Movie Posters and Theatre Memorabilia Exhibit
Who doesn’t love all the beautiful rhododendrons?
Mitchell Wins Golf State Championship
Beautiful Fox..photo by Mitchel Rote
Pileated Woodpecker y April Truett..click for full view
Mtn Heritage Senior Signing Day
Sunrise on Black Mtn Trail, photo by BJ Wyatt (click for full view)
Photo by Shayna Harris
Photo by Michelle Hensley
New Exhibition at Penland Gallery

Local News

Foxx Report – 5/26/23

President Biden’s routine posturing on the debt ceiling, for more than 100 days, has shoved America closer and closer to the edge of the cliff – we are mere inches away from default. As the clock ticks towards June 1st, what is now referred to as the “X date”, a new narrative has sprung from the bowels of the White House, and it’s centered on the President having the authority to ...(more)

Smithsonian Conducting Research at Gem Mountain

Geologist Dr. Michael Wise of The National Museum of Natural History, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, accompanied by Geologists from North Carolina State University visited Gem Mountain’s two mines on Monday, May 22nd. The scientists spent the day at The Hoot Owl and Brushy Creek Mines.  At the mines they used laser testing to research and obtained specimens as they were searching for ...(more)

McDowell Couple Pleads Guilty of Embezzlement

The owners of a McDowell County business have pleaded guilty to embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretense. Del Bristol Jr. and Serena Stamm Bristol were arrested in 2019. Investigators said they cheated their customers out of more than $2 million with their former business — World Outdoor Log Homes. On Monday they each pleaded guilty to 13 counts of embezzlement and 13 counts ...(more)

Mitchell County Releases Proposed Budget

Mitchell County Manger Allen Cook released the county’s proposed budget for 2023-24 on Wedneaday afternoon. The proposed budget totals $24,538,302 and meets the projected needs of all county operations, capital improvements and debt service requirements. This budget reflects an 3.26% increase in expenses from the fiscal year 2022-2023 amended budget of $23,761,643. When compared to consumer ...(more)

News From Congressman Chuck Edwards

More than two years into President Biden’s first term, America’s southern border is still wide open The numbers don’t lie. There have been some 5 million illegal crossings at the southern border since President Biden took office, and more than 1.3 million illegal immigrants have evaded capture, according to the U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol agents have seized 14,000 pounds of ...(more)

Counterfeit Money Charges

A Bakersville man and woman have been arrested for passing Counterfeit Money. The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department arrested 41 year old Jessica Elaine Bishop, of River Trail Apts. Bakersville, and 41 year old Nicky Lee Austin, also from River Trail Apts Bakersville. Both were arrested this past Saturday has a result of counterfeit money attempted to been passed at a local ...(more)

Community News

Reservations Open for “Grandfather Presents: William Mangum”

Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that you may now reserve your seat for the first of the Saturday presentations in its 2023 Grandfather Presents speaker series. Artist William Mangum will present “North Carolina Beautiful” on June 3. The new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery will play host to the ...(more)

Orchard at Altapass June Schedule

Beginning June 1st, the Orchard at Altapass goes to five days a week—Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Five days of orchard experiences from hayrides to book signings, the train project, bee and monarch butterfly habitats, heritage exhibits, People’s Pollinator Garden, and free, live music every weekend afternoon through October. All are invited to listen to old to new renditions and ...(more)

Benefit Yard Sale

There will be a Benefit Yard Sale for Doris & Rev. Brunson Boatwright Saturday June 10th beginning at 7:00 am at Hoot Owl Hall at Toe River Campgroun. Doris has a life-threatening illness and Brunson was the former Chaplain/Host for Toe River Campground.  If you have donations and would like information call 828-215-3882 or 828-734-1108. ...(more)

Tickets for “Grandfather Presents: Ian Shive” are on sale now

Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that tickets for the first evening presentation of the Grandfather Presents 2023 speaker series are on sale now. Ian Shive, an Ansel Adams Award-winning photographer and filmmaker, kicks off these Thursday night presentations on June 8. The new Wilson Center for Nature ...(more)

76th Rhododendron Festival Coming in June!

On Friday evening June 15, Bakersville will celebrate the 76th Anniversary of the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival. Beginning at 10 am, the annual Arts and Crafts Fair will begin the festivities with fun for the entire family, food, and vendors. Music and inflation fun for kids on Saturday. The two-evening 76th NC Rhododendron Pageant at Bowman Middle School Auditorium that will provide ...(more)

Blood and Platelet Donors Needed Now

The American Red Cross asks people to book a time to give blood or platelets now to address a recent drop in donation appointments that could lead to fewer transfusions for patients in the weeks ahead. Type O blood donors are especially needed to ensure a strong blood supply. The start of summer can shake up normal routines, but it’s important for donation appointments to stay on the calendar ...(more)

School News

Mars Hill University Confers Degrees on 159 Spring Graduates

“Today is not the end; just the end of classes for a while.” With those words, keynote speaker Doug Buchanan encouraged the Mars Hill University class of 2023 to keep alive their love of learning in order to better prepare them for a productive future of work and service. In total, the university conferred degrees on 159 graduates during its spring commencement ceremony on ...(more)

Business News

Compassionate Care WNC Recognized As One of the Best Places To Work

Compassionate Care WNC has been selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. The complete list of this year’s winners, in alphabetical order, is available at ModernHealthcare.com/bestplaceslist. Modern Healthcare will publish a special supplement featuring a ranked list of all the winners along with the October 2, 2023, issue of MH magazine. “An ...(more)

3D Mammography at Cannon Memorial Hospital

For decades, women in Avery County and the surrounding area have learned they can trust Martha Daniels and Trish Ferguson with their screening and diagnostic mammograms in the Imaging Department of Cannon Memorial Hospital (CMH). Now, in addition to this experienced and compassionate care team, state-of-the art 3D mammography equipment will help them produce more precise imaging that more ...(more)

WTOE Holds Mitchell Chamber After Hours Event

Thursday evening, April 20th WTOE held a Mitchell Chamber After Hours event. We would like to thank everyone who came out to see us. We enjoyed some great cake and snacks but even more loved having the time to talk with everyone. Congratulations to Walton Shepherd of L & L Furniture! He is the winner of the $500 in free advertising! Listen to the radio and you will be hearing a lot more ...(more)