To the town of Pilot Mountain, its law enforcement and other area law enforcement groups who helped put on a successful National Night Out Tuesday. The day is set aside each year for community’s to take a stand against crime in their areas, and Pilot Mountain has hosted this event, with the help of people like Dickie Crump at the Squeeze Box, who provided free hot dogs, for three years now.

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To the group of citizens who have worked so hard to get a skate park in Mount Airy, and are this weekend seeing the results of that work. The skate park is hosting a grand opening today after yesterday’s ribbon cutting, so now skateboarding and rollerblading athletes in the area have a place to express themselves.

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To the educators and students in Surry County who each year work to excel on the state and national levels to meet the AYP and ABCs standards. Nearly all of the area’s schools met their goal, or exceeded their goal, for meeting those this year. It is great news to get on the cusp of the beginning of a new school year.