A look back at the year 2001 By COBY LaRUE Staff Alleghany County has faced a number of trials this year, from a near-record unemployment rate early in the year to continued job loss announcements by major industries — including the county's top employer. The school system was dealt a blow of sorts when it was discovered that the new gymnatorium floor was not acceptable for use due to water damage. The nation was dealt a blow when terrorists attacked on Sept. 11, leaving many here turning to God for solace. Even so, all the negative headlines were tempered with good, as the county was awarded a new ‘telecenter' and several grants to help with education and other goals were awarded. The following is a look back at the news events of the year 2001 in a month by month summary of articles printed in The Alleghany News.

REMEMBER? — Students and others gather outside Alleghany High School for a prayer service following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America.

January

Alleghany started off the New Year in 2001 on a very sad note: The county held the dubious honor of having the second highest unemployment rate in the state. The official rate of 9.3 percent did not tell the whole story; however, many unemployed workers were not included in that figure because their unemployment benefits had run out. The Alleghany Community Theater also was started back up and met with much success in the year.

In addition, the county agreed to start up a public transit system following a public hearing.

Highland Village was nearing completion and was expected to be open by spring, a goal that was met.

The county hired a new attorney: Edwin Moore ‘Ed' Woltz of Mount Airy. Woltz is available on retainer, but does not regularly attend county meetings as did previous county attornies.

February

A Sparta woman was hurt in a shooting on Main Street. Angela Dawn Petty later recovered from her wound. Michael Wayne Strickland was later found guilty of the crime.

Dropout rates increased for the year 2000, the school system learned. A total of 28 students dropped out in the ‘99-2000 school year.

Greg Taylor was selected as the county's new tax administrator and started work at a pay rate of more than $40,000.

Barbara Lucier was named the town's new Main Street Program Coordinator. Stone Mountain State park added on about 300 acres in the county.

Alleghany High School students started a project that eventually lead to Channel 50 on Alleghany Cablevision.

The county was declared an ‘economically stressed area' under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).

Linda McKnight, a former Alleghany resident, was murdered in her Independence, Va. home.

March

U.S. Senator John Edwards paid his first visit to the county, appearing at Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department.

Alleghany Memorial Hospital celebrated 50 years of service, and Caleb Smith earned a state championship in wrestling.

Charleston Forge announced plans to lease the Carolina Narrow building, a move expected to create about 70 jobs in five years. Meanwhile, former Carolina Narrow workers were told that they could receive some benefits from TAA (Transitional Adjustment Assistance), which pays for extended unemployment and training.

Randy Blankenship was named chief of building inspections.

The unemployment rate soared to 13.1 percent in the county, the highest rate since 1992 — which happened to be the oldest year to which records were kept. The rate was thought to be the highest official unemployment rate ever here.

The county passed a moratorium on new cellular towers. Carolina West Wireless soon afterwards was found to be exempt from the county's new tower ordinance. A new state quarter was released and Glade Creek was funded to start the GearUp program, designed to encourage children to pursue higher education.

The results of the census were released, showing the county with a population hike — including 524 percent growth in Hispanic residents. The county grew from 9,590 in 1990 to 10,677 in the 2000 census.

April

Betty Angeline was officially charged with the murder of Linda McKnight. She was also charged with killing another Independence woman, Glenda Jenkins. Alleghany County passed a blasting ordinance and Skyline opened its new office on Grayson Street.

The commissioners hired Jack Conaway as the county's first planner. Greg Taylor resigned as tax administrator on April 17 after about two months on the job amd the town proposed an ordinance to deal with ‘junk' vehicles, a move which later passed unanimously. The town also started a process that eventually led to a deal on purchasing the Blue Ridge Electric building as a town office.

Barbara Halsey filed a lawsuit against the school board alleging that it did not grant her career status for political reasons. That case has yet to be resolved.

May

The county and newspaper had a disagreement over budget documents, which was resolved within two weeks. The county first said the budget documents would not be released, but later released the documents.

The town sought a loan to buy the Blue Ridge Electric building. The price was set at $1,100,800. The town made the announcement while maintaining its 20-cent tax rate.

Jeffrey Peal was named AHS' new principal, replacing Jim Halsey, who retired. Connie Miller was named the county's teacher of the year. Susan Murphy was named the new principal at Sparta Elementary School, replacing John Brady, who also retired.

Carolina Tire's imminent closing was announced after 25 years here and the county started the process that would lead to the Blue Ridge Telecenter with trips to Raleigh.

The Trojan golf team captured a state trophy — its first ever. The county manager first suggested a six-cent increase in taxes, but that increase was later set at four cents.

A study showing the area to have high concentrations of radon was released, leading to a visit by the state's radon educator, Susan Pope. The Bassett Walker building was first eyed as a location for the telecenter, a move that was approved later in the year.

Bob Choate announced plans to leave the chamber in August.

The Christ Episcopal Church announced plans to build on U.S. 21. AMH announced an end to an impasse with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of N.C., inking a new three-year deal.

July

The school board adopted a temporary budget, hoping for help from the state on the school system's funding.

Travis Sturgill was named the new manager of A. Anderson Huber Cyber Campus and programming for Channel 50 was announced. John Farrelly was named assistant principal at SES.

The county's new health department building was officially opened and Dr. Georgia Latham was named the top staffer at AMH. August

The new wing of the high school was open for business when students returned and New River Cottage announced plans for a new group home. John Brady announced a run for town council. He and Mike Parlier were later elected to four-year terms on council, replacing C.J. Hendrix and Randy Andrews, both of whom decided not to run again.

Susie Miller was named the state's conservation teacher of the year and Choate Motor Company announced plans to close after 55 years in business here. Tanya Carmichael was hired as the new AHS band leader.

Bristol Compressors announced plans to close its Sparta plant, leaving the county without its largest employer. The plant is scheduled to shut down in February, while shipping will continue to work until mid summer. The county approved a new tower ordinance, matching surrounding counties' bids to preserve viewsheds.

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