News

Bakersville man faces aggravated assault charge in connection to hit-and-run of protester

JOHNSON CITY — A Mitchell County man has turned himself in to Johnson City Police after being identified as the suspect in the hit-and-run of a Black Lives Matter protester in Johnson City on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Mitchell County Sheriff's Department officers seize more than 100 marijuana plants

GREEN MOUNTAIN — Officers from the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department seized more than 100 marijuana plants from a Green Mountain residence on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Pair of Spruce Pine police officers involved in fatal shooting

SPRUCE PINE — Two officers from the Spruce Pine Police Department were involved in the fatal shooting of a suspect on Sunday, Sept. 6.  The victim has been identified as 54-year-old Verlon Billy Stiles, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Larsen ends bid for Mitchell County Commission seat

BAKERSVILLE — Democratic candidate Howard Larsen has ended his bid for a seat on the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners.  Larsen announced the news in a press release on Monday, Aug. 31.

DSS Board dismisses director

BAKERSVILLE — Sara Ross has been removed as Director of the Mitchell County Department of Social Services. In a special session on Tuesday, Aug. 25 the DSS Board unanimously voted to dismiss Ross. The motion passed 4-0 as board member Danny Burleson was not present at the meeting.

Commissioners approve steps to dismiss DSS head

BAKERSVILLE – Steps to dismiss Mitchell County Department of Social Services Director Sara Ross have been approved by the DSS Board. Ross’s dismissal is pending a formal dismissal hearing on Monday, Aug. 24. In a special session on the morning of Tuesday, Aug.

Local couple seeking miracle as husband requires kidney transplant

If local resident Terry Jamerson doesn’t receive a kidney soon, he might only have months left to live. After suffering a “widow-maker” heart attack in February, Jamerson found out his high blood pressure had severely damaged his kidneys. “I thought the heart attack was gonna take me,” he said.

BOE approves school reopening plan

BAKERSVILLE — The Mitchell County Board of Education unanimously approved the plan to reopen and resume schools for the 2020-21 school year.  Superintendent Chad Calhoun said the plan, which was presented to the board at a special session on Wednesday, Aug.

Mission chemo services to be centralized in Asheville

SPRUCE PINE — Chemotherapy services from Mission Medical Oncology locations in Brevard, Franklin, Marion and Spruce Pine will be centralized to Asheville, Mission and HCA Healthcare announced this past week.

NCHSAA moves football to February, shortens other seasons

CHAPEL HILL — High school football will not be played this fall and other prep sports will have shortened schedules, North Carolina High School Athletic Association Commissioner Que Tucker announced Wednesday, Aug. 12 in a video statement.