Local News

INDEPENDENCE — It used to be that undereducated adults were able to get into high-paying jobs in the Twin Counties through fields such as manufacturing, construction and agriculture.

Today, those jobs are in short supply or have moved offshore, making a high school diploma or equivalent that much more important.

The Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program has set out to change the high percentage of residents who do not hold a high school diploma by offering General Education Degree (GED) classes frequently and at no cost to residents.

INDEPENDENCE — A man facing more than a dozen charges in connection with the killings of three people at a Christmas tree farm near Mouth of Wilson has waived his right to a speedy trial.

Freddie Hammer, 48, of Crumpler, N.C., appeared before Grayson County Circuit Court Judge Brett Geisler on Sept. 12 for a pre-trial motions hearing.

HILLSVILLE — With the state developing more new prisons in the future, Carroll could possibly lock one of those down, says the chairman of the county's Prison Study Committee.

In the process of gathering information on the long-term plans of the Virginia Department of Corrections, J.B. Gardner has learned that state officials see the need for as many as five new correctional facilities in the future.

HILLSVILLE — One day after the Hillsville Fire Department responded to a call at a mobile home at 243 Knob Hill Lane, a Carroll County grand jury indicted the man who lived there for arson.

In addition to the direct indictment against Travis Ray Hall, 25, he also has been charged by the Carroll Sheriff's Office with making a felony threat to burn the home he shared with Ashley Hall, according to Investigator Shannon Goad.

Hall's wife took out a warrant against him, charging him with misdemeanor assault and battery.