Marriages | Mt. Airy News |

The following marriage licenses were issued in Surry County:

– Douglas Austin Akers, 25, of Surry County to Mickie Alexandria Snow, 24, of Surry County.

– Devin Noah Wilson, 21, of Rockingham County to Maggie Laray Clifton, 21, of Patrick County, Virginia.

– Travis Leon Bowman, 30, of Stokes County to Casey Edith Nicholson, 27, of Stokes County.

– Marcus Leon Shelton, 66, of Surry County to Mary Louise Vernon, 60, of Surry County.

– Peter John Tierney, 80, of Iredell County to Gayle Patricia Steinbicker, 73, of Surry County.

– Ritchie Dale Puckett, 49, of Surry County to Shari Deena York, 32, of Surry County.

– Kelvin Soberal Ortiz, 26, of Surry County to Adrianna Cherie Stillwagon, 22, of Surry County.

– Michael John Kunnmann, 44, of Stokes County to Kathryn Mills Bowman, 37, of Surry County.

– Kyle Timothy Casstevens, 23, of Surry County to Cayla Renae Tate, 20, of Surry County.

– Jamie Carlyle Radford, 24, of Hamilton County, Tennessee to Makayla Alexis Martin, 24, of Hamilton County.

– Alexiz Michael Alvarez Garcia, 26, of Surry County to Erika Anali Ragoytia Reyes, 29, of Surry County.

– Timothy Michael Johnson, 26, of Surry County to Tara Lyn Dillow, 24, of Surry County.

– Wesley Roger Mounce, 24, of Surry County to Kimber Anne Farris, 34, of Iredell County.

– Mickey Aaron Dudley, 26, of Surry County to Andrea Elizabeth Thorpe, 37, of Surry County.

Shoals Elementary School second graders recently attended the second Annual Surry County Schools Ag Adventures Day at Veteran’s Park in Mount Airy.

The students got to experience hands-on activities and informational presentations on Surry County agricultural commodities. Some of the commodities included soy, honey, dairy, Christmas trees, cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and hogs.

The activities were led by a volunteer or member of each high school’s FFA.

An effort by two local non-profit agencies is aimed at raising awareness of the plight of those facing homelessness and hunger, while also raising money to help those in need.

The Shepherd’s House homeless shelter and Helping Hands Food Pantry will be sponsoring the Nov. 5 Light The Way walk as part of a nationwide effort in November to raise awareness of those suffering from both of those challenges

Jana Elliott, executive director for the Shepherd’s House, said those who want to participate in the walk can raise money from friends and family as part of their effort for that day. Some area individuals are even putting together walking and fund-raising teams, similar to what happens with Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer awareness walks.

“We’re encouraging local business owners to take part in a round-up campaign at their point of sale, with customers rounding up to the nearest dollar,” with the additional change going to the hunger effort.

“We’ll be trying to drive purchasers to those businesses through our social media,” she said of those retailers who can partner with her agency.

She also hopes those taking part in the walk will bring food items to donate to Helping Hands and the Shepherd’s House.

Elliot said she and board members at the agencies are hoping to use the walk and other events throughout November to not only raise money, but to drive home awareness of just how prevalent both issues are — something that has become even more apparent to her and the board since opening a larger shelter in Mount Airy earlier this year.

“The Shepherd’s House just came through this major capital campaign,” of the agency building a 64-bed facility. “Going from an 18-bed to a 64-bed facility has increased three times the…operating budget. The last six months in particular, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of families needing services…Foot traffic at Helping Hands has seen an increase.”

All of those challenges have occurred while donations have fallen over the past two years.

Even before the opening of the new facility, the Shepherd’s House had been busy. According to information supplied by the organization, it served 120 individuals in 2021, when it only had an 18-bed facility.

“Over a three-year period, our service potential is over 1,114 individuals,” the information showed.

Helping Hands, its sister agency focused on food security, said it had distributed 150,680 pounds of food in 2021, along with giving $11,650.92 worth of medication assistance.

The primary service area of the two agencies — Mount Airy, along with Surry, Stokes and Yadkin counties — shows a significant percentage of its population living in poverty. Citing U.S. Census Bureau statistics, Helping Hands showed that 26.2% of Mount Airy’s population is living in poverty. That figure is 16% in Surry County, 13.9% in Yadkin County, and 13% in Stokes.

It is those people, Elliot said, that the agencies need to serve, with the accompanying need to let the rest of those communities know just how widespread the problems can be.

Thus, the Nov. 5 walk and other activities next month.

Among those efforts will be asking local folks to specifically shop with merchants displaying purple and orange ribbons, signifying they are raising money for the two agencies.

The walk will be Nov. 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in front of Traxx Inc., at 367 South Andy Griffith Parkway in Mount Airy. Those wishing to participate, or wishing to start a team to participate, can visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/light-the-way-homelessness-and-hunger-awareness-walk-tickets-359884764017 or visit the Shepherd’s House Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ShepherdsHouseMountAiry

A resolution is being sought by residents of Surry County from the county board of commissioners in which they are asking the county to take a stand against abortion in defense of unborn babies.

Residents petitioned the board at its last meeting to present and pass a resolution that would proclaim Surry County as a sanctuary county for unborn children.

A fear among some conservatives is that patients from other states may cross the border into North Carolina to seek the medical procedure which is no longer legal where they live thereby subverting the laws of their own state.

Vice Chairman Eddie Harris acknowledged that a resolution of this sort originating with the county commissioners would be a non-binding statement from the board. He said the voters have a right to know how their elected representative feels about this issue even though, “It (the resolution) has no weight behind it, it would send a strong message.”

After the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in June that overturned Roe v. Wade, some states began to limit the scope of who could get an abortion and when.

Several residents spoke in favor of the county declaring itself a sanctuary for unborn children and said the majority of county residents feel similarly.

“I was born in Surry County,” Jason Johnson said rising to speak in favor of passing a resolution “to protect children. I am glad to have had the opportunity to be born. I’m glad we weren’t aborted, I’m glad we weren’t murdered.”

James Owenby of Mount Airy said he was in support of the resolution, and quoted perhaps the most revered modern conservative icon, President Ronald Reagan, who once famously offered, “I’ve noticed that everyone for abortion has already been born.”

Mitch Callaway said of protecting unborn babies, “It’s the right thing to do and the Christian thing to do.”

Sunshine Gillam works with families at Lifeline Pregnancy Center in Elkin and also supports the potential resolution. She said, “We have seen the ravages of abortion and we are seeing increases in women who are abortion minded and determined because states around us have abolished or have heartbeat laws. So, we are seeing more clients come across state lines.”

Confusion over the changing laws has led to confusion among the public and at time the medical establishment as well. Many health care professionals have acknowledged the dichotomy of “first do no harm” versus state restrictions on medical treatment. “Legislators have no business involving themselves in personal medical decisions, and their doing so only leads to harms, for both patients and providers,” Dr. Jenna Backham of Wake County said.

“In North Carolina, it is a felony to willfully perform an abortion after 20 weeks if it does not meet the criteria of a ‘medical emergency.’ Threats like this force doctors like myself to have to consider waiting to intervene until it is somehow more apparent that a situation is truly life threatening… rather than ensuring all patients get the compassionate care they need.”

Since the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade this summer, some of the laws regulating state residents’ access to the procedure have been in flux.

North Carolina requires women to wait 72-hours between counseling and the procedure. The state also has a 20-week ban on abortions and places restrictions on the use of Affordable Care Act plans or Medicaid for funding of abortions.

U.S. District Judge William Osteen Jr. reinstated that 20-week abortion ban after it had been blocked for three years by an injunction which he issued in 2019.

Gov. Roy Cooper said at the time of Osteen’s ruling, “The problem with this ruling is that it will criminalize important health care that’s needed in certain extraordinary circumstances. Abortion past 20 weeks in pregnancy is exceptionally rare… Denying women necessary medical care in extreme and threatening situations, even if rare, is fundamentally wrong.”

South Carolina and Georgia still allow abortions but have sought to make access more difficult by banning the procedure after six weeks, restricting use of ACA or Medicaid for funding, and mandating a 24-hour waiting period between counseling and the procedure.

While they share the six-week restriction with Georgia, South Carolina’s is on hold and a twenty-week ban currently stands in its place while court cases move through the system. Republican legislators in Columbia are seeking a near total ban on abortion in that state.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia abortions remain legal with some restrictions on the use of Medicaid funding for abortions and on parental involvement.

Tennessee was one of the states which had new “trigger” laws that went into effect as soon as the Dobbs decision was rendered. Tennessee has now restricted abortion for any reason. It is from states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia that there is concern women may seek to cross state lines to seek an abortion.

Officials in some states would like to go even farther and make the action of cross a state line for an abortion a crime as well. Opponents to such restrictions offer that neither the state nor federal government should have any right to impede on the choice of the mother.

Supporters of the resolution counter that the unborn child has no say in the matter whatsoever, and that they are advocating for the helpless who cannot advocate for themselves.

Declaring Surry County as a sanctuary county for unborn babies, supporters say, would send a message that while North Carolina has not continued pursuit of further abortion restrictions, the county is opposed to abortion.

After hearing so many residents speak in favor of the resolution, Commissioner Larry Johnson said he would need to read the full text before he could state whether he could support the action. Vice Chairman Harris and Commissioner Van Tucker agreed they needed to see the wording first but both signaled their likely support for the resolution should it reach the board for a vote.

At White Plains Elementary School, Casey Hiatt’s fourth graders decided to make a few of their history lessons come to life by making their own living wax museum.

Fourth graders social studies curriculum in ths state focuses on North Carolina history. These students researched famous North Carolinians and presented their information to other students and family members at the museum.

The non-profit group Mount Airy Downtown (MAD) Inc. will continue to manage a special tax district in place for the central business district through a unanimous vote by the city commissioners.

They took that action during a meeting last Thursday night, when a large crowd of MAD supporters was on hand to witness what they hoped would be a continuing relationship between it and the city government — which indeed transpired.

About 10 people spoke in favor of that during a public hearing preceding the vote regarding Mount Airy’s Municipal Service District (MSD).

The Municipal Service District is made up of properties in the downtown area on which a special tax is levied in addition to regular city property taxes. The extra tax is now being assessed at the rate of 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, while the property tax rate is 60 cents per $100.

Those extra revenues are collected in order to support improvements in the MSD which are beneficial to all its taxpayers, such as public parking and other facilities.

Mount Airy’s budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, which began on July 1, calls for MSD appropriations of $115,250. That district has been in place since the 1970s.

State law allows a city to contract with private agencies to provide services within such districts, including management and administration of the special tax and specifying how proceeds from it are to be used.

Mount Airy Downtown Inc. has filled that role in recent years, and with its present contract with the city up for renewal, made a bid to continue doing so for the next five years — while facing no competition.

“Just one proposal was received,” City Manager Stan Farmer said of solicitation efforts.

A resolution approved Thursday night by the commissioners to again tap Mount Airy Downtown for the MSD services through the execution of a contract states that the agreement will expire on Jan. 30, 2027.

Despite no other entity coming forward to vie for the MSD pact, the content of Thursday night’s meeting made it seem as if that were the case.

The issue involving Mount Airy Downtown dominated the meeting, which included a lengthy PowerPoint presentation by Main Street Coordinator Lizzie Morrison of that organization detailing its accomplishments in the district since 2013.

During that period, 96 facade improvements have occurred along with 37 building rehabilitations being completed, 26 public improvement projects, 43 businesses created and 17 business expansions.

Downtown Mount Airy now has an occupancy rate of 96 percent — with only five commercial vacancies not including the former Spencer’s textile mill complex.

In addition, there have been 90 new housing units, $33.6 million in private investment tracked and 55 percent growth in taxable building and property value of the Municipal Service District (from $33.7 million to $55.3 million).

Morrison further noted various art-related projects being added with MAD support, including Canteen Alley where an old Coca-Cola mural was restored, Melva’s Alley, the Whittling Wall and two other murals honoring The Easter Brothers and Andy Griffith.

A special arts and entertainment district also was created on Market Street, which emerged during the pandemic when businesses were struggling.

More recently, new restrooms were added in the 400 block of North Main Street, among other improvements under MAD’s watch.

Various speakers praised the growth of the downtown section in recent years during the public hearing. This included multiple individuals saying they believe developments such as new nighttime entertainment offerings there are prompting more young people to live in Mount Airy rather than migrating to other places.

Another person commenting was Randy Collins, president and CEO of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, who has 35 years of experience in chamber work here and elsewhere.

Collins indicated that one only needs to compare downtown Mount Airy with its counterparts in other places to gauge the scene locally — one that is thriving.

“I have been in communities where the downtown is dying,” he said.

I attended the (Mount Airy) town council meeting on Thursday night. I have to say the council was much kinder to those of us who once again spoke up against certain aspects of the Main Street plan.

I again explained that my only concern was the look of Main Street. I quoted directly from the plan concerning the flex space design concept, which uses movable bollards allowing parallel parking and outdoor dining. I argued that this plan had been adopted by larger cities like Asheville, Seattle, West Palm Beach, New York City and downtown Brooklyn. I pointed out that this design would completely change the look of Main Street. I don’t want us to look like these cities mentioned in the plan. I’m afriad that we would lose our uniqueness and our charm.

I also quoted from the plan that suggests our Main Street becoming like Market Street. The plan states, “Market Street Arts and Entertainment District has been a success. However additional opportunities are needed for outdoor dining especially on Main Street.”

It goes on to say that businesses need to stay open longer hours on weekdays and weekends. It then suggests “that this would support outdoor dining and entertainment.” Isn’t it obvious, this would completely change Main Street and turn it into another Market Street? These are the reasons I oppose this plan. I also am not crazy about trees placed randomly on Main Street. It’s in the plan.

Yes, I do believe we need to work on the infrastructure that is wearing out. This includes water, sewer, and electrical. Clean up the side walks and reinforce the buildings that are aging. Other than that?

Preserve the small town charm that it has now and do not agree to a plan that adopts a cookie-cutter look for our beautiful Main Street.

A thousand names on a petition from over 350 different cities in the U.S (as well as Canada and Mexico,) agree with me. These people that visited Mount Airy loved the look of our town and couldn’t understand why we would want to change it.

I am happy to say that the council is at least listening to us. Just maybe a step in the right direction? We can only hope.

When my my husband and I visited this area a decade ago, we fell in love with the charm and the people who live in Mount Airy. I refer Mount Airy as an East Coast “Mini-Branson.” It is a familiar experience with lots of fun surprises that we look forward to everyday when we visit. Public relations and the visitor’s center in Mount Airy are awesome.

We invested in a house here and even though we visit from California a few times a year, we always leave a piece of our hearts here. This is our experience. My husband is the chair of the Historic Preservation Commission and I am on the Public Arts Commission in Escondido, California.

Over the 40 years we have lived on the West Coast we have seen what can happen in a negative way when outside firms tell shop owners what is best for their cities.

While there might be a few good points to the Vision like under grounding utilities and replacing water pipes, altering the width of travel for downtown should not even be considered.

Ted Budd is once again spreading disinformation in his campaign ads as he did previously in the Republican primary.

For example, he misleads everyone about the tax provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act which will not affect any family making less than $400,000 a year, will crack down on the most profitable corporations who currently pay little to no federal income tax, and go after tax dodgers and cheats to ensure that the wealthy and major corporations pay the taxes they owe.

No, Ted, most families will not see their taxes raised and the IRS will not audit and harass them as you claim.

The voters and the press should demand that Republicans running for office tell us all how they would handle challenges such as climate change, gun violence in our communities, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. And they should make sure they don’t trot out their discredited “good guys with guns,” “trickle-down,” economics and tax breaks for the wealthy as their vision for America.

Americans deserve a better answer than that.

MILLERS CREEK — East Surry claimed at least a share of the Foothills 2A Conference Championship by defeating West Wilkes 54-7 on Oct. 21.

The Cardinals, now 9-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play, piled on 35 first-quarter points to put the game away early. East Surry scored in all three phases to put up their sixth game of the season scoring at least 50 points.

A week 11 victory over Surry Central (2-7, 1-4 FH2A) will give the Cardinals the FH2A title outright. This would be East Surry’s fourth consecutive outright conference title, as the Cards won the Northwest 1A Conference Championship in 2019 and 2020-21, and the FH2A Championship in 2021.

Wilkes Central (6-3, 4-1 FH2A) is the only other team still in contention for the FH2A Title. The Eagles need a win in their week 11 game against Forbush (3-6, 3-2 FH2A) AND an East Surry loss to share the title.

East Surry’s road win over West Wilkes marked the school’s 23rd consecutive regular season win. It was also the Cardinals’ third consecutive game scoring at least 40 points in the first half.

The Cards got on the board less than a minute into the game with a Matthew Keener touchdown reception thrown by Folger Boaz. Keener went on to lead East with six receptions for 115 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the third Cardinal to ever grab four receiving touchdowns in one game (Landon Stevens 2019, Stephen Gosnell 2019).

East’s Brett Clayton then forced a fumble that was recovered by Lindann Fleming, which set up Kyle Zinn for a touchdown run. Boaz found Keener again to make it 20-0, then a Boaz touchdown run and another Keener touchdown made it 34-0 before the end of the first quarter.

Keener caught his fourth touchdown pass right before halftime. Clayton and Colby Johnson went on to score rushing touchdowns in the second half.

Boaz finished 15-of-20 passing (75%) for 236 yards and four touchdowns. Behind Keener’s 115 yards, Johnson added 55 on three catches, Stephen Brantley had three receptions for 49 yards, Luke Brown had two receptions for 12 yards and Zinn had one 5-yard reception.

Seven different Cardinals rushed in the game to accumulate 91 yards: Clayton, Zinn, Johnson, Boaz, Hayden Sammons, Matthew Edwards and Luke Bruner.

Defensively, East Surry had 16 tackles for a loss. Clayton led the way with five, followed by Anderson Badgett with four, Isaac Vaden with two, and Edwards, Zinn, Hatcher Hamm, Daniel Villasenor and Joshua Parker with one each. Clayton and Badgett each had two sacks.

Clayton, Hamm and Vaden each finished with double-digit tackles.

ELKIN — Mount Airy came back from its bye week well-rested and ready to repeat as conference champions.

The Granite Bears secured at least a share of the Northwest 1A Conference with its most one-sided victory of the 2022 season. Mount Airy traveled to Elkin on Oct. 21 and won 66-0, improving to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the NW1A Conference.

Mount Airy returns home for the first time in nearly a month on Oct. 28 to host Senior Night against Alleghany (3-6, 2-3 NW1A). A win over Alleghany will grant the Bears the NW1A Championship outright for the second consecutive season, while they will share the title with either Starmount or East Wilkes with a loss.

Starmount and East Wilkes both sit in second place in the conference with 4-1 records. One will be eliminated from the conference title race regardless of Mount Airy’s Week 11 results as the Rams and Cardinals play one another. Both Starmount and East Wilkes’ only conference loss came against Mount Airy.

The Granite Bears have scored 60 points or more three times this season. The first was a 62-7 home win over East Wilkes, the second was a 62-0 road win over North Stokes and the third came at Elkin on Friday.

Mount Airy scored 42 of its 66 points in the opening quarter and led 56-0 at halftime. The Bears forced five Buckin’ Elk turnovers in the first half: Cam’Ron Webster and Caleb Reid each recovered two fumbles, and Walker Stroup ran an interception 34 yards to the end zone.

Mount Airy’s dominant ground game had another strong performance against the Elks. Junior Tyler Mason extended his lead of total touchdowns in the 1A division with four more rushing TDs. Mason scored on all four of his carries, going for 71 yards in the process.

Nas Lemon also posted 71 yards rushing for Mount Airy, doing so on seven carries. Lemon also had a rushing score for the Bears.

D.J. Joyce added two carries for 47 yards, followed by Caleb Reid with three carries for 24 yards and two touchdowns, Mario Revels with one carry for 17 yards and a touchdown, Ian Gallimore with one carry for 11 yards and Landon Gallimore with three carries for -8 yards and a fumble.

Ian Gallimore finished 3-of-4 passing (75%) for 57 yards and an interception. Stroup had two catches for 47 yards, and Blake Hawks had one 10-yard reception.

Stroup also finished 8-for-8 on PATs and scored a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter.

• A man encountered during a civil disturbance call in Mount Airy during the weekend ended up being jailed without privilege of bond when it was discovered that he was wanted on various auto larceny and other charges in multiple counties, according to city police reports.

Charles Michael Swift, 54, of 1316 Grove Lane, came into contact with police Saturday night at his residence. A brief investigation revealed Swift to be the subject of unserved warrants which totaled 10 charges altogether, arrest records show.

This includes five felonies filed in Rockingham County in September and August of this year: larceny of a motor vehicle and four counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle. An order for arrest for failing to appear in court in Surry County also had been issued for Smith on Sept. 23 and he further is facing a charge of injury to personal property and three counts of misdemeanor larceny, for which no jurisdiction was listed.

Swift is scheduled to appear in a Rockingham County court on Nov. 28.

• An earlier civil disturbance call last Wednesday led to the arrest of Jonas Garcia, 26, of 109 Mobile Way “C” on a felony probation violation, charges of assault on a female and two counts of assault on a child under 12 and an order for arrest for failing to appear in court.

Garcia was encountered by officers at the home of his mother on Worth Street.

The probation violation had been been filed on Aug. 17 and the assault charges on June 30. Jenita Renee Hughes of Austin Drive is listed as a complainant. No date was given for the arrest order regarding the missed court appearance.

Garcia was confined in the Surry County Jail under a $21,000 secured bond and is scheduled to be in District Court on Nov. 1.

• Police learned on Oct. 9 of a break-in that occurred at a residence on Virginia Street in September which netted the theft of property valued at nearly $5,000.

Stolen were a 9mm Beretta Model 92 handgun, black in color with brown grips, and a Zeno black and silver watch. The items were valued at $4,798 altogether.

The victims of the crime were identified as Kenneth Andrew Pippin and Corrie Alexis Mayhew, both of Hillsville, Virginia.

• The Andy Griffith Parkway Inn on U.S. 52-South was the scene of an assault on Sept. 29, when Lindsay Duncan Buentello of Lexington told police that a known individual struck her in the face with his hand. The case was still under investigation at last report.

The eight candidates seeking four seats in Mount Airy’s municipal election are divided in their opinions on a downtown master plan update — basically reflecting the split accompanying its 3-2 approval last month by the city commissioners.

While four of the candidates polled are on record as opposing the plan, two have openly embraced it while a pair of others seem to be taking a middle-ground approach.

The timing of the plan’s passage in September has made it a political issue as the campaign winds to its conclusion with the Nov. 8 general election. It includes two candidates each vying for three city commissioner seats and that of mayor.

Along with the office seekers, the new downtown master plan — an update of one from 2004 — has drawn its share of supporters and detractors among the community at large. The 78-page document was prepared by Benchmark, a firm that has handled city planning functions since 2011, contracted as a separate project apart from its normal responsibilities.

The main bone of contention surrounds recommendations to provide “flex spaces” for outdoor dining and other uses by reconfiguring North Main Street, which runs through the downtown, and sidewalks. The plan also calls for tree plantings, burying utility lines and further cosmetic changes.

Critics fear all this could destroy the traditional charm and appeal of the central business district and give it the “cookie-cutter” look of some bigger cities.

Deborah Cochran, a former commissioner and mayor now vying for the at-large seat on the council, is one of those wary of possible repercussions.

“I grew up here and do not support making changes to Main Street,” Cochran commented.

“Our downtown has a positive effect on locals and tourists whether it be walking, shopping, eating at restaurants, getting a haircut, going to a movie show or the museum, watching parades or simply looking at the design of downtown.”

Cochran says what’s happening now reminds her of an “Andy Griffith Show” episode titled “Mayberry Goes Hollywood,” which involves citizens wanting to alter the town’s look in order to put on airs for a production. Yet its existing character was what the Hollywood crew desired.

However, Cochran’s opponent for the at-large seat, present South Ward Commissioner Steve Yokeley, believes there’s nothing to fear from the plan that was devised through the conducting of community workshops in a nine-month process.

“This plan is not a set of blueprints with a schedule to tear up the street tomorrow, next week or even in the next couple of years,” Yokeley responded regarding that concern. He says this is based on his research and participation in the update effort from the start.

“Some people will have you believe these things to incite fear in hopes of personal political gain.”

Yokeley made specific reference to a comment during the Sept. 1 commissioners’ meeting when a public hearing was held on the plan before the 3-2 vote.

“I heard it said by someone (then) that they wouldn’t be surprised if tearing up Main Street started the next day,” he recalled.

“That was a very misinformed statement,” Yokeley added. “The plan is simply a guiding document — there are many checks and balances always in place before any changes can happen.”

Future boards of commissioners will have the authority to make adjustments to the streetscape design once the planning process for each section of the document is implemented, according to Yokeley, “including when engineered construction documents are proposed.”

“When determining what parts of the plan are implemented, it is crucial to gain input from all the stakeholders,” North Ward commissioner candidate Chad Hutchens also stated along those lines.

“It is also vital that downtown businesses are communicated with transparently so all parties understand timelines and expectations and have information available to make decisions regarding their businesses.”

If he is victorious, South Ward commissioner candidate Phil Thacker pledges that no changes will occur willy-nilly.

“I love this town and I want to make all decisions after careful consideration,” Thacker remarked. “I will keep an open mind and listen to all of our citizens before making any decisions concerning the Mount Airy downtown plan” if elected.

Mayor Ron Niland has a similar view:

“Some parts of the plan would need to be viewed again as to what works and what might not — it is not an all-or-none situation,” Niland stressed.

“We have been making improvements constantly over the years and they have proved beneficial,” he continued. “Funding and implementation (of plan elements) will come at some future date — when that happens we will revisit what is possible and find ways to minimize the impact on businesses.”

The mayor added, “I have stated that I support the process and goal of a better experience for visitors and residents alike.”

John Pritchard, who is running for a North Ward seat on the city board which Commissioner Jon Cawley is vacating to run for mayor, shares the view of many downtown stakeholders — basically, why mess with success?

“We already have a far better Main Street image and ‘brand’ than most any similar town in the whole country,” Pritchard observed. “It’s our own golden goose — unique, original and internationally known.”

Pritchard mentioned that this viewpoint is backed up by ever-increasing tourism figures for the downtown area.

“Let’s keep it in top shape, but certainly not exchange it for the same cookie-cutter ideas being pushed on many other towns,” the North Ward candidate noted. “That would be like the disaster of ‘New Coke’ many years ago, and they still haven’t fully recovered from that.”

In not supporting the plan, Pritchard asserted that the vast majority of the community has demonstrated the same opinion, including at the public hearing in September.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Hutchens, has a hopeful-yet-cautious view of the plan.

“I attended the workshops, read the plan and I am interested in growing our downtown while maintaining our small-town charm,” is his view, which also acknowledges the fallout from its passage.

“There are valid concerns with the plan,” Hutchens agreed.

“Businesses want to ensure their customers are not negatively impacted, and taxpayers want to know how the plan will be funded. I agree with those concerns and believe they can be remedied with exemplary leadership.”

“Suggestions” seen as alternative

“The Downtown Master Plan would be more accurately defined as Suggested Projects for Downtown,” in the words of Commissioner/mayoral candidate Cawley.

“The suggestions came after a group of invested citizens met over a period of nine months under Benchmark’s guidance,” he mentioned.

“I believe the desired goal for those meetings was to make our downtown better. Many of the suggestions could eventually accomplish that goal.”

Cawley voted against the plan on Sept. 1 along with Commissioner Tom Koch.

Aside from merits or shortcomings of the measure itself, Gene Clark — who is running against Thacker for the South Ward commissioner seat — has issues with how it evolved and the potential costs of recommendations included.

“I do not agree with the plan for several reasons,” Clark commented. “I think it is a conflict of interest to ask a company we currently contract with (Benchmark) to give us an unbiased assessment of our city planning, knowing they have a vested interest in the plan.”

A secondary concern to Clark involves its financial implications.

“I think the plan does not take into account the upfront cost as well as any ongoing costs. How do you approve a plan without knowing what the cost is?” he asked.

“Third, what is the return on our investment? I know we will never get 100% back. but there needs to be some justification for spending millions of dollars — how does it increase revenues for the city?”

Cawley also referred to the expense aspect: “A plan usually includes a timeline, associated costs and anticipated funding for completion.”

Clark additionally criticized the fact that the vote on the measure occurred during the same meeting as the public hearing when many citizens spoke against its passage.

“It appears the public hearing is a farce and that the decision (was) already made.”

Clark was one of those speaking during that session, saying he believed more information was needed before formalizing the plan.

But Thacker, his opponent, is comfortable with how it originated, citing the opportunity early on for citizens to have input at a series of workshops.

“There seemed to be a good turnout and plenty of discussion concerning the plan,” recalled Thacker, one of those there. “While attending these meetings there was a small amount of negative discussion for the plan, so I have been under the assumption that we all or most wanted to improve downtown with this plan.”

Now that a group of citizens is unhappy with the decision by the majority of the commissioners, Thacker says he needs additional information to better understand where everyone is coming from on the issue.

“We have a group that wants to keep Mount Airy the same and a group that attended those meetings that were working towards making a change.”

Cawley thinks the ongoing conflict could have been avoided.

“Our present problem is not so much the proposed ideas, but instead the response to those ideas,” he suggested.

“Those for and against the ideas have felt the need to ‘dig in’ to protect their interests. Our community has been divided and the quarreling has been sad to watch.”

Cawley lays this at the feet of his opponent, Mayor Niland.

“If I had been the mayor, I would have publicly corrected the misinformation that was being spread and avoided the unnecessary vote by the commissioners after the public hearing,” he explained.

“The mayor should have also given assurances to those afraid of losing their livelihoods, due to construction-caused business interruption, that such would not be the case, Cawley says.

“Our mayor’s silence has only exasperated the issue.”

The Surry County Board of County Commissioners in September signed off on a plan to fund renovations that would help the Yadkin Valley Economic Development District (YVEDDI) relocate its services.

The board learned this month that plan is off, at least for now, because public money can’t be used if it is renovating and improving a for-profit enterprise — in this case, the owner of the building wehre YVEDDI officials hoped to relocated.

Last week the public was advised that such funding of county money into a renovation project of a privately owned building would not be permitted when Commissioner Larry Johnson asked without preamble at the end of the meeting, “Why can’t county funds be used to support YVEDDI?”

Proposed had been moving YVEDDI services from the L.H. Jones Family Resource Center to the 16,000 square foot Ottenweller Company Inc. building off Technology Lane in Mount Airy that was the former home of Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care.

The board approved $400,000 to fund the necessary renovations that would have converted the existing space into smaller interior offices and classrooms. Ottenweller Company officials also offered to cover the costs of some of the work and had offered the county a favorable lease rate as a means by which the county could recoup funding the renovations to the building.

County Manager Chris Knopf answered that there was simply no way around it, using public dollars to fund private renovation work would not be permitted. He said that did not mean the county was unwilling to help YVEDDI and offered that the county would investigate ways to aid the nonprofit organization in hastening a move from the aging resource center to a new location.

YVEDDI Director Kathy Payne said Commissioner Larry Johnson notified her of the funding hurdles but that the county would still look for a way to help.

For their part Ottenweller officials made it clear that they are committed to the project and the goals of YVEDDI. “I think it is important that the residents of Mount Airy and Surry County are aware of the ongoing commitment the Ottenweller family has made to the area,” Gary Ottenweller said.

“From our perspective, this isn’t just another real estate lease transaction. It is an investment in assisting YVEDDI in making the local community stronger and more stable. We strongly believe that our business can only be successful when the community at large is growing and thriving. That is why we are so excited to be partnering with YVEDDI in making this move a reality,” he said.

The Ottenweller Company has offered a reduction by one third of the fair market rent value offered to YVEDDI to relocate. They have offered YVEDDI a structured lease of ten years with another five-year renewal built in, “So that YVEDDI can be confident that they will have the needed space and infrastructure to execute their critical mission of community support and development.”

Payne said that YVEDDI has looked for other spaces that would fit the bill, but that the Ottenweller space remains their goal.

– Christmas will come early for many Surry County nonprofits as Knopf advised the commissioners that due to regulatory and reporting changes that the county will release the remaining Invest in Surry funds earmarked for local nonprofits now – rather than next year.

The board approved “to release the final payment of the nonprofit awards now instead of waiting until Feb. 23. This change will facilitate better flow for the nonprofits to start projects that will require payment at completion, which in some cases is scheduled to occur before Feb. 23.”

– The board approved Vickie Ramey to replace Angie Casstevens on the Skull Camp Fire Relief Fund Board

– Corey George has resigned from the County Planning and Zoning Board. Knopf advised the commissioners to hold off on naming a replacement to that board as there is discussion on reducing the number of seats on the county planning and zoning board.

– County Manager Chris Knopf noted that an additional 18 county vehicles have been placed on the surplus property list. Many of the vehicles ended their tour of duty with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and include several Dodge Chargers and Chevy Impalas as well as three Ford F-150s. One vehicle is being repurposed for a new life at the Mount Airy/Surry County Airport while the rest will be listed for auction by Rogers Realty of Mount Airy.

– Surry County Emergency Management Director Eric Southern joined the commissioners to inform that county EMS have been participating in a study on automated external defibrillators (AED), public CPR interventions, and early detections of cardiac arrest in conjunction with Duke University.

According to the study there are more than 400,000 heart attacks that happen annually outside of hospitals. Outside hospital cardiac arrests have a survival rate of less than 10%.

Surry County is aiding in the study seeking to help strengthen cardiac arrest survival by identifying early recognition of a cardiac emergency, delivery of care, and defibrillation access. Studies have shown that there is a 10% decrease in survival for every minute of delay to defibrillation, so “saving even one or two minutes could save many lives” researchers say.

Christopher Granger, MD, director of the Cardiac Care Unit at Duke University Medical Center said the goal of the study is to assess “community interventions to improved survival from OHCA. If we’re successful, this will provide compelling evidence to guide how care is provided around the country to improve survival from cardiac arrest.”

Across the state 62 counties are participating in the ongoing study to gauge how community interventions such as CPR, AED, 911 dispatch response, and first responder treatment for heart attacks happening outside of controlled medical settings can impact survivability.

Researchers say, “The goal is to have more patients… treated by bystander CPR and early defibrillation,” to improve against that low percentage survival rate of such cardiac arrests.

It was fitting that Southern would explain the county’s involvement in the study prior to joining with the commissioners to recognize Surry County EMS LifeSavers.

Being recognized for five lives saved were Dylan Moats, Cecelia Thoppil, Haley Gates, Dusty Jackson, and John Matthews. Recognized for ten saved lives were Scott Gambill, Chris Draughn, and Luke Stevens.

Kevin Hodges was commended by the commissioners for his hard work and dedication in service to the citizens of Surry County and for having had saved 25 lives.

With his voice cracking with emotion, Commissioner Mark Marion offered thanks to the county EMS staff saying that when county residents dial 911, they can feel confident that they are “getting the best of the best.”

“Our paramedics, like our firefighters and law enforcement, are put in very dangerous situations at certain times and don’t think twice before rushing in to save lives,” he said. “We can’t say thank you enough.”

Ninety one runners and walkers braved the early morning Patrick County, Virginia, chill on Saturday morning, lining up for the Apple Dumpling Festival 5K presented by the Patrick County Chamber and Dan River Basin Association.

The race is a fundraiser for the association, to continue trail development in Patrick County, according to event organizers. Among the work being done includes the addition of mapping and trail markers for the I.C. Dehart bike and hiking trails in Woolwine, Virginia

. Complete results are available at www.runroanoke.com. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Racers gather to sprint — or jog, or even walk — along Mayo River Rail Trail.

Completing “the flattest 5K in Patrick County” in first place was Eli Roberson in a time of 17:06, with second place Noah Hiatt coming in with a time of 18:59 and Hunter Martin claiming third in 19:36.

For the females, first place was Ellianna Montgomery in 25:45, second was Eden Nickelston 25:46 and third was Kinsleigh Harris in 29:26. Overall masters male was Landon Nowlin in 19:58 and overall female was Roshne Davidson in 30:26. Participant ages ranged from under 10 to older than 70.

“A special thank you goes to the Stuart Elementary Run Club participants who trained for six weeks before the race,” chamber organizers said. “And thank you to Lindsay Alley for organizing the club. This event would not be possible without the assistance of our sponsors: Adcock Veterinary Orthopedic Solutions, PC Chamber of Commerce, Jones & DeShon Orthodontics, Clark Gasand Oil, The Landmark Center, Blue Ridge Therapy Connection, Patrick County Eye Associates, Clark Brothers Construction, Patrick Med Spa, Blue Ridge Accounting & Tax, Liz Wariner and John Hopkins and Lynn Regan.

SALISBURY — East Surry seniors Tara Martin and Evelyn Ruedisueli won the 2A Midwest Regional Doubles Championship over the weekend.

The Lady Cardinal duo avenged their loss in the 2021 regional tournament by defeating a team from Salisbury. Salisbury’s top duo from last season was one of only two teams to defeat Martin/Ruedisueli their junior year.

This time around, Martin/Ruedisueli upset the top-seeded pair of Salisbury’s Cora Wymbs/Millie Wymbs 1-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the championship match.

The two Cardinals will compete in their third state tournament as a doubles team. The pair were 1A State Runners Up in 2020-21, and reached the 2A State Semifinals in 2021-22.

Martin also reached the 1A Doubles State Semifinals as a freshman with partner Sarah Mann (Class of 2020).

Both Martin/Ruedisueli and Wymbs/Wymbs were undefeated heading into Saturday’s championship match. The Wymbs’, champions of the Central Carolina Conference, were 18-0 coming into the tournament, while Foothills Champions Martin/Ruedisueli were 15-0 as a team.

The Wymbs’ earned a first-round bye before defeating No. 9 Emma Pollard/Addison Griffin (8-1) of West Stanly 6-1, 6-1. Wymbs/Wymbs then beat the No. 4-seeded pair of Forbush’s Caroline Myers/Salem Parker (10-3) 6-0, 6-1.

Martin/Ruedisueli were the tournament’s No. 2 seed. The Cardinal duo defeated West Stokes’ No. 15-seeded team of Sadie Hartle/Gordon Grabs, who were 6-6 on the season as a team, 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round. Martin/Ruedisueli then defeated the No. 10-seeded team of West Stanly’s Reagan Talley/Sue Pollard (11-1) by a score of 6-1, 6-1.

Just like the 2021 season, Martin/Ruedisueli had to take on Salisbury’s second-best doubles team in the semifinals. The pair were still an intimidating foe as none of Salisbury’s top six players dropped a single match in either singles or doubles the entire regular season.

The No. 3-seeded duo of Salisbury’s Lucy Barr/Abbey Lawson entered the tournament 17-1, with their only loss coming against their own teammates in the conference championship.

Martin/Ruedisueli advanced to the championship match with a 6-1, 6-1 win, then went on to upset the top seeds in three sets. Both teams, as well as Salisbury’s Barr/Lawson and Forbush’s Myers/Parker, will all compete in the 2A Doubles State Tournament on Oct. 28-29 at Ting Park in Holly Springs.

Surry County had two doubles teams and two singles competitors reach the 2A Midwest Regional Championship.

In doubles, Surry Central junior Karlie Robertson and sophomore McKenna Merritt teamed together to get the No. 11 seed. Robertson/Merritt (7-6) were defeated by Mount Pleasant’s Reagan Hylton/Hailie Durham (14-5) 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round.

East Surry’s Sophie Hutchens and North Surry’s Whitley Hege competed in the singles championship.

Hege (13-5) was the No. 14 seed and was defeated by the No. 3 seed, Mount Pleasant’s Ryley Gray, 6-6 (7-5), 6-1.

Hutchens (13-2) was the No. 4 seed and was defeated by the No. 13 seed, Reidsville’s Mariana Faint, by a score of 6-3, 6-2.

The Student Government Association at Surry Community College is hosting an annual Halloween Spooktacular event on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The event will be held on the Dobson Campus in the Knights Grill Courtyard, with the option to be moved into the Gym if it rains.

Student organizations at the college are coming together to plan and sponsor different family-friendly activities at the Spooktacular. There will be music, games and a photo booth.

Tickets to play the different games will be on sale with 20 tickets available for $5. Food will also be available to purchase. All proceeds from this event will go to the SCC Angel Tree project.

For more information, contact Forrest Lineberry, dean of student and workforces services and student government advisor, at 336-386-3244 or lineberryf@surry.edu.

ELKIN — One week after dominating the Northwest 1A Conference Championship at Elkin Municipal Park, the Mount Airy tennis team posted a repeat performance for regionals at the same location.

The results for both brackets were the same, with Mount Airy players capturing both the singles and doubles crowns. In the case of the doubles bracket, the 1A West Regional Championship match was identical to the NW1A Doubles Championship match.

Mount Airy sophomore Carrie Marion won the 1A West Regional Singles Championship to qualify for her second state tournament. Senior Kancie Tate and junior Ella Brant won the doubles championship, sending Tate to the state tournament for the second time and Brant for the third time.

All three girls qualified for the 1A State Tournament in 2021. Marion/Brant won the 1A Doubles State Championship, while Tate reached the semifinals of the singles tournament.

Marion entered the regional tournament as the No. 1 overall seed with a record of 16-2.

The sophomore made it through the first two rounds of the tournament without dropping a game. Carrie defeated Corvian Community’s previously undefeated Lauren Tomes 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round, then beat Draughn’s Madison Powell (9-3) by the same score in the quarterfinals.

Highland Tech’s Madison Darnell (14-4) was the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Like Marion, she won both of her first two matches without dropping a game. Darnell managed to win four games off Marion, but lost 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals.

Marion met Bishop McGuinness sophomore Adelaide Jernigan (19-1), the tournament’s No. 2 seed, in the championship round. Carrie handed the Villain her first singles loss of the season 6-3, 6-1 to win the singles championship.

Darnell defeated North Stokes’ Chandler Sizemore (12-7) in the consolation finals. Marion, Jernigan, Darnell and Sizemore will all compete in the 1A State Singles Championship at Cary Tennis Park on Oct. 28-29.

Mount Airy freshman Audrey Brown also competed in the regional singles tournament. Brown (18-2) dropped her opening match to Highland Tech’s Katelin Vaher (12-4) by a score of 6-0, 7-6 (2).

Brant/Tate were the doubles tournament’s No. 1 seed with a 7-0 record.

The Granite Bears earned a first-round bye, then defeated Covian Community’s Savannah Barnett/Kalias Martin (7-4) by a score of 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.

Brant/Tate ran into Bishop McGuinness’ top doubles team of Isabella Ross/Nina Holton (13-6) in the semifinals. Ross/Holton were the tournament’s No. 3 seed and were coming off a three-set victory over one of Mount Airy’s familiar opponents: East Wilkes’ Emily Spicer and Hallie Younger (7-4).

Brant/Tate defeated Ross/Holton 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the championship round.

The Bears found themselves in a rematch of the NW1A Doubles Championship against East Wilkes’ Ava Darnell/Savannah Sparks. Darnell/Sparks, who entered the tournament 10-4 as a unit, suffered their only losses of the year to players from Mount Airy – C. Marion/Brant twice and Brant/Tate once – or Bishop’s Ross/Holton.

The Bear-Cardinal championship match once again went three sets, and the result was the same. Brant/Tate captured the 1A West Doubles Championship with scores of 6-1, 5-7 and 6-2.

Ross/Holton defeated Cherryville’s Kelly Diaz/Katie Diaz (16-7) 6-4, 6-1 in the consolation finals.

Mount Airy’s Charlotte Hauser and Audrey Marion also competed in the doubles tournament. The senior duo defeated South Davidson’s Chelsey Drye/Anna Smith (8-5) 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round, but fell to Darnell/Sparks 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

Remington Embry, who graduated from Surry Community College’s first offering of the Firefighter Career & College Promise program, was recently hired as a full-time firefighter with Central Surry Volunteer Fire Department in Dobson.

The statewide Career & College Promise (CCP) program gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credentials, tuition-free, while they are still in high school.

“Remington Embry is a hardworking, dedicated student and firefighter. He always strives to better himself and expand his knowledge of the fire service,” said Ian Harrell, director of firefighter and rescue programs at Surry Community College. “Surry Community College is very proud to offer the firefighter CCP program to all of our local students. It is a remarkable opportunity for them to learn a career path in a job market, which is growing by leaps and bounds in this part of the state.”

Embry, 18, of Dobson, graduated from the Surry Early College in May 2022 with his high school diploma along with many certifications – Firefighter Level I, Firefighter Level II, Awareness Operations PPE & Product Control (formerly called HazMat Ops), Emergency Medical Responder, and Emergency Vehicle Driver.

“It was an awesome opportunity. I absolutely loved it,” Embry said. “It really helps high school students to be able to take the classes during the day and earn college credit.”

When he began studies at the Surry Early College, Embry was interested in taking welding and business classes. Then, he heard about the Firefighter Career & College Promise program, which he immediately knew he wanted to do.

“My dad was a volunteer firefighter at Central Surry, and when my older sister was born, he got out of it,” Embry said. “He always told me stories about the calls he ran.”

When Embry was 14, he volunteered at the Jot-Um-Down Volunteer Fire Department in Elkin where he had cousins who also volunteered. His dad volunteered with him, which enabled Embry to be a junior volunteer firefighter and go on calls except medical and structure fires. At 15, Embry joined the Dobson Rescue Squad as a junior volunteer. At 17, he knew he wanted to run more calls, so he became a junior volunteer at the Central Surry Volunteer Fire Department.

“I love it. You never know what is coming. No call is ever the same,” he said. “The unknown elements on a call always get the adrenaline pumping. We take the information from the dispatcher, and we start determining a plan of action for who is doing what once we get to the scene.”

Embry’s experience as a junior volunteer in fire and rescue has given him an insight into the work many do not have at his age.

“At the age of 14, I had a real eye opener. I saw my first fatalities. The call was a triple ejection on Highway 268 where the driver and a passenger were killed on the scene,” he said. “It was difficult to be there, but I still felt good because I could help other people. We used a brush truck to avert traffic from the people who were working the scene.”

On any given day, a first responder has no idea what he may encounter, which is part of the job that Embry enjoys. He likes the variety of the work, and above all, he likes helping people.

“When I was 15, I worked a call with the Dobson Rescue Squad where two teenagers had run off the road in a truck and landed in a pond,” he said. “We prepped the boat, so the rescuers could go in after them. They were in up to their knees in water on Christmas Eve. It was cold, so we had blankets ready for them.”

Aside from working wrecks as a junior volunteer, Embry’s volunteer work took him on fire calls, fire alarms, trees blocking the roadway, and medical calls. The dispatchers are great at relaying information taken from eyewitnesses, Embry said, but you never know what you are going to encounter until you arrive on a scene. For example, a recent medical call for choking turned out to be a cardiac arrest where CPR had to be performed.

Embry credits his faith in God with his ability to handle the stress of the work. He attends Amazing Grace Baptist Church. His family is also there for him, and they know the pressures from the line of work he is doing. His father, Ramsey, works full-time at Southland Transportation, but also works part-time as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. His sister, Autumn, is a paramedic with Hugh Chatham.

“You are going to see stuff that you don’t want to see, but you have to be ready for it. You have to be calm and not freeze up. I did freeze up one time, but I had to take some breaths and then get to work. You just never know what you are going to be dealing with from one day to another.”

“This is something I hope to do for the rest of my life. I love it,” he said. “I love helping people in their time of need, being their shoulder to cry on. You get an adrenaline rush because there are dangerous situations, but we always hope the outcome will be good.”

There are also easy days such as when Embry took a firetruck to visit kindergarteners at Rockford Elementary School. He enjoyed answering the youngsters’ questions about the fire truck and rescue work.

Embry is a lieutenant at the Central Surry Fire Department in Dobson. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations where he is the only full-time employee. The rest of the department is made up of four part-time employees and many volunteers.

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In recording deeds, the state of North Carolina does not require that the amount paid for a parcel be stated on the deed. However a tax stamp at the rate of $2 for every $1,000 in value is affixed to each deed.

Recent real estate transfers recorded in the Surry County Register of Deed’s office include:

– Jacob Cory Bryant and Ashley M. Bryant to Donald E. Bryant and Gina B. Bryant; .774 acres PB 32 53 Bryan; $0.

– Larry J. Sizemore and Regina Diane Sizemore to Megan Elise Holt; tract one 8.36 acres and tract two tract South Westfield; $70.

– Estate of Grady Eugene Pike, Jason C. Pike, Daniel L. Pike and Grady Eugene Pike to Cole Wayburn Mosley and Kendra Suzanne Mosley; tract one 0.795 acres and tract two 0.88 acres Mount Airy; $420.

– Tauna Renee Epperson, Tauna Renee Hall and Dwayne Charles Hall to Joshua Payton Casstevens; 5 acres tract one PB 16 1 Stewarts Creek; $400.

– JGL Properties of South Carolina, LLC to GJL Properties, LLC; 1.72 acres Mount Airy; $0.

– GJL Properties, LLC to George H. Wilson; 1.72 acres Mount Airy; $6.

– Preston Keith Blevins and Rebecca Blevins to Doris Marie Farley; 6.237 acres Rockford; $0.

– Morgan & Co. Properties, LLC to Teddy Ray Bolen; lot 11 Mountain View Heights PB 1 27 Mount Airy; $18.

– Eric Vega Cabrera and Guadalupe Torres to Jesus F. Valenzuela Lozano and Jesus Francisco Valenzuela; tract Dobson; $80.

– Estate of Wilhelmina W. Bracey, William Henry Bracey, Wilhelmina W. Bracey, Alice Bracey and Barbara Alice Bracey to April Long; 0.461 acres Elkin estate of Wilhelmina W. Bracey; $436.

– Walter Cruts, Dean Schwab and Serina Cruts to Warren Rowen Properties, LLC; tract one lot 53 and tract two portion of lot 54 section 3 Woodbridge subdivision PB 14 189 Mount Airy; $320.

– Christopher H. Newsom to Kerri Sexton Thorp and William David Thorpe; tract one 19,860 sq ft lot 51 and tract two 19,868 sq ft lot 52 PB 4 69 and tract three tract Mountain View Dr; $48.

– Benny James Dobbins to Virgil D. Settle; 1,883 sq ft Elkin; $100.

– Estate of Emmett William Talley Jr., Heather Gaye Talley, Emmett William Talley Jr., David Joel Schmitzer, Jessica J. Haynes Talley, Amy Talley Nestle and Anthony L. Haynes Talley to Hall Family Trust, James L. Hall and Rebecca W. Hall; 0.540 acres Elkin estate of Emmett William Talley Jr file 22 E 591; $470.

– Anthony Dean Dawson and Brandon Terrell Dawson to Bobby Dean Dawson and Cynthia Ann Dawson; 1.05 acres Long Hill; $0.

– James R. Shipley and Susan L. Shipley to Clark D. Cash and Trudy T. Cash; 2.42 acres Mount Airy; $994.

– Keith Austin Jones, Whitney Bryant Jones and Whitney Elizabeth Bryant to Whitney Elizabeth Jones; quitclaim deed 1.021 acres tract two PB 35 176 South Westfield; $0.

– George G. Beasley Estate Reduction Trust, George G. Beasley, Robert E. Beasley, Bruce G. Beasley, Brian E. Beasley, Barbara Caroline Beasley and Bradley C. Beasley to GGB Indian Beach, LLC; lots 2-16 Westfield; $0.

– Alan Dillard, Andrea Dillard and Alisha Nichole Mayes to Alisha Mayes; lot 2 2.75 acres; $0.

– James T. Younger and Russye A. Younger to Larry M. Younger; tract Elkin; $80.

– Javier Lara to CCLA Properties, LLC; three tracts; $0.

– James Kenneth Thompson and Kelly Renee Thompson to Nicole Audrianna Tait and Nickolas Reid Tait; lots 14-15 A.J. Haynes property PB 7 46 Elkin; $0.

– Marty Lee Lovill and Kathy J. Lovill to Brodie Lee Lovill; 1.72 acres and 1/10 acres Stewarts Creek; $250.

– Diamond View Real Estate, LLC to Donald W. Ferguson and Mary C. Ferguson; 1.84 acres Mount Airy; $40.

– Cathy Ann Blackburn, Cathy Freeman Eaton and Steven Anthony Blackburn to Sage Ray Eaton; .45 acres Dobson; $322.

– Regina Ann McCrary and Morgan Saford Gwynn to Ricky Lee Shelton; 14.333 acres PB 41 142 Mount Airy; $100.

– 1996 Rockford St., Mount Airy, LLC to Department of Transportation State of North Carolina; deed for highway right of way US 601 US 52 to SR 1365 Mount Airy; $236.

– Nikiesha Franklin to Kenneth Matthew Carter Jr., Tiffany A. Price and Adrian Lewis Price; lot 3 PB 10 101 Mount Airy; $66.

– Cooke Properties of NC, LLC to Samuel L. Moore and Letonia A. Moore; 0.59 acres lots 1-7 block E R.E. Hines property PB 1 34 Mount Airy; $60.

– Estate of Bobby Wayne Gammons, Todd Christopher Gammons, Bobby Wayne Gammons and Bradley Gammons to Bradley Gammons; lot #2 Skyview development PB 6 180 Mount Airy estate of Bobby Wayne Gammons; $150.

– Bray Properties, LLC to Broad Street Apartments, LLC; 35/100 acres Mount Airy; $650.

– Charlotte R. Moore to Allen Keith Moore; tract one 35.14 acres tract two 60.24 acres Dobson; $0.

– Timothy Chad Stanley, Erin Brannen Stanley, Adam Dunkley Stanley and Katherine Agatha Tsamis to Jonathan W. Puckett, Maggie V. Puckett, Benjamin L. Puckett and Casey D. Puckett; 29.208 acres PB 41 159 Stewarts Creek; $257.

– Rockford Street, LLC to Department of Transportation State of North Carolina; deed for highway right of way US 601 from US 52 bypass Mount Airy; $103.

– Jeanette O. Couch to Charles William Baker Jr.; 2.030 acres lot 4 Country Club Estates PB 9 50 and portion of lot 3 Ben Caudle property division PB 10 152 Elkin; $1,240.

– Alma Jean Miller and Jean M. Miller to Dollie K. Norman and Debra I. Norman; tract one 0.801 acres lot 24-26 and portion of lot 27 and portion of lots 64-67 section 2 PB 3 23 and PB 14 13 and tract two 0.459 acres lots 22-23 and 68-69 Mountain Park subdivision PB 3 28 Bryan; $0.

– Caleb Avery Lowe and Anna Marie Lowe to Carolee Ann McLaughlin; 0.689 acres PB 37 126 Mount Airy; $412.

– Roy L. Flippin and Frankie M. Flippin to Christopher Ray Flippin; tract Mount Airy; $0.

– Estate of Linda S. Blackburn, Thomas C. Flippin and Linda S. Blackburn to The Thomas Cirone Living Trust and Thomas Frank Cirone; quitclaim deed lots 24-25 block 25 Elkin Land Company estate of Linda S. Blackburn file 21 E 831; $0.

– Nancy L. Puckett to Chuck Bradley Puckett and Susanne N. Puckett; 52 acres Stewarts Creek; $0.

– Nancy L. Puckett to Ginger Kaye Puckett Dickerson and Billy Gray Dickerson Jr; tract one tract and tract two 21.87 acres Stewarts Creek; $0.

– Willie Clarence Loffman Jr. and Sandra Wall Luffman to Luffman Properties, L.L.C.; tract Bryan; $0.