By Emma Deihle The interim executive director of Rockbridge Area Community Services has been so busy with his new job, he hasn’t even decided if he will apply for the full-time position. John Young, the adult services clinical director for 11 years, said the transition has gone smoothly and he feels comfortable with what he’s had to do. But it’s a lot. For now, he is focused on routine end-of-the-year tasks such as completing a routine external audit, finalizing the strategic plan and managing the administrative team. In a newer initiative, Young hopes to continue to develop a crisis intervention…
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By Anna Akins Makerspaces allow people of all ages to build new gadgets while also collaborating on future projects. Entrepreneurs recently opened in Staunton and Lexington’s city manager is exploring ways to bring one here.
By Rachel Stone There are 1,188 students in the Rockbridge County schools who get free or reduced lunches, and proportionately similar numbers in the Lexington and Buena Vista city schools. But there are probably even more who could qualify, based on the prevalence of low-income families in the area, according to Daphne Stickley, school nutrition supervisor for Rockbridge County schools. Unfortunately, she said, there is a stigma that comes with accepting free or reduced meals. Stickley said administration is trying to make sure students know that they can get the help they need without identifying themselves to their peers. “We…
By Katie Wildes Rockbridge County High School was one of 25 schools in the nation to receive a $25,000 Lowe’s SkillsUSA Community Service grant this year. Lowe’s grants encourage service learning – education that has a positive impact in the community. This grant has given RCHS students the opportunity to build houses in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. The building and trades program has built over a dozen houses already for the Rockbridge area and students are working to increase that number.
By Mac Trammell Christmas is right around the corner. Celebrating in Buena Vista is already underway, with horsey activities and soon, a parade.
By Polina Noskova The national trend of rising health insurance costs is affecting local governments in the Rockbridge area. In a recent work session, the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors agreed to begin discussion about possibly shopping for new health insurance policies for County employees. County Administrator Spencer Suter said that although the rates have been “fairly consistent with no dramatic increases” over the past couple of years, the Board of Supervisors wants to be ready to deal with any upcoming changes. Suter noted that group rates don’t tend to go up as much as with individual insurance policies, but…
By Ashley Faulkner With the parade just a day away, Ronnie Coffey sits at his paper-covered desk answering phone calls from people hoping to join in the Buena Vista Christmas tradition. “It’ll be more, I’m sure,” says the Buena Vista Parks and Recreation director, who is happy to add more. “Usually it’ll be last minute and someone will call tomorrow, but we’ll still put them in there.” The Buena Vista parade has been around as long as Coffey can remember. He went as a young child and now he is the man behind the Christmas magic, besides Santa Claus. The…
By Julianne Campbell While thousands of world leaders are meeting in Paris this week and next to discuss climate change, students and citizens in the Rockbridge area are joining forces to start a local chapter of a climate-change lobbying group. Tonight at 6 p.m., Dec. 3, the Lexington chapter of the grassroots advocacy group Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold a meeting at Washington and Lee University in Elrod Commons Room 114. CCL is an international non-profit, non-partisan organization focusing on climate change policy. Founded in 2007, CCL has 308 active chapters, mostly in the United States. Lexington’s chapter, on the…
By Rachel Stone Nick Hansel was the drunken driver in a fatal car crash that killed a 21-year-old Washington and Lee student two years ago. Last week, he shared his story in public for the first time, warning VMI cadets of the dangers of drinking and driving.
By Anna Akins A historic Lexington church will keep R.E. Lee in its name, following a narrow vote on Monday. In a 9-6 vote by secret ballot, the vestry fell one vote short of the super-majority that was needed to make the change. The 15-member vestry decided that the name change needed the support of at least two-thirds of the vestry. While the vestry didn’t approve the name change, it unanimously agreed to add the word “Episcopal” to the church’s name and to create a sign showing that name with the addition, “Founded as Grace Church.” Debates over changing the…