Spruce Pine

Mountain Escape Spa owner Amber Gardner opened her spa in downtown Spruce Pine earlier this month and admitted that she picked a unique time to begin her journey with the ongoing pandemic raging. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mountain Escape Spa owner Amber Gardner opened her spa in downtown Spruce Pine earlier this month and admitted that she picked a unique time to begin her journey with the ongoing pandemic raging. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Mitchell native has remained focused on longtime dream

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — After nearly two decades of wanting to work with skincare and makeup, Mitchell County native Amber Gardner’s dreams have finally come true with her new business.
Members of the Spruce Pine Police Department pose for a photo. The department is getting some significant upgrades to incentivize employees to stay with the department. (Photo sourced from SPPD Facebook)

Members of the Spruce Pine Police Department pose for a photo. The department is getting some significant upgrades to incentivize employees to stay with the department. (Photo sourced from SPPD Facebook)

Spruce Pine police to receive additional benefits

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — The Spruce Pine Police Department is getting some significant upgrades to incentivize employees to stay with the department. At the Spruce Pine Town Council’s regular session on Monday, Nov.
The pure white sand seen in the bunkers at Augusta National Golf Club, the location of the 2020 Masters Tournament, is made of granulated quartz sourced from Mitchell County. (Photo sourced from Quartz Corp website)

The pure white sand seen in the bunkers at Augusta National Golf Club, the location of the 2020 Masters Tournament, is made of granulated quartz sourced from Mitchell County. (Photo sourced from Quartz Corp website)

Augusta’s unique bunker sand originates locally

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Anyone who tuned into the 2020 Masters Tournament this past week at Augusta National Golf Club may have noticed the uniquely-colored sand bunkers on the course.
The Spruce Pine Wells Fargo branch will permanently close on Feb. 10, the company confirmed. 

The Spruce Pine Wells Fargo branch will permanently close on Feb. 10, the company confirmed. 

Spruce Pine Wells Fargo set to permanently close in February

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — The Spruce Pine Wells Fargo branch will permanently close on Feb. 10, the company confirmed.  The closing of the Spruce Pine branch will make the Burnsville Wells Fargo, which is roughly 12 miles away, the closest branch for local Wells Fargo customers.
Dry nail polish vendor Courtney Sayles speaks about her product through her mask to a potential customer during the Spruce Pine Fall Festival at the Cross Street Commerce Center on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event is usually held in the Burnsville Town Center, which is currently closed due to the ongoing pandemic. The festival featured more than 40 vendors selling a variety of fall-themed items. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Dry nail polish vendor Courtney Sayles speaks about her product through her mask to a potential customer during the Spruce Pine Fall Festival at the Cross Street Commerce Center on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event is usually held in the Burnsville Town Center, which is currently closed due to the ongoing pandemic. The festival featured more than 40 vendors selling a variety of fall-themed items. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)

Shoppers, vendors enjoy Fall Festival

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Fall was in the air and inside the Cross Street Commerce Center on Saturday, Oct. 10 during the Spruce Pine Fall Festival.
Local martial artist Brett Cloer practices delivering blows on a dummy during a recent martial arts class at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church. Cloer is one of dozens of students of all ages and experience levels who attend the classes twice per week to hone their skills. Classes are taught by Rocky Branch. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

Local martial artist Brett Cloer practices delivering blows on a dummy during a recent martial arts class at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church. Cloer is one of dozens of students of all ages and experience levels who attend the classes twice per week to hone their skills. Classes are taught by Rocky Branch. (MNJ photo/Cory Spiers)

JUST FOR KICKS: Martial artists use church class to hone skills

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
A church building might seem like an unlikely place to find a martial arts academy, but it’s reality at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church where the Hope 4 Mitchell County Martial Arts Academy meets twice a week.

Local real estate market booming amid pandemic

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — Despite the negative economic impact the ongoing pandemic has had on many markets, the local real estate market has seen a significant rise. Co-owner of Tree House Mountain Realty Vicki Greene said it’s been a surprisingly busy time.
174 Amethyst Street, Spruce Pine

174 Amethyst Street, Spruce Pine

Pair of Spruce Pine police officers involved in fatal shooting

Cory Spiers
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
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.