News

Water & sewer has budget surplus

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Although the department unexpectedly ran through its emergency repair budget recently, the Spruce Pine Water & Sewer Department had a budget surplus last month, according to a report by Finance Manager Crystal Young at the Town Council meeting last week.
MNJ Photo/Jana Malone.  Mitchell County firefighters and other first responders held a parade and memorial service last week to honor first responders killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

MNJ Photo/Jana Malone. Mitchell County firefighters and other first responders held a parade and memorial service last week to honor first responders killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Mitchell honors first responders

Jana Malone janareneereports@gmail.com The Mitchell County Firefighters Association held its annual 9/11 Memorial Parade on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in honor of the first responders who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams.  Moderator Spencer Bost reads a question for participants in the arts and culture candidate forum at Toe River Arts. From left are moderator Nealy Andrews, Bost, and candidates Dale Blevins, Ron McKinney, Lee Ellis, Bill Hoag, Harley Masters and Jan Hamilton.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Moderator Spencer Bost reads a question for participants in the arts and culture candidate forum at Toe River Arts. From left are moderator Nealy Andrews, Bost, and candidates Dale Blevins, Ron McKinney, Lee Ellis, Bill Hoag, Harley Masters and Jan Hamilton.

Forum focuses on economy, housing

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Candidates for Mitchell County Commissioner discussed how to support arts and culture at a forum Thursday — by lowering housing costs and improving internet access, among other issues.
Jana Malone.

Jana Malone.

Mitchell News-Journal welcomes new intern

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Mayland student Jana Malone has joined the Mitchell News Journal staff as our fall intern. After studying at Mayland Community College, Malone hopes to transfer to East Tennessee State University and major in digital media.
MNJ file photo.  Want to learn more about meteors, stars, planets and the universe? Check out Mayland Community College’s Earth to Sky Park. The Planetarium and Observatory is located at the Energy Exchange Park in Burnsville and offers a full range of events and programs.  Visit mayland.edu/foundation/foundation-projects/earth-to-sky-park/.

MNJ file photo. Want to learn more about meteors, stars, planets and the universe? Check out Mayland Community College’s Earth to Sky Park. The Planetarium and Observatory is located at the Energy Exchange Park in Burnsville and offers a full range of events and programs. Visit mayland.edu/foundation/foundation-projects/earth-to-sky-park/.

Recent meteor probably broke up above Altapass

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com   The meteor seen over Mitchell County on Aug. 30 made it to a point around 20 miles above Altapass before breaking up, NASA now says. Initial reports in August indicated that the fireball may have broken up or impacted somewhere near Spruce Pine.
MNJ photo/Mariel Williams. The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners honored Josh Nelson as Employee of the Month at a recent board meeting. From left are commissioners Jeff Harding and Clayton Roberts, Nelson, Board Chair Harley Masters, and commissioners Steve Pitman and Brandon Pittman.

MNJ photo/Mariel Williams. The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners honored Josh Nelson as Employee of the Month at a recent board meeting. From left are commissioners Jeff Harding and Clayton Roberts, Nelson, Board Chair Harley Masters, and commissioners Steve Pitman and Brandon Pittman.

Nelson saves baby’s life

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com   Employee of the Month The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners honored Josh Nelson of the 911 Communications Department as Employee of the Month for August at its meeting last week.
Submitted photo.  Stanley Mace Andersen takes a break in his Mitchell County studio.

Submitted photo. Stanley Mace Andersen takes a break in his Mitchell County studio.

Celebrating 40 years in pottery

The new exhibit “Stanley Mace Andersen: Reflections and Possibilities - Work in Progress 1978-2024” is on display now at the Toe River Arts Gallery in Spruce Pine. The exhibition features the work of Stanley Mace Andersen, who has been working in his studio in Mitchell County for over 40 years.

Mystery boom: Meteor strike

Mariel Williams editor@mitchellnews.com Scientists are asking Spruce Pine citizens to keep an eye out for meteorites from a possible strike around 1 a.m. Friday morning. Residents of Mitchell and Yancey counties heard a strange booming noise between 1 and 1:15 a.m. Friday.