News

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Mitchell County Commissioner Steve Pitman, standing left, presents John Boyd with a plaque honoring him for his service. Boyd retired as president of Mayland Community College Friday.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Mitchell County Commissioner Steve Pitman, standing left, presents John Boyd with a plaque honoring him for his service. Boyd retired as president of Mayland Community College Friday.

Saying good-bye

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
John Boyd handed the reins to incoming President Aron Gabriel at a brief ceremony at Mayland Community College Friday, Jan. 9.
MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Bill Hoag, executive director of the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County, said that day passes for pool use have been popular during the winter break period for local schools.

MNJ Photo/Mariel Williams. Bill Hoag, executive director of the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County, said that day passes for pool use have been popular during the winter break period for local schools.

YMCA filling up in the new year

Mariel Williams
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
January is a traditional time to recommit to physical fitness for many, and staffers at the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County report that exercise facilities have been bustling the first couple days of 2026. “Today has been really busy,” said Executive Director Bill Hoag on Friday.
MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. From left, Councilman Charles Nash, Mayor Charles Vines and Councilman Gary Hyatt listen to a presentation on plans to reinvigorate Bakersville.

MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. From left, Councilman Charles Nash, Mayor Charles Vines and Councilman Gary Hyatt listen to a presentation on plans to reinvigorate Bakersville.

Toward a new Bakersville

Steffen Silvis
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Bakersville’s monthly town council meeting at the end of December opened with Mayor Charles Vines describing a comic scene in town that day, as a blustery wind unanchored numerous holiday decorations downtown. “I found myself running down the road, chasing after decorations,” Vines said.

Extended

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 29, 2025
Just before Christmas Gov. Josh Stein said that the deadline to apply for Renew NC, the Hurricane Helene housing recovery program, has been extended until Jan. 31. After that, another significant disaster recovery deadline is coming up in February—storm victims have until Feb.

Hacked

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 29, 2025
Mitchell County administration is recovering from an attack by unknown cyber criminals, in which some personal information of county residents was compromised.

THE RACE IS ON

Mariel Williams
Monday, December 29, 2025
Fifteen candidates are vying for local offices in 2026, according to the Mitchell County Board of Elections. The filing deadline for March primaries was at noon on Friday, Dec. 19. The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners has the most candidates interested in a seat next year.

Jensen and Buchanan appointed to EDC board

Mariel Williams
Friday, December 19, 2025
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners held a brief meeting last week to conduct routine administrative business. Commissioner Steve Pitman made a motion to appoint Patti Jensen of the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce to the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission Board of Directors.
MNJ photo/Jaren Gragg. Cane Creek in downtown Bakersville flooded during Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).

MNJ photo/Jaren Gragg. Cane Creek in downtown Bakersville flooded during Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).

Bakersville Revival

Mitchell News-Journal
Friday, December 19, 2025
Jaren Gragg MNJ Correspondent   It’s been a year since Helene struck Western North Carolina, forever changing the lives of the people who live and work in Mitchell and surrounding counties.