Our network

People

Mount Airy Police Chief Honored Thursday

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Friday, August 19th, 2011, 9:41am
Mount Airy Police Chief Honored Thursday

Mount Airy Police Chief Dale Watson was recognized Thursday for putting himself in harm's way, according to the Mount Airy News.

Watson was wounded in a June 10 standoff at 116 Home Trail just outside Mount Airy, where a woman was reported to be armed and suicidal.

The Surry Sheriff’s Office had jurisdiction of the home, but Watson responded because municipal personnel were closest to the scene, the paper reported.

He was honored at a city board of commissioners meeting by Surry County Sheriff Graham Atkinson, the paper reported.

Watson received a bruised eye and other injuries after pellets struck him in the face, chest and arms.

He was treated at a Winston-Salem hospital after the shooting and released the same day.

To read more, visit The Mount Airy News.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Surry County 911 Communications Center Names New Director

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011, 10:17am
Surry County 911 Communications Center Names New Director

Jonathan Bledsoe has been named the new director of the Surry County 911 Communications Center, according to the Mount Airy News.

The Surry County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to offer him the job. Bledsoe accepted it Tuesday, and the new position went into effect immediately.

Bledsoe started working at the 911 center in 1995 as a telecommunicator. He became shift supervisor in 1997, then to assistant director in 1999.

“He’s done a fantastic job. He’s very well qualified," said John Shelton, Surry County Emergency Services director, according to the paper.

Bledsoe said he does not have any huge changes planned for the center.

He said he just wants to make sure the department responds promptly to calls and has good customer service.

To read more, visit The Mount Airy News.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Mount Airy Assistant Manager Resigns

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Thursday, August 11th, 2011, 11:09am
Mount Airy Assistant Manager Resigns

Mount Airy Assistant City Manager Keith Holland resigned last week after less than a year, according to the Mount Airy News.

Holland had joined the municipal staff on Aug. 23, 2010, at an annual salary of $65,000, the paper reported.

It is not entirely certain why he resigned.

Holland, 47, had to commute to Mount Airy from his home in Galax, Va., where he formerly served as city manager from 2007-09.

One anonymous source said the decision could be related to Holland having trouble selling his home in Galax. He reportedly wanted to sell it before moving into another.

It remains uncertain what will be done to fill the assistant manager position. His job duties included assisting in the day-to-day administrative operations of the municipality.

To read more, visit The Mount Airy News.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Jimmie Van Zant to Perform in Mount Airy Saturday

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Friday, July 29th, 2011, 10:31am
Jimmie Van Zant to Perform in Mount Airy Saturday

Southern rocker Jimmie Van Zant will perform at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, according to the Mount Airy News.

Jimmie Van Zant is the cousin of Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the cousin of Donnie Van Zant of .38 Special.

Van Zant will play a mixture of his own band's material and several favorites from others, the paper reported.

“I try to mix it up a little bit, but I try to keep the family heritage,” Van Zant said, according to the paper. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets are $10 at the door and also available at B-52’s and Mount Airy Yamaha.

Source: The Mount Airy News.

Return to myfox8.com.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Surry County Artist Donates Sculpture to Governor

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011, 10:37am
Surry County Artist Donates Sculpture to Governor

Surry County sculptor B. Maxwell Jackson donated a piece of artwork to North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue Monday, according to the Mount Airy News.

The piece is called "Best Friends." It is a sculpture of Jackson's first wife sitting down with a pet cat on her lap.

The work of art was donated to the governor’s western North Carolina residence, the paper reported.

Officials say the governor is thankful for the sculpture.

Source: The Mount Airy News.

Return to myfox8.com.

Send any story ideas or news tips to joe.borlik@wghp.com.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Candlelight Vigil to Honor Mount Airy Officer Takes Place Saturday

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Thursday, July 14th, 2011, 9:32am
Candlelight Vigil to Honor Mount Airy Officer Takes Place Saturday

A candlelight vigil honoring the life of a Mount Airy police officer takes place Saturday in Mount Airy, according to the Mount Airy News.

The event will pay tribute to the 65th anniversary of Henry Dow Kennedy's death. It starts at 10 p.m. at Blackmon Amphitheater on Rockford Street.

Kennedy was chasing a suspected bootlegger in 1946, when his car struck an embankment. He was thrown from the vehicle and died the next day from brain injury at 36.

Personnel from the city police department will speak, the paper reported. The event is free and open to the public.

Source: The Mount Airy News.

Return to myfox8.com.

Send any story ideas or news tips to joe.borlik@wghp.com.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Pilot Mountain Dentist Receives Award

Submitted by Joe Borlik, Web Content Producer
Friday, July 8th, 2011, 9:46am
Pilot Mountain Dentist Receives Award

Pilot Mountain dentist Dr. Kent N. Tucker recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Dental Society, according to the Mount Airy News.

The Distinguished Service Award is the organization's highest honor. It is presented to individuals at the end of their careers who demonstrate outstanding dentistry.

Tucker graduated from Davison College and the UNC School of Dentistry. He is a fellow in the American College of Dentists and president of the ACD Carolinas Section.

He received at the NCDS's annual general session in Myrtle Beach.

Source: The Mount Airy News.

Return to myfox8.com.

Send any story ideas or news tips to joe.borlik@wghp.com.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter