A1 log onto www.elkintribune.com for archive • games • features • e-edition • polls & more OPINION WEATHER SPORTS ONLINE Today: mostly cloudy, my coach did not high 56° low 32° o’donnell, Joines busy? check us spit on anybody’s Tomorrow: pleasant with clouds and sun, capture conference out online at hand .... Page 4 high 56° low 31° titles .... Page 7 elkintribune.com Vol. CI, No.017 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 $1.00 ElkinJessica Pickens Creek or Elkin River? staffw riter [email protected] It goes by several names: Elkin River, Elkin Creek, the Big Elk, the Big Elk Creek. But what is the true name of the body of water that runs through Elkin? Local physician Bill Blackley was researching the area’s history and found several discrepancies with the name of the Elkin Creek. “I’ve found several sources that called it the Elkin River, including a map from 1774 that is hanging in Independence Hall in Philadel- phia,” Blackley said. “We are in the process of building a green- TRIBUNE/Jessica pickens way along this body water and we The plaque at the end of a bridge across from the Elkin Rec Center reads want to make sure that we give it “Elkin River Bridge” and is marked from 1940. the proper authoritative name.” Prior to 1971, Blackley has labels this river as the Elkin River. Blackley contacted the Unit- found several old documents and “The book states that our town, ed States Board of Geographic maps that site the body of water as Elkin, was named after the Elkin Names in Washington, D.C. to the Elkin River including: River,” Blackley said. find out what the true name of the 1. An original 1774 Map in In- 3. Two bronze plaques on the body water is. dependence Hall in Philadelphia 1940 Highway 268 Bridge label In 1971, a group of surveyors calls this body of water the Elkin the river as the Elkin River Bridge. came to the area and asked locals River. 4. The 1962 US Army Topo- what the name of the body of wa- “I communicated with the Cura- graphic Command map labels this ter was called, and they all said it tor of Independence Park, Karie river as the Elkin River. was called the Elkin Creek, said Diethorn, and she photographed However, the issue of the name Roger Payne, executive secretary the map and confirmed that the is not large enough for the Board of the U.S. Board of Geographic coordinates of the confluence of of Geographic names to go into Names. After this process, the the Elkin River with the Yadkin in-depth research about it, and body of water has been marked as River on the 1775 map and the Blackley said he doesn’t plan on Elkin Creek on maps and official coordinates of the current conflu- applying for a name change. documents. ence of the river in question in “Elkin Creek has no known “It doesn’t work that way now,” Elkin with the Yadkin River are problems or controversy with Payne said. “That system was exactly the same,” Blackley said. names,” Payne said. “The con- TRIBUNE/Jessica pickens flawed and perhaps should be re- 2. A 1776 map in the 1889-1989 troversy is not strong enough to What do you call this body of water? Documents dating back to 1774 say that it visited.” Elkin Centennial Celebration book bring before the board.” is called the Elkin River, but starting in 1971 it was named the Elkin Creek. New Rotary scholarships announced The Yadkin Valley Rotary Club and Walmart have an- nounced the creation of a new scholarship opportunity for local high school seniors. The “Service Above Self” Scholarship will be awarded to three individuals who have gone above and beyond the call TRIBUNE/Jessica pickens of duty in providing service to the community. Helen Ratledge, owner of Ratledge Florist, offers flowers for Valentine’s Day along with balloons, vases and stuffed animals. One $750 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior who is planning to continue his or her education after graduation from Elkin High School, Starmount High Show Elkin love on Valentine’s School or East Wilkes High School. The emphasis of these scholarships is primarily on recognizing individuals who have made a difference by giving of their time and talent to benefit others. Day by shopping local “Service above Self” is the motto of Rotary International, Jessica Pickens Lodgings Rooms prices start at $109 and up. a volunteer organization of 1.2 million people united to pro- staffw riter The Fairfield Inn and Suites has a Food vide humanitarian service, help build goodwill and foster [email protected] Valentine’s Day tradition. “We have some of the finest qual- peace. Rotary members have contributed $850 million and The hotel has a Valentine’s Day ity restaurants in the area right here many volunteer hours to immunize more than two billion On Valentine’s Day, don’t just show package that is a one-night stay at at our door step,” said Zim Zim- children in 122 countries and help eliminate eradicate this love for your sweetheart, but also for the hotel. Patrons get a box of choco- merman, PGA professional, general disease. your town. lates and a bottle of house wine with manager and food beverage manager The application form is available at www.yadkinvalleyro- Instead of driving to Charlotte for a the room, said director of sales Casey of Cedarbrook Country Club. “The tary.org. It must be returned by March 15,2012 to: candle light dinner and movie, Elkin Waddell. quality of food and service in the area Yadkin Valley Rotary Club offers high quality Valentine’s Day en- “We have done this every year since is great, and there is a lot of variety.” P.O. Box 212 tertainment and lodging. we have been open,” Waddell said. See LOCAL | 2 Elkin, NC 28621 or to the school guidance counselor. Local officials prepare to file for re-election Josh Armstrong political race. With his ex- heartland publications perience as a grand master mason, Miller felt he had DOBSON — Starting “the know-how” and the ex- next Monday, several of- perience. ficials in Surry County will “I wanted to try to see be able to file for re-election what it was like.” until Feb. 29. While some Throughout the years, incumbents are undecided Miller has served in varying on pursuing another bid, capacities with his fellow other officials are already commissioners, taking on gearing up for at least one the roles of chairman and more term. vice chairman four times Among the county par- each. tisan offices, Jimmy Miller Recently, the county bud- photo courtnesy of ncard.us and Paul Johnson of the Sur- get has been the main focus Register of Deeds Carolyn ry County Board of Commis- of the board, particularly as Comer has confirmed she will sioners have confirmed they the citizens of Surry have file for re-election next week. will indeed run once more. faced economic hardships. “I’m too young to retire,” “I think this will be the last “We look at each depart- joked Comer. time I run,” said Miller, 79. ment to see what their needs to make sure the taxes are “I have loved working for the are and determine how we collected and dispersed to people and look forward to spend our money,” explained the different organizations, doing it again.” Miller. “We look after the such as schools, the sheriff’s photo courtesy of surry county Twenty-four years ago, schools really well. We al- office and the health depart- Jimmy Miller, top right, stands behind Paul Johnson in this official photo of the Surry County Miller filed for the first time, ways have.” ment.” Board of Commissioners. Both will file for re-election next week, with Miller believing this to be believing there were not Johnson agreed, saying, his final run. The other commissioners featured here include Vice Chairman Garry Scearce, left, enough Republicans in the “Our main statutory goal is See OFFICIALS | 2 Chairman R. F. “Buck” Golding and Eddie Harris. A2 Page 2 www.elkintribune.com Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Sherrif’s Briefs Five Generations Arrests • Yogi DeWayne Danley, 28, of • Larceny and criminal damage • Angel Ruben Rodriguez, 19, of 733 S. Main St., Dobson, was ar- to a property on Valleygreen Trail, Red Hill Creek Road, Dobson, was rested on Jan. 29, charged with mis- Pinnacle, were reported on Jan. 20. Standing left to arrested on Feb. 1, charged with demeanor larceny and misdemeanor The suspect stole one truck muffler right: mother Melissa felony breaking and entering a mo- possession of stolen property. Bond Hamby, 26, of Dob- valued at $200 and one red tool box tor vehicle and felony indecent lib- is $10,000. Trial date is March 29. son, Grandmother erties with a child. Bond is $25,000 Incidents with various tools valued at $100 Barbara Butcher, 51, secured. Trial date is March 29. • Larceny of livestock on hoals total. of State Road and • Byron Donnell Green, 34, of Road, Pinnacle, was reported on • Breaking and entering and Great Grandmother 1243 Patterson Ave., Winston- Jan. 17. The suspect stole one black larceny on Martha Lowe Road, Mattie Cranford 73, Salem, was arrested on Jan. 25, Angus cow with a white tag in its also of State Road. Lowgap, were reported on Jan. 21. Great Great Grand- charged with being a habitual felon. ear. The cow was valued at $1,000. The suspect entered the victim’s mother Minnie Bond is $50,000 secured.