Ararat
GOVERNMENT
Rat infestation leads to abatement order on Galax Trail
Six months have passed since members of county staff descended on a residence at 791 Galax Trail in Mount Airy to conduct a series of environmental samples. They were on site after repeated complaints had been made regarding a large number of animals being kept at the residence and the prevalence of vermin on the lot, resulting in the lot being declared a nuisance by county officials. The results of the investigation were returned last month, and Surry County served notice to Crystal and Jenna...
Changing road names concern residents
In a follow up to action taken by the Surry County Board of Commissioners at its June 3 meeting, where commissioners approved a list of names for new roads and changes to a handful of existing road names, more information was requested by the public. During the meeting, Chair Van Tucker called for a public hearing on the matter but there were no members of the community present to take part in the discussion. ...
Trailblazing record-setter to speak in Mount Airy
This weekend the Mount Airy Library is presenting Jennifer Pharr Davis, who has made a name for herself as a record setting trekker having completed the Appalachian Trail in record time. In 2011 she set a record for the fastest through-hike on the trail, making her the overall record holder for both women and men. Setting a blistering pace of, on average, 47 miles a day she broke the overall record for completion of the Appalachian Trail which at that time was 47 days, 13...
Spencer's redo takes another step
Redevelopment efforts at the former Spencer’s textile mill property in downtown Mount Airy have taken another key — half-million-dollar-plus — step that will include work to support the new Balladeer Marriott hotel there. The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last Thursday night to award a contract for Phase III of a multi-pronged plan to replace and/or extend all public infrastructure on and around the old industrial site. It...
Students score victory in budget negotiations
Negotiation and compromise were the name of the game Tuesday evening in Dobson when the Surry County Board of Commissioners sat down for a final discussion on the county budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. The final vote on the budget will occur Monday, June 17, but Tuesday the board came to consensus on several items and sent back some items to County Manager Chris Knopf for further review and reconsideration. ...
City pushing pain clinic rules
After recently adopting regulations for vape, hemp and tobacco stores in Mount Airy for the first time ever, city officials now are eyeing two other entities for similar treatment: pain management clinics and residential care facilities. This has taken shape with proposed zoning amendments, for which a public hearing has been scheduled during a June 20 meeting of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners beginning at 6 p.m. Pain management...
Fourth annual Juneteenth festival planned for Saturday
Community organization Bridge of Unity, representing the Elkin, Jonesville and surrounding areas, will host its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration on Saturday in Elkin. The festival features live music, food and craft vendors, local business sponsors and a whole-hog barbecue cook-off. At the 2023 event, Elkin Mayor Sam Bishop read a proclamation from the town recognizing the Juneteenth holiday and its importance in bringing communities together to celebrate the freedom of all. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 but has long been celebrated in Black...
Former school leader receives top state honor
Although Dr. Kim Morrison has retired from Mount Airy City Schools, her longtime dedication to the educational profession continues to attract notice with the former city superintendent garnering what is considered North Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Morrison is one of the latest recipients of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, which occurred during a dinner at Cross Creek Country Club recognizing those who have retired from the school system this past year. ...
Rotary pioneer to help mark local milestone
It’s not every day that a person or organization becomes 75 years old, and a local group soon will be celebrating that accomplishment in a major way. Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, the first female president of any Rotary club worldwide, is slated to be the keynote speaker when the Rotary Club of Mount Airy marks its three-quarters-of-a-century existence as a key service organization here. This will occur during a luncheon gathering...
Pickleball planned for Pinnacle
The international phenomenon of pickleball is making its way to Stokes County. Representatives from the Pinnacle Lions Club recently obtained permission from county officials to modify the tennis courts at Pinnacle Lions Park and transform them into six pickleball courts. The project — which will be fully funded by the local Lions Club’s fundraising efforts — is envisioned as a way of meeting increasing demand for the sport in the...
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