.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Local News

  • Hillsville budget to balance with tax hikes

    HILLSVILLE — Changes have come to the way that Hillsville Town Council members plan their budget — they have sworn off dipping into savings to balance the fiscal year 2014 proposal.
    Adjustments to the real estate, meals and lodging taxes are also a part of making the proposal work, according to Town Manager Travis Jackson’s budget message.
    Town officials needed to make up a shortfall of $519,501 in the budget, including the general fund and the water and sewer services.

    Click here to read more...
  • Givens St. residents live with frequent floods

    By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff
    As the harsh winter weather gives way to the rains of spring, relief is being felt by most of the residents of the Twin Counties... but not everyone.
    Families who live in the low-lying “Bottom” area of Galax — Givens Street and its side streets  — still suffer every time the rain clouds roll in because the water doesn’t just wash away.

    Click here to read more...
  • Natural gas rates set in Carroll

    HILLSVILLE — In a surge of activity on natural gas, Carroll officials continued to build up to the creation of a local utility service at their April 8 meeting.
    With the expected completion of a connection to the Patriot pipeline this month, county officials held a public hearing and get natural gas rates, as well as scheduled a separate business and safety meeting for April 25.

    Click here to read more...
  • Feeding America seeks support from Grayson

    INDEPENDENCE – More than 240,000 pounds of food have been distributed in Grayson County in the last year through the Feeding America program and coordinators are looking for county supervisors to continue their support.
    Jessica Brown serves as the mobile food pantry coordinator and spoke to the board during their regular meeting earlier this month.
    Brown said the Mobile Food Pantry is a partnership between Feeding America Southwest Virginia and community partners in rural Southwest Virginia where communities have limited access to food pantries.

    Click here to read more...
  • Federal budget cuts hit Blue Ridge Parkway

    When the Blue Ridge Parkway announced its seasonal openings for 2013, the big news was about the places that will stay closed because of the federal government’s automatic spending cuts.
    Some campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers will remain closed this season, because of an across-the-board 5 percent cut to the National Park Service mandated by the federal sequester.

    Click here to read more...
  • McGrady announces 6th District campaign

    HILLSVILLE — Highlighting the need for jobs in the 6th District, Democrat Jonathan McGrady launched his campaign for the House of Delegates at the former home of Kentucky Derby Hosiery.
    Surrounded by family, friends, teachers and a principal he had in school, Carroll County officials and even some Republicans in the cavernously empty facility, McGrady underscored the point that his effort to win the seat now held by the retiring Annie B. Crockett-Stark will focus on jobs.

    Click here to read more...
  • Market analysis helping Galax plan future of downtown

    By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff
    A retail market analysis for Galax’s downtown area will help identify the historic shopping district’s strengths and set a course for its future as the city looks at potential improvements.
    The analysis was requested by Galax City Council, and the Galax Downtown Association also asked to hear the findings. RKG Associates, which conducted the study, presented its report to council at its April 8 meeting.

    Click here to read more...
  • McGrady organizing 6th District campaign

     

    HILLSVILLE ― Carroll County native Jonathan McGrady recently filed papers with the Carroll County Registrar’s Office to organize a campaign for 6th District House of Delegates.  

    McGrady plans to make an official announcement today, Monday, at 5 p.m. in the Carroll County Industrial Park at the old Parkdale Mills factory located at 565 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsville.

    Click here to read more...
  • VFW hopes to recruit Iraq, Afghanistan veterans

    HILLSVILLE — With military operations winding down after the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Grover King VFW Post 1115 members hope these new veterans will join the local service organization.
    Operations came to an end in Iraq in December 2011 and operations in Afghanistan will end in 2014.
    Veterans have returned home from these conflicts to the Twin Counties, and VFW Commander Wayne Jenkins and other Grover King officers have been considering different ways to reach out to them.

    Click here to read more...
  • New Red Cross director ready to serve

    Grady DeVilbiss’ arrival on the scene as disaster services program manager at the American Red Cross Woods River Chapter was low key — until about a week later, when he assisted at a shelter in Hillsville on Easter Sunday, when nearly 100 cars piled up on Interstate 77.
    While colleague Roger Hudson took the lead, DeVilbiss — new to the Galax-based Red Cross chapter — has a deep reservoir of experience with both emergency response and management and the international assistance organization to draw from.

    Click here to read more...

Copyright © 2013
The Galax Gazette is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Galax, Grayson, Carroll, and surrounding areas.