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Today's News

  • Carroll schools on schedule

    HILLSVILLE — High school teachers cheered the notion that they could move back in after leaving the Carroll County Public Schools “system-wide convocation” and training session on Aug. 3.
    On the first workday session, themed “We Are Family,” newly-minted Superintendent Strader Blankenship noted that school system employees lean on each other when they find a problem or face a deadline.

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  • Drug task force busts Cana meth lab

    CANA — The Twin County Drug Task Force issued a search warrant at 53 Amazing Grace Lane in Cana last Thursday morning, as part of an investigation of methamphetamine manufacturing.
    Authorities in clinical-looking white coveralls and breathing masks spread out meth-making items and ingredients on a tarp in front of the home, under the shade of a tree on the warm and sunny summer day.
    Charged as a part of the investigation were father and son Roger Jessup Hiatt, 46, and Roger Ernest Hiatt, 25, who lived at the address.

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  • Property rights question will be on Nov. ballot

    RICHMOND — Gov. Bob McDonnell last month signed legislation intended to protect the property rights of Virginia citizens.
    House Bill 5 and its companion Senate Bill 240 provide for a referendum for a constitutional amendment to protect private property rights on the Nov. 6, 2012 ballot.
    Two other property rights bills signed by McDonnell, HB1035 and SB437, provide clear definitions for the terms “lost profits” and “lost access” and how to determine the amount of just compensation.

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  • Sending kids back to class in style

    A college student is organizing an effort to raise clothing and school supplies to host a Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cornerstone Community Church in downtown Galax.
    With many being unable to afford clothing and school supplies, Cornerstone Community Church member and Liberty University student Abigail Cox has spearheaded the event and recruited volunteers in order to help reach the physical needs of the community.

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  • Convention registration down, but some events' popularity growing

    Registration for the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention has decreased for the second time in five years, and the second year in a row.
    Contestants dropped from 1,909 last year to 1,833 for the contest that begins today, Monday. Last year, registration dropped from 2,004 contestants in 2010, the event's 75th anniversary.
    The registration figures were released by the Galax Moose Lodge #733, organizers of the 77-year-old event.

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  • Downtown Galax belongs to fiddlin' fans Sunday morning

    Galax’s population will soar in the coming week, as thousands of fiddlin’ fans descend on the city.
    Felts Park will open its gates at 7 a.m. Sunday for the 77th Annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention. The competition opens Monday night and lasts through Aug. 11.
    Most of the convention’s expected 1,300 campers will show up Sunday to set up camp.
    Locals who aren’t convention-bound should avoid the place altogether or choose alternate routes, Galax police advise.

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  • Artisan trail receives $815,000 grant

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Southwest Virginia’s ‘Round the Mountain (RTM) artisan network has been awarded a competitive grant of $815,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
    The innovation grant was awarded to Appalachian Spring, a creative economy initiative through the Friends of Southwest Virginia in partnership with the region’s planning district commissions, People Inc. and Virginia Community Capital, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA).

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  • Richardson to serve 9 years for murder

    HILLSVILLE — David Richardson will serve 13 years, with four suspended, for the shooting death of a Carroll County man, Judge Brett Geisler ruled during a sentencing hearing in Carroll County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
    The jury had recommended nine years for the defendant, who was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharging a firearm in an occupied dwelling.
    Richardson fired three shots in a May 18, 2010 incident that resulted in the death of Bryon Jordan Wilson.  

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  • Galax second in state O-Zone

     AMHERST –– Galax couldn’t overcome a strong Appomattox team and settled for a runner-up finish in the Dixie O-Zone state tournament recently.

    The tournament couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for the District 1 champions, who scored five runs in their first at-bat of the event. Zaine Goodman, John Key, Matt Coomes and Chris Meredith had first-inning RBI base hits as Galax opened with a 17-4 win over Pulaski.

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  • GHS upgrades right on track

    In 2011, Galax High School fielded the best football team in the school’s long history. In 2012, the school will have facilities that will match that success.

    As part of a five-year capital improvement plan, Galax is nearing completion of a $400,000 renovation of the football stadium and track, a project that school superintendent Bill Sturgill expects to be completed before the first home varsity football game Aug. 24.

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