News

Mitchell County Clerk of Court candidates, Shana W. Buchanan and David Wheeler.

Mitchell County Clerk of Court candidates, Shana W. Buchanan and David Wheeler.

Two seeking Clerk of Court position

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Mitchell County Clerk of Court Shana W. Buchanan is facing challenger David Wheeler in the race for the Clerk of Court’s seat in the March Primary. Both are running on the Republican ticket. Early voting for all positions opened last week and runs thru 3 p.m., Feb. 28. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.
Mitchell County Sheriff candidates, Cecil Hobson and Shane Vance.

Mitchell County Sheriff candidates, Cecil Hobson and Shane Vance.

Two vie for sheriff’s position

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
When Mitchell County residents vote in the March 3 Primary, they will likely be deciding who will hold the highest law enforcement position in the county. Shane Vance and Cecil Hobson Jr. are Republican candidates seeking to fill the Mitchell County Sheriff’s seat.
MNJ Photos/Laz Aguayo. From left: Luke Forbes escorts Carolynn Forbes in royal purple at “A Night to Shine.” Tammy Scott graces the red carpet with a bedazzled red gown and crown.

MNJ Photos/Laz Aguayo. From left: Luke Forbes escorts Carolynn Forbes in royal purple at “A Night to Shine.” Tammy Scott graces the red carpet with a bedazzled red gown and crown.

NIGHT TO SHINE

Mitchell News-Journal
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
On the evening before Valentine’s Day Mitchell Middle School became a gathering place for the community as it hosted the community’s inaugural “Night to Shine.

Candidates vie for commissioner seats

(not verified)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The Mitchell News-Journal asked candidates for the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners questions about their plans for our community. Primary elections for the Democratic and Republican parties will be held Tuesday, March 3.   EARLY VOTING Early voting will begin on Thursday, Feb.
Samples of the Mitchell County Republican (left) and Democratic (right) ballots.

Samples of the Mitchell County Republican (left) and Democratic (right) ballots.

A guide for voting in Mitchell County

Mitchell News-Journal
Monday, February 2, 2026
Early voting for the primary election begins Thursday, Feb. 12 — just a week from tomorrow. The official primary election day is March 3, and on that day, the polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. A man died when this trailer home was gutted by fire last week. The home is located on Cardinal Lane in Spruce Pine.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. A man died when this trailer home was gutted by fire last week. The home is located on Cardinal Lane in Spruce Pine.

Fire and ice: Winter weather leads to fires, with fatality

Mariel Williams
Monday, February 2, 2026
A man died in a fire started by a supplementary heater Thursday. Bill Hoag of Spruce Pine Fire and Rescue said that the fire occurred at around 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning at 30 Cardinal Lane. “Probably a heating unit started it,” Hoag said. The suspected cause was a propane heater.
Photo/Joshua McKinney. A sheet of snow and ice blanketed Mitchell County for the second consecutive weekend on Saturday. While many felt the plummeting temperatures were unfit for man or beast, they didn’t discourage Dr. Marvin Walker from taking a stroll through Spruce Pine with his loyal companion.

Photo/Joshua McKinney. A sheet of snow and ice blanketed Mitchell County for the second consecutive weekend on Saturday. While many felt the plummeting temperatures were unfit for man or beast, they didn’t discourage Dr. Marvin Walker from taking a stroll through Spruce Pine with his loyal companion.

Snowstorm blankets county

Mariel Williams
Monday, February 2, 2026
Mitchell County was blanketed with snow this weekend, the second weekend in a row to see extreme winter weather. Local governments officially declared States of Emergency going into the weekend as Winter Storm Gianna sailed in to take the place of the previous Winter Storm Fern.

Community interested in disaster grant opportunities

Mariel Williams
Monday, January 26, 2026
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing last week in order to solicit input on the submission of applications for a Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Funds. According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, North Carolina was awarded $1.