Local News

While people struggle to keep food on the table during tough times, some Twin County food banks are "grasping at straws" to keep their cupboards full.

Those were the words that Terri Gillespie of Rooftop of Virginia Community Action Program used to describe the organization's efforts to meet demand for families during the economic crisis, when there's less to go around to the different agencies and more people need help.

The amount that the demand has been growing varies among different groups, but they all agree that requests for aid is rising.

A Rooftop of Virginia client was conned out of $900 in credit card charges last month after a grant-writers research company in Raleigh, N.C., promised to find free money, only to provide a list of governmental agencies that already provide free services.

Grant Writers Research Network offered to help an elderly woman find grants to help her repair her home, said a concerned Tammy Webb, community resource service coordinator of Rooftop of Virginia Community Action Program.

HILLSVILLE — The latest dust-up between Carroll County and Hillsville is all tied up with a Christmas bow. Two days after Hillsville held its annual Christmas tree lighting, county officials insisted the town's artificial

INDEPENDENCE — A rock quarry in Whitetop was granted permanent permission from the Grayson Board of Supervisors to blast after a six-month probation period.

Tim Miller owns the quarry on Middle Fork Lane and approached the board back in April for an amendment to his special use permit to allow blasting.

During the meeting in April, several residents voiced their concerns and asked the supervisors to look at requirements that Miller had not met from his original special use permit before granting an amendment.