Local

Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin reaches out to say hello to a resident of one of the county’s assisted living facilities on Friday, Dec. 18. Summerlin, dressed as Santa Claus, went around and spread holiday cheer via the windows, due to the ongoing pandemic. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin reaches out to say hello to a resident of one of the county’s assisted living facilities on Friday, Dec. 18. Summerlin, dressed as Santa Claus, went around and spread holiday cheer via the windows, due to the ongoing pandemic. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Summerlin dons Santa attire, spreads cheer at local assisted living facilities

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
In an effort to help spread some holiday cheer, Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin, adorned in Santa Claus attire, visited the local assisted living facilities on Friday, Dec. 18.
Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street dons his face covering and gets ready to shop at Walmart on Monday, Dec. 14 for the 12th annual Shop With a Cop event. (Submitted)

Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street dons his face covering and gets ready to shop at Walmart on Monday, Dec. 14 for the 12th annual Shop With a Cop event. (Submitted)

Shop With a Cop serves more than 65

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Mitchell County law enforcement officers were busy shopping on Monday, Dec. 14 at the Spruce Pine Walmart.  They weren’t doing their own holiday shopping.
The first to be vaccinated was Blue Ridge Emergency Department RN Linda Pitman. (Photo submitted)

The first to be vaccinated was Blue Ridge Emergency Department RN Linda Pitman. (Photo submitted)

First supplies of COVID-19 vaccines arrive locally

Juliana Walker and Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — The COVID vaccine has arrived in Mitchell County.  The first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived and were administered on Sunday, Dec. 20 at Spruce Pine Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.  During the four-hour clinic, 158 frontline healthcare workers at BRRH received the vaccine.
Mitchell County resident Tracy McIntyre loads his vehicle with barbecue before heading on his delivery route. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mitchell County resident Tracy McIntyre loads his vehicle with barbecue before heading on his delivery route. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Volunteers deliver free meals to hundreds

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
BULADEAN — The smell of barbecue filled the Buladean Community Foundation Center and 450 local family’s homes on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Commissioners talk EMS during regular meeting

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Since Mitchell County Commissioners presented concerns in past meetings regarding Lifeguard’s performance as the county’s new EMS provider, some major resolutions have been made.  At its regular session on Monday, Dec.
(Left to right): Mark Thomas, Coleman Taylor and Bert Nunley take a break from their distribution duties on Saturday, Dec. 12 to pose for a photo outside of the Toys for Tots office. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

(Left to right): Mark Thomas, Coleman Taylor and Bert Nunley take a break from their distribution duties on Saturday, Dec. 12 to pose for a photo outside of the Toys for Tots office. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Toys for Tots volunteers help distribute hundreds of toys

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Mitchell County Toys for Tots volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 12 sorted, packaged and distributed toys for more than 300 children. According to Local Coordinating Officer Mark Thomas, Toys for Tots is supporting 325 children in Mitchell County this year.
Newly-elected Mitchell County Commissioner Brandon Pittman is sworn in by Mitchell County Register of Deeds Kathy Laws as his wife Lisa Pittman helps him by holding the Bible on Monday, Dec. 7. The new board met later that day and approved changes, including holding two monthly meetings. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Newly-elected Mitchell County Commissioner Brandon Pittman is sworn in by Mitchell County Register of Deeds Kathy Laws as his wife Lisa Pittman helps him by holding the Bible on Monday, Dec. 7. The new board met later that day and approved changes, including holding two monthly meetings. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

DAWN OF A NEW ERA: New commissioners sworn in, approve changes in first meeting

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners meeting looked a bit different on Monday, Dec. 7, in more ways than one.  Two new commissioners, Harley Masters and Brandon Pittman, were sworn in earlier that morning along with re-elected Commissioner Jeff Harding.

Scam calls up during holiday shopping season

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — As the holiday shopping season heats up, scam calls are on the rise.  Reports of scammers impersonating retail representatives from companies such as Amazon are on the rise, a report from the USA Today earlier this month said.
A no-cost, drive-through testing site has been set up at the Mitchell County Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road. (Stock photo)

A no-cost, drive-through testing site has been set up at the Mitchell County Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road. (Stock photo)

New COVID-19 testing site comes to Mitchell

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
LEDGER — As cases continue to rise in the region, it is now easier to get tested for COVID-19 in Mitchell County. A no-cost, drive-through testing site has been set up at the Mitchell County Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road. Testing at the site began on Friday, Dec.