Decades-old religious tensions continue to divide Buena Vista

Residents in the city say the divide between members of The Church of Latter-day Saints and non-members continues to influence the community three decades after leaders of the church acquired Southern Virginia University. Residents say relations have improved in some areas but persist in many others.

Buena Vista Police Department reduces staffing amid city budget shortfall

Wayne Handley, the city’s interim city manager, says two sworn officer positions will be taken away due to the merging of Parry McCluer Middle School into Parry McCluer High School. A vacant patrol officer position also will remain unfilled. Dave Clements, the city’s interim police chief, says he does not expect any impact on response times.

Eric Adams indictment: How campaign finance violations often grow into dramatic scandals

Among other accusations, federal prosecutors alleged in their September 2024 indictment that Adams received campaign donations from the Turkish government for his 2021 mayoral race and sought to conceal these illegal foreign contributions.
Adams is New York’s first mayor to be charged with a crime, but he is hardly the only politician to run afoul of rules that govern how political campaigns can raise and spend funds in U.S. elections.

Rockbridge County students missing too much school

More than 425 Rockbridge County students miss over 10% of the school year, prompting the school board to toughen attendance rules. Some fear the district could lose state funds and accreditation. Parents complain that some county schools haven’t shared details of the plan.