HAMLET — The Chief of the Hamlet Fire and Rescue Department was recently honored with the Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office.

HAMLET — Two vehicles, a tractor and two barns were burned over the weekend following a pair of fires in the southeast corner of the county.

HAMLET — Fire crews spent five and a half hours Thursday night into Friday morning making sure they extinguished a fire at a century-old home.

HAMLET— Ol’ Saint Nick, sitting in front of a shiny red fire truck, learned what local children wanted for Christmas early Saturday during the annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Hamlet Fire Department.

The youngsters and their parents filled up on a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and bacon before visiting with Kris Kringle to share their wishes and pose for a photo.