(This is part one of a two-part series.)

The following are the top news stories covered during the first half of the year 2008 in The Stokes News:

January 2008

The Stokes News took a step into the future by going live on January 1. The paper could now be accessed online at www.thestokesnews.com.

On January 3, Homer Dearmin was hired as Walnut Cove’s town manager. He had served as the interim town manager since January 2007.

Walnut Cove Police Chief Barry Conaway was fired on January 7 after 17 years of service to the town. No details as to the reason for termination were given at this point.

Stokes County mourned the loss of former county commissioner and mail carrier Ellis Boyles. He had served the county on the board of commissioners for 16 years before he resigned in 1986.

Dr. Stewart Hobbs took the oath of office as superintendent of Stokes County Schools on January 22.

New sidewalks were dedicated in Walnut Cove. Students from London Elementary School would now be able to walk on concrete from their school to the Walnut Cove Public Library, thanks to grants made to local agencies.

A fire claimed the life of a King woman, Sandy Konts. She was killed in an early morning fire on January 26 at her home at 125 King Arthur Drive.

February 2008

Stokes County’s deed records all the way back to 1787 went online. The seven-year project involved over a half-million images.

Micky Hartgrove of Walnut Cove pleaded guilty on February 4 to involuntary manslaughter in the November 2005 stabbing death of 17-year-old Cody Cox.

Stokes County historian Robert Carroll celebrated his 100th birthday.

Germanton residents chartered a Ruritan club with the help of the Pine Hall Ruritans.

Four county businesses were raided on February 15 for alleged illegal operation of computer-based games of chance. The search warrants were executed at the Exprezit and the 311 Business Center in Walnut Cove and the Friends Mart and the King Business Center in King.

The Walnut Cove Town Hall was damaged by heavy rains that swept through the area near the end of the month.

March 2008

The reasons for the firing of Walnut Cove Police Chief Barry Conaway were released to the public. The alleged reasons included: acting outside the scope of his authority in dealing with a local business with whom the town works closely, conduct unbecoming a public officer when Conaway allegedly threatened the manager of that business, eavesdropping on a closed session of the town commissioners, insubordinate behavior toward the town manager, and a general lack of interest in the town’s chain of command.

Walnut Cove Town Commissioner Debbie Cowan was questioned about her residency in Walnut Cove. A group of town citizens hired a private detective to monitor Cowan’s whereabouts; his findings were that she actually resided at 1220 Old Plantation Road, which is outside of the town limits.

A police chase occurred after Zachary Reed Sharpe was observed stealing a 2003 Ford Focus from Shamburg Auto Sales in Walnut Cove. Sharpe wrecked at Kobe-Wieland copper plant and was hospitalized. Twelve charges were filed against him.

April 2008

Fire raged on Sauratown Mountain and burned 383 acres. The blaze continued for over five days before being controlled by nearly 500 firefighters who joined the effort. David Rucker, 18, of Westfield, and a juvenile were charged with a misdemeanor of leaving a fire without maintaining a careful watch and threatening and endangering property.

Ronald David Lark, 38, of King, received a sentence of 30-38 years in a string of sexual crimes against young boys.

John Brasfield, an agriscience teacher at South Stokes High School, was charged on April 10 with taking indecent liberties with a student. Brasfield, 54, of King, later resigned his position at the school.

May 2008

Rickey Lee Banner, 54, of Germanton, died in a fire at his home at 2522 NC Highway 65. The cause was believed to be a lit cigarette.

The King Chamber of Commerce prepared to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

James Hill was sworn in on May 8 as the new police chief in Walnut Cove. He had been acting police chief since Barry Conaway’s termination.

Stokes Relay for Life raised $90,000 in its fourth year.

Stokes County hired a mental health coordinator, Angela Grubb.

Senator Richard Burr visited Stokes County at the Memorial Day ceremony in King’s Central Park on May 25.

Ola Mae Venable, a 79-year-old Stokes County woman, made history by being the oldest GED graduate in Forsyth Tech history.

June 2008

Habitat for Humanity of Stokes County dedicated its fifth house in its history of serving Stokes County.

King City Council voted to approve a tax hike as well as a five percent water rate increase and a nine percent jump in sewer rates.

June 6 was commencement day for the county’s four high schools.

Walnut Cove’s Board of Commissioners announced that there would be no tax increases in this year’s budget.

The Stokes County Board of Education voted to adopt the proposed redistricting plan that had been hotly contested by those whose children would be forced to attend South Stokes rather than West Stokes by virtue of the new line involving Highway 66.

King’s Chief of Police Tim Ledford announced his resignation after accepting a position as police chief in Mint Hill, NC.

The Stokes County Board of Commissioners adopted the annual budget with no tax increase included.