Kluttz Reamer attorney named top rated litigation lawyer

Michael S. Adkins, a partner in the Kluttz Reamer law firm of Salisbury, has been recognized as a Top Rated Litigation Lawyer by The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings.

Martindale-Hubbell is an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States and Canada.

Adkins received his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and has 23 years of experience practicing law in Rowan County. He joined Kluttz Reamer as a partner in 2005. His areas of practice include civil litigation, state criminal law, personal injury and traffic law.

He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Rowan County Bar Association, where he has served as president; American Advocates for Justice and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, serving on the education, legislative affairs and legal affairs committees and the executive committee for the autotorts section. He also works or has served on the board of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Pregnancy Support Center, the Courthouse Security Committee, the East Rowan Boosters Club and the Gideons.

He and his wife, Cindy, have two grown children, Nick and Lydia. He is a member of Wyatt’s Grove Baptist Church, where he serves as church moderator and as a member of the Board of Deacons.

Tractor Supply giving grants to shelters for Pet Appreciation Week

As part of Tractor Supply’s annual Pet Appreciation Week, held Sept. 16-20, the retailer is awarding a total of $25,000 in grants, including a $10,000 grand prize, to qualifying animal non-profits through its “Rescue Your Rescue” social media contest.

To get started, Tractor Supply is asking customers to nominate their favorite by submitting a photo and brief statement of why the shelter is deserving. Nominations are open through Aug. 30, and all details on how to enter will be found at Facebook.com/TractorSupplyCo.

Tractor Supply will narrow down the nominations to 10 finalists, and the public will vote from Sept. 5 through Sept. 13 at Facebook.com/TractorSupplyCo to determine the final standings. The Rescue Your Rescue grand prize is a $10,000 grant. Second place is $5,000; third place, $3,500; fourth place, $2,000; fifth place, $1,500; sixth place, $1,000; seventh place, $800; eight place, $650; ninth place, $350; and tenth place, $200.

Last year, Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue of Shoals, W.Va., won the $10,000 grand prize. Tinia Creamer, president of the winning rescue, said the contest allowed her organization to upgrade transportation for horses in need. Remaining funds saved an emaciated Tennessee Walking Horse, which was rehabilitated and adopted into a loving home.

Tractor Supply’s Pet Appreciation Week is an event to celebrate pets and introduce families to the joy of owning animals. As part of the main event on Saturday, Sept. 19,Tractor Supply stores will feature pet adoptions, demonstrations on pet nutrition, discounts on pet food and supplies, free giveaways, and in-store prize drawings.

All Pet Appreciation Week events are open to the public — and leashed, friendly pets — and will take place at Tractor Supply stores, including Salisbury’s at 405 Jake Alexander Blvd S. Find more information at TractorSupply.com.