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Today's News

  • Wired Road connects Twin Counties to world

    The Wired Road broadband project — which is being deployed throughout Galax, Grayson and Carroll counties — will be the first step to re-engineering and revitalizing the economy, announced Sen. William Wampler during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Rex Theater on Monday for the official launch.

    “It's no longer a theory, but is actually going to happen,” he said.

    State and local leaders explained how the $26 million project will make a significant and positive difference to the regional communities and stabilize the local economy.

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  • Citizens appeal county's Spirit Harbor decision

    INDEPENDENCE — The decision whether to allow a proposed 150-site recreational park known as Spirit Harbor is now in the hands of Grayson County Circuit Court.

    According to documents filed April 10, community members — 15 in total, many of whom had spoken in opposition of the plan — petitioned the court to review the decision of the Grayson Board of Supervisors.

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  • Grayson budget short by $1.3 million

    INDEPENDENCE — With Grayson County government's expenses rising drastically, leaders have to decide if a tax increase is the only answer to make ends meet next year.

    Preliminary numbers show Grayson's budget short by $2.4 million. Early projections of revenue are $14.3 million, and expenses are expected to total $17.1 million.

    The deficit, however, does not include the money expected to be returned by the school board for savings on school closures — which is good news, as the money could be anywhere from $377,000 to more than $600,000.

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  • Feds take over marijuana hauling case

    HILLSVILLE — Two of three suspects arrested after Carroll deputies found 313 pounds of marijuana hidden away in a tractor-trailer now face federal charges.

    Carroll deputies and a Virginia State Police trooper in March searched a suspicious tractor-trailer parked at the Kangaroo Express on Virginia 148 in Fancy Gap.

    They found inside 313 pounds of marijuana packaged in mustard and coffee grounds.

    Deputies also found two men in the trailer after talking to the driver, and the drug dog alerted on the trailer.

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  • Take care with the public's records

    Grayson County Commonwealth's Attorney Douglas Vaught appears to be a decent and caring person and — to his substantial credit — he does respond to his mail. Others in Grayson County governance, including Vaught's predecessor, refuse to put pencil to paper. I want to share an issue on which he and I disagree, as it forms an introduction to a much larger contemporary issue.

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  • Red Cross needs emergency funds

    On Christmas Day, one Carroll County family lost everything they had, including their children's presents, when their house caught fire.

    The Woods River Chapter of American Red Cross found them a place to stay and helped with their emergency needs.

    “That lady comes by the office regularly just to say thanks and helps us [by giving to fundraisers] to make our money,” said Joan Isom, Galax chapter director. “We live in a community that is very appreciative of what we do. And I have that to look forward to every day.”

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  • Independence police chief calls for backup

    INDEPENDENCE — The Town of Independence Police Department wants more officers, but it appears the only way to fund them is through a tax increase — something town council does not want to do.

    During a budget workshop session April 22, Police Chief James Wagoner pleaded his case requesting an additional $63,932 in his department's 2009-10 budget.

    “I put in money for another officer,” Wagoner told council. “I would like to be ready for the opening of the new prison and be proactive, instead of reactive.”

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  • Grayson grand jury issues indictments

    INDEPENDENCE — A Grayson County grand jury indicted a Galax man April 24 on 13 charges, several of them sex-related.

    William Estill Crigger, 29, of Skyline Highway, Galax, was indicted on five charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sodomy, possession of child pornography, one count of indecent liberties with a child by a custodian and five charges of indecent liberties with a child less than 15 years of age.

    An indictment is a formal charge, not a finding of guilt.

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  • Late surge lifts Galax past Narrows, 16-3

     Galax scored 15 runs in the span of two innings and thumped Narrows 16-3 in a Mountain Empire District baseball game Friday at Felts Park.

    Galax (8-3 overall, 2-1 district) broke a 1-1 tie by scoring six runs in the third inning, all coming with two outs and the bases empty. Todd Nichols and Travis Cockerham both doubled in the third.

    The first nine Maroon Tide batters to step to the plate all scored in the fourth before Narrows recorded an out. Galax coupled five hits with three Green Wave errors for the rally.

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  • Bell wins third straight at MMS

     RADFORD –– The season is only three races old, but so far, Brent Bell is batting a perfect 1.000.

    Bell won his third Street Stock race in three starts on April 18, claiming both ends of the Price’s Body Shop/SCI Roofing Twin 30s at Motor Mile Speedway.

    Bell has put his Camaro on the pole for all three races and has led every lap of all three races at the .416-mile asphalt oval, jumping to an early 16-point lead in the season points standings.

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