Local News

Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co., now the largest manufacturer of wooden adult furniture in the nation, has set goals to drastically reduce solid waste, electricity consumption and finishing waste, allowing the company to become certified in Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture (EFEC).

The environmental management program was launched by the American Home Furnishings Alliance in 1999. It is a set of management tools and principles that a company can use to integrate environmental concerns into daily business practices.

HILLSVILLE — As a candidate for the Carroll Board of Supervisors, Tom Littrell campaigned on having more open county meetings and using closed sessions as sparingly as possible.

After sitting in on both open and closed sessions, Littrell the supervisor believes that county officials have correctly and appropriately used exemptions allowed by law.

The point was raised recently by citizen Mike Goldwasser, as closed sessions have related to land deals by Carroll’s governing bodies.

The Galax City School Board will seek citizen input on the qualifications they desire in a new schools superintendent.

The board has started the process of hiring a new superintendent to replace Sam Cook, who will retire at the end of 2008. Cook has been a superintendent of Galax schools since July 1, 1996, and is retiring after more than 42 years in public education.

HILLSVILLE — The fix will soon begin, weather permitting, on a steep spot on U.S. 58 known for car accidents where pooling water causes vehicles to hydroplane.

That's what the portable electronic message boards on U.S. 58 in Woodlawn mean when they flash that a "federal safety project" will begin soon.

Johnny Hurst, the Virginia Department of Transportation's contract administrator in the Hillsville residency office, said the project competed with other road safety projects for federal grant dollars and won.