| 114th Year, 21st Issue | Thursday, January 2, 2003 | Sparta, North Carolina |
Like most years, 2002 was a year of highs and lows for Alleghany County. The number of traffic fatalities in the first half of the year was up compared to any year in recent memory, but the trend, thankfully, did not continue.
Economic woes on the state level trickled down to sap coffers for both the county and town. Later in the year, a tenant for the vacant Bristol Compressors building was found and an announcement that the Wellness Center might soon be built helped end the year on a hopeful note. The following is a month-by-month rundown of the news of '02:
January
Chris Robinson was named the N.C. Rural Internet Access Authority's e-champion for Alleghany. The RIAA's goal is to link all North Carolinians to the Internet.
Work on U.S. 21 was ahead of schedule, with work initially to continue until Dec. 30. It was finished by early fall of '02. The town announced that a water extension down U.S. 21 could be completed by spring.
The main prospect for the new Blue Ridge Telecenter (now Business Development Center), a call center, opted out of locating here.
The county started planning general public transportation, which was made available later in the year.
Jeff Peal announced that he was leaving Alleghany High School to accept a job in Wilkes County.
February
A former Wilkes County principal, Harry Talmadge Englebert, was charged with sexual offenses in relation to incidents that allegedly occurred with boys at a residence on Allen Road in Piney Creek.
Wayne Monroe Blevins, the founder of Blevins Building Supply, died at the age of 86.
The county hired Ernie Pearson as its representative for talks with Bristol Compressors regarding settling an impasse over an alleged breach by the company of an incentive agreement.
The county and town learned that funding was going to be withheld by the state for tax reimbursements. The move cost the county $117,000 and the town $102,000.
The Alleghany Trojan wrestling team took a state dual championship. The Alleghany Board of Elections moved into a new home at 53 West Whitehead Street (N.C. 18 south). The new location offered the office, which now has more visitors due to one-stop voting, more room.
Two people died in an accident on N.C. 93 when a van struck the rear of a tractor trailer that was parked partially in the roadway. Killed were 44-year-old Rickey Blevins and 13-year-old Tammy Childress.
Piedmont Medical acquired the former Hanes building on Trojan Avenue. The company is still in the process of setting up shop.
The school board made its first television appearance, with a meeting broadcast on Alleghany Cablevision Channel 50.
The Alleghany County Commission passed a measure that requires workers to have 30 or more years of experience with the county to retire.
The WCOK Heart Auction set a new fundraising record, raising $15,040. Brandon Moxley took a state individual wrestling championship.
March
Work began on a new location for New River Cottage, near the new ADVP building.
The first draft of a subdivision ordinance was presented by the county planner. The ordinance was later passed by the commission.
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