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Today's News

  • Bringing back playtime

    Like most parents, Carrie Phipps — a mother of three and director of the Wellness Center in Galax — has begun to notice how technology has replaced the kind of active play children once knew, the sharp decline in physical activity and the lack of children's fitness programs.

    "There's not a lot offered in the area for this population, except for sports," said Phipps. "And with a lot of sports, heavier kids cannot participate."

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  • Grayson SOL scores on the rise

    INDEPENDENCE — Grayson County students made significant jumps in Virginia Standards of Learning scores this year, leaving all but one school fully accredited.

    According to preliminary numbers released at the school board meeting July 14, Grayson County will place three more schools — Baywood Elementary, Providence Elementary and Mount Rogers Combined School — on the fully accredited list.

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  • 'Found' money wasn't missing

    HILLSVILLE — Carroll officials are accounting for the differences between a recently released audit report, which showed a fund balance of $10.5 million, and what the treasurer’s report showed.

    The differences are procedural and technical, Supervisors’ Chairman Sam Dickson said in remarks at the outset of the regular July meeting Monday. The county also issued a press release about the audit.

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  • 6-year-old dies after near-drowning

    MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — A six-year-old Hillsville, Va., boy died July 13 after an incident at a pool at Beechnut Park in Mount Airy the day before.

    The boy was identified as Mikle Eugene Dixon Jr., said Surry County Emergency Medical Services Director John Shelton.

    EMS received an emergency call at about 11:20 a.m. on July 12 that a young boy was unresponsive at Beechnut Park.

    Dixon apparently had been wearing a floatation device, but took it off, Shelton said. He went underwater after trying to jump into another floatation device.

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  • Dove trial date set in Grayson

    INDEPENDENCE — A trial date for a Galax man charged with seven felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child has been set for Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. in Grayson Circuit Court.

    In July 2007, a Grayson grand jury indicted David Dove, 47, of Cherry Street in Galax, with the seven felony counts.

    A capias was issued for Dove’s arrest that same month and he made his first appearance before Grayson Circuit Court Judge Brett Geisler on Aug. 3, 2007.

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  • Local team smokes the competition

    That aroma in downtown Galax on Saturday wasn’t just the mouthwatering scent of smoked pork and tangy barbecue sauce.

    For a local team of cooks, it was the sweet smell of a long-sought victory.

    The Nervous Wreck Cooking Crew of Galax won first prize in the “Anything But” category at the 4th Annual Smoke On The Mountain State Barbecue Championship on Saturday.

    Team leaders Mark Davis and Cody Cline beat experienced, world-champion teams with their tender, juicy beef brisket.

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  • Hillsville VA clinic dedicated

    HILLSVILLE — Salem Veterans' Medical Center administrators and Valor Healthcare officials said at a ribbon-cutting and dedication Monday that they want to offer the quality service through their clinic at Hillsville.

    The Hillsville veterans’ outpatient care site operated by Valor has been open since last fall.

    On Monday, people like director John Patrick of the Salem facility, Ninth District Rep. Rick Boucher, and Valor president Ray Lanier came to celebrate convenient, high-quality care for veterans living in Carroll and neighboring counties.

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  • Plan could save county up to $1.1M

    HILLSVILLE — Taking advantage of low interest rates through refinancing water and sewer project debt could lead to a savings of between $686,000 and $1.1 million for the Carroll Public Service Authority, a financial advisor said Monday.

    R.T. Taylor, associate vice president of Davenport Public Finance, said his company — at the request of the authority members — undertook a financial analysis of capital improvement debt.

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  • Galax man speaks up for shelter animals

    A Galax man pleaded with city council last week to extend the number of adoption days for animals awaiting their fate at the regional animal shelter in the city.

    More than a month ago, Eric Garrison said he made trips to the animal shelter to feed the dogs treats. Garrison said he spent less than a minute at the shelter, throwing the treats through the cages from the outside and never striking up a conversation with the shelter's staff.

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  • Groundbreaking set for new Grayson school

    INDEPENDENCE — Grayson officials will break ground on the new Grayson Highlands School on July 31 at 2 p.m.

    Grayson Schools’ Director of Personnel Chad Newman announced during the county school board meeting Monday that all the necessary permits have been obtained and the process is ready to move forward.

    Grayson Board of Supervisors on July 10 approved a special use permit to build the school on land off Route 16 in the Volney community.

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