Today's News

It has been said by many that the Twin Counties are rich in hospitality.
In fact, it is commonly quoted by those who return to this area after traveling to other places, that they "have finally come home."
Looking back over events that have taken place over the past couple of months, it is easy to see why people feel this way. Not only do local businesses, organizations and residents welcome newcomers with open arms, but in the most dire situations, their doors swing open, too.

HILLSVILLE –– It doesn’t seem like that long ago to those who experienced it firsthand. 

Carroll County’s most recent venture to the state tournament in 1991 seems like just a few years back to those who followed the Cavaliers then. Even the back-to-back region championship teams in 1979 and 1980, there’s no way those guys are in their 50s now.

But on the other hand, the gap between today and three years ago may as well be an eternity.

INDEPENDENCE — Raises are the top priority for Grayson County Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Chalfant as the school board begins work on the 2013-14 budget.
Chalfant, who is going through his first budget season as the division’s head administrator, reiterated at the Feb. 25 work session that he remains committed to increasing pay for the division’s personnel.
Grayson teachers and support staff have gone more than four years with their pay scales frozen and Chalfant said he had hoped to buy back at least two of those salary steps.

With tax season now in full swing, many Americans will seek professional help to file their federal and state returns. But sometimes that professional help can take a chunk out of a taxpayer’s wallet.
AARP annually offers a free solution for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through its nonprofit Tax-Aide program.
District coordinator Carol Sheahan has been helping area AARP tax preparation sites for about 13 years. She became involved with Tax-Aide when she found an ad for a volunteer opportunity to prepare taxes for seniors.