LATEST NEWS
Local man charged in shooting death of 8-year-old
A Lowgap man has been charged with a misdemeanor in connection with the Feb. 23 shooting death of an 8-year-old child. According to Surry County Sheriff’s Office Major and Assistant Chief Deputy Scott Hudson, Timothy James Gertsch was served with a warrant charging him with storage of a firearm to protect a minor, which is a misdemeanor. The charge came after a month-long probe into the shooting death of the...
Man facing manslaughter charge in pedestrian death
A manslaughter charge has been filed against a driver involved in the death of an elderly pedestrian at Walmart last month, the Mount Airy Police Department announced Wednesday. Jerry Lee Speaks, 66, of 312 Greentown Road, is accused of involuntary manslaughter in the March 31 incident along with careless and reckless driving. Speaks is further charged with an unsafe movement violation and having no liability insurance stemming from the fatality...
Missing West Virginia woman found safe
A West Virginia woman who has been missing for more than three days, after last being seen in Pilot Mountain, has been found safe in a Virginia hotel, according to her daughter. Sarah Minney Wright, of Roane County, West Virginia, was reported missing by her daughter, Lexi Wright, of Havelock, on Sunday. At the time, she said her mother was traveling from West Virginia to Havelock, which is in the eastern portion of North Carolina, near Morehead City, and had stayed overnight at a hotel...
Slate ties for second at Northwest 1A Conference Tournament
ROARING GAP — North and South Stokes’ golf teams competed in the Northwest 1A Conference Tournament held at Roaring Gap Club on April 23. Mount Airy took the top spot with the Bears’ Brandon Bowman taking home the gold medal with a 72 on the 18 hole course. The Sauras’ Sawyer Slate, and Mount Airy’s Mason Varney and Shockley Hiatt finish tied for second with a 77. Bowman led from...
Future farmers' market opens, state park celebrates birthday
With warmer weather, flowers in bloom, pollen everywhere and the opening of the Future Farmers’ Market, spring has sprung in Stokes County. The market opened on April 20 and is located in the Visitors’ Center parking lot of Hanging Rock State Park. The local farmers’ market will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors sell a variety of items in addition to fresh produce, eggs and...
Sandy Ridge News — Prizes sought for community bingo fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Bingo Fundraiser for Dylan and Sandy King this past Saturday. It was much appreciated. Ryan Clark, NC Cattlemen’s Association President, was in Washington D.C. last week along with other volunteer leaders and staff. He attended the NCBA’s Legislative Conference. Thank you for all you do for our community.
Commissioners face tough choice on Big Creek bridge project
DANBURY — After listening to various viewpoints at a public hearing held Monday, Stokes County commissioners will decide between two options for a bridge replacement on N.C. Highway 268 where it crosses Big Creek at their next meeting on May 13. Several citizens and representatives from two environmental groups urged the commissioners to recommend the option involving a road closure and replacing the bridge in its existing location. The other...
Man arrested for breaking into church in Mount Airy, deputies say
SURRY COUNTY, N.C. — A man is arrested after damaging and robbing a Surry County Church Sunday, according to deputies. Deputies responded to Calvary Baptist Church on South Franklin Road about a breaking and entering in Mount Airy. Upon arrival, they found extensive damage within the facility. During the...
Man accused of assaulting grandmother
A Mount Airy man has been jailed without bond on a felony assault charge for allegedly causing a severe head injury to his 81-year-old grandmother, according to city police reports. The case involving Nicholas Richard Martin, 37, of 709 Factory St., stems from a weekend incident at that residence, where the victim, Dorothy V. Fairchild, also lives. She additionally is a cancer patient, a family member said. Martin, who is...
When red-hot isn't enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous level
WASHINGTON — Forget about red hot. A new color-coded heat warning system relies on magenta to alert Americans to the most dangerous conditions they may see this summer. The National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented a new online heat risk system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors with a seven-day forecast that’s simplified and color-coded for a warming world of worsening heat waves.
Lady Vikings break streak
DANBURY — North Stokes’ softball team broke a nine game losing streak against South Stokes on Tuesday, April 23 with a 5-3 Northwest 1A Conference victory. The Sauras’ got on the board first when Elle White scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning after Rebecca Amos lifted a fly ball to centerfield. North Stokes responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning....
Spring Folly delivers fun for all in Dobson
Over the weekend the Dobson Spring Folly was held at Dobson Square Park with rides, games, vendors, and food. Throughout early afternoon on Saturday, the sun darted in and out from behind the clouds before breaking through and staying put for some time. That allowed youngsters to ride the carnival rides to their heart’s, but at times not their stomach’s, content. R&D Amusements had rides set up and bounce houses for the kids while food and craft vendors wrapped around the perimeter for those who...
Charter / private school pitched for Francisco
FRANCISCO — If a local group is successful with plans to establish an independent elementary school in Stokes County, the Francisco Elementary School building could be utilized once again for its original purpose — a school. The idea for a charter or private school was presented Sunday at a community meeting at the Francisco Community Building. Mark Black, who owns the currently vacant Fransisco school property, had encouraged community members...
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Chester McMillian is holding a guitar lesson with students at a previous Surry Old-Time Music Camp. Students may choose a primary instrument and skill level to study for the week. There will be beginner through advanced levels of lessons for the banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Additional sessions will be offered in singing, bass, mandolin, banjo styles, and advanced jam. Surry Community College will offer the 5th Annual Surry Old-Time Music Camp July 8 through July 12, 2024, on SCC’s campus in Dobson. Go to surry.edu/music-camp to register.
Foothills Frogs wins the CSB Mayberry Nationals Basketball Tournament
On Saturday, April 20, the Foothills Frogs travel basketball team, a team composed primarily of Elkin High School basketball players, traveled to Mount Airy to participate in the Carolina Stars Basketball Mayberry Nationals “Ring Series” Tournament. The Frogs went undefeated to claim the tournament championship, earning the players a plaque and championship rings. Best friends and former AAU teammates, McKendal Renegar and Jd Lomax teamed together to coach the new team in an effort to increase the girls’ skills and to strengthen their team play...
Police academy nabs 21st class, 461 grads
Talk of defunding law enforcement has become prevalent across America in recent years — but no such words have been heard in Mount Airy, including from its latest Citizens Police Academy graduates. “It makes me cringe when I see anything on the news about defunding or underfunding police officers,” said Walter Lassiter, one of the 2024 Citizens Police Academy’s 19 graduates who were recognized last Thursday night. “We need to...
Rising asphalt costs rough on paving projects
Some of Mount Airy’s well-traveled roadways are in for a facelift, although the rising cost of asphalt is making the resurfacing projects involved a bumpier proposition. Those expenses are mirroring the increase in oil prices of recent years, since asphalt is made primarily from that commodity. This is the second year of that factor creating a sticky situation for city officials when it comes to their annual round of paving...
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