Mitchell News-Journal

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The roster of candidates included in the Candidates’ Forum on Oct. 12 was considerably thinner than originally anticipated, but NC State Senate District 47 candidates David Wheeler and Ralph Hise did their best to make the forum useful for area voters. mitchellnews.com/local-regional…

Mitchell County Commissioners Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff and Jeff Harding questioned a representative from the county’s new EMS provider, Lifeguard, about why there are no ventilators and fewer IV pumps on the county’s emergency vehicles on Oct. 5. mitchellnews.com/local/2-commis…

The bright orange cones and traffic barrels that have dotted U.S. 19E for months have finally disappeared, marking the completion of the highway widening project. Now, motorists will enjoy four lanes from I-26 from Madison County to Mitchell. mitchellnews.com/local-regional…

Still undecided? You can check out local candidate profiles on our website. We've talked to candidates for Mitchell County Board of Commissioners, Mitchell County Board of Ed and State Senate District 47. All election coverage is free at mitchellnews.com.

Early voting in Mitchell County opens tomorrow and continues through Saturday, Oct. 31. Below is a sample ballot for Mitchell Co. and early voting info. To read about voting and the election you can visit our website at mitchellnews.com. All election content is free.

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. rb.gy/4mz19w

The local real estate market has seen a significant rise. "I think with people having to be at home so much, during the early stages [of the pandemic] especially, has made people really consider the value of a home,” said Vicki Greene. rb.gy/uocchu

Bakersville cyclist Marc Poland set a world record for the fastest 100-kilometer ride by a male cyclist in the 60 to 69-year-old age group. He completed the ride in 2 hours and 31 minutes at Bristol Motor Speedway, riding at an average speed of 24mph. rb.gy/ly7k1c

In a time of growing distrust of the police around the country, local law enforcement officers were treated to a free lunch at DT’s Blue Ridge Java by Sweet Creek Construction in downtown Spruce Pine on Friday, Sept. 11. mitchellnews.com/local-regional…

A communications officer at the NCDPS said as of Friday, Sept. 11, 100 of the 856 offenders housed in Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution had active cases of COVID-19 and three staff members were out of work due to COVID-19. mitchellnews.com/local-regional…

Emerald Village, the local mining tourist attraction, is one of TripAdvisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice Winners. “It’s recognition for something we’ve known all along,” Emerald Village Owner and Operator Alan Schabilion said. mitchellnews.com/local-regional…

Mitchell County Recreation League sports are back amid the ongoing pandemic but Recreation Director Brock Duncan and Assistant Director Ryan Cook are doing all they can to keep the athletes and spectators safe. mitchellnews.com/sports/rec-lea…

Mitchell High School’s Jill Pittman has her second offer to play college basketball after graduation from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA. mitchellnews.com/sports/mitchel…

Officers from the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department seized more than 100 marijuana plants from a Green Mountain residence on Thursday, Sept. 10. mitchellnews.com/local-news/mit…

Local students Hunter Zheng, Kyndal Ringwood, Evan Briggs and Ruth Hurtado Urbina have been awarded college scholarships through the Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine, the club announced earlier this month. mitchellnews.com/local/students…

A rafting accident on the Nolichucky River on Saturday, Sept. 12 claimed the life of a Bakersville woman, a state official said. Louvella Yelton Arrowood, 64, died in the accident, which happened near the Nolichucky Gorge area of Mitchell County. mitchellnews.com/local-news/bak…

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.  mitchellnews.com/local-news/bak…

With a shift to online learning this year, schools are more susceptible to cyberattacks. After Mitchell County Schools was subject to a cyberattack in March, MCS Technology Director Casey Johnson said they've tightened up security in a number of ways. mitchellnews.com/local/mcs-impr…

Bakersville Mayor Charles Vines will soon have his name on a building. At its regular meeting, the Bakersville Town Council unanimously approved a motion to name town hall after the mayor. "My heart bleeds Bakersville and it always will," Vines said. mitchellnews.com/local/bakersvi…

Local middle schoolers will be able to return to in-person instruction earlier than anticipated. Sixth graders will return Sept. 21, seventh graders will return Oct. 5 and eighth graders will return on Oct. 19. mitchellnews.com/local/boe-appr…