State Road
More than three months after a flood devastated parts of Mount Airy including the Granite City Greenway, the popular pathway is fully reopened, Parks and Recreation officials have announced. This occurred during the weekend, which Calvin Vaughn, a recreation-minded member of the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners, hailed Wednesday as a welcome development with an important local resource now back up to full speed. “I think what people don’t realize is it’s probably our biggest activity in town,” Vaughn said of the greenway, which accommodates walkers, runners and cyclists. The greenway is popular not only among locals but brings hundreds of people to town on a daily basis, according to Vaughn. “I don’t think people realize how many people use it,” he said. “It’s sort of under the radar.” That wasn’t the case on Aug. 1-2, when flooding caused the Ararat River to crest at 29 feet, swamping sections of the greenway along its path. Particularly hard-hit were areas near the Chase and Charli restaurant on South Main Street, H.B. Rowe Environmental Park and Tharrington Park, which were closed for weeks afterward. While some detours were put in place in the interim, the greenway is now fully reopen as of
STOKES COUNTY — Two exhibits went to the NC State Fair this year on behalf of Stokes County and both of them were recognized by the King American Legion Post 290 for their outstanding work. Lynn Shouse, King American Legion Auxiliary Post 290 Vice President presented both with checks Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Legion grounds in King. Shouse also worked tirelessly as the Assistant Fair Manager this year. A lighthouse replica of Bodie Island Lighthouse was submitted by Camden Whitman, 11-years-old. The recycled materials replica was made from wine cords, a battery night light, sand, plate, sour cream container, shipping tube, cardboard, ornamental light bulb and hot glue, and had a tin pan on top. It is painted black and white. Whiteman received 2026 Best of Show — Youth Item. The second exhibitor recognized by the Legion was Donald McQuinn, 81, who won 2026 Best of Show — Adult Item. McQuinn of Westfield, build the Red Man House. Quinn said it was something that he had been working on for 9 years, and that he used tobacco sticks to make it. He said that the house was appropriate for NC History. The Log Cabin styled house had many accessories
“My whole goal in this was to go down there and get with the locals because the locals are just like us,” said Delilah Brady, who turned the microphone around and faced the audience. “I wanted to find all the negatives…. I went everywhere and I talked to everybody and they were happy. It was almost like they lived in this little utopia or something… Overall, I mean, everybody liked them.” Goodge owned data centers made a big impression on Carroll County visitors. 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. “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.”
WEST JEFFERSON — Patti Miller, a field canvasser for a local nonprofit, described her recent interaction with a voter while leaving a polling station who didn’t speak English as his primary language. While he isn’t fluent, she said his English was still “very good.” Still, she said the voter found the ballot intimidating to read. Miller and other voter rights advocates want to improve future access while eliminating implicit disenfranchisement. They plan to post a translated ballot at each Ashe County polling site so the confusion “won’t happen again.” Voter engagement goes beyond education, she explained. It’s about outreach and support, regardless of the outcome at the ballot box. “He voted and left content because he voted,” she said. Miller was among 18 local left-leaning voters who attended a post-election reflection meeting at Down Home North Carolina’s Ashe County Chapter on Nov. 4. Although Democrats secured major victories statewide, Ashe County voters backed Republican candidates in several closely contested races. Voters also approved three constitutional amendments that could reshape state and local government. While the amendments passed, the post-election group said the mobilization is groundwork for future campaigns. “I know a lot of people are discouraged by the amendments,” Democratic
JEFFERSON — Members of the Rotary Club of Ashe County made a visit to American Emergency Vehicles (AEV) for a facility tour this week. James Reed and Roy Badger had the privilege of providing an extensive tour of AEV’s operation, showcasing the people, processes, and teamwork that go into building world-class emergency vehicles. The Rotary Club of Ashe County is a volunteer-driven organization made up of business, civic, and community leaders dedicated to improving the local community through service, scholarships, economic development, charitable initiatives and leadership. For more than 75 years, their efforts have helped strengthen Ashe County through community projects, educational support, and service to others. AEV appreciates the opportunity to share what they do at AEV and are grateful for organizations like the Rotary Club that continue to make a lasting impact across Ashe County. Thank you for your visit and for all you do to support the community!
Appalachian Community Histories – Lambsburg, Carroll County: Mills, Schools, and the Railroad That Never Came. In the southern reaches of Carroll County, Virginia, near the North Carolina state line, lies the community of Lambsburg. Situated near the headwaters of Stewart’s Creek, between Fisher Peak and Sugarloaf Mountain, the settlement developed in a landscape of mountain farms, wooded ridges, and roads connecting southwestern Virginia with the Piedmont of North Carolina. Although Lambsburg is a relatively small community today, its history reaches back to an era when local merchants, mill operators, and farmers depended upon wagon roads rather than railroads to move their goods between markets.
Making weekend plans? Check out these 27+ events in Winston-Salem this weekend (November 12-15), including the Big Book Sale, Copa Salem soccer festival, and Sol Paint Creative’s fall paint & sip!. Don’t forget to look at our live music guide — it’s updated weekly. Thursday, November...
Data centers have been front-and-center in both local and national debate, including just across the border in Virginia, where opposition to a proposed data center there has been widespread, including among some county officials. But a few county officials, along with residents, who generally opposed such centers may be changing their minds after several visited 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 a recent Board of Supervisors meeting in Carroll County, with the goal of making the emergency ordinance permanent. The Data Center Ordinance was formulated to place restrictions on data centers locating in the county and includes limits to water consumption, noise pollution and places strict decommissioning requirements on facilities after they close. Delilah Brady spoke 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
Appalachian Community Histories – Laurel Fork, Carroll County: From Bolttown to Schools, Post Offices, and Mountain Life. High in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Carroll County, Virginia, the community of Laurel Fork developed among winding creeks, steep farmland, and mountain roads that connected generations of families to the surrounding countryside. Although never a large town, Laurel Fork became a recognizable center of local life, with stores, churches, schools, and a post office serving residents who lived throughout the nearby mountains.
The High Country could see its first snowfall of the season this weekend. National Weather Service meteorologists said Ashe and Watauga counties could see some hazardous weather starting Friday morning, with gusty winds and snow showers in the forecast. Some areas could get as much as three inches of snow.
Appalachian Community Histories – Cana, Carroll County: Moravian Churches, Mountain Schools, and the Apple Industry. Along the southern edge of Carroll County, Virginia, where the Blue Ridge Mountains descend toward the North Carolina Piedmont, the community of Cana developed through generations of farming, religious activity, education, and commerce. Situated near the state line along the corridor now followed by U.S. Route 52, Cana became closely connected with nearby Mount Airy, North Carolina, while retaining the institutions and traditions of its mountain surroundings.
DiSanto said resources at urgent care and the emergency room are overwhelmed.
The district said its goal is to return to the regular school schedule Monday, Nov. 16.
Julia Howard has represented the people of her district since the 1980s, and she is heading back to Raleigh for at least two more years. The incumbent in District 77 […]
Davie County Schools has named Nathan Hennings an assistant principal at Davie County High School, effective Dec. 14. Hennings, with a master’s degree in educational leadership and a North Carolina […]
Alexander County Economic Development and The Taylorsville Times are partnering again this year to promote local businesses through the Thirteenth Annual Alexander County Readers’ Choice Awards. In the special section inside the Nov. 11, 2026 print issue, there is a complete listing of the many businesses that were voted...
Downtown Winston-Salem is gearing up for its second annual Holiday Market and Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 21, running from noon to 7 p.m. at 500 W. Fifth Street. The free event will feature more than 40 local artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities, and the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree at 6 p.m.
The Stony Point Volunteer Fire Department recently held its 19th Annual Cruise-In. The department’s parking lot was overflowing with an amazing showcase of cars and trucks. Local cruisers make this annual event such a success and this year included numerous new cruisers. This year’s theme was “Small Town BIG...
Winston-Salem leaders are exploring ways to modernize the city's public transportation system, and relocating the downtown bus station is on the table. The Clark Campbell Transportation Center was built on 5th Street in 1999 to serve as the hub of the city's bus system. But Winston-Salem Transportation Director Jeff Fansler says with more jobs now located outside of downtown, that model may no longer make sense.
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina driver Jimmy Pardue picked up his first LASTCAR Cup Series Championship in 1961, breaking George Parrish’s single-season last-place record in 1955 by scoring five last-place finishes in forty-four starts during a fifty-two-race season. Pardue edged second-place Curtis Crider, soon to become the 1963 LASTCAR Cup Champion, and defending LASTCAR Cup Champion Junior Johnson. Johnson’s three finishes upped his career total to 11, giving him the most last-place finishes in NASCAR Cup Series history.