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The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers
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Food Lion holds re-opening ceremonies across the county

Improvements to local Food Lion stores were showcased with several re-opening ceremonies across Surry County Wednesday morning, with many attendees entering contests for the chance to win prizes. The grocery story chain spent more than $270 million to enhance and renovate stores across the Greater Greensboro area, consisting of 94 total stores, according to Food Lion. All three Mount Airy locations were included in the renovation project, alongside one in Dobson, Elkin and Pilot Mountain. Additionally, Food Lion Feeds invested $375,000 in celebration of the grand-re-openings to support local hunger relief efforts across, according to a statement from Food Lion. For the first 100 attendees, gift cards and reusable shopping bags were distributed to customers. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, ten randomly selected customers selected by raffle were able to play a peel-and-reveal game to win monetary prizes, with the grand prize totaling $1,000. Through Nov. 10, customers will have additional opportunities to win prizes through scratch off tickets distributed at the registers. Keely Casstevens was the last of the ten chosen customers to take a turn to play for a prize at the Food Lion store off of West Lebanon and was the store’s grand prize winner. “When I

Surry County, NC · 2d

WDBJ7.com

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VDOT cuts ribbon on Route 58 widening over Lover’s Leap Mountain

PATRICK COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - The Virginia Department of Transportation cut the ribbon Friday on a $300 million widening project on Route 58 over Lover’s Leap Mountain in Patrick County. The project addressed concerns over the mountain’s steep grade and winding curves. It expands the road to four lanes,...

Patrick County, VA · 1d
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The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers
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Pilot Mountain man marks 100th birthday

Nov. 1 was a big day for Spencer “Pa” Nelson. One of many days the centenarian has experienced. That’s because many friends and family members gathered that day to celebrate his 100th birthday. He was born on Nov. 1, 1926, in Pilot Mountain, to Peter and Daisy Nelson. In late December 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a gunner’s mate until September 1948. After leaving the Navy, Nelson returned home to Pilot Mountain, where he met the love of his life, Helen Bateman. The two were married on April 28, 1949, beginning a marriage that would last just shy of 69 years. In 1950, Spencer began working for McLean Trucking Company. He remained with the company for more than 35 years, until it closed in January 1986. The couple became members of Brims Grove Baptist Church in 1969. His faith and church family have remained an important part of his life, and he continues to be a faithful member today, family members said. “Celebrating 100 years of Spencer’s life was a special occasion for his family and friends,” they said. “The Nelson family would like to thank everyone who joined them in celebrating this

Pilot Mountain, NC · 1d

The Carroll News

partner publisher · 1.7K followers
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Hillsville mayor reelected after tough campaign

Hillsville Mayor Greg Crowder won reelection by a substantial margin in the November 3, 2026, election. Incumbent Town Councilors Greg Yonce representing the Laurel Fork Ward and Barry Jessup of the Sulphur Springs Ward ran unopposed and also retained their seats on council. Mayor Crowder garnered 535 votes out of 949 ballots cast, while challenger Katie Horton received 315 votes and Andy Kaufman had 83. Sixteen ballots were cast for write-in candidates. “This was a really tough election,” said Crowder. “It was a brutal nonstop attack with half-truths, innuendos and borderline slander towards me and my family. There’s people that have been in politics their whole life and never seen nothing like it.” “I ran against former Mayor Bill Tate, who was a very honorable candidate and is actually a very good friend of mine now,” Crowder continued. “And I ran against Mrs. Taylor, the former mayor’s wife, and we basically ran on issues. We were able to shake hands after the election and I was hoping it would be the same with this race but I don’t think it’s going to be.” Greg Crowder was first elected in 2012. This election victory ushers in his 9th term as Mayor

Hillsville, VA · 1d

The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

Data center plan OK'd, hailed as 'great document'

Mount Airy’s data center ordinance is now gospel, having been approved unanimously after months of consideration — with one city official saying the issue was a done deal in another way. “The biggest thing I’ve learned through this process is we don’t have the option to say ‘no,’’’ Mayor Jon Cawley said of an outright ban on the controversial facilities locating here. “That is not an available option unless you want to go into litigation,” Cawley added regarding the fact data centers are legal enterprises. The only thing a locality can do is adopt regulations ensuring the facilities operate in ways that don’t hamper its quality of life, city officials said, which the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners hopes was accomplished with its decision Thursday night. If it failed to enact a data center ordinance, Commissioner Calvin Vaughn said then, one could have come into town under existing regulations, “which are more lax.” Vaughn and other board members say the new ordinance protects Mount Airy in regard to various data center implications such as allowable locations and water usage. “I think it’s a great document,” he said of the ordinance spanning 13 pages, “something other municipalities can use as a

Mt Airy, NC · 12h

The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

Board approves foreclosure on tax delinquent properties

Tax Administrator Penny Harrison sought a request to refer delinquent tax accounts to foreclosure from the Board of Commissioners during their meeting Monday, which was approved by the board. Seven accounts were chosen at random by Harrison and her team for foreclosure, as all attempts to collect taxes on those parcels have been unsuccessful, according to Harrison. After five or more years of no tax collection, Surry County can begin the foreclosure process through assistance from Kania Law Firm, according to the county’s policies. After ten or more years of no tax collection, taxes for a parcel are uncollectable, Harrison explained during the meeting. Each of the seven parcels Harrison brought before the board have gone five or more years without collection. Combined, the estimated assessed value of the seven parcels totals more than $370,000. As of Sunday, the total amount of taxes owed across all seven parcels exceeds $28,000. These parcels include: A 0.714 acre property in the Mount Airy TownshipA 0.582 acre property in the Mount Airy TownshipA 4.87 acre property in the Pilot TownshipA 3.55 acre property in the Westfield TownshipA 0.73 acre property in the Bryan TownshipA 4.06 acre property in the Eldora TownshipA 2.67 acre

Surry County, NC · 2d

wvpublic.org

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Franklin County Banjo Player Gene Parker Made His Instrument Sing

This story was originally published by Radio IQ and is part of a series reported by students at the Handmade Music School in Floyd County, Virginia. The students are compiling a songbook of tunes and songs played in their community and telling the stories behind the music. This story aired...

Floyd County, VA · 12h

The Carroll News

partner publisher · 1.7K followers

Data Center debate takes a new direction as Alabama trip changes minds

As has been the case for the past several meetings of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors, the subject of data centers dominated the proceedings. The November meeting of the board had a decidedly different tenor however, as several citizens and supervisors alike changed their opinions after visiting a Google owned data center in Jackson County Alabama. A public hearing regarding the recently adopted Emergency Data Center Ordinance occurred at the beginning of the meeting, with the goal of making the emergency ordinance permanent. The Data Center Ordinance was formulated to place restrictions on data centers locating in Caroll County and includes limits to water consumption, noise pollution and places strict decommissioning requirements on facilities after they close. Delilah Brady came to the podium during the public hearing portion of the meeting and requested that the supervisors adapt the emergency data center ordinance and make it a permanent part of the county code. The Data Center Ordinance was subsequently adopted by a unanimous vote of the board. Google has expressed an interest in locating a data center on a piece of property owned by a private landowner near the Wildwood industrial park. Google invited members of the board to visit

Carroll County, VA · 20h

The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

School board recount decision to take time

DOBSON — While Tuesday’s general election is history, there’s still a bit of unfinished business surrounding a Mount Airy Board of Education race with a 19-vote difference between two candidates. Republican Kyle Leonard was the apparent victor for the at-large school board seat now held by longtime member Tim Matthews, a Democrat, with a vote margin of 1,763 to 1,744. Recounts are a usual step when such a razor-thin result occurs, but that won’t be triggered until certain determinations are made, a local election official said. “The current vote totals show less than a 1% difference between the two candidates,” according to Surry County Elections Director Sydney Bedsaul Romine. “Technically, we’ll need to wait until after all remaining ballots are processed before we can determine whether this contest falls within that threshold,” Romine explained. One factor involves provisional ballots in the mix. A citizen is allowed to cast a provisional ballot during an election whenever questions arise about his or her eligibility to vote, which can include not presenting a photo ID upon arriving at a polling site. Those persons can still vote that day, subject to their eligibility being verified. Provisional ballots basically are put on hold until election

Mt Airy, NC · 2d

The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

East Surry extends playoff streak with win over Wheatmore

PILOT MOUNTAIN — A career night from J.B. Davis and two key turnovers led East Surry to a 46-36 win in the first round of the 3A state playoffs. The No. 14 Cardinals never trailed No. 19 Wheatmore in the Nov. 6 game, and the only tie came at 16-16. East Surry led by as much as 24 before the Warriors scored twice in the final four minutes. East Surry has now won a playoff game in 12 consecutive seasons — the longest active streak of any Surry County football program. Davis, East Surry’s senior quarterback, posted career highs with 263 passing yards and 122 rushing yards for 385 yards of total offense. He also tied a career high with four touchdown passes to go with his two rushing scores. Davis threw for eight touchdowns across East Surry’s first nine games and now has seven in the past two weeks. Also posting a career high was Nate Kiger, who returned from injury after missing the final weeks of the regular season. The junior caught eight passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Kiger’s two touchdowns came on throws of 47 yards and 48 yards and were the Cardinals’ first two

Pilot Mountain, NC · 2d

The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

Flat Rock Elementary honors veterans

Flat Rock Elementary students and staff recently gathered to honor, remember, and express gratitude to the men and women who have served the nation in the armed forces. The program started with a flag parade led by students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The guest speaker was Surry County Schools Board of Education member Dale Badgett, Command Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force (Ret.), who “delivered an inspiring message,” school officials said. Fourth- and fifth- grade students performed several songs and included a poetry reading. “Our veterans were recognized for their service and provided a meal to share with their families,” officials there said. “Thank you veterans.”

Surry County, NC · 1d

The Mount Airy News

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

Commissioners honor 3 Eagle Scouts

The Surry County Board of Commissioners recognized the achievements of three Eagle Scouts during Monday’s meeting. Included were Joseph Brevard and Ridge Reeves of Troop 556 and Kimber McMasters of Troop 561. Each scout was recognized by the board and given the opportunity to speak about their project. Brevard created a trail kiosk on the Sauratown Trail for his project that will be used to serve as a map and information center for visitors. “I had a lot of fun with this project, because I never heard of the Sauratown Trail before this,” he said. “But it is a hidden gem for me and a gem of the community.” Brevard said he hopes that through his project, he can raise awareness for the trail, which runs between Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park. “I’m hoping that it’s going to bring a little more people into the Sauratown Trail so that they can enjoy the absolute wonder that is the North Carolina outdoors,” he said during his speech. Brevard thanked his family and all of his scoutmasters, ranging from the time he started the program as a Webelos to the time that he earned his Eagle Scout recognition.

Surry County, NC · 1d

The Carroll News

partner publisher · 1.7K followers

Perfect 10: Cavaliers double up James River to complete historic regular season

Back in August, Carroll County High School head football coach Seth Greer and his staff expected to field a highly competitive team on the gridiron this fall. Two and a half months later, it would be safe to say the Cavaliers have met those expectations and then some. Carroll County pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat James River 40-20 in Buchanan, Va. on Friday, November 6, in the process completing the first perfect regular season in program history. The Cavaliers also tied the most wins in a season in program history (regular season and playoffs combined), improving to 10-0. “It’s a blessing,” said running back Hunter Gravley. “This is something I thought Carroll County would never see and I’m just grateful to be part of it.” Gravley ran 76 yards to the end zone on the very first play from scrimmage for the Cavaliers, but this one would not come easy against an opponent with an upset on their minds on their Senior Night. After Blake Reed found Ayden Dickerson behind the defense to make it 16-0 late in the first quarter, the Knights came storming back within 24-20 early in the third period. “Their option gave us

Hillsville, VA · 21h

thecarrollnews.com

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Lady Cavaliers’ volleyball season ends in Regional opener at Abingdon

The Carroll County High School Varsity volleyball team won 19 games this season and finished runner-up in the Three Rivers District. But the girls were simply no match for the Abingdon Falcons, losing in three sets in the Regional quarterfinals on Monday, November 2. Abingdon won the first set 25-10,...

Carroll County, VA · 1d

WSLS

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Virginia facing shortage of large animal care vets

PATRICK CO., Va. – For many Virginia farmers, finding a large animal vet isn’t easy. A new $890,000 state grant is working to get more veterinary care to farms that need it. The Virginia Department of Agriculture is providing funding to local large-animal veterinarians, helping them grow their...

Patrick County, VA · 7h