A bank merger under duress

For years Elkin-based Yadkin Valley Bank was one of the town’s best success stories, steadily growing to eclipse the $1 billion mark in assets a few years back and become a regional presence thanks in large part to acquisitions with several smaller banks.
But that was then, and the here and now is not pretty for [...]

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Would you fight passionately over this house?

In Mount Airy, a surprising number would answer yes, given the volume and magnitude of the arguments during the past two years on whether to restore the 1920s-era home or bulldoze it to clear parking space for Reeves Community Center (seen in the background of this photo). The final public chapter, detailed in the Feb. [...]

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Taking trash to the private sector

We’re entering round two of Waste Industries’ attempt to lease the county’s landfill operations. After being soundly rejected by commissioners in 2003, the company is taking their case directly to the public this time via a petition and outreach campaign focused on economic development, as outlined in the Feb. 8 edition of The Messenger.
Taking the [...]

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Cops in schools, and their role as investigators

Imagine if you will that your child’s high school classmate is suspected for drug dealing, or perhaps bringing a weapon to school. There’s a police officer assigned to keep students safe, so should this officer proceed with an investigation without alerting the student under suspicion? Or should the officer be required to notify that student’s [...]

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The county’s plan for economic stimulus

As President Obama’s stimulus package winds its way through Congress, Surry County government has put together its own plan of ready-to-go projects seeking some stimulus funding, as described in the Feb. 1 Messenger. The plan is now complete and being sent out to state and federal representatives. A quick summery of the contents, with price [...]

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