Local

Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin places his lunch order at DT’s Blue Ridge Java on Friday, Sept. 11. Local law enforcement officers were provided free meals at DT’s during the day courtesy of Sweet Creek Construction. Summerlin said the gesture means a lot to him. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin places his lunch order at DT’s Blue Ridge Java on Friday, Sept. 11. Local law enforcement officers were provided free meals at DT’s during the day courtesy of Sweet Creek Construction. Summerlin said the gesture means a lot to him. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Local officers get treated to free meal

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Local law enforcement officers were treated to a free lunch at DT’s Blue Ridge Java in downtown Spruce Pine on Friday, Sept. 11. Mitchell County-based Sweet Creek Construction bought the lunches for any law enforcement officer who dropped into the restaurant during business hours.
As of Friday, Sept. 11, 100 of the 856 offenders housed in the prison had active cases of COVID-19 and three staff members were out of work due to COVID-19.

As of Friday, Sept. 11, 100 of the 856 offenders housed in the prison had active cases of COVID-19 and three staff members were out of work due to COVID-19.

Local correctional institution enduring COVID outbreak

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
There has been a large COVID-19 outbreak at Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine.  Jerry Higgins, a Communications Officer for Adult Correction at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, said that as of Friday, Sept.
Emerald Village Owner Alan Schabilion points to historic photos of old mining operations displayed inside the Bon Ami Mine in Little Switzerland. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Emerald Village Owner Alan Schabilion points to historic photos of old mining operations displayed inside the Bon Ami Mine in Little Switzerland. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Emerald Village earns TripAdvisor award

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
LITTLE SWITZERLAND — Emerald Village, the local mining tourist attraction, is one of TripAdvisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice Winners. Emerald Village Owner and Operator Alan Schabilion said it’s wonderful to receive the honor, but not necessarily surprising.
Local students Hunter Zheng, Kyndal Ringwood, Evan Briggs and Ruth Hurtado Urbina have been awarded college scholarships through the Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine, the club announced earlier this month. 

Local students Hunter Zheng, Kyndal Ringwood, Evan Briggs and Ruth Hurtado Urbina have been awarded college scholarships through the Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine, the club announced earlier this month. 

Students earn scholarships from local Kiwanis Club

Mitchell News-Journal
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Local students Hunter Zheng, Kyndal Ringwood, Evan Briggs and Ruth Hurtado Urbina have been awarded college scholarships through the Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine, the club announced earlier this month.

Bakersville woman dies in rafting accident

Cory Spiers
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
POPLAR — A rafting accident on the Nolichucky River on Saturday, Sept. 12 claimed the life of a Bakersville woman, a state official said.  Louvella Yelton Arrowood, 64, died in the accident, which happened around 4:30 p.m.
Volunteers from The Quartz Corp. confer as they prepare to use heavy equipment to lift a garden bed off of a truck. The volunteers, as part of Quartz Corp.’s annual Volunteer Impact day, built and placed 16 raised beds for the new community garden in Spruce Pine Riverside Park. (Photo by Stephanie Chang Pitman)

Volunteers from The Quartz Corp. confer as they prepare to use heavy equipment to lift a garden bed off of a truck. The volunteers, as part of Quartz Corp.’s annual Volunteer Impact day, built and placed 16 raised beds for the new community garden in Spruce Pine Riverside Park. (Photo by Stephanie Chang Pitman)

DOING THEIR PART: Volunteers help move community garden forward

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
The new community garden at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine is making headway.  On Monday, Aug. 31, a small group of volunteers led by a team from Quartz Corp built 16 raised beds for the garden, which is located in the small field next to Riverside Park that was previously home to a trailer park.

MCS improves cybersecurity amid pandemic

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
LEDGER — With school systems across the state and nation relying more heavily on technology during the ongoing pandemic, cybersecurity is taking on increased importance.  At the onset of the pandemic this past March, Mitchell County Schools was subject to a ransomware cyberattack.
Bakersville Town Hall will soon have a different, longer name. The Bakersville Town Council approved a decision to name the building the Charles E. Vines Town Hall of Bakersville. Vines, a longtime mayor of Bakersville, has spent most of his life in the town. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Bakersville Town Hall will soon have a different, longer name. The Bakersville Town Council approved a decision to name the building the Charles E. Vines Town Hall of Bakersville. Vines, a longtime mayor of Bakersville, has spent most of his life in the town. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Bakersville Town Hall to be named after longtime mayor

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
BAKERSVILLE — Bakersville Mayor Charles Vines will soon have his name on a building. At its regular meeting on Aug. 24, the Bakersville Town Council unanimously approved a motion to name the Bakersville Town Hall after the long-tenured mayor.