WINSTON-SALEM - The Yadkin Riverkeeper submitted a request Tuesday in a state administrative court requesting a declaratory ruling to determine the true ownership of the Yadkin River bed in Stanly County in order to protect the state's interest from Alcoa Power Generating, Inc..

Yadkin Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks said based on recent uncovered deeds, the N.C. Department of Administration is overdue in challenging Alcoa’s assertions of ownership of the Yadkin riverbed; and that citizens of North Carolina are the rightful owners of the river itself as a Public Trust Resource, according to a news release from the Riverkeeper's office.

Naujoks said these deeds suggest that the State of North Carolina may be entitled to request additional payments from the owner of the deeds.

In its investigation, attorneys for the Yadkin Riverkeeper uncovered a series of five land grants filed with the Register of Deeds of Stanly County dating back to 1899.

The grants w

ALBEMARLE - Residents interested in curbside recycling service can sign up with the City’s recycling partner, Green Pieces Recycling.

Green Pieces will provide an 18-gallon bin for collection.  Residents may also use the orange bins previously provided by the City of Albemarle.

For more information or to sign up for service, visit. www.greenpiecesrecycling.net.

SALISBURY -The following story and schedule was provided to WBTV by the Yadkin Riverkeeper:

Fall in the Yadkin River Basin started with great news as Yadkin Riverkeeper received the Governor’s Water Conservationist of the Year award at a banquet sponsored by NC Wildlife Federation in Raleigh. First presented in 1958 these prestigious awards honor those individuals, governmental bodies, associations and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina.

Governor Bev Perdue was unable to attend the awards banquet but was kind enough to produce a short video to express her appreciation of the awards winners. “Tonight we are going to honor twenty award recipients for their tireless efforts to preserve North Carolina’s treasured places. Outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing are major economic engines for our state.”