Local News

HILLSVILLE —A 45-year-old Mount Airy, N.C., man faces 26 counts of grand larceny after Carroll deputies received a break in a theft of thousands of dollars worth of heavy construction equipment in July 2011.
Chester Pruett was charged Oct. 23 by Deputy Chuck Edwards after a report that the accused sold items to a Mount Airy-based recycling business that matched the description of stolen in 2011, according to police reports.

Galax will no longer be a “dead zone” for AT&T wireless service, now that the telecommunications company has made it available in the area.
On Monday, AT&T announced the availability of its mobile Internet service in Galax, extending access for advanced mobile services, devices and applications to customers in the area.
This will allow AT&T customers with smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices to access the Internet, voice and data capabilities, the company said in a news release.

INDEPENDENCE — A last-minute challenger has announced his intention to seek the Elk Creek District seat on the Grayson County Board of Supervisors.
With no official candidates filing to run against her, incumbent Brenda Sutherland until this week was without opposition for her second full term.
On Tuesday, Tracy “Zeke” Anderson announced that he is running a write-in campaign.

 In a series of factors almost too compounded to be considered a coincidence, plenty of help arrived in time to quickly douse a fire at Midway Baptist Church on Oct. 27.
The Galax Fire Department received a call at 7 p.m. from a passerby who reported heavy smoke billowing from the sanctuary. On arrival, the firefighters found the fellowship hall on fire, according to a report from Fire Chief David Hankley.