Emergency Management Says Get Prepared Again for Winter Weather - John Masters

Emergency Management Says Get Prepared Again for Winter Weather - John Masters

Author: Mitchell County, NC Government January 31, 2026 Duration: 4:38
As snow returns to our region for the weekend, Mitchell County Emergency Management is getting ready for the storm. John Masters, Assistant EM Director for the county joins us to go over preparations being made to deal with this storm.

Tune in to We Are Mitchell for a direct line to the ongoing recovery efforts in the North Carolina mountains. This isn't just a series of official statements; it's a collection of conversations and reports from the ground, born from a partnership between Mitchell County Government and WTOE Radio in Spruce Pine. You'll hear interviews with the people coordinating relief, updates on infrastructure repairs, and stories from neighbors helping neighbors as they rebuild after Hurricane Helene. The focus is on delivering clear, accurate, and timely information to citizens who need it most, cutting through the noise to provide a reliable resource. Each episode of this podcast serves as a community bulletin, documenting the challenges and the resilience of Mitchell County in real time. By listening, you gain insight into the specific steps being taken to restore normalcy and the collective spirit driving the process forward. This is essential listening for anyone connected to the region, offering a sober yet hopeful narrative of recovery, straight from the source.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

We Are Mitchell
Podcast Episodes
July 4 Veterans Dinner - Rocky Btanch and Bruce Ikard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34
First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine honors veterans each July 4th with a lunch, and with the recovery from Helene well underway, the church is making a special effort to reach area veterans and their families and invitin…
Fourth of July Safety and Hurricane Preparedness - Andrew Brewer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:16
The July Fourth holiday is a time of being outdoors and enjoying barbecues and other activities. Andrew Brewer, interim Emergency Management Coordinator for Mitchell County, joins us to talk about being extra careful thi…
SEARCH Helene Interviews - Marvin Rogers and Bruce Ikard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:35
An in-person survey of Mitchell County residents is taking place on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. The Sustaining Essential and Community Healthcare organization, better known as SEARCH. is conducting interviews…
Private Road and Bridge Repair - Allen Cook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:46
August 3, 2025 is the deadline to apply for the State of North Carolina‘s program that repairs or replaces private roads and bridges damaged by Helene. County Manager Allen Cook joins us to talk about this program that d…
MARC and the Long-Term Resiliency Group Update - Stephanie Pittman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:17
Even though we are nine months out from the devastation caused by Helene, there are still volunteers and resources available for county residents to get help with repairs. Stephanie Pittman is our guest today, talking ab…
The Rhododendron Gardens on Roan Mountain - Alexandra Davidson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:05
There is exciting news that the famous Rhododendron Gardens atop Roan Mountain. For the first time since 2023, the general public will be able to tour the gardens while they are blooming this week (June 20, 2025). We tal…
NC Rhododendron Festival is June 20 & 21 - Misti Silver [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:16
Helene has not dampened the optimism for the 78th North Carolina Rhododendron Festival which is June 20 and 21 in Bakersville. Misti Silver joins us on the program to talk about the events planned and some changes in tim…
2025-2026 Budget - Allen Cook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:51
Mitchell County has released a proposed 2025-2026 budget. County Manager Allen Cook joins us on the podcast to go over the budget message and talk about the changes Helene has made to the budget. The public hearing on th…
Sibelco and the Sibelco Spruce Pine Foundation - Jac Fourie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:53
Like everyone else in our region, Sibelco, one of the main producers of High Purity Quartz in the world, had to scramble to recover business operations and help the area get back on its feet. Jac Fourie, Executive Vice-P…
Forest Recovery Workshop - Brandon Pitman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:38
Over 800,000 acres of timberland in Western North Carolina have been destroyed or adversely affected by Helene. Now comes the cleanup. Mitchell County Cooperative Extension is offering a special program to anyone with ti…