News

Photo submitted. Troy Gouge, 16,  is currently being treated at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

Photo submitted. Troy Gouge, 16, is currently being treated at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

Community support

Residents of Mitchell County are coming together to support one of their own. Troy Gouge, a sophomore at Mitchell High, is known for his fun-loving spirit and sweet nature. Troy was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder.
Photo submitted. Justin Miller pictured with his sisters, Renee Garland and Tracie McCann.

Photo submitted. Justin Miller pictured with his sisters, Renee Garland and Tracie McCann.

Gone but not forgotten

A family’s life was upended in the spring of 2015 when Justin Miller, then 30 years old, vanished without a trace from the Loafers Glory community. Nearly a decade has passed, but for his family, time stands still in their continued search for answers.
Photo submitted.  Mitchell Medics EMS Director, Bryant Reid.

Photo submitted. Mitchell Medics EMS Director, Bryant Reid.

Medics pioneering opiate-free pain management

As the opioid crisis continues to grip the nation, Mitchell Medics is spearheading a revolutionary transition to narcotic-free pain management for emergency medical care. This initiative comes in response to several alarming statistics.
MNJ Photo/Sarah Quintas - Brian Hobson

MNJ Photo/Sarah Quintas - Brian Hobson

Hobson to cover Mitchell sports

Brian Hobson has joined the Mitchell News-Journal editorial team as a sports reporter. Hobson will be covering sports in Mitchell County, including varsity, junior varsity and middle school sports.
Photo/Scott W. Bartholomew Architecture, Asheville, NC - Preliminary designs for the Mitchell County Recreation Center, set to be constructed behind the current County Administration Building in Bakersville.

Photo/Scott W. Bartholomew Architecture, Asheville, NC - Preliminary designs for the Mitchell County Recreation Center, set to be constructed behind the current County Administration Building in Bakersville.

County approves design plans for rec center

The future of the Mitchell Recreation Center took a significant step forward as the county commissioners approved the initial design plans. The action came during the first meeting of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 2.
Photos/Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department - Dillion Byrd and Scott Presnell

Photos/Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department - Dillion Byrd and Scott Presnell

Arrests made in vehicle break-ins

Residents of Mitchell County woke up to a spree of vehicle break-ins on the morning of Jan. 2. The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has arrested of two individuals connected to the incidents.
MNJ graphic

MNJ graphic

Mercy Urgent Care expands hours

Mercy Urgent Care is expanding operating hours at its Burnsville. The Burnsville clinic is located at 41 Charlie Brown Road. Beginning Jan. 2, the clinic will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
Photo submitted. Local youth from Big Brothers Big Sisters explore the art of pottery under the guidance of Dori Settles at her studio, FunkyDori.

Photo submitted. Local youth from Big Brothers Big Sisters explore the art of pottery under the guidance of Dori Settles at her studio, FunkyDori.

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC

January, National Mentoring Month, offers a perfect opportunity to start 2024 by positively impacting a young person’s life with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina (BBBSWNC).
MNJ file photo Construction of the new Mitchell Middle School, located in Ledger, got underway in 2023. Members of the Board of Education and local government officials were given a tour of the progress during the Topping Off Ceremony in November. The school is slated to be completed in the fall of 2025.

MNJ file photo Construction of the new Mitchell Middle School, located in Ledger, got underway in 2023. Members of the Board of Education and local government officials were given a tour of the progress during the Topping Off Ceremony in November. The school is slated to be completed in the fall of 2025.

New businesses, expansions in ‘23

As industries, government and education facilities continued to expand in Mitchell County in 2023, the county also welcomed a host of new businesses. These additions not only enrich the local economy but also bring diverse services and experiences to area residents.
MNJ graphic - Students at MHS share their 2024 New Year's resolutions.

MNJ graphic - Students at MHS share their 2024 New Year's resolutions.

Ringing in Change

Macie Greene - MNJ Intern The clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, and a timeless tradition is reignited: the creation of New Year’s resolutions. Originating over 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylonia, this practice has evolved through the ages and is as popular as ever in 2024.