Local

Piney the Squirrel, the mascot for the new Riverside Park story trail tale, greets visitors with a smile and a prime photo opportunity. Piney was created by Penland School of Craft artist Day Dotson. The story trail is a parnership between AMY Regional Library, Blue Ridge Partnership for Children, Penland School of Craft, Williams YMCA of Avery County and the Town of Spruce Pine. (Submitted photo)

Piney the Squirrel, the mascot for the new Riverside Park story trail tale, greets visitors with a smile and a prime photo opportunity. Piney was created by Penland School of Craft artist Day Dotson. The story trail is a parnership between AMY Regional Library, Blue Ridge Partnership for Children, Penland School of Craft, Williams YMCA of Avery County and the Town of Spruce Pine. (Submitted photo)

Local story trail aims to combine literacy and movement

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
In a new, collaborative endeavor, visitors to Spruce Pine Riverside Park can now follow a story trail to brighten up their walk around the park.
Mission Health’s new Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) craft makes its first descent into Spruce Pine on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. The new craft, an EC-145e, will increase safety margins across all mission profiles and will increase the patient care area by 31 percent. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Mission Health’s new Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) craft makes its first descent into Spruce Pine on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. The new craft, an EC-145e, will increase safety margins across all mission profiles and will increase the patient care area by 31 percent. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

GOING FOR A SPIN: Mission’s newest aircraft makes first local appearance

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Mission Health’s newest Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) craft took its first tour of Western North Carolina this past week, with stops at several of the communities it will serve, including an appearance on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at Spruce Pine Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
According to the NCDHHS, Mitchell County has been labeled "red tier" meaning the county is experiencing critical community spread.

According to the NCDHHS, Mitchell County has been labeled "red tier" meaning the county is experiencing critical community spread.

Mitchell becomes ‘red tier’ COVID-19 county as cases rise

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — As positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Mitchell County, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has categorized Mitchell as a critical community spread county.
Mountain Escape Spa owner Amber Gardner opened her spa in downtown Spruce Pine earlier this month and admitted that she picked a unique time to begin her journey with the ongoing pandemic raging. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mountain Escape Spa owner Amber Gardner opened her spa in downtown Spruce Pine earlier this month and admitted that she picked a unique time to begin her journey with the ongoing pandemic raging. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mitchell native has remained focused on longtime dream

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — After nearly two decades of wanting to work with skincare and makeup, Mitchell County native Amber Gardner’s dreams have finally come true with her new business.
As of Sunday, Nov. 15, Mitchell County had a total of 418 positive cases, with 78 of those active and 335 recovered. Additionally, there have been six deaths. 

As of Sunday, Nov. 15, Mitchell County had a total of 418 positive cases, with 78 of those active and 335 recovered. Additionally, there have been six deaths. 

COVID-19 cases climb as holidays approach

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — As the holiday season approaches, cases of the novel coronavirus continue to rise in Mitchell County and other rural counties in North Carolina.  As of Sunday, Nov. 15, Mitchell County had a total of 418 positive cases, with 78 of those active and 335 recovered.

Former DSS head files contested case

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Sara Ross, the former Director of the Mitchell County Department of Social Services, has filed a contested case in the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings regarding her dismissal this past August.
Members of the Spruce Pine Police Department pose for a photo. The department is getting some significant upgrades to incentivize employees to stay with the department. (Photo sourced from SPPD Facebook)

Members of the Spruce Pine Police Department pose for a photo. The department is getting some significant upgrades to incentivize employees to stay with the department. (Photo sourced from SPPD Facebook)

Spruce Pine police to receive additional benefits

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — The Spruce Pine Police Department is getting some significant upgrades to incentivize employees to stay with the department. At the Spruce Pine Town Council’s regular session on Monday, Nov.
The pure white sand seen in the bunkers at Augusta National Golf Club, the location of the 2020 Masters Tournament, is made of granulated quartz sourced from Mitchell County. (Photo sourced from Quartz Corp website)

The pure white sand seen in the bunkers at Augusta National Golf Club, the location of the 2020 Masters Tournament, is made of granulated quartz sourced from Mitchell County. (Photo sourced from Quartz Corp website)

Augusta’s unique bunker sand originates locally

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Anyone who tuned into the 2020 Masters Tournament this past week at Augusta National Golf Club may have noticed the uniquely-colored sand bunkers on the course.

Masters makes history behind strong support

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — After newly-elected Mitchell County Commissioner Harley Masters made history on the night of Tuesday, Nov. 3, her instant reaction was that of surprise. Masters finished as the top vote-getter of the four candidates vying for three seats on the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners.