COVID-19

Bowman Middle School Counselor Crystal Robinson takes a student's temperature with a non-contact infrared thermometer as students arrive at school on Monday, Aug. 17. Students went back into schools for the first time since March and had two temperature checks before entering the buildings. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

Bowman Middle School Counselor Crystal Robinson takes a student's temperature with a non-contact infrared thermometer as students arrive at school on Monday, Aug. 17. Students went back into schools for the first time since March and had two temperature checks before entering the buildings. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

BACK TO SCHOOL: Area students return to schools for the first time since March

Cory Spiers
Thursday, August 20, 2020
The first day of the 2020-21 academic year in Mitchell County felt and looked decidedly different.  As they normally do for the first day of school, local students got off busses with fresh backpacks and school supplies in tow and others got out of the family car in the car dropoff loops.
The driveway up to the Richmond Inn in Spruce Pine sits ready for visitors to venture up for a stay. Owner Maggie Haskell said the pandemic has changed things drastically for her and her business. She said the pandemic cost her business several of its seasonal regulars. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

The driveway up to the Richmond Inn in Spruce Pine sits ready for visitors to venture up for a stay. Owner Maggie Haskell said the pandemic has changed things drastically for her and her business. She said the pandemic cost her business several of its seasonal regulars. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Local hospitality industry perseveres through pandemic

Juliana Walker
Thursday, August 20, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — As restrictions regarding the ongoing pandemic ease and people are treating their cabin fever with vacations, the local hospitality industry is slowly but surely getting back on its feet after a big blow earlier this year.
calhoun

calhoun

BOE approves school reopening plan

Juliana Walker
Thursday, August 13, 2020
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.