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Local News

  • 'Rolling Thunder' defendant sentenced in federal court

    ABINGDON — An Independence man arrested during the Operation Rolling Thunder investigation was sentenced last week in federal court for his part in a methamphetamine distribution network, and seven more co-defendants are set to be sentenced this week.

    Operation Rolling Thunder was a joint local, state and federal investigation. A total of 24 people were charged; 21 have pleaded guilty and three have not been convicted.

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  • Fries does away with vehicle decals

    FRIES — After several months of discussions and planning, Fries Town Council has approved the decision to move away from vehicle decal stickers, in favor of a motor vehicle licensing fee.

    The decision was made with a unanimous vote by council members during their March 6 meeting.

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  • Police warn of AEP scam

    Staff Report

    According to an alert the Galax Police Department, a phone scam is making the rounds in the Twin Counties.

    Citizens have reported that a caller — a male with a foreign accent — claims he is with American Electric Power. If called back, the line sounds like AEP’s automated service, but is not; one number the alleged scammer calls from is (844) 235-4804.

    If you speak directly with the caller, citizens say he demands money that must be paid right away over the phone or power will be disconnected, police warned.

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  • Principal nominated for 'LifeChanger' award

    FRIES — Fries School Principal John Alexander has been nominated for the 2017-2018 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

    Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States, “who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.”

    Alexander was nominated by an anonymous colleague, according to a news release.

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  • Walk up, not out: GHS addresses school safety

    Galax High School students were presented with a “Walk Up, Not Out” program in the auditorium on March 14, designed to promote school safety and honor the 17 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victims in Parkland, Fla., one month earlier.

    The program included videos, one by GHS students and one by the Sandy Hook Promise Group, a clip of CNN’s Anderson Cooper reading the names of the Parkland dead and words from Principal Justin Iroler.

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  • Davis will spend life in prison for murder

    By LARRY CHAMBERS, Staff

    INDEPENDENCE – Greyling Dwayne “Beany” Davis, convicted of murder and five other charges by a Grayson County jury in January, apologized in court on Thursday during his sentencing hearing

    Davis, 65, said before he was sentenced that “there isn’t much I can say.”

    “I didn’t mean to kill her,” he said, referring to ex-girlfriend Karen Cates. “I’m sorry for killing her and wounding David Patton.”

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  • Rose sentenced for burglary, protective order violation

    INDEPENDENCE — David Christopher Rose was sentenced to serve two years in prison on March 8, after being found guilty of grand larceny, burglary and violation of a protective order last month.

    Rose was charged with other offenses, including arson, in April 2017 after police investigated a fire at an apartment above the former Ogle’s Deli in Independence. The apartment was rented by his estranged wife, Samantha Gray.

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  • Chamber brings members 'together to prosper'

    Staff Report

    The Twin County Chamber of Commerce has announced a new logo design and motto for the regional organization.

    In mid-2017, the executive board began an initiative to re-brand and launch a new identity for the chamber in 2018, according to a news release.

    The initiative was led by a newly formed marketing and communication committee of seven members of the executive board. The design was led by Brazzell Marketing Agency of Woodlawn.

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  • Gas drive-off leads to 90 mph chase, crash

    By LARRY CHAMBERS and SHANNON WATKINS, Staff

    A Galax woman faces 23 charges stemming from a high-speed chase that began in Carroll County last Friday morning and ended in Grayson County.

    According to Senior Trooper Bryan Phipps of the Virginia State Police, a car drove off without paying $10 for gas at Country Convenience near Fries in Carroll County, shortly after 8 a.m.

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  • Grayson facing school budget challenges

    INDEPENDENCE — Lack of funding from multiple resources will result in a tight budget this year for the Grayson County School Board, but it is already planning ahead for more improvements in the upcoming fiscal year.

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