ROCKINGHAM – Several positive reports and accolades were given at the regular monthly meeting of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners Tuesday evening. But a serious issue affecting the local community was also addressed by the Board.

ROCKINGHAM – Now in its 27th year of gathering and sharing statistics on child abuse, the Child Treatment 2016 annual report was issued by the Department of Health and Human Services last week. 

HAMLET – Therafirm, a division of Knit-Rite, Inc., a manufacturer of compression socks and hosiery, has been recognized as the Top Rural Exporter of North Carolina for 2017.  The award was presented by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper to company officials at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh on Wednesday.  

ROCKINGHAM- With the recent surge of mass shootings across America, including church shootings in Charleston, S.C., and Sutherland Springs, Texas, the time has come for increased diligence around security at places of worship.

ROCKINGHAM – Opioid deaths in the United States continue to spiral out of control.  Richmond County is ranked 4th in North Carolina in opioid abuse as measured by the number of opioid pills annually prescribed per resident at 132.2 compared to the statewide average of 78.3. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Thursday, the United States Supreme Court issued a temporary block of a lower court’s ruling that would require North Carolina lawmakers to redraw voting district boundaries. 

ROCKINGHAM - Independently owned and operated, Edwards IGA has a long history of serving their customers with quality food and genuine next door neighbor service. 

ROCKINGHAM - During their regular meeting monthly in January, members of the Rockingham Downtown Corporation chose John Hutchinson to lead the organization for the coming year.

ROCKINGHAM – The Carol M. Birckhead Award honors outstanding county extension directors annually for extraordinary service.  In 2016, Susan Kelly, of Richmond County was nominated by her staff members and chosen as the Outstanding County Extension Director of North Carolina.

RICHMOND COUNTY -- The recently completed water project to convert from old mechanical water meters to new digital technology has come in 35 percent under budget.