Usually the word “closed” isn’t a good thing when used in conjunction with a shopping center, but in the case of Mayberry Mall it refers to the best-possible news.

A long-awaited deal involving the sale of the troubled mall to a South Carolina real estate firm has closed, it was announced Wednesday, signaling a bright future for the 50-year-old facility on U.S. 52-North in Mount Airy. It had been threatened with closure in February of last year due to ongoing structural deficiencies.

“There have been a lot of prayers answered this morning,” said Lisa Ring, the longtime owner of a Hallmark store at the mall who has weathered turmoil there in recent months while managing to stay in business.

“To me, it’s a blessing to Mount Airy — not just the people employed here,” Ring added Wednesday of the mall changing hands, “but people need places to shop.”

The Hallmark store owner’s view was shared by patrons of the mall Wednesday as the news of the sale circulated, including Sandy Bowman, a local resident who was there with her sister and a friend from church.

“I hate to think of this town without a mall,” Bowman said as the trio exited a Shoe Department store there. “We didn’t want to lose the mall.”

An official announcement of the transaction came Wednesday from WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments, a firm in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which had been involved in negotiations for the purchase for more than a year. The sale was expected to close in early January, but was delayed by paperwork issues.

The announcement by Taylor Massey of WRS said it was “pleased” to acquire Mayberry Mall from Kohan Retail Investment Group based in Great Neck, New York. This does not include a free-standing and separately owned Belk department store that anchors the mall.

Originally completed in 1968, the shopping center totals 207,542 square feet and is the only enclosed regional mall within a 30-mile radius, Massey mentioned.

The facility fell on hard times over the past couple of years due to problems including a leaky roof that compromised the structural integrity of the building. This also posed an environmental risk to occupants including the presence of mold.

Surry County and Mount Airy officials were faced with mitigating the public health and safety threats presented by the mall which came to a head in late 2017, leading to an order that it be closed to the public on Feb. 1, 2018.

Around that same time, T. Scott Smith, the president of WRS, attended a meeting of the city to express his interest in buying the mall. After a number of hurdles over the past year, this has occurred.

Optimistic about future

It could be argued that the acquisition by WRS has come in the nick of time, since only about five businesses continue to occupy the mall, compared to 17 in August 2017. The departures have included that of a JC Penney store that operated for many decades in Mount Airy.

Now that the sale is complete, the tasks of renovating the facility and seeking new tenants for it remain — with WRS appearing to be on top of both.

Massey, the WRS representative, referred to that in Wednesday’s announcement.

“WRS Inc. is excited to redevelop the Mayberry Mall with uses and new retailers that will benefit the community and existing businesses,” Massey assured. “Construction and leasing initiatives will begin immediately.”

“They’ve got a lot of good people lined up,” Ring, the Hallmark owner, said she has been told regarding plans for new occupants, although none were identified.

A city official who has closely monitored the situation at the mall also is optimistic about additional businesses being drawn there.

“I think it’s going to be an opportunity not only for large businesses (national retailers), but local ones,” Commissioner Jim Armbrister said Wednesday. “I’m excited — I think Mr. Smith is going to be exactly what we need.”

Ring said she has been told by WRS that the needed renovations probably will be completed within six months to a year.

City Attorney Hugh Campbell said the buyer advised him that a final construction meeting will be held with his contractor next week.

“Within the next year or two, I think we’re going to see some new developments out there we’ll all be proud of,” Armbrister predicted.

“I’m just pleased — it’s been a long time,” he said of the successful sale outcome and the ordeal leading up to that.

“Kept their faith”

The merchants who have outlasted the crisis are to be commended for their perseverance, according to Armbrister — “those people that have hung in there and kept their faith and held their investments,” he said. “Those people have really struggled to stay there.”

Armbrister was encouraged when the Belk chain completed a major renovation of its store at the mall in 2017, which he said reflected its strong belief in the center’s long-term viability. “That was a huge vote of confidence.”

Ring also credited Commissioner Armbrister with keeping mall tenants updated on developments regarding the property and being a positive force throughout. “I’m very grateful to that man.”

The Hallmark owner further praised the loyalty of mall shoppers.

“My customers have been great support,” Ring said. “I definitely want to thank the public.”

A note of good cheer also was offered by a Cleveland lawyer representing the mall seller, Kohan Retail Investment Group, in an email to Campbell, the city attorney.

“I hope better days are ahead for Mayberry Mall and Mount Airy,” Robert A. Fuerst wrote.

The front of Mayberry Mall in Mount Airy is shown Wednesday, including a sign for a business there reassuring customers that it is still open despite recent problems.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Maul-this-1-1.jpgThe front of Mayberry Mall in Mount Airy is shown Wednesday, including a sign for a business there reassuring customers that it is still open despite recent problems.Tom Joyce | The News

Larry Moxley of Fancy Gap, Virginia, who regularly walks at the mall for exercise, takes a stroll there Wednesday.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Maul-this-2-1.jpgLarry Moxley of Fancy Gap, Virginia, who regularly walks at the mall for exercise, takes a stroll there Wednesday.Tom Joyce | The News

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A fatal shooting occurred in Mount Airy Wednesday afternoon when a man, who apparently thought he had wounded someone else earlier, turned the gun on himself.

Police were notified about 1:20 p.m. by a female caller of gunfire at Village Green Apartments in the 800 block of Willow Street. “He’s shooting — shots fired,” the woman advised, according to an account from Police Chief Dale Watson.

A gunman residing in the apartment complex — whose name, age or exact address had not been released Wednesday pending his family members being notified — is said to have fired at another person named Don while they were outside.

Neighbors at the scene Wednesday said that Don, last name unknown, fell to the ground, with the assailant then going to his apartment.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the would-be victim had been shot at but not hit by any bullets, Chief Watson said, although neighbors said he told them he felt one whiz by his head.

Police subsequently made entry into the home of the suspect and found him dead due to a self-inflicted wound from a .380-caliber handgun.

Chief Watson said that since investigators were unable to interview the man about his thought process, the idea he took his own life after assuming he had shot the other person is only speculation.

But he said there appears to be some degree of credence to the theory, which was offered by multiple neighbors.

“From what we have been told he was going toward the victim, the victim fell (after the shots) and he most likely thought he had struck the victim,” the chief said.

There is a logical assumption that the assailant, assuming he had shot the other person, then took the route he did out of guilt, fear or some other motivation.

“That is very possible,” Watson said.

The man who died reportedly had been involved in disputes with neighbors in the past.

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GREENSBORO — The city and county school systems were honored recently for their efforts by the National School Public Relations Association.

Carrie Venable, Mount Airy City Schools’ public information officer, and Dr. Tracey Lewis, Surry County Schools’ director of communication, were recognized for their work during the organization’s Blue Ribbon Awards for Effective Communications ceremony held here Feb. 1.

The Mount Airy City Schools district won nine awards; four gold awards — one in electronic media, one in image/graphic design, and two in publications; one silver in digital media engagement; and four bronze — two in digital media engagement and two in special events/programs.

For the fourth year in a row, Venable was recognized for her accomplishments by the organization. This year the group received 322 submissions.

The program concluded with the Best of the Best awards. This award is earned by the submission with the highest score in each category, leaving eight additional awards to be named. Venable was shocked when Mount Airy City Schools was revealed as the Best of the Best in the Image/Graphic Design category. Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison was present to receive the award with Venable.

“This award for our STARS (Successful, Thoughtful, Academically Resourceful Students) celebrates the diverse population we proudly educate each day,” Venable said. “Being able to showcase students across the district and their hard work in and out of school allows these students to be recognized and celebrated. This provides examples to all students that success doesn’t follow one path or look the same for everyone.”

“We are so excited that the state has recognized what a great job our team here in MACS does telling our story,” Morrison said. “Carrie Venable, public information officer, has done a wonderful job making sure our community knows about our fabulous students and staff.”

———

Surry County Schools won its own Best of the Best Award in 2017 under Sonia Dickerson, who served as director of communications until she retired after the 2017-18 school year. Dickerson won three awards last year in her last annual association dinner.

Dr. Lewis took over the job last summer and has continued the county’s tradition of winning awards, earning six this year.

Lewis stated that the district submitted six entries for judging and all six received recognition.

Three Silver awards were earned for:

• Excellence in Writing for the Press Release — Ribbon Cutting for Animal Science Labs;

• Marketing the Communications Plan — Marketing Surry County Schools Animal Science Labs;

• Marketing the Surry County Schools Campus Tour Day.

Surry County Schools also received three Gold awards for:

• Digital Media Engagement — the Surry County Schools Hurricane Preparedness Message;

• Image/Graphic Design — Making an Impact Convocation 2018 Design;

• Special Events/Programs — the David H. Diamont Stadium Dedication.

From left, N.C. School Public Relations Associations Executive Director Chris Fuller, Mount Airy City Schools Public Information Officer Carrie Venable, Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison, and association Vice President Dr. Patricia Hollingsworth with the nine awards Mount Airy City Schools recently received for public relations work with the city school system.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_20190201_114359.jpgFrom left, N.C. School Public Relations Associations Executive Director Chris Fuller, Mount Airy City Schools Public Information Officer Carrie Venable, Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison, and association Vice President Dr. Patricia Hollingsworth with the nine awards Mount Airy City Schools recently received for public relations work with the city school system. Submitted photo

From Chris Fuller, NCSPRA; Kevin Via, Surry County Schools assistant superintendent; Dr. Tracey Lewis, SCS director of communications; and Patricia Hollingsworth, NCSPRA.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_IMG_5390_filtered.jpgFrom Chris Fuller, NCSPRA; Kevin Via, Surry County Schools assistant superintendent; Dr. Tracey Lewis, SCS director of communications; and Patricia Hollingsworth, NCSPRA. Submitted photo

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An issue that has been a source of controversy in recent months for both Mount Airy and Surry County officials will be revisited tonight by the city council.

The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hear an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) update during a meeting that begins at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building.

ETJ refers to a one-mile area extending beyond the city limits in all directions where Mount Airy controls zoning and subdivision development.

The special zone has come under fire from both residents of the area and city officials including commissioners Jon Cawley and Jim Armbrister.

Extraterritorial jurisdiction has been described as a throwback to a time when annexation was prevalent, giving municipalities control over development in areas they planned to take in to ensure a smooth transition.

But with forced annexation now no longer allowed, some question the purpose of the special zone, where uses of property are subjected to municipal regulations. Meanwhile, residents there can’t vote for city elected officials, although they are represented on the Mount Airy Planning Board.

Four of that board’s nine members live in the ETJ zone, which has an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 residents in all.

When Mount Airy officials last discussed the issue in November, Armbrister was prepared to introduce a motion to launch a process for eliminating the special zone. This could require a two-year process, including giving notice to Surry County leaders under an agreement that created the zone in 2001.

County officials also have been approached recently by citizens seeking an end to extraterritorial jurisdiction.

However, there was a prevailing opinion among city officials in November that ETJ changes should be approached with caution, including more study, due to various complications involved.

City Planning Director Andy Goodall said there are various tweaks that could be made with the zone, such as ordinance changes that would afford protection to its residents from conditions such as nuisances which aren’t in place now.

The Mount Airy commissioners voted 4-1 to have the planning board explore the ETJ issue and offer recommendations for possible changes. Commissioner Steve Yokeley cast the dissenting vote, reflecting his support for extraterritorial jurisdiction as it now exists.

Goodall is expected to provide an update on the further study during tonight’s meeting.

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Death, changing times and attrition have all taken their toll on the local Kiwanis Club, but the current and past presidents are tackling the problem head on.

“Some of the most involved members of our club have died in the past few years,” said Mount Airy Kiwanis Club past president Steve Lowe. “Two of them were longstanding members, people I would say were the heart and soul of the club. I thought we might have to shut down.”

Lowe said membership is now hovering at about 10 members, though in the past two years it has dropped to as few as five or six. Lowe has stated a goal of doubling the current membership this year.

Recruiting new members from a younger generation is challenging, but Lowe does not believe the conventional wisdom that millennials are not joiners.

“It’s harder to get young people, not because they don’t want to help, but because they don’t have time. They’re raising their families. I’ve got time because I had a stroke which left me unable to work. That gave me plenty of time, and I can use that time for others.”

The most recent club meeting on Tuesday was attended by 14 people, a number Lowe said “is not indicative of our usual attendance.”

Some of those people were guests, prospective members who haven’t formally signed on yet, and new members. The most conspicuous of the new members was Bettsee Smith-McPhail who joined the club in October and was presiding over her first meeting as president.

“Steve asked me to come to a meeting, and I did. Then he asked me to join, and I did. Then they asked me to be president, and here we are,” McPhail said after the meeting.

“If I’m going to do something, I’m going to give it my all,” said McPhail, who has been working her network of friends and acquaintances of all ages, searching for new members, some of whom were at Tuesday’s meeting.

“We are trying to keep this club going,” said Lowe. “We have to keep this club going. We are the sponsoring club for the Aktion Club at Surry Community College. They cannot operate without a Kiwanis Club sponsoring them, and we are not going to let those young people down.”

Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, with more than 12,000 members worldwide, according to the organization’s website, and the chapter at SCC is active and involved in the community.

“They’re being taught to love and serve their communities,” said Lowe. “They have made my life 100-percent better. They remind me daily what it’s like to do for others and not get caught up in myself.”

Lowe said the Kiwanis defining statement — “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time” — is the most important thing to know about the organization.

Despite the local Kiwanis Club being small in numbers, Lowe points out it is part of an international service club found in more than 80 nations and geographical areas which raises more than $100 million and reports more than 18.5 million volunteer hours each year to strengthen communities and serve children.

“There are a lot of volunteer organizations in Surry County doing some really good work, more than in most other areas,” said Lowe. “But there are two areas in which Kiwanis is special and could serve a unique purpose.”

The first is Aktion Club. “Those young adults have every right to feel like life has not been fair to them, but they don’t. They are living, breathing examples of what community involvement can do. It gives me chills the way it shows the power of a person, often people helping people who are in a better situation than they are.”

Lowe said he thinks another strength of Kiwanis could be as a consistent sponsor of organizations already supported by the club. He named The Children’s Center and Red Cross as examples.

“There is nothing more important than a consistent sponsor, and nothing harder to get. If we become a robust, strong club, we could be that one call to get help. There is a business concept of the client advocate. That could be us. I come out of the business world, and there are some things businesses do really well. Planning and scheduling are two of them.”

Membership, leadership and resources are the three things Lowe cites as necessary for his club’s future success.

“If we have those, there’s nothing we can’t do. It just takes time, and it takes energy.”

Mount Airy Kiwanis Club meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the card room at Ridgecrest, followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. Call Steve Lowe at (704) 661-0540 or Betsee McPhail at (336) 755-6008 for more information on the club, membership and meeting location.

Newly elected president of Mount Airy Kiwanis Club Betsee McPhail, standing, addresses the club at its Feb. 5 meeting. To McPhail’s right is past president Steve Lowe, along with several members and prospective members.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_IMG_5384.jpgNewly elected president of Mount Airy Kiwanis Club Betsee McPhail, standing, addresses the club at its Feb. 5 meeting. To McPhail’s right is past president Steve Lowe, along with several members and prospective members. Bill Colvard | The News

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Surry County might need a few more restaurants to handle all the folks who could be learning the food-services trade, based on some recent moves.

Back in the fall, Surry Central High School debuted its new culinary learning center.

“Our students now have the opportunity to work and learn in a true commercial kitchen,” Surry Central’s Sabrina Wilmoth said at the time. “They are planning, preparing and serving full meals along with upscale desserts. They are gaining skills, knowledge and work experience that is needed to fill job openings. They are also developing and building portfolios for college applications, job interviews, and paid internships.”

A month ago, the Piedmont Triad Regional Council approached the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners about a downtown culinary school for low-income residents.

On Tuesday night, the Mount Airy Board of Education discussed plans to relocate and expand its culinary classes within the new central office building across from Riverside Park.

In late December, the school administrators moved from the Rawley Avenue office to the renovated building on the corner of Riverside Drive and Independence Boulevard that previously housed Pike Electric, Easter Seals and Crossroads Behavioral Health.

The building had enough space to give offices for staff members, a meeting room for the school board and classroom space in the back right corner for use by Surry Community College.

Dr. Kim Morrison, school superintendent, said the college is occupying that classroom space from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The back left corner of the building has been a large, open storage space so far, but now a plan is being kicked around to turn a few thousand square feet into a commercial kitchen for use by Mount Airy High School.

Morrison said that the same regional council that has spoken to the city has also approached the school system. There is an opportunity for the schools to apply for a grant up to $350,000 to create this commercial-quality kitchen.

Board member Mike Marion asked how big an area is she talking about.

Morrison said that could depend on what the city Board of Commissioners decides to do with the idea the Piedmont Triad Regional Council proposed about an adult kitchen downtown. If that plan falls through, perhaps the council would work with the schools to create a bigger kitchen area — up to 3,500 square feet — that could be used for both purposes.

The next meeting of the city commissioners is today at 7 p.m., although the Piedmont council isn’t specifically mentioned on the posted agenda.

Matthew Dolge, executive director of the commission, said a month ago that his preference would be to use a portion of the Spencer’s property along Willow Street as a spot for a culinary institute that could also serve Surry Community College and local schools.

While the school would be non-profit in nature, the concept includes pursuing revenue-producing opportunities to support its operations, Dolge explained. This might involve bidding on Meals on Wheels contracts, providing food services for local schools and catering.

The culinary school also would be a resource for an events center planned elsewhere on the Spencer’s property to accommodate gatherings of up to 300 people.

Regardless of the city’s decision, the school system has a need for more kitchen space than its current location in the Career and Technical Education Building on campus. Also that building is listed high on the school’s wish list for renovation, which could interrupt classes held inside.

Is there a demand from students for such an expansion of the culinary offerings, asked school board member Kyle Leonard.

The classes are full every semester, answered Dr. Philip Brown, executive director of teaching and learning.

Is there a job market for these students, asked Marion. Does a job in this field pay a living wage?

Board member Wendy Carriker said that this program is geared toward kids who aren’t looking at a four-year school and may not even be thinking of a two-year school. They can take classes in high school and earn a certification while seeing if this is something they want to pursue as a career. There are higher levels of learning available if they find they like this field.

The CNA program is sort of like this, added Morrison. Mount Airy High School students can take health occupations classes to become certified nursing assistants. If this field appeals to them, then students can go for college training to become a license practical nurse and then later a registered nurse and even a registered nurse practitioner.

It would be helpful if the kids could get in front of some folks in the food industry for interviews, said Leonard. Is this something that could be added to the school’s existing internship program?

“I think this will fit nicely into that,” Morrison said.

She noted that the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C. has reached out about a chance to partner with the schools. Second Harvest could provide ingredients that students use to prepare dishes.

Marion said the school board hasn’t done any planning or even discussion about what uses that storage space could have. He offered caution as the board doesn’t know if there might be better uses for the location.

Morrison admitted that discussions with Piedmont Triad Regional Council and Second Harvest are quite recent and that further talks should take place so she can provide more facts at the next board meeting.

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PILOT MOUNTAIN — Authorities have released the name of a local man who was killed in a single-vehicle wreck Monday morning.

Jimmy Harris, 68, of Linville Drive in Pilot Mountain, was killed Monday when the 1987 Ford pickup truck he was driving left the road and struck a tree, according to Police Chief Daryl Bottoms.

The wreck, which occurred at 10:25 a.m., happened shortly after Harris had left the Armfield Civic Center, according to John Shelton, Surry County emergency services coordinator.

The police chief said Thursday that it appeared Harris may have had some sort of medical emergency which led to the crash, echoing comments from earlier in the week by Shelton.

“He had some medical issues in the past,” the police chief said.

Bottoms said Harris had just come down a hill and was climbing another one, on Old U.S. 52 near the Key Street intersection, when the truck left the highway. From evidence on the scene, he estimated the truck was traveling about 70 mph when it hit the tree.

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• A Lowgap woman was jailed under an $11,500 secured bond earlier this week on two felony drug charges and an order for arrest for an unrelated matter, according to Mount Airy Police Department reports. Andrea Renee Stewart, 25, of 148 Gilmer Miller Road, No. 201, was encountered by officers Sunday during a traffic stop on Orchard Street at South Street.

After a brief investigation, Stewart was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of heroin, both of which are felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She also was the subject of an order for arrest for failing to appear in court.

During the same traffic stop, Roy Gene Locke Jr., 29, of 109 Apostle Drive, Mount Airy, was charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Locke is free on a written promise to be in Surry District Court on March 7, the same day Stewart is scheduled to appear.

On March 1, Stewart has a court appearance for a charge of driving while license revoked. On March 6 she faces larceny and possession of stolen goods. On April 5 she faces speeding and another count of driving while license revoked.

• Taurina Marie Ruiz, 30, of 284 Welch Road, was served Tuesday with a criminal summons on a school attendance law charge that had been filed on Jan. 29 by Surry County school and law enforcement authorities with no other details listed.

Ruiz is slated for a Feb. 28 appearance in District Court.

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DOBSON — The Surry County Sheriff’s Office has released the following arrest reports:

• Kristi Christian Lowe, 28, of N. Andy Griffith Parkway, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Jan. 28 for failure to appear in court Oct. 25 on a charge of aiding and abetting larceny for the Elkin Police Department as well as a felony charge of violating probation, dated Oct. 19. She was given an $18,000 secured bond and a court date the next day.

• Lisa Donnette Bonds, 42, of Anderson Road, Siloam, was served a warrant Jan. 28 for felony passing a worthless check, dated Jan. 22. She was given a $7,000 secured bond and a March 25 court date.

• Terry Ray Atkins, 41, of Southridge Lane, Mount Airy, was served a warrant Jan. 29 for assault on a female, dated Dec. 25. He was given no bond and a Feb. 14 court date.

• Andrew Milton Johnson, 33, Summit Avenue, was served a criminal summons Jan. 28 for trespassing, dated Dec. 7. He was given a Feb. 28 court date.

• Sonya Dee Floyd, 58, of Prince Avenue, State Road, was served warrants Jan. 29 for felony serious injury by vehicle and misdemeanor reckless driving with wanton disregard, both dated Nov. 26. She was given a $5,000 secured bond and a March 5 court date.

• Pamela Sue Gallimore, 43, of Backside Trail, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest for failure to pay child support, dated Jan. 24. She was given an $8,400 secured bond and a Feb. 13 court date.

• Rockein Rucker, 41, of Lisa Lane, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Jan. 31 for failure to appear in court Oct. 13 on unspecified charges. He was given a $1,000 secured bond and a Feb. 5 court date.

According to the court docket he has an April 2 appearance for charges of driving while license revoked and failure to wear seat belt.

• Randall Dee Corns Jr., 38, of Bridge Street, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Jan. 31 for failure to appear in court Jan. 14 on charges of driving while license revoked and having an expired registration. He was given a $1,000 secured bond and a March 11 court date.

• David Lee McBride, 48, of Mahone Street, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Jan. 31 for failure to appear in court Dec. 12 on an unspecified charge. He was given a $1,000 secured bond and a Feb. 6 court date.

He has a March 6 appearance for the charge of violating a domestic violence protection order.

• Joshua Dale Penn, 36, of Eleanor Avenue, was served an order for arrest Jan. 31 for failure to appear in court Jan. 24 on a charge of assault on a female. He was given a $1,500 secured bond and a Feb. 22 court date.

• Benito Hernandez, 42, of Quaker Road, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Jan. 31 for failure to appear in court Aug. 20. He was given a $1,200 secured bond and a Feb. 26 court date.

He faces charges of felony possession of a stolen vehicle and felony larceny of a vehicle.

• Daniel Wayne Hawks, 38, of Rushmore Lane, Mount Airy, was served warrants Jan. 31 for assault with a deadly weapon, assault by pointing a gun and physical assault, all dated that day. He was given a $1,000 unsecured bond and a March 6 court date.

• Heather Leann Mabe, 24, of Starlite Motel, Mount Airy, was served a criminal summons Feb. 1 for assault and battery, dated Dec. 4. She was given a Feb. 22 court date.

• Eddie Gerald Smith, 44, of Bourbon Trail, Mount Airy, was served a warrant Feb. 1 for assault on a female, dated Feb. 7, 2018. He was given a $1,000 unsecured bond and a March 4 court date.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Sheriff-badge-RGB-1.jpg

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DOBSON — James Dean Sawyers is back in the news this month after being arrested on Siloam Road Feb. 5.

Sawyers, 36, listed as homeless, was served an order for arrest for failure to appear in court Sept. 4 on two misdemeanor charges as well as charges of two traffic citations, filing a false report to the police station and making a false statement/committing fraud, all dated Oct. 26. He was given an $83,000 secured bond and a March 4 court date.

Last April Sawyers was served warrants on several charges including seven counts of passing worthless checks, two counts of fleeing to elude arrest, resisting an officer and failing to apply for a new vehicle title. He was given a $7,500 secured bond.

Then in July Octavia Revels woke on her birthday to find her SUV stolen. A friend spotted her 2001 Jeep Cherokee and gave her an address on Cedar Ridge Road.

When Revels and a deputy went to the address, the woman there told the Sheriff’s Office she had traded her 1999 Dodge Caravan and $300 cash to Sawyers for the Jeep.

Detectives decided to charge Sawyers with one count felony larceny of a motor vehicle for stealing the Jeep that belonged to Revels and one count felony obtaining property by false pretense for defrauding Wood with a stolen vehicle in a trade.

In September, Sawyers was included in the weekly Most Wanted feature as the Sheriff’s Office said it was looking for Sawyers in relation to the two felony counts related to the Jeep Cherokee.

In October, Sawyers was again in the Most Wanted feature for failure to make his September court appearance for the April charges.

On Feb. 28 he has a court appearance for charges of three counts of passing a worthless check, two counts of failure to stop for a red light, improper passing, following too close, failure to yield from a private drive, and a center lane violation.

On March 4, the charges are two counts of felony fleeing to elude arrest, felony larceny of a vehicle, felony obtaining property by false pretense, resisting an officer, injury to personal property, making a false report to a police station and several driving-related charges.

These include speeding, driving while license revoked, driving with no registration, having a fictitious or altered registration or tag, having a canceled or revoked tag, no car insurance, failure to apply for a new title, and giving false statements/concealing facts/committing fraud.

Sawyers

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_James-Dean-Sawyers.jpgSawyers

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Controversial zoning control that Mount Airy has maintained just outside the city limits for nearly 20 years is on its way out due to action Thursday night.

The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of a motion by Commissioner Jon Cawley to “immediately” begin the process of eliminating the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) zone.

ETJ refers to a one-mile area that extends beyond the city limits, but where the municipality maintains control over zoning and subdivision development. This situation has been criticized by residents of that area — estimated at 7,000 to 8,000 altogether — because they are not allowed to vote for the elected city officials who wield such authority.

The special zoning also has been labeled as kind of a dinosaur that had relevance when North Carolina cities could forcibly annex areas beyond their boundaries. Having it in place allowed municipalities to control the nature of growth in places they were prone to take in, to ensure a smooth transition.

However, with forced annexation now prohibited, some localities, including Mount Airy, have been rethinking the need for extraterritorial jurisdiction zoning, which led to Thursday night’s vote.

“I have always been in favor of the ETJ,” Commissioner Dean Brown said beforehand of the city’s control that went into effect in 2001 through an agreement with Surry County officials who normally would oversee the territory in question.

Brown said he has changed his opinion based on recent research, which indicated that other communities also have been questioning the ETJ provision with involuntary annexation off the table and encountering problems.

“I have decided it was a good thing 20 years ago,” Brown added, but not now.

That led to the motion to begin the process to end the extra zoning jurisdiction by Cawley.

“I agree with Commissioner Brown,” he said. “The ETJ has run its course in our history.”

Commissioner Steve Yokeley voted against Cawley’s motion, saying he couldn’t support it out of concern for those residing in the city limits due to the buffer the ETJ zone provides against unwanted development in fringe areas.

Planners support ETJ

The action by the commissioners came after a presentation by city Planning Director Andy Goodall in response to a 4-1 vote in November (with Yokeley dissenting) to have the Mount Airy Planning Board weigh in on the ETJ issue and make recommendations.

Goodall reported that the planning board had discussed the implications of the extraterritorial jurisdiction in January and voted 6-1 to recommend that it remain. He said the majority of those members see value in allowing city control over what happens right outside its borders.

Although it is an advisory board to the commissioners, they are not bound by recommendations of the planning group.

Cawley said Thursday night that he always tries to support the views of such committees, but indicated that there are drawbacks to the ETJ zone to residents living there which aren’t offset by benefits.

There was talk on possibly extending city ordinances governing nuisance and dilapidated properties to the outside area. But Goodall said Thursday night that nuisance violations would require police powers in that zone, which are limited to the city itself.

“So it’s a moot point,” the planning director said.

Also, addressing dilapidated properties could mean spending money for demolition in areas outside the city limits, Goodall said of a similar complication.

The commissioners also heard once again Thursday night from two citizens residing in the ETJ zone, J.T. Henson and Rawley King, who have made multiple appearances at city and county commissioners meetings to protest its presence. The two repeatedly have called for an end to what they consider an outdated and irrelevant measure.

Henson applauded city officials’ action afterward.

“Obviously, I’m tickled to start the process,” he said.

It is unclear exactly how that will play out, including whether a public hearing will be held on the matter.

Based on earlier discussions, Mount Airy must work with Surry County to relinquish the city’s control over the area in question and have the county assume oversight over that territory.

There is support among county officials for doing so, based on comments at a January meeting in Dobson. Surry leaders indicated then that they would await a “first step” from Mount Airy, as termed by County Manager Chris Knopf.

Mount Airy commissioners Jon Cawley, left, and Dean Brown are shown at a meeting Thursday night when each offered strong condemnation of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) zone.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Zone-this.jpgMount Airy commissioners Jon Cawley, left, and Dean Brown are shown at a meeting Thursday night when each offered strong condemnation of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) zone. Tom Joyce | The News

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Two February commemorations, Black History Month at LH Jones Resource Center and President’s Day at Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, bring free activities to town this weekend.

Black History Month films series

The Surry County Senior Center and the Jones Family Resource Center are partnering with the African-American Historical and Genealogical Society of Surry County to celebrate February being Black History month with a film series.

The movies depict different aspects of African-American history, are open to the public, and offer free popcorn and soda.

“Black Panther,” the first film in the series for 2019 will be screened Saturday at noon. The 2018 film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture of the Year. It is the ninth-highest grossing film of all time. it is rated PG-13.

In the film, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king.

Much historical African culture such as traditions, rituals and outfits is represented in the film such as:

• The main language was Xhosa, a predominant language in southern Africa.

• T’Challa could be seen wearing different outfits inspired by different regions — one of which was a Kente scarf from the Akan people of Ghana.

• Costume inspirations was taken from the Masai people of Kenya and northern Tanzania

• The ceremonial lip plates was inspired by the Mursi and Surma people of Ethopia.

• Queen Ramonda’s headdress was Zulu inspired.

• KillMonger could be seen wearing a Mgbedike mask of the Igbo people of Nigeria. And the bumpy, ritualistic tribal markings on his chest are from the scar tattoos of the Mursi and Surma tribes.

“Hidden Figures”

The second film in the series for 2019, will be screened Feb. 23 at noon.

The film is set in the mid-20th century when the United States raced against Russia to put a man in space. NASA found untapped talent in a group of African-American female mathematicians who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. history.

Based on the true life stories of three of these women, known as “human computers,” we follow these women as they quickly rose the ranks of NASA alongside many of history’s greatest minds specifically tasked with calculating the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and guaranteeing his safe return.

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Gobels Johnson crossed all gender, race, and professional lines while their brilliance and desire to dream big, beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human race, firmly cemented them in U.S. history as true American heroes. The film is rated PG.

Doors open for both films at 11:30 a.m. The movie will begin at noon. Capacity for the room is 90 people. LH Jones Resource Center is located at 215 Jones School Road, Mount Airy.

Museum President’s Day History Talk

Mount Airy Museum of Regional History’s first History Talk of 2019 will celebrate President’s Day by bringing to light some lesser-known information about America’s first president.

“Washington’s Spies” will be presented Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at the museum by Frank Merrell, president of the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution Salisbury Chapter.

“When we learn about George Washington in school, it often begins with the myths and legends that surround him,” said the museum’s director of education Justyn Kissam. “Then, we either learn about him during his time as president (the man on our money) or as a general during the American Revolution, at Valley Forge, or crossing the Potomac. This month’s History Talk details how he used a complex system of spies to defeat the greatest military of its day.”

According to Kissam, the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution, in which membership is contingent upon a documented ancestor who participated in the struggle for American Independence, also offers a speaker’s bureau, a free service to speak on a wide variety of topics at schools, churches, and civic associations.

“Salisbury is the closest chapter which offers a speaker’s bureau,” said Kissam, “and we were able to get their president to present this talk. It will help add to the complexity and understanding of the man who became the first president of the United States.”

Mount Airy Museum of Regional History is located at 301 N. Main St. The History Talk “Washington’s Spies” will be Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. and is free to the public.

A Black History Month film series will return to the LH Jones Resource Center on Saturday. Seen here, the film “Marshall” is being screened at the 2018 series.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_IMG_5960.jpgA Black History Month film series will return to the LH Jones Resource Center on Saturday. Seen here, the film “Marshall” is being screened at the 2018 series. Bill Colvard | The News

“Washington’s Spies” will be presented Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Mount Airy Museum by Frank Merrell, president of the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Salisbury Chapter.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_chapter-president-franklin-merrell.jpg“Washington’s Spies” will be presented Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Mount Airy Museum by Frank Merrell, president of the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Salisbury Chapter. Submitted Photo

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As a month firmly entrenched in the dead of winter, February can be a time when low-temperature records are shattered in Mount Airy — except for this week when just the opposite is true.

One all-time record high has been broken, one has been tied, with another likely also eclipsed, according to personnel at F.G. Doggett Water Plant, the city’s official weather-monitoring station.

A high here of 73 degrees this week set a record for Feb. 6 in Mount Airy, where statistics have been kept since 1924.

This bested by one degree the previous record for that date of 72, established on Feb. 6, 2008.

When relaying the weather data Thursday, Andy Utt, water plant supervisor, reminded of a quirk in how statistics are logged there on a daily basis. For its monitoring purposes, a day does not begin right after midnight in accordance with the normal 24-hour clock, but runs from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. instead.

This means the Feb. 6 date technically ended Wednesday at 7 a.m., reflecting the 73-degree record-breaking temperature that actually occurred Tuesday afternoon.

By the same token, a record-tying reading this week in Mount Airy of 69 for Feb. 7 occurred during the period running from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

The 69-degree record previously was set on Feb. 7, 1950.

In addition, the all-time high temperature in Mount Airy for Feb. 8, running until 7 a.m. today for water plant purposes, also stood to be broken.

The record locally for that date was established all the way back in 1925, when a 72-degree reading was posted. Highs were expected in the mid-70s Thursday afternoon, indicating that mark would be passed by a couple of degrees.

Utt explained that the unconventional, 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. method used to record daily weather statistics dates back many years and agrees that it can be confusing to the public. However, changing it to the traditional daily schedule would prevent meaningful comparisons with past years.

Unseasonably warm temperatures are nothing new in Mount Airy during the second month of the year. For Feb. 23 of 2018, for example, a 77-degree reading was registered at the water plant, which broke the local record for that date of 76 degrees set in 1980.

Cold weather returning

This week’s hint of spring is short-lived, with conditions now returning to business as usual for February.

Mostly sunny, but much cooler weather was expected today in Mount Airy with highs peaking in the upper 50s before dropping this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Lows in the upper and mid-20s are predicted for tonight and Saturday night.

Saturday’s daytime high is expected to reach only the mid-40s.

Maria Love of Mount Airy takes advantage of Thursday afternoon’s unseasonably warm weather to visit the Riverside Park playground with her daughter Sophia-Claire, 5, for some fun on the swings.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Warm-this.jpgMaria Love of Mount Airy takes advantage of Thursday afternoon’s unseasonably warm weather to visit the Riverside Park playground with her daughter Sophia-Claire, 5, for some fun on the swings. Tom Joyce | The News

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DOBSON — A former county educator was arrested Thursday under child pornography laws.

Andy Ray Atkins, 47, of 184 Loan Oak Lane, Dobson, was a teacher in the Surry County Schools district until last summer when the school system terminated him following allegations of inappropriate actions.

Dr. Tracey Lewis, Surry County Schools director of communications, said that Atkins was terminated from his position working with Gentry Middle and Mountain Park Elementary schools on June 28 and that any other questions would have to be directed to the school district’s attorney, Fred Johnson.

The Surry County Sheriff’s Office said Friday afternoon that Atkins had been charged with five counts of second-degree exploitation of a minor.

“Mr. Atkins’ arrest was as a direct result of several months of investigation conducted by the Surry County Sheriff’s Office into allegations of receiving and obtaining child pornography,” said a press release. “The investigation began after the Surry County Sheriff’s Office received information about an employee within the Surry County school system having inappropriate conversations through social media.”

Detectives with the sheriff’s office interviewed Atkins and secured his electronic devices, stated the press release. Detectives obtained search warrants for social media accounts directly tied to Atkins. After the data and evidence from the search warrants for the social media accounts were received by detectives, criminal charges were issued.

Sheriff Steve Hiatt could not comment specifically on whether Atkins’ case involved one or more local minors and if so were these students that he met through his job as a music teacher at Gentry and Mountain Park.

“Unfortunately, at this time we cannot release any more information,” replied Hiatt. “This is due to the ongoing investigation.”

Detectives indicated that as the investigation continues, additional charges could be coming. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation during this investigation.

The sheriff’s office said that Atkins was taken in front of a judicial official on Thursday where he received a $125,000 secured bond and a court date of March 6.

According to North Carolina law, first-degree exploitation of a minor would be to create child pornography. Second-degree (like Atkins’ charges) concerns the copying and distribution of child pornography — which is greater than third-degree, involving the possession of the illegal material.

The definition of a minor is anyone under the age of 18. The material can be any film, photo, negative, slide, digital image or sound recording which is of a child or appears to include a child engaging in a sexual act.

Child pornography is also a federal crime, so evidence of images sent electronically across state lines could potentially get the feds involved in the case.

Atkins

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Andy-Atkins.jpgAtkins

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DOBSON — The Surry County Sheriff’s Office has released the following arrest reports:

• Elidio Gonzalez Rubio, 35, of Old U.S. 601, Mount Airy, was served a warrant Feb. 2 on a charge of assault on a female, dated June 26, He was given no bond and a Feb. 22 court date.

• Jordan Matthew Hoosier, 29, of Corvette Lane, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Feb. 1 for failure to appear in court the day before. He was given a $2,500 secured bond and a March 12 court date.

He is charged with felony possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony probation violations.

• Daniel Neal DeHart, 43, of Mount Zion Road, Pinnacle, was served an order for arrest Feb. 2 on a charge of failure to pay child support or alimony, dated Dec. 14. He was given a $2,500 secured bond and a Feb. 26 court date.

• Amber Rose Spainhour, 31, of Pipers Gap Road, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Feb. 3 for failure to appear in court Jan. 22 on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a $750 secured bond and a March 25 court date.

She also has a Feb. 15 court appearance on a charge of driving with an expired tag, then the same charge again on March 15.

• Donald Fredrick Grueshaber, 54, of Hiatt Road, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Feb. 4 for failure to appear in court May 23 on a charge of speeding. He was given a $5,000 unsecured bond (typically meaning he has missed his traffic court date several times) and a March 4 court date.

• Meghan Nicole Elias, 30, of Raintree Trail, Mount Airy, was served a criminal summons Feb. 5 on a charge of assault and battery, dated Feb. 3. She was given a March 4 court date.

• Lucas Brady Hodges III, 37, of Siloam Road, Ararat, was served an order for arrest Feb. 5 on charges of two counts of failure to pay child support, dated Jan. 30. He was given a $680 cash bond and a Feb. 13 court date.

• Brian W. Cruz, 24, of Greenville, was served an order for arrest Feb. 5 for failure to appear in court that day on a charge of no operator’s license. He was given a $500 secured bond and a March 11 court date.

• Michael Lynn Snider, 54, of Smith Lane, Mount Airy, was served warrants Feb. 6 charging him with second-degree trespassing and communicating threats, dated the day before. He was served an order for arrest for failure to appear in court Jan. 22 on an unspecified charge. He was given a $4,250 secured bond and a March 5 court date for the warrants.

He also has a Feb. 18 date on charges of possession of marijuana and resisting an officer. On Feb. 26 he faces exceeding safe speed and failure to report an accident. On March 12 he faces a charge of filing a false report to a police station.

• Shirley Juanita Childress, 51, of Maple Drive, Mount Airy, was served a criminal summons Feb. 5 on a charge of violating the school mandatory attendance law, dated Jan. 29. She was given a Feb. 28 court date.

• Robin Ann Key, 54, Burcham Road, State Road, was served an order for arrest Feb. 6 for failure to appear in court May 22 on a charge of assault. She was given a $500 secured bond and a March 4 court date.

• Onorio Galarza Rodriguez, 33, of Boeing Lane, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Feb. 6 for felony being a fugitive from justice, dated Jan. 31. He was given no bond and a court date the next day.

• Jesus Alejandro Mijes-Perez, 21, Southridge Drive, Mount Airy, was served an order for arrest Feb. 6 for failure to appear in court Nov. 20 on a charge of driving while license revoked. He was given a $300 cash bond and a March 4 court date.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Sheriff-badge-RGB-2.jpg

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U.S. Air Force Airman Jared S. Hiatt, of Mount Airy, graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Hiatt is the son of Tammy S. Hiatt and Steve Hiatt P. Hiatt and brother of Luke T. Hiatt and Stephanie L. Hiatt, all of Mount Airy.

Hiatt

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_hiatt.jared_.57999d40-006c-445c-81b2-eefc1593e5b7.jpgHiatt

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• A Mount Airy woman was served with a warrant for a felony charge Thursday, stemming from the recent theft of property from a vehicle at Walmart, according to city police department reports. Meagan Elizabeth Bruner, 30, of 154 Ellis Acres Lane, is accused of breaking and entering of a vehicle.

In addition to that felony violation, Bruner is accused of larceny, with both charges issued on Jan. 30, two days after the vehicle incident. She also was charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana) after a probable-cause search of her person and minivan Thursday when police served warrants on Bruner for the property-related crimes after encountering her at Walmart.

That’s where she allegedly entered the unlocked 2007 Chevrolet Impala of Kaylen Aloura Hawks of Summit Drive on Jan. 28 and took property owned by Joshua Cole Ellis Pope of Deerfield Lane, valued at $145. It included a Nike backpack, Columbia jacket, Starbucks thermos, T-shirt and cooler. Bruner was jailed under a $5,000 secured bond and slated for a March 26 appearance in Surry District Court.

• Joey Keith Caudle, 28, of 121 Georgia Ave., was charged with larceny and two counts of second-degree trespassing last Sunday night after incidents at local stores.

Caudle allegedly trespassed at Lowes Foods, from which he previously been banned, and allegedly stole a $12 bottle of wine from the store. He was located by police about 20 minutes later during a trespassing call at Sheetz, where Caudle also was found to be on the banned list. He is facing a Feb. 28 District Court appearance on the charges filed in the Lowes case and another on April 1 for the Sheetz matter.

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Two Winston-Salem men are facing felony narcotics charges in Surry County after a brief chase with law enforcement on Jan. 25. The chase followed a drug bust at a Dobson home that resulted in drug-related charges against five additional people.

Tammy Renae Miller, 54, of 216 Charlie Miller Road, Dobson, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a schedule II controlled substance for methamphetamine and fentanyl, one felony count of maintaining a drug dwelling and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Miller was given a $20,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Surry County District Court on March 20.

Joshua Clifton Hodges, 34, of 180 W Cleve St, Mount Airy, was arrested and charged with one felony count of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a schedule III controlled substance for buprenorphine hydrochloride pills, and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Hodges was set a $10,000 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear on March 20.

Steven Jared Porter, 24, of 4904 NC 268, Dobson, was arrested and charged with one felony count of possession of methamphetamine and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was set a $5,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 20.

Morgan Legrant Carter, 22, of 217 Burgundy Road, Mount Airy, was also arrested and charged with one felony count of possession of methamphetamine and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Carter was set a $5,000 secured bond and given a court date of March 20.

Kristal Esperance Brown, 38, of 216 Charlie Miller Road, Dobson, was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a $1,000 secured bond and scheduled to appear in court on March 20.

The two subjects arrested after the brief chase were Raeshud D’Anjalo-Omar Scales and Eric Matthew Scales.

Scales, 20, of 713 Efird Street, Winston-Salem, was charged with one count of felony flee to elude arrest, one count of felony conspire to traffic methamphetamine, one felony count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, one count of felony maintaining a drug vehicle and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $125,000 secured bond and a February 20 court date.

Scales, 43, also of 713 Efrid Street, Winston Salem, was charged with one felony count of conspire to traffic methamphetamine, one felony count of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, one count of felony maintaining a drug vehicle, one misdemeanor count of resisting a public officer and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was set a $75,000 secured bond and scheduled to appear in court on February 20.

The arrests all came as a result of an investigation of a home in the Siloam are of Surry County.

Narcotics detectives from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office obtained information that a house in the Siloam area was being used to sell illegal narcotics, according to a release from Surry County Sheriff Steve Hiatt. The information led to an investigation that developed into a search warrant being executed by detectives from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Airy Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.

The search warrant was executed at 216 Charlie Miller Road, Dobson, on Thursday, Jan. 24. The search resulted in the arrest of five people and led to information that a vehicle carrying illegal narcotics in the area was expected.

In the early morning hours of Friday, Jan. 25, detectives conducting surveillance in the area of the residence encountered the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to perform a traffic stop.

The driver failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle was stopped a short time later, and both occupants —

Raeshud D’Anjalo-Omar Scales and Eric Matthew Scales — were arrested. The driver allegedly attempted to hit a narcotics detective during the pursuit. No law enforcement officers were harmed during the encounter.

Sheriff Hiatt said that he is glad all law enforcement officers remained safe during both incidents. Whenever there is a situation involving illegal drugs, there is always the potential for a law enforcement officer to come into contact with a deadly toxin or weapon and become injured. In the second incident, the weapon used was a motor vehicle.

Although the arrests were made Jan. 24 and Jan. 25, the sheriff’s office only released the information on Friday. The sheriff did not explain the delay.

Eric Scales

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_E-Scales-1.jpgEric Scales

Hodges

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Hodges-1.jpgHodges

Miller

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Miller-1.jpgMiller

Porter

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Porter-1.jpgPorter

Raeshaud Scales

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Scales-1.jpgRaeshaud Scales

Brown

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Brown-1.jpgBrown

Carter

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Carter-1.jpgCarter

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Members of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and State Bureau of Investigation converged on the Shoals community Saturday after a man was found dead at a residence there.

As of late Saturday afternoon, authorities had not officially disclosed whether the death was being treated as a homicide — a deliberate and unlawful killing — or some other cause, although there were reports that a shooting was involved.

They also had not verified the identity of the victim.

A call came in regarding the incident about 10:50 a.m. Saturday, according to Surry Emergency Services Director John Shelton.

Shelton, who also serves as the county’s medical examiner, was still on the scene hours later along with a contingent of officers.

The residence involved is in the 500 block of Shoals Road in the Shoals/Pinnacle area of southeastern Surry County.

After paramedics arrived at the scene and found the man deceased, investigators with the Sheriff’s Office and SBI responded to that location, forming a large law enforcement presence — including a number of patrol cars — which continued well into the afternoon.

While authorities were still busy processing evidence and releasing little information about the case by late afternoon, including confirming the exact location involved, county emergency dispatch records showed the address and that the call there was listed as “medical” in nature.

The person found dead at the residence, while not officially identified, was thought to be in his 60s, based on information from the scene.

“I don’t think all his family has been identified,” the emergency services director said in explaining the delay by authorities in releasing the victim’s name.

While the identity of the person who owned the home where the body was found was available to The Mount Airy News utilizing county dispatch and other records, The News opted not to publish the owner’s name based on Shelton’s statement some of his family has not yet been notified.

In addition, no official cause of death had been revealed by late Saturday afternoon.

Word from a Surry Sheriff’s Office lieutenant at the scene then was that the investigation was still at a sensitive stage and few details could be made available to the public at that time.

More information was expected to come forward as it progressed.

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The holder of a winning Powerball ticket in Surry County has come forward to collect a $50,000 prize, according to a state lottery spokeswoman.

That ticket had been purchased by Charlotte Saunders of Ararat for the Feb. 2 Powerball drawing, who could have claimed the cash as early as last Monday but did not emerge until late in the week.

Yet that delay did not diminish the excitement and emotion Saunders demonstrated to lottery representatives about becoming $50,000 richer virtually overnight, according to Kathleen Jacob, public affairs specialist with the North Carolina Education Lottery in Raleigh.

“I cried with joy,” was Saunders’ reaction upon finding out she won, as relayed by Jacob. “I’m ecstatic — I feel so blessed.”

Saunders, who works as a master scheduler in the aerospace industry, bought the ticket at Lil Mtn Cupboard, also known as Little Mountain Grocery, a store located on Little Mountain Road in the Ararat community.

Her ticket came close to capturing the $191 million jackpot for the Feb. 2 Powerball drawing, due to its numbers matching four of five white balls drawn and a sixth red Powerball. The odds of that were one in 913,129.

For the same drawing, a ticket holder in Hendersonville won $2 million due to all five white balls being matched, beating odds of one in 11.7 million.

Still, $50,000 was a welcome windfall for Saunders, who collected the money Thursday from a claims center in Greensboro, according to Jacob. It is the nearest one to Surry County.

While North Carolina operates its own array of lottery contests, it is also one of 44 states that feature Powerball.

With that game, a ticket buyer selects, or lets a terminal randomly pick, five numbers from one to 69 for the series of white balls and a number from one to 26 for the red ball.

Powerball drawings are held on Saturday and Wednesday nights. Its jackpots start at $40 million and build up if there are no winners.

Because of that not occurring for the most recent drawing Wednesday night, the jackpot entering this weekend had grown to $224 million with a cash option of $136.4 million.

Charlotte Saunders of Ararat is shown with a facsimile check for the $50,000 prize she won in last weekend’s Powerball contest.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Win-this.jpgCharlotte Saunders of Ararat is shown with a facsimile check for the $50,000 prize she won in last weekend’s Powerball contest.

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