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Fabled April showers fail to materialize here
April has a reputation for being an especially rainy month, with its showers said to bring May flowers, but Mother Nature didn’t get the memo where Mount Airy was concerned. Sure, some precipitation did occur last month, but the total was well below normal, according to the latest statistical report from F.G. Doggett Water Plant, the city’s official weather-monitoring station. April produced 2.77 inches, compared to the all-time local average...
Dinner on Dalton delights
KING — The inaugural "Dinner on Dalton” event hosted by the Downtown King Partnership proved to be a hit. On Saturday, May 4, East Dalton Road was blocked off to traffic east of Main Street and transformed to provide a local, outdoor dining experience, complete with string lights hung over elegantly set linen covered tables. Three local chefs provided a four-course meal to attendees, who were additionally entertained by live...
Meredith to speak as part of Writers Road Show
The Northwest Regional Library is hosting a Book Tour Event and will be welcoming author Patti Meredith to Mount Airy this weekend. A part of the library system’s Writers Road Show, Meredith will be speaking about her book ‘South of Heaven’ at Pages Books & Coffee at 192 N. Main Street in Mount Airy from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The library said Meredith is recognized as a book club...
Sheriff's Office to auction surplus items
The board of commissioners gave their approval Monday to allow the Surry County Sheriff’s Office to dispose of surplus assets via an auction. As is usually the case with such auctions, Mount Airy’s Rogers Realty & Auction Co. Inc., will oversee listing the items and conduct the sale. Major Scott Hudson clarified that this is not an auction of property seized during investigations or that has been sitting in an...
Mount Airy wins State Runner-up Trophy
WEST END — Mount Airy capped off a successful golf season by taking home the 1A State Runner-up trophy. In addition to winning team hardware, Granite Bear Shockley Hiatt tied for third individually and Brandon Bowman was named a recipient of the NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award. “These fellas put in the work this year and we had a great season,” said Mount Airy coach Mark Hiatt. “We didn’t lose...
Surry Early College High School of Design names Tina Beasley as Volunteer of the Year
Tina Beasley has been selected as Surry Early College High School of Design’s Volunteer of the Year. Beasley, an employee of Northern Regional Hospital, has volunteered her time to establish and sponsor the HOSA Club for students at the school. “Under her guidance, the club has achieved remarkable success, earning the designation of a Gold Star Chapter in its first year—an achievement unheard of for a new chapter and again this year,” school officials said. “Tina’s commitment extends beyond HOSA. She regularly volunteers on campus, organizing events such as blood drives and facilitating opportunities for students to engage with healthcare professionals through hospital tours and mock interviews. Her efforts have greatly enriched the experiences of our students and exemplify the spirit of volunteerism. Tina’s dedication and impact make her deserving of this honor.”
Shots fired near West Yadkin Elementary
On Friday evening at 7:40 p.m., the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office received a call of shots fired near the area of sports fields at West Yadkin Elementary School. It was reported that fired rounds had impacted a building on the campus during a sports event. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area and found evidence of the rounds hitting a concession stand. From that evidence they were able to determine a direction, then location from which the shots were fired. At the...
Commissioners make changes atop Northern Regional Board of Trustees
Last week the Surry County Board of Commissioners removed two long-time members of the Northern Regional Board of Trustees — Chairman Bill Woltz and Vice Chair Monty Venable. Chairman Van Tucker introduced a motion that passed unanimously to remove the pair, after a nearly two-hour long closed session. The board had moved from its regularly scheduled open session, held at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Tucker said the...
Riggs wins two regional track titles; 10 locals qualify for 2A states
MOUNT PLEASANT — A pair of gold medals won by Ella Riggs highlighted Surry County’s appearance in the 2A Midwest Regional Track & Field Championship. Riggs, a junior from North Surry, captured her regional titles in shot put and discus throw. She looks to win her second-consecutive Shot Put State Title in outdoor track after winning the event in 2023, and looks to improve on her 2023 State Runner-up finish in discus throw. She also won the 1A/2A Indoor Track Shot Put State Championship earlier...
Family influences dominate Mills Farm
The first in a series highlighting each of the six private gardens featured on this year’s Mount Airy Blooms Garden Tour scheduled for Saturday, June 8. The tour is presented by Mount Airy’s three garden clubs. Proceeds will benefit a variety of charities. Ticket-holders will have a bonus opportunity to drive through the Healing and Prayer Garden at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Tickets for the Mount Airy Blooms Garden Tour are available at Eventbrite.com, the Mount Airy Visitors Center and at each garden site on the day of the tour. Advance tickets are $20 while tickets on the day...
Farmers Markets open, Dobson doing business early
Surry County commissioners recently learned area farmers seem to be doing well — at least the ones growing and selling plants at local markets. Joseph Zalescik, who oversees the county farmer’s markets, gave an annual update to the board last week regarding the markets, including that the Dobson Farmers Market was opening early this year because those vendors had a lot of plants ready to go and were ready to get them to the public. ...
‘Dialed in’ Bears shut out Rams
Mount Airy took care of business by defeating Highland Tech 8-0 on May 10. The Granite Bears allowed just two hits while racking up 10 in the shutout. The victory sent Mount Airy to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons. “That’s how the No. 1-ranked team is supposed to win,” said Mount Airy coach Josh Wilson. “That’s a pretty good baseball team with some pretty good...
Pilot Mountain bustles with Mayfest
For more than 40 years, with some time off during the pandemic, Pilot Mountain and Mayfest have been offering area residents and visitors alike a chance to enjoy a picturesque downtown with that great view of the mountain. Folks at Mayfest could shop through arts and crafts offerings while enjoying...
City budget hearing looms Thursday
Citizens have a chance to weigh in on Mount Airy’s proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year during a public hearing Thursday. It will be held during a 6 p.m. meeting of the city council in the Municipal Building. The $17.4 million general fund spending plan was unveiled on May 2 along with a separate budget for water-sewer operations totaling $7.6 million. ...
Yadkin County teacher earns ‘Going Local’ grant
RALEIGH — North Carolina Farm Bureau has awarded Yadkin County teacher Ashley Gentle, of Yadkinville Elementary School, an Ag in the Classroom “Going Local” grant. “There is no more valuable resource in North Carolina than our students and the teachers charged with their education,” said North Carolina Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding. “Through our Ag in the Classroom program, the state’s farmers are investing in the future leaders of North Carolina, as well as the future of agriculture, which is the state’s top economic sector.” ...
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