By Leslie Yevak BARC Electric Cooperative is hoping to install a community-shared solar panel array on the old Highland Belle School in Kerrs Creek. BARC says local residents could subscribe to energy from the panels at a fixed rate, and over time save money on electric bills. BARC is hoping a $500,000 grant it received from Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office on Monday will push the county to approve its plans, despite some neighbors’ concerns.
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After 25 years as a professor of journalism at Washington and Lee, Brian Richardson will retire at the end of the academic year. Before returning to his alma mater to teach, Richardson worked as a television reporter and wrote for newspapers such as the Tallahassee Democrat and the Miami Herald. Students and faculty share what they’ve learned from Richardson as a professor and colleague. Professor Richardson gives a few final thoughts, leading with a joke, in typical BR fashion. Cheers, BR.
By Caleigh Wells Rockbridge County kids are waking up a little earlier and staying in school longer to make up for snow days, and parents and teachers are less than thrilled about it. “My real question for the school board would be why in the world didn’t you build in some snow days?” said third grade parent Linda Hooks. Unlike in previous years, Rockbridge County did not incorporate snow days into the school calendar. Lexington built in three this year, and last year Rockbridge County had five. Without any snow days built in, making up the 11 days the county…
By Raymond Monasterski Kling Elementary School will add second graders next year under a reorganization approved by the Buena Vista School Board. The action came as the board also voted to recommend a $10.7-million schools budget to City Council. The new budget would eliminate a school bus purchase and instead use the money to add two teaching positions. The council is expected to consider the budget at its April 19 meeting.
By Leslie Yevak A coalition of Rockbridge area health organizations is requesting community input to help identify and address unmet health needs in the area. Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital, the Rockbridge Area Health Center and the local health department are spearheading a reassessment. They are working alongside other local health organizations, law enforcement, schools and transportation services. Possible increases in federal funding are part of their motivation. But Holly Ostby, community health coordinator at Carilion Stonewall Jackson, said the project really focuses on the patients. “It’s all about residents in the community,” Ostby said. “Our purpose is to assess the…
By Kinsey Grant After running unopposed the last two election cycles, Republican Del. Ben Cline will face an opponent in his bid to continue representing area constituents this year — Ellen Arthur of Rockbridge County. Cline was elected in 2002 and is in his seventh term representing the 24th District, which includes parts of Rockbridge, Amherst, Augusta and Bath counties and the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista. He last had an opponent in 2009. He would not comment on Arthur’s entrance into the race. “I’ve been hard at work these past several years on behalf of working families in the…
By Jordan Missal Owners of local self-storage facilities are installing security cameras in the wake of a spate of break-ins. Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Investigator Tony McFaddin says the thief or thieves mostly targeted electronics and firearms. The burglaries began a few months ago.
By Caleigh Wells Across the country and in Rockbridge County, high school seniors learned which colleges had accepted them this week. But acceptance is more selective than even a decade ago, with the number of applicants having doubled at some colleges in the past 10 years. In most cases, applicants will have to make their college choice by May 1.
By Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder Rockbridge County Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Christopher Billias wants to step into his boss’ shoes. Billias is running to succeed Robert “Bucky” Joyce, who is retiring from the elected position after serving since 2004. The commonwealth’s attorney prosecutes felony cases – crimes that can send an offender to jail for more than a year – in Rockbridge County and Lexington. Joyce, who supports Billias, describes him as his right-hand man. “I wouldn’t have him be my chief deputy if I didn’t think he was qualified,” Joyce said. Joyce has worked in the commonwealth’s attorney’s office for 29 years.…
By Kieran McQuilkin Lexington residents and college students are getting used to heavier traffic and a louder commute as both local universities tackle big-dollar building projects. Construction at Virginia Military Institute is centered around North Main Street. “Traffic patterns will get disrupted as we get deliveries in, but that’s part and parcel of any construction project,” said Col. Keith Jarvis, VMI’s construction director. “But overall, the impact has been pretty minimal. The actual construction activity is far enough away from academic buildings that there’s not a significant or direct impact around campus.” VMI is in the middle of $120 million…