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Today's News

  • Driver charged in fatal crash

    WOODLAWN — A 41-year-old Cana man faces multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence, after a two-vehicle accident last Friday that killed a 26-year-old Middlesex, N.C., woman.

    Stephen Edwin Towe of Cana was taken to the New River Valley Regional Jail after being released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital Friday.

    Virginia State Police Trooper J.H. Bledsoe identified the woman killed in the 10:30 a.m. wreck on Woodlawn Road as Jessica Ruth Bowyer, who died at the scene.

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  • Absentee ballots will be counted

    RICHMOND — A false rumor has been circulating about Virginia’s absentee ballots not being counted if one candidate is winning the election by a large margin.

    This rumor is false, says Susan S. Pollard, director of communications for the Virginia State Board of Elections.

    In Virginia all absentee ballots, properly cast, will be counted.

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  • Cavs keep record spotless

    In a battle between leaders of their respective districts, Carroll County held off several Galax surges and kept its season record perfect following a 25-18, 25-17, 25-23 nondistrict win Monday at Galax High School.

    The win was the 14th without a loss for the Cavaliers, who have a firm grip on the Southwest District lead. Being in the SWD driver’s seat at this time of the season isn’t a surprise for the Cavaliers. Being 14-0 is to some.

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  • Grayson schools miss AYP benchmark

    INDEPENDENCE — For the second consecutive year, Grayson County Schools missed federal adequate yearly progress (AYP) benchmarks — but the system did improve on accreditation.

    Benchmark pass rates are set by the No Child Left Behind Act for standardized tests in math and English.

    “The benchmark goes up every year,” said Grayson Director of Instruction and Assessment Stephen Cornett. “As we go up the scale, [making AYP] gets tougher every year until 2014 when it reaches 100 percent.”

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  • Rec park move could create opportunities

    HILLSVILLE — Traveling team tourneys could bring significant revenue into Carroll, but members of the recreation committee suggested Tuesday that the county would need a new and larger park to host those games.

    Myron Dalton spoke for the recreation committee at the regular October board of supervisors meeting, and suggested a new recreation center, developed in stages, and the goal of adding new outreach for adults and seniors.

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  • Downtown merchants sponsor 'Monster Hunt'

    As Halloween looms near, the Galax Downtown Association prepares for the 4th Annual Halloween Monster Bash from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 31.

    The event will feature annual favorites, such as a costume contest for prizes, games, activities, candy, live DJ music by Tyler Carpenter at the Grayson Stage and free hot dogs for the kids.

    In the spirit of a free, safe and fun Halloween for all to enjoy, creepy creatures and frightening figures have appeared in the store windows downtown, giving residents a chance to play the “Monster Hunt” game and enter to win prizes.

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  • The Road Ahead

    For much longer than six years, the Glendale Road improvement project has languished on the state's six-year plan, so it's encouraging to hear that it could start as "soon" as 2011.

    It's also a wise decision on the city's part to consider a scaled-back $1.2 million version of the original $10.6 million plan, which would free up several million dollars to tackle some other road projects.

    Closing and relocating the aggravating "slip lane" intersection near Subway is still in the plan, which should make many drivers —and their sore necks — happy.

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  • Carroll puts down 43 dogs

    HILLSVILLE — Carroll County authorities report that 43 dogs with highly contagious cases of mange have been seized and euthanized.

    A court order issued by Judge E.M. Turner III on Oct. 1 authorized Animal Control Officer Terry Woods to enter two properties in Fancy Gap to take action needed to keep the disease from spreading and to spare the dogs from further suffering.

    The properties on Elk Spur Road are owned by brother and sister George Daniel Rigney, 76, and Ruth R. Robertson, 74.

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  • Galax considers Glendale plans

    Galax City Council has scheduled a public hearing tonight, Monday, to consider an alternate plan for improvements to Glendale Road.

    The improvement project has been part of the Virginia Department of Transportation's six-year improvement plan for several years.

    The project originally called for a realignment of the intersection of Glendale Road and U.S. 58 (West Stuart Drive) and the intersections of Valley Street and Glendale Road, and widening Glendale from two lanes to four lanes to Cliffview Road, with sidewalks, curb and gutter.

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  • Dutton appeals murder conviction

    HILLSVILLE — A man convicted of surprising his estranged wife and killing her Jan. 3, 2007, in her Ivanhoe home has filed an appeal.

    Robert Allen Dutton, 57, was convicted in Carroll County Circuit Court of first-degree murder, use of a firearm and statutory burglary in the death of his wife of nearly eight years, Sandra Kay Dutton, 41, from gunshot wounds to the head and back.

    Carroll deputies found her body on her bed, her keys in the lock on the open outside door, and her pocketbook and packages on the floor just inside an otherwise tidy house.

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