To the Bannertown Volunteer Fire Department for recently hosting students from White Plains Christian School, and to all area fire departments and rescue squads who allow school field trips and who make visits to the schools.

This takes time, not only during the field trip, but also preparation and clean-up, but the good folks who already give so much of their time to the community do this willingly. These trips are fun adventures for these children, and helps them learn what to do in some emergency situations.

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To all the volunteers in Mount Airy, Dobson and Pilot Mountain who spent hours upon hours preparing for and putting on Christmas parades last weekend. Many children, and adults, will recall those parades as highlights of the Yuletide season, and the events couldn’t be put on without those volunteering.

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To Granite Tactical Vehicles, which announced its expansion including the creation of 200 jobs this week.

The company, which has been operating out of a plant in Pilot Mountain during its research and development phases, decided to stay in Surry County with plans to add 200 jobs and invest $2.5 million. For the people who are in need of employment, this will be great help and will add to our local economy.

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To Zumba participants, and everyone else helping out raising money, food and toys so those in need can have a good Christmas.

The Zumba group raised more than $1,600 in money and toys to provide Christmas for those in the area.