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Today's News

  • Hurst named Carroll's teacher of the year

    HILLSVILLE — As an educator of at-risk students, Lisa Hurst believes she has to be a "risk taker" to get them involved in the learning process.

    Her successes in the Regional Alternative Education Center classroom have led to her being named Carroll County's Teacher of the Year.

    Members of the school board presented the award last Tuesday at their regular November meeting.

    Hurst, who earned a bachelor of arts in English from High Point University in 1986, plans to complete her master's degree work in English education by next May.

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  • Sheriff asks to use seized drug money

    INDEPENDENCE — Unexpected vacancies have put the Grayson County Sheriff's Department's budget in a tight spot, forcing the sheriff to shift money around to cover the bills.

    Grayson Sheriff Richard Vaughan asked the Grayson Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13 for additional money to be transferred from the Special Law Enforcement Fund to a few line items to help get through the tough times.

    The fund consists of money from drug and property forfeiture — as well as restitution paid.

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  • Carroll votes to preserve open space

    HILLSVILLE — A development proposal has led Carroll County to allow an additional kind of subdivision.

    The Carroll Board of Supervisors and the Carroll Planning Commission held public hearings at the county board's regular November meeting to decide whether to permit “clustering” of commercial or residential structures, such as townhouses, to preserve open space.

    Attorney Brad Dalton spoke for a developer who was seeking permission for a 13-acre development that would have four acres of open space, as planned.

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  • TCRH going smoke-free

    Wednesday morning, there was no one taking advantage of Twin County Regional Hospital's designated smoking area, a small glass booth beside of the facility that reads “Smoking Booth.”

    The only “smoke” was the steam puffing from people in the chilly morning air.

    That's a good sign, said TCRH marketing director Martha Cole.

    But by 2010, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted inside or outside of TCRH, including inside vehicles, said a press release issued last week by the hospital.

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  • Carroll works to silence nuisance dogs

    HILLSVILLE — It appears that Carroll County officials may be moving toward a noise ordinance in order to deal with barking dogs.

    The board packet for the Carroll supervisors’ November meeting contained a draft ordinance to deal with “risks to public health and safety posed by excessive an unreasonable noise...”

    The supervisors said little about this matter at the meeting, except to set a public hearing in December to get input on it.

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  • Galax fills six first-team spots

    Here’s a telling fact about small-school football, which, by necessity, is about as iron-man as it comes: Of the 14 names listed on the all-Mountain Empire District first-team defense, no fewer than 11 were also first- or second-team on offense.

    That’s single-A ball, where few are expected to do much. Few did more than Galax’s Tyler Houk, the only player named first team at three different positions on the 2008 all-MED football team, voted on by the district’s coaches.

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  • Ring announces retirement

    INDEPENDENCE — It's been a rumor for some time now, but Thursday night it was made official — Grayson County will lose an employee of nearly 30 years when County Administrator Bill Ring retires next year.

    Ring notified the Grayson Board of Supervisors during a two-hour closed session Thursday night that he would retire effective Jan. 31, 2009.

    “After prayerful consideration and much thought, I respectfully notify you of my intent to retire,” Ring's  letter read.

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  • A Firefighter's Farewell

    Firefighters, ranging from fresh recruits to seasoned veterans gathered outside Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home on Nov. 11 in their crisp blue dress uniforms and white gloves.

    They spoke quietly and huddled tightly amid dozens of fire engines lining the street.

    Each badge bore a black ribbon in remembrance of their lost brother.

    The Galax Volunteer Fire Department came together to pay tribute to one of its oldest and most influential members, Joe Crockett.

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  • Letters to the Editor for 11/17/08

    Sutherland thanks supporters

    I would like to thank the voters of the Elk Creek District for your vote of confidence.

    I would also like to thank the many others who supported me in various ways.

    I am excited about being given the opportunity to give back to my community and Grayson County as a whole.

    My pledge to you is that I will work to the best of my ability for each of you as a member of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors team.

    Brenda R. Sutherland,

    Supervisor-elect

    Elk Creek District

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  • Police raid alleged puppy mill

    WOODLAWN — Virginia State Police conducted a search last Thursday at 4207 Coulson Church Road after receiving a report of dogs living in "substandard conditions" there, according to Sgt. Mike Conroy.

    As a result, authorities seized 63 dogs from the property, owned by David Winesett.

    No charges have been filed and the investigation continues, Conroy told The Gazette on Friday.

    Investigators filed a search warrant in Carroll courts in order to check on conditions of an outbuilding where the dogs were kept.

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