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Local News

  • Independence budget has no tax, fee increases

    INDEPENDENCE — Independence Town Council is in the final leg of planning the town’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with some good news for taxpayers.

    Council scheduled a public hearing on the budget during its May 9 meeting, but received no comments.

    According to recent reports from the town, the fiscal year 2018 budget totals approximately $1.6 million and the utilities budget total is $2.3 million.

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  • Historical society seeks info on WWI veterans

    Staff Report

    INDEPENDENCE — In cooperation with an initiative by the Virginia World War I Centennial Commission, the Grayson County Historical Society is seeking information about the men and women of Grayson who served their country in World War I.

    The Centennial Commission was established by the Virginia Legislature in 2015 to develop programs and activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Virginia’s participation in “The Great War.”

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  • Three vehicles involved in Carrolton Pike crash

    Staff Reports

    WOODLAWN — A three-vehicle accident left much vehicle damage and minor injuries on May 13 at 4:05 p.m. on Carrollton Pike, according to Virginia State Trooper S.M. Phillips.

    A 2010 Ford Focus driven by Daffeny Shelton, 20, of Laurel Springs, N.C., was traveling westbound on Carrollton Pike and pulling into the parking lot at VT Nails, when she was rear-ended by a 2002 Toyota 4-door sedan driven by Holly Bautista, 30, of Galax, also traveling westbound in the right lane.

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  • Carroll supervisors approve road plan

    HILLSVILLE — The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved the six-year plan for road improvements at its May 8 meeting.

    The vote was 4-2, after discussion of some roads that were and were not included on the plan.

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  • Burglary suspects face new charges

    By LARRY CHAMBERS, Staff

    INDEPENDENCE – A Grayson County Circuit Court grand jury returned 10 indictments against a Galax man and a Rich Creek woman in connection with the alleged breaking and entering of a home in the Baywood community on April 19.

    The grand jury met April 28 and issued 117 indictments against 64 suspects. Several of the indictments were sealed until arrests were made.

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  • Shots fired at officer during pursuit

    HILLSVILLE – A Wytheville man faces a lengthy list of charges following a chase on May 11 in Carroll County, including two counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer.

    Most of the 32 charges against Eric Sean Repass, 44, of Blue Sky Drive in Wytheville, appear to be related to several stolen property incidents in the Weddle Street and Howlett Street areas of Hillsville, and the chase that led to his arrest.

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  • Fries awarded for hosting alternative spring breakers

    FRIES — The Fries Community Center recently received the VFC Alternative Break Virginia Host Site Award, which was presented last month during the Water is Life luncheon in Roanoke on April 19.

    The award was announced during the May 2 Fries Town Council meeting.

    “We were recently voted the best host site for the schools that we host here in Fries,” said Mayor Richard Farmer. “It is a very nice and humbling award.”

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  • Fugitive captured after police chase

    Staff Report

    HILLSVILLE — Local police were involved in the pursuit and capture of an Ohio man wanted for armed robbery on May 11. A passenger in the vehicle is also charged.

    According to a Hillsville Police Department report, Chief Wesley Yonce was on routine traffic patrol on Interstate 77 at Exit 14 when he stopped a Volkswagon Jetta with Ohio tags.

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  • Fire destroys Austinville home

    Three local fire departments rushed to the scene of a house fire Monday night on Pickett Drive in Austinville, which destroyed most of the home.

    The Hillsville Volunteer Fire Department, Carroll Fire & Rescue and Galax Volunteer Fire Department all responded to a fully involved structure fire at 7:28 p.m. on May 15 and spent approximately 3.5 hours working to put the blaze out.

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  • Rex concert featues old-time, Irish traditions

    The Rex Theater will host the best of old-time and Irish music on Tuesday for a special concert and CD release.

    Old-time musical traditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains have musical roots from many places in the world. Scots-Irish settlers to the area brought their music over a 150 years ago and influenced the sound of old-time music here today. This concert brings together two traditions of Irish and old-time music and two great bands: the Galax Bogtrotters and Irish musicians Randal Bays, Owen Bays and John Coyne.

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