Local

Republican Ralph Hise (left) is seeking a sixth term as a North Carolina Senator serving District 47. Democrat David Wheeler (right) is challenging Republican Ralph Hise for a second time, but he hopes this time will be different.

In interviews with MNJ Reporter Juliana Walker, Mitchell County Board of Commissioners candidates explained their backgrounds, qualifications and ideas for the future of the county. From Left to Right: Jeff Harding, Harley Masters and Brandon Pittman.

Dry nail polish vendor Courtney Sayles speaks about her product through her mask to a potential customer during the Spruce Pine Fall Festival at the Cross Street Commerce Center on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event is usually held in the Burnsville Town Center, which is currently closed due to the ongoing pandemic. The festival featured more than 40 vendors selling a variety of fall-themed items. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

To keep people as safe as possible while voting in person. All poll workers will be wearing PPE, buildings will be sanitized throughout the day with disinfectant, PPE will be provided to voters as needed and they will also offer curbside voting. Photo sourced from Getty Images.

Early voting in Mitchell County opens Thursday, Oct. 15 and continues through Saturday, Oct. 31. Photo sourced from Getty Images.

The “available” sign at the old Bojangles building in Spruce Pine near Walmart is finally coming down. Puerto Nuevo Mexican and Seafood Restaurant will soon call the building home. The owners plan to remodel the building. A grand opening date will be announced at a later time.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Officer William Boone (left) and Yanni Theodorides attempt to stay focused through clouds of smoke as they work to start a fire without artificial accelerants as part of the North Carolina Mountaineer Festival Mighty Mountaineer Challenge. In addition to the fire building contest, participants competed in hay toss, wood chopping and more. Winners received prizes including a gift certificate. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Director of the Mitchell County Board of Elections Roycene Jones said the county has received 1,130 absentee ballots requests so far. For comparison, the county received less than 400 requests in 2016. (Getty Images)

Remember When Day, a free event is a fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the Mitchell County Firefighters Association, will be held this weekend Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Parkway Fairgrounds in Grassy Creek. (MNJ File Photo)

SPRUCE PINE — The Rotary Club of Spruce Pine held its annual Paul Harris Fellowship Award event on Thursday, Oct. 1 at The Orchard at Altapass. Usually just a handful of people are awarded the fellowship, but this year 14 Rotarians and four non-Rotarians were given the honor. The award, which is named after the founder of Rotary, can be earned through monetary donations or service to the club. Non-Rotarians can be gifted the fellowship by a Rotarian donating $1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, Poli