MNJ Photo/Sarah Atkins. Marketgoers gather at the Pocket Park for live music from Jackson Grimm and The Bull Moose Party.
Submitted photo. Andi Creech was named 2025 NC Rhododendron Queen and Allison Fairchild was named 2025 NC Junior Rhododendron Queen at the annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival. From left are junior runners-up Scarlett Burleson and Scout Stevenson, Fairchild, Creech, and queen runners-up Carly Sanderson, Kaylyn Fairchild and Jessie Grant.
MNJ Photo/Sarah Atkins. From left, County Commissioner Harley Masters, Mitchell County Schools Superintendent Chad Calhoun, County Manager Allen Cook, school board member Brenda Sparks, county commissioner candidate Dale Blevins and Mitchell High School Athletic Director Travise Pittman break ground on a new athletic center.
Stock image. The annual North Carolina Rhododendron Festival will be held in downtown Bakersville Friday and Saturday.
MNJ Photos/Sarah Atkins. The B&K Carnival has fun rides for all ages, including a new one called the Orbiter. Carnival goers enjoy riding the Ferris wheel and swings.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Gloria Schulman of Spruce Pine asks a question about the future of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. Representatives of Affiliated Monitors, Inc. recently came to Spruce Pine to hear community concerns.
MNJ Photos/Sarah Atkins. Colten Phillips, right, and brother Brayden Phillips proudly show off their catch.
Photo submitted. District Court Judge Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, right, swears in Mitchell County’s newest Guardian ad Litem, Megan Hicks, in the Mitchell County Courtroom.
MNJ photos/Mariel Williams. Aliens of all shapes and sizes came to Spruce Pine Saturday to shop, play, listen to music and participate in the Alien Festival costume contest, among other activities.