Local

Shannon Tipton of Hospice, Palliative and CAP of the Blue Ridge looks on as Mitchell High School students perform adult and infant CPR. Tipton helped 35 students earn their CPR certification through hands-on training and testing. (Submitted)

Shannon Tipton of Hospice, Palliative and CAP of the Blue Ridge looks on as Mitchell High School students perform adult and infant CPR. Tipton helped 35 students earn their CPR certification through hands-on training and testing. (Submitted)

Mitchell High students earn CPR certification

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
LEDGER — Earlier this month, 35 Mitchell High School students from Katy Grindstaff’s CTE health science II course completed their CPR certifications.  The American Heart Association classes were taught by Shannon Tipton (RN, BSN) of Hospice, Palliative and CAP of the Blue Ridge.
A Buladean Community Foundation vehicle highlighted by an appearance from The Grinch was one of the first entries in the Buladean Christmas Parade, which brought the community together on Saturday, Dec. 5 to ring in the holiday season. There were about 40 entries in the parade. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

A Buladean Community Foundation vehicle highlighted by an appearance from The Grinch was one of the first entries in the Buladean Christmas Parade, which brought the community together on Saturday, Dec. 5 to ring in the holiday season. There were about 40 entries in the parade. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Buladean rings in Christmas season with first parade

Cory Spiers
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Community members braved chilly conditions on Saturday, Dec. 5 and collectively got into the holiday spirit during the first Buladean Community Foundation Christmas Parade.  The parade featured approximately 40 entries, including entries from individuals, churches and businesses.

Commissioners OK funding for Mayland project

Juliana Walker
Thursday, December 10, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a decision to provide $150,000 to Mayland Community College to be used for costs in the ongoing renovations to the Pinebridge Inn. At the meeting, President of Mayland Community College Dr.
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Administrative Manager of Clinical Operations Teressa Neill and BRRH CEO Tonia Hale speak with School Resource Officer Shane Vance about Stop the Bleed kits. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Administrative Manager of Clinical Operations Teressa Neill and BRRH CEO Tonia Hale speak with School Resource Officer Shane Vance about Stop the Bleed kits. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

BRRH donates Stop the Bleed kits to MCS

Juliana Walker
Thursday, December 10, 2020
LEDGER — Mitchell County Schools are now more prepared for the worst case scenario of a school shooting.  On Monday, Nov. 30, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital donated 180 Stop The Bleed kits to the school system.
Alli McClellan of the Creative Clovers 4-H Club smiles under her face covering as she takes a letter to Santa delivered by car at Bowman Middle School on Saturday, Dec. 5. In addition to processing Santa letters and other duties, club members also sold Christmas ‘Neath the Roan T-shirts. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Alli McClellan of the Creative Clovers 4-H Club smiles under her face covering as she takes a letter to Santa delivered by car at Bowman Middle School on Saturday, Dec. 5. In addition to processing Santa letters and other duties, club members also sold Christmas ‘Neath the Roan T-shirts. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Youth events, Christmas lights proving popular in Bakersville

Mitchell News-Journal
Thursday, December 10, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Saturday, Dec. 5 was Youth Day in Bakersville and the Christmas ‘Neath the Roan planning committee designed two unique events.
Suspects in a recent breaking and entering case drove this stolen truck. (Submitted)

Suspects in a recent breaking and entering case drove this stolen truck. (Submitted)

Investigators seek information on pair of breaking and entering cases

Cory Spiers
Thursday, December 10, 2020
BAD CREEK — The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office is searching for any additional information that may link two separate breaking and entering cases that happened in the span of 24 hours late this past month.  A breaking and entering was reported at the Red Hill store just before 9 p.m.
Mitchell County native Brittney King keeps watch over her booth at the Spruce Pine Southern Christmas Show on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Cross Street Commerce Center. King, who heard about the show from a fellow craftsman, was one of 40 vendors set up at the show. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mitchell County native Brittney King keeps watch over her booth at the Spruce Pine Southern Christmas Show on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Cross Street Commerce Center. King, who heard about the show from a fellow craftsman, was one of 40 vendors set up at the show. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Southern Christmas Show delivers holiday spirit to vendors, community members

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
The holiday season arrived in full force at the Spruce Pine Southern Christmas Show on Saturday, Nov. 28.  The festival, which was held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public hearing focuses on Pinebridge project

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 23 to receive input on the proposed allotment of $150,000 to Mayland Community College to be used for costs in the ongoing renovations to the Pinebridge Inn. President of Mayland Community College Dr.
The large Christmas tree in Spruce Pine Central Park sits decorated on Monday, Nov. 30. A live tree lighting was part of virtual Small Business Saturday. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

The large Christmas tree in Spruce Pine Central Park sits decorated on Monday, Nov. 30. A live tree lighting was part of virtual Small Business Saturday. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Small Business Saturday held entirely online

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Small Business Saturday in Spruce Pine marched on despite the ongoing pandemic but the festivities took on a completely virtual format.  Locals were encouraged to don their face coverings and shop small at Spruce Pine’s downtown merchants throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 28.
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.