Entries by Rachel McDaniel

The Census Bureau plans to finish collecting data by the end of September, a month earlier than expected, and although more than half of Pike County residents have responded to the census, time is quickly running out. To complete the census, go to 2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020. [Full story »] 

Don’t miss this weekend’s special Music Festival featuring local talent and Dingers for Dee, a homerun derby for all ages to help a Meansville resident battling cancer. They will both be held at Danielly Park at Life Springs UMC in Meansville. [Full story »] 

Pike commissioners opened and received bids for ambulance services in the county during their Sept. 9 meeting and at a special called meeting Sept. 11, they voted to accept the $400,000 annual contract with Veterans Medical Transport. [Full story »] 

Between Monday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 13, area law enforcement agencies made the following arrests: [Full story »] 

Currently both the girls and boys Pike County High School cross country teams are ranked seventh in the state in class AAA. The teams competed on the state course over the weekend in Carrollton.  [Full story »] 

By Mike Ruffin
ruffinml@gmail.com

Some of you remember my father, the late great Champ Ruffin. He died in 1979, so he’s been gone a long time. But his lessons endure. And he taught me a valuable lesson about voting. [Full story »] 

Ground was broken Sept. 9 as construction starts in earnest on the new Pike County Animal Shelter Facility on County Farm Road. The project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but when finished will cost a total of around $300,000 (with $225,000 donated by the CLC Foundation) and provide 2,950 square foot of space with 10 separate kennel runs in addition to two separate isolation runs and quarantine runs for animals who might be sick or too aggressive to be around others. It will also include an office, break room, a visiting sitting room for volunteers and those adopting pets and a veterinarian/animal exam room. [Full story »] 

For the second week in a row, COVID-19 cases in Pike County have decreased. There have been 22 confirmed cases in the past two weeks according to the Department of Public Health daily status report, compared to 26 the week before. The county holds steady at 8 deaths due to the illness with 27 hospitalizations. [Full story »] 

A ground breaking ceremony was held Sept. 11 as the city of Zebulon completed their portion of the sewer and water lines for the VA Clinic which is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. City and county leaders gathered with representatives from contractors and others involved in the construction and utility expansion process. [Full story »]