Today's News

HILLSVILLE — A former Hillsville woman found guilty in 2006 of second-degree murder will try a different tactic to get her convictions overturned.

No appeals remain open to Elva Rosemary Nixon, found guilty in the Jan. 5, 2004 ambush that led to the death 75-year-old Donald Brady from four gunshot wounds.

A jury sentenced Nixon to 33 years in prison as punishment for the Carroll County man's death.

The New River Valley judgeship vacated at the end of last year by Michael Keith Blankenship is still up for grabs, and three from the Twin Counties — two attorneys and a former prosecutor — are among the six being considered for his replacement

The position for a juvenile and domestic relations court judge to sit in the 27th judicial circuit is scheduled to be filled next week in the General Assembly.

But that's not likely to happen because nearly every legislator and bar association that represents the district is backing a different candidate.

As the terms expire in June for Galax School Board vice chairwoman Theresa Lazo and chairman Ray Kohl, seven candidates — including one incumbent — are vying for the two seats.

Lazo has decided not to seek reappointment.

After interested citizens submitted letters of interest, a public hearing was held during Monday's Galax City Council meeting to hear a brief introduction from and conduct interviews with each of the candidates.

With seven people to interview, the council meeting lasted until 11:15 p.m.

HILLSVILLE — The 32-year-old Mount Airy, N.C., man who tried to rob three financial services businesses in Cana during the summer of 2007 pleaded guilty to all charges in Carroll Circuit Court last Thursday.

Carroll deputies had charged Carl Anthony Berrier with two counts of armed robbery for going into Speedy Cash and Cash to Go with a knife and demanding money in July 2007.

A locked door at the BB&T bank in Cana stymied a similar attempt there and led to Berrier's capture. Authorities charged him with attempted robbery for that incident.