changes in order to reap the benefits quickly, like restrictive diets and rigid work out plans.  A lot of the time those strategies set people up for failure. (Photo sourced)

To make a shift toward a healthier lifestyle, many people attempt to make huge changes in order to reap the benefits quickly, like restrictive diets and rigid work out plans.  A lot of the time those strategies set people up for failure. (Photo sourced)

New Year's resolutions are best met through small steps

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
At the beginning of a new year, many people make resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, work out more or a combination of the three.  Often, going “cold turkey” and trying out restrictive diets can lead to those resolutions falling apart by the end of January.
Mountain Community Health Partnership will conduct COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Jan. 28, Monday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s Pensacola Road testing site in Burnsville. 

Mountain Community Health Partnership will conduct COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Jan. 28, Monday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s Pensacola Road testing site in Burnsville. 

MCHP to hold COVID testing, future clinics

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
BURNSVILLE — Mountain Community Health Partnership will conduct COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Jan. 28, Monday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s Pensacola Road testing site in Burnsville.
Mitchell native Galen Howell stands in front of a fixed-wing aircraft. He was recently tabbed as the 2020 National Park Service Aviator of the Year. Howell grew up in Spruce Pine, the son of Joe and Nell Howell. His father owned Joe Howe’s store in Ingalls for more than 50 years.

Mitchell native Galen Howell stands in front of a fixed-wing aircraft. He was recently tabbed as the 2020 National Park Service Aviator of the Year. Howell grew up in Spruce Pine, the son of Joe and Nell Howell. His father owned Joe Howe’s store in Ingalls for more than 50 years.

Mitchell native named NPS Aviator of Year

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Mitchell County native Galen Howell, an airplane pilot at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the 2020 National Park Service (NPS) Aviator of the Year.
Patsy Covington, 83, excitedly receives her vaccine in the garage area of the fire department on Thursday, Jan. 14. “I’m tired of all of this uncertainty of whether or not I’m going to get this virus,” Covington said. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

Patsy Covington, 83, excitedly receives her vaccine in the garage area of the fire department on Thursday, Jan. 14. “I’m tired of all of this uncertainty of whether or not I’m going to get this virus,” Covington said. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

A SHOT OF HOPE: More than 300 vaccinated at first local pop-up clinic

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Mitchell County Health Department held its first vaccination pop-up clinic on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Spruce Pine Fire Department in an effort to speed up the vaccination rollout.  The clinic, which was held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drew hundreds of local senior citizens aged 75 or older.
Mark Riley and Jeanne Sabo, owners of Gustoso, the soon to come European restaurant in downtown Spruce Pine, pose for a photo. The two said the restaurant will feature only takeout at first, which they hope can begin in early February, with the opening of dine-in to come later. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mark Riley and Jeanne Sabo, owners of Gustoso, the soon to come European restaurant in downtown Spruce Pine, pose for a photo. The two said the restaurant will feature only takeout at first, which they hope can begin in early February, with the opening of dine-in to come later. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Local European eatery eyes February takeout opening

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
SPRUCE PINE — Gustoso Ristorante, a new European restaurant in downtown Spruce Pine, will finally be opening for takeout in the coming weeks.
Katelynn Sillman poses for a photo while wearing her pageant attire. Sillman, 10, was crowned Miss Pre-Teen North Carolina earleir this month and received a sash and crown. (Submitted photo)

Katelynn Sillman poses for a photo while wearing her pageant attire. Sillman, 10, was crowned Miss Pre-Teen North Carolina earleir this month and received a sash and crown. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell County girl takes home pageant crown

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Katelynn Sillman has another crown to add to her collection. Sillman, 10, competed in the America’s United States State and Regional Pageant in Albemarle on Saturday, Jan. 9 where she was crowned Miss Pre-Teen North Carolina and received a sash and a detailed crown.
Mountaineer Pawn Shop co-owner Sonya Wheeler prepares to pick up a box of ammo off of a shelf in her store to sell to a customer. The shop’s shelves and cases were stocked with some ammo on Tuesday, Jan. 5 but Wheeler expects it will move quickly, as her ammo does these days. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Mountaineer Pawn Shop co-owner Sonya Wheeler prepares to pick up a box of ammo off of a shelf in her store to sell to a customer. The shop’s shelves and cases were stocked with some ammo on Tuesday, Jan. 5 but Wheeler expects it will move quickly, as her ammo does these days. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

World events fueling ammo, gun sales

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
While many industries and retailers across the nation have struggled to find business during the ongoing pandemic, dealers of ammunition and guns can’t relate.

EMS issues, questions continue into new year

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
BAKERSVILLE — After resolutions appeared to have been made in December, the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners laboriously questioned representatives from Lifeguard EMS Service about an array of issues at the board’s regular session on Monday, Jan. 4.
The health department has announced its first pop-up vaccine clinic, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14.

The health department has announced its first pop-up vaccine clinic, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14.

Vaccine rollout continues to progress

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
LEDGER — The COVID-19 vaccine continues to rollout in Mitchell County. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Jan. 10, Toe River Health District Director Diane Creek provided a short update regarding the vaccine and how they are planning to administer it to the community.