Feb. 4 - 17, 2021
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For high school seniors, lingering virus lowers expectations Students hope they’re allowed to return to classes and finish their final year with a scaled-down prom and graduation ceremony by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Despite the disappointments and disruptions of COVID-19, seniors such as Jay Brennan
aren’t giving up on the last few months of their final year of high school. The Northern Guilford High School senior would like to return to the classroom after he and his classmates have studied from home since last March. Like other seniors, though, he’s adopted a matter-of-fact attitude as the coronavirus upended many fall activities and leaves planning for prom and graduation up in the air.
I don’t know how realistic that is at this point,” Brennan, 17, said in an interview earlier this week. “Either way, if we end in person or online, I think seniors will figure out a way to make it as good as possible.” The Guilford County Board of Education may decide during its monthly meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 9, whether to allow high school and middle school students to return for class-
“Going back would be great, but
IN THIS ISSUE News in brief ...................................................... 2 Your Questions .................................................. 4 Stokesdale Town Council meeting ................ 6 Pets & Critters .................................................... 9 Charlie and me
The (dog’s) NOSE knows: Charlie and NWO writer Annette Joyce continue their quest to perfect their nosework. ...................................... 10 NWO Kids’ Korner .....................................12, 22 Crime/Incident Report .................................. 14 Community Calendar ................................... 15 Student Profiles................................................ 18 Grins and Gripes ............................................24 Letters/Opinions ............................................. 27 Classifieds .......................................................28 NWO On The Go / Staycation ...................... 32
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‘Getting back to normal – one person at a time’ People who’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine say they’re willing to endure sore arms and some medical unknowns to help eradicate the virus by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD – Retired nurse Pam Krueger was eager to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine for herself and her husband, DuWayne. “Vaccines are there to help people,” the Summerfield resident said. Dr. Greer Geiger, a retina specialist with the Veterans Administra-
Adobe Stock photo
tion, also received the vaccination. The Oak Ridge resident is encour-
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‘It reeks of wrong’ Recently released closed session minutes emphasize council members’ long-term concerns regarding contracted vendor’s pricing, invoice structuring by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Town Council member Jimmy Landreth says the structuring of invoices by one of the town’s vendors had been a concern of his before he was elected to the town council in November 2019, and one of the reasons he initially decided to run for town council. “I didn’t feel like council was being open and transparent and that was part of my motivation (to run for council),” Landreth said in an interview earlier this week. Former council members Tim Jones and Bill Jones had repeatedly questioned the town’s relationship with Beaver Outdoor Solutions, which began in October 2018, after Hurricane Michael blew through the town park and several trees were felled and/or leaning over the sidewalk. Then council member Frank Bruno, who chaired the town’s Property Committee, authorized
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