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Man charged with felonious assault on officer
STUART, Va. — An Ararat man who was barricaded inside his home and apprehended with the help of pepper spray is being held without bond on charges including felonious assault on an officer. Sammy Wayne Smith, 52, of 211 Triple Smith Lane, was taken into custody shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday after members of the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his residence. That course of action...
Man arrested after threatening officers, trying to flee
First posted at 12:01 p.m. A Roaring River man was arrested after threatening deputies on a 911 call who where attempting to serve a warrant on him. Michael Eugene Davenport, age 53, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, misuse of 911 communications, and resisting a public officer, Wilkes Sheriff's Office Major Logan Kerr stated in a press release sent to The Wilkes Record. He added that Davenport was also served a private party warrant for assault on a female and a domestic violence protective order.
Social Media Detectives will see through the smoke
The Mount Airy Library and the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery will present informative sessions to teach children in third through fifth grade how to understand the meanings of media messages and advertisements as part of the Media Detective program. The free camp runs at the Mount Airy Library from August 5 to August 9 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Media Detective classes are activity-based, media literacy education, alcohol and tobacco use prevention programs that engage children in the third through fifth...
City schools finalize key personnel moves
Just as NFL players are reporting to training camps in anticipation of the coming season, Mount Airy schools are readying key personnel for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. Aug. 13 will be the first day of school, with three administrative appointments announced this week ahead of that. This includes Barry Hill being named to a tech education leadership position locally for a new state program, according to information...
Madden To Join Thornton As Crew Chief
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — Successful late model racer Chris Madden is joining Koehler Motorsports and driver Ricky Thornton Jr. as crew chief for remainder of the dirt late model season. “I still enjoy driving and think I can do it with the best of them, but owning the team,...
Mountain Lynx Transit launches route and schedule changes, moves into new office
Starting Aug. 1, Mountain Lynx Transit’s routes and schedules for its blue and red loops in Galax will change at the same time the transit’s office will move to the Crossroads Institute from its current office on Oldtown Street. “Because of this office relocation, we are no longer...
North Surry competes in Upchurch Lineman Challenge
KING — Trent Lowman and the West Stokes Football program hosted their annual offensive and defensive lineman challenge on July 22. The two-hour event featured 73 athletes from West Stokes, West Wilkes, North Surry, Starmount and South Stokes. “I think today went smoothly even though it was hot and humid, and it looked like everyone enjoyed themselves,” Lowman said. “You have several 7-on-7 competitions through the summer, but they are...
Ricky Thornton Jr. Announces New Crew Chief At Koehler Motorsports
Strengthening crew support for new driver Ricky Thornton Jr., Koehler Motorsports this morning announced the addition of crown jewel-winning racer Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., as crew chief for the Mount Airy, N.C.-based team in its pursuit of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship. 2024 Lucas Oil...
Arts Council taking audiences 'Into the Woods'
This weekend is one of the few remaining on the Surry Arts Council’s calendar of events that does not have three Summer Concert Series shows at the Blackmon Amphitheatre. Have no fear, the council is presenting a show this weekend meant to carry spectators away on a magical journey that will take them “Into the Woods.” The Surry Arts Council is presenting two performances this weekend of Steven Sondheim’s 1987...
Animal cruelty case results in guilty plea
A sentencing hearing concerning an animal cruelty trial spanning some two years culminated in a guilty plea in Carroll County District Court on July 16. Christopher Donithan’s guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Judge Brett Geisler. According to Carroll County Commonwealth Attorney Roger Brooks, Donithan was sentenced to 12 months in jail on the misdemeanor charge. He received six months suspended for time served and Donithan is barred from...
SAC welcomes Main Event Band
The Blackmon Amphitheatre will come to life again Friday evening as Main Event Band takes the stage as part of the Surry Arts Council’s Summer Concert Series. SAC said the show will have something for all musical tastes and described the group as, “The ultimate party band performing R&B, Soul, Beach, Country, and Funk. Their performances also include music styles from the 80s and 90s as well as your favorite songs of today. From Beach to Classic rock, from Soul to Country, from Disco to...
Rock ‘n Rollin’ Revival Services July 29–Aug. 1
Here in the south, we know about revival services and tent revivals, but what is a “rock ‘n rollin’ revival? Well, it has nothing to do with rock and roll music, that’s for sure. The “rock” has two meanings for these unique revival services. The first being a reference to our God. In the Book of Psalms, one can find many references to the Lord, as being addressed as our “Rock.” The Lord is my Rock, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I will trust. (Psalm 18:2) The Lord liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and let...
Fairview will celebrate Homecoming July 28
Pastor Marc Jones and the congregation of Fairview Presbyterian Church cordially invite you and your family to join us for our Homecoming celebration. The morning service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Sheriff Kevin Kemp and his wife, Sandy, providing the special music. Our morning worship service will be at 11:00 a.m. and our guest speaker will be CH (CPT) Ben Behrendt, U.S. Army Chaplain. Ben is a former pastor at Fairview, serving 2015- 2017. Ben’s wife, Mary Frances and their children plan to accompany...
Mobile Marketplace visits Galax monthly
Sometimes great resources are also the best-kept secrets — or possibly the least talked about. However, those in the know are already aware that some of the best groceries around are delivered to the Twin Counties not via stores, but by Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Mobile Marketplace.
Three hospitalized after crash
Three people were hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash on July 5 at 2 p.m. on U.S. 58/Carrollton Pike, according to the Galax Volunteer Fire Department and the Virginia State Police. A 2020 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Michael N. Payne, 77, of Mount Airy, N.C., was traveling west on Carrollton Pike...
Fries man indicted for dog torture
HILLSVILLE — A Carroll County Circuit Court grand jury indicted a Fries man on felony charges of torturing/maiming an animal and larceny of an animal. The magistrate placed the charges against Alexander Davis Jr., 60, as misdemeanors, but they were upgraded to felony charges in court. The indictment means the case will advance to trial in circuit court.
Joyce Smith Patton, 87
Joyce Smith Patton of Charlotte, N.C., passed away on July 23, 2024. Joyce was born in Galax, Va. (Grayson County) on Nov. 2, 1936. She was preceded in death by her parents, Burley and Ida Burcham Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Raymond Patton; her brothers, Paul (sister-in-law, Mildred), Richard (sister-in-law, Lois), Homer (sister-in-law, Bernice), Willard, Kyle and Billy (sister-in-law, Mary). She was also preceded in death by her very special friend, Harland Jackson.
13 Showstopping Theaters
When Debbie Carson first walked by The Reeves Theater in the 1990s, the 1941 movie house had been sitting vacant for years, and water was leaking from a crack in the roof. “I was not convinced it was salvageable,” says Carson, a former member of Elkin’s Main Street Advisory Board. But she couldn’t shake the thought of the decades-old theater being demolished. In 2013, Carson; her husband, Chris Groner; and their friend Erik Dahlager bought the building. Since they completed a restoration project at the end of 2017, the 252-seat theater has reclaimed its long-held role as a social hub, with live music events, open mic nights, a bar, and a casual café that serves dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Every design detail was intentional, from preserving the original mosaic tiles in the lobby to reclaiming the blue-and-white marquee. “It’s reconnected our community,” Carson says, “and that’s been the best part of the journey.”
Rebranded Pilot Mountain seeks to escape mountain's shadow
During the June meeting of the Town of Pilot Mountain Board of Commissioners, Town Manager Michael Boaz informed the board and Mayor Evan Cockerham that a new website for the town was on its way as the last few issues were worked out before its launch. For those who love it when a plan comes together, the newly designed website has been officially brought online in a move that town leaders said would “enhance community engagement” and coincides with the town’s rebranding campaign. ...
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