Today's Features

Madison Abigail Sluss turned two on Oct. 22. She celebrated on Oct. 20 at Fairview Church with a “Wheels on the Bus” birthday party with family and friends.

She is the daughter of Scott and Cindy Sluss of Galax. She has a brother, Brandon Sluss. Her grandparents are Robert and Regina Lundy of Ennice, N.C., and Bud and Pat Sluss of Tazwell.

A medical issue tipped the Lopez household budget into negative territory, but the Galax family can get back on track with a little help on two utility bills.
Ceasar Lopez said his wife Miriam recently had complications from her benign-but-growing brain tumor.
Though Miriam had a large tumor removed in 1985, the problem reoccurred in 2007, Ceasar said. Doctors have been watching it and noted the tumor has grown by one millimeter since last check.
Lopez spread two fingers about two inches apart to show big the tumor is now.

Tiffany Janise Jones and Kriston Drew Nelson were united in marriage May 19 at Powder Mill Pond in Elk Creek in an afternoon Hawaiian-themed ceremony with family and friends.
The Rev. Bobby Lorton of Radford officiated the double-ring ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Jimmy and Michele Jones of Independence. She is the granddaughter of Virginia Ruth Sutherland of Fries and the late Claiborne Sutherland and the late Henry and Janie Jones.

FRIES — Local artist Chad Tate and his crew of maniacs have created a truly terrifying haunted house at the Fries Recreation Center this year.
The Scream Asylum opened Oct. 19, with a massive “Pumpkin King” greeting visitors outside the rec center, complete with a light-up head Tate carved out of a foam block. The wood and chicken wire monstrosity also billows smoke from its head.