Local

Commissioner Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff (left) reads off the text inscribed on plaques that were presented to Jacob Willis and Danny Burleson, who will both leave the board. Willis and Burleson each gave short addresses regarding their time on the board. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Commissioner Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff (left) reads off the text inscribed on plaques that were presented to Jacob Willis and Danny Burleson, who will both leave the board. Willis and Burleson each gave short addresses regarding their time on the board. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Burleson, Willis recognized for service as commissioners

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — At the last regular session of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Nov. 2, Chairman Jacob Willis and Commissioner Danny Burleson received plaques and many kind words to thank them for their service to Mitchell County.
Past parade participants bundle up. (File photo)

Past parade participants bundle up. (File photo)

Spruce Pine Christmas Parade canceled amid pandemic

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — The Spruce Pine Christmas Parade has been canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.  The parade, which is put on by the Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club, is usually held the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Treasures in the Pines co-owner Cheryl Buchanan prepares popcorn during last year’s Small Business Saturday in downtown Spruce Pine. This year’s event will take place completely virtually. (MNJ file photo)

Treasures in the Pines co-owner Cheryl Buchanan prepares popcorn during last year’s Small Business Saturday in downtown Spruce Pine. This year’s event will take place completely virtually. (MNJ file photo)

SPMS details plans for virtual Small Business Saturday

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Small Business Saturday in Spruce Pine will take on an entirely new format this year due to the ongoing pandemic.  In lieu of the traditional festivities, Small Business Saturday in Spruce Pine will take place completely virtually on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
A vendor speaks with a possible customer at Remember When Day on Oct. 31. The festival featured vendors, food, live music and antique tractors, cars and trucks. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

A vendor speaks with a possible customer at Remember When Day on Oct. 31. The festival featured vendors, food, live music and antique tractors, cars and trucks. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

Locals enjoy second Remember When Day

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — After being rescheduled in early October due to poor weather conditions, Remember When Day returned for its second year on Saturday, Oct. 31. The festival, which was held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bakersville Christmas Parade canceled

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
The Town of Bakersville will not have its annual Christmas Parade this year.  The parade, which is usually held during the first weekend of December, was canceled by the town council at its regular meeting on Oct. 26.
The cover of the new book from Mitchell County native E.T. Biddix. The book is a collection of short stories and poems. (Submitted photo)

The cover of the new book from Mitchell County native E.T. Biddix. The book is a collection of short stories and poems. (Submitted photo)

Mitchell native releases book of short stories

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Throughout his life, Mitchell County native Edwin “ET” Biddix has always kept notebooks of his writings, but after retiring in 2003, he got really serious about writing.
Early childhood education students at Mitchell High School lsiten intently as Ruthie Styles, Community Development Manager for the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children, addresses the class virtually. The students usually go on an annual field trip to the BRPFC, which is located in Burnsville. With the trip canceled this year due to the ongoing pandemic, the BRPFC brought the field trip to them by communicating completely virtually. (Submitted photo)

Early childhood education students at Mitchell High School lsiten intently as Ruthie Styles, Community Development Manager for the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children, addresses the class virtually. The students usually go on an annual field trip to the BRPFC, which is located in Burnsville. With the trip canceled this year due to the ongoing pandemic, the BRPFC brought the field trip to them by communicating completely virtually. (Submitted photo)

Students take virtual field trip with BRPFC

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
LEDGER — Mitchell High School’s early childhood education classes weren’t able to go on their annual field trip to the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children in Burnsville this past August, so BRPFC came to them.  On Monday, Oct.
Spruce Pine native and Mitchell High graduate Cassi Phillips poses outside of the Belmont University Curb Event Center hours before the final Presidential Debate of the 2020 election season was held inside. Phillips, who is the President of the Belmont College Republicans, said it was an exciting experience. (Submitted photo)

Spruce Pine native and Mitchell High graduate Cassi Phillips poses outside of the Belmont University Curb Event Center hours before the final Presidential Debate of the 2020 election season was held inside. Phillips, who is the President of the Belmont College Republicans, said it was an exciting experience. (Submitted photo)

ONCE IN A LIFETIME: Mitchell graduate gets up close with Presidential Debate

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
The eyes of voters across the United States were on Belmont University on Thursday, Oct. 22 as President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden met in the school’s Curb Event Center for the final Presidential Debate of the 2020 election season.