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Pike County commissioners voted 3-1 to postpone the approval or denial of a $2,670,000 agreement with John W. Spratlin and Son of Lincolnton for the renovation and addition to the historic 1895 courthouse until the Jan. 11 meeting. Negotiations reduced the original bid by $325,000. To read more about the negotiations and choices the board has, read the Dec. 21 edition of the Journal Reporter.

The Pike County school board will provide space for the Superior Court Clerk’s office to hold court while the historic courthouse is renovated. Several areas of the alternative school off Highway 19 will be used at no cost to the county to hold court when needed. The school agreed to provide the old library space as a courtroom as well as areas for a jury room, jury assembly room, grand jury room and judges quarters. [Full story »] 

Local members of the Maj. Stephen W. Pless (MOH) Detachment 1196 in Griffin have placed boxes for new, unwrapped toys all across Pike County. Toys for Tots drop box locations are at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, United Bank in Zebulon, Miller’s Collision, McLeRoy Realty, Pike County commission office, Barnstormers Grill and Williamson city hall. [Full story »] 

Purple Heart Homes and Wells Fargo helped accomplish a home renovation for injured veteran Buddy Mays and his family who live in Meansville. Their story will be broadcast Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. the debate on ABC. [Full story »] 

Concord is gearing up for the annual Lighting of Concord Friday, Dec. 2 as Main Street is warmed with Christmas cheer and the spirit of the season is shared with friends and family. [Full story »] 

West Central Pre-Release Center has been a part of the Pike County community for decades and the facility may not close as announced by the Department of Corrections in June. Instead, the facility will be used to treat female inmates who require court-appointed substance abuse treatment beginning sometime after the start of the new year. [Full story »] 

It was announced around 11 a.m. Wednesday that Pike County was under a tornado watch until 7 p.m. Around 7 p.m. the forecast was 75% chance of thunderstorms with no tornado watch. [Full story »] 

It may seem a little early to be planning for Thanksgiving, but when you are feeding thousands of needy people, now is the time to prepare. Several local groups are raising funds and gathering food to feed the masses as unemployment remains more than 11% in the Three Rivers Regional Commission. [Full story »] 

The Candler Field Museum in Williamson will hold its fifth annual Veterans Day Celebration Saturday, Nov. 12, featuring military vehicles, helicopters and airplanes, re-enactors, military memorabilia, a military band and special speakers. [Full story »] 

In honor of past and present veterans, Pike County American Legion Post 197 will present its annual Veterans Day program Friday at noon on the courthouse square. Colonel Wade Smith will be the keynote speaker and Laura Kilby will sing the National Anthem. Everyone is invited and may want to bring a chair or blanket. [Full story »]