Tammy Dunn

Star Town Board saw a lot of change at their December meeting. Newly elected mayor Perry Wallace took his seat, as well as newly elected commissioner Brian Hussey.

On an early evening in December a small group gathered to bless a large, rugged stone that was a part of the Uwharrie National Forest. The boulder was headed for the western part of the state as a permanent reminder that the folks in that area are not alone in their steps toward the future.

Scott Allen will remain on North Carolina’s death row for the 1999 murder of Chris Gailey. Allen’s appeals have been exhausted following the recent ruling by retiring Superior Court Judge Kevin Bridges, who denied all of Allen’s motions. The evidentiary hearing, ordered by the North Carolina Supreme Court, was held this fall; however, Judge Bridges did not issue his final ruling until recently.

Troy town board members took a significant step for two potential economic development projects last week in a special, called meeting, when they hired lobbyist Sam Shumate. Shumate will work on the town’s behalf to lobby legislators for funding for the town.

Montgomery County native Adam Elkins was sworn in as a superior court judge on Friday. Above, Morgan helps him into his new robe before the bench to deliver remarks at the ceremony.

In a split 4-3 vote, Montgomery County Board of Education members chose to go with the early calendar option rather than the traditional calendar for the 25/26 school year. Both options were presented by Dr. Emily Shaw, representing the calendar committee at the board regular meeting in December. The board had one month to consider both options, and after discussion the majority of the board chose the early calendar.

Biscoe Police made a quick arrest involving a breaking and entering at First Baptist Church in Biscoe. The call came in after a church member found the door unsecured around 9:15 a.m., January 8. It is unclear if the offender was inside at that time or not.

Montgomery County Board of Elections Di- rector Rhonda Johnson has officially resigned her position. Johnson’s leave ended last Wednesday, and she officially resigned that same week.

Kicking off the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners’ work session last week was the issue of the animal shelter. Angela Ballaro, who county manager Frankie Maness described as “an advocate for the animal shelter and animal welfare in the county,” was rst on the agenda. Maness said he

FirstHealth Emergency Medical Services in Montgomery County now has its rst Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) device. This device helps paramedics in providing chest compression to patients in cardiac arrest.