Features

A senior CIA intelligence analyst and author of a new book on the military history of Iran started developing his research skills in Carroll County schools and his desire to serve while growing up in the Pipers Gap community.

Steven R. Ward, 51, lived in the Oakland community, played sandlot football at the YMCA in Galax, joined the Boy Scouts and read a lot.

"I guess I was fortunate my parents always encouraged us to read," he said.

Although renovations to transform the former First National Bank in downtown Galax into Chestnut Creek School of the Arts is on time and on budget for now, CCSA Director Chris Shackelford said it is difficult to estimate a completion date due to electrical issues.

Construction began Jan. 26, and South End Construction of Vinton has 215 days to complete the job from its notice to proceed, which was received Jan. 6. However, Shackelford said since installing an elevator is a big time-consumer, construction may take a little longer than city officials had hoped.

Ruby Linville always wore a smile, and even when she was sick, she reminded everyone how thankful she was for family.

She told everyone that her grandson Matthew was her “little sunshine” and how much she adored her granddaughter Fiona.

Even when she was at her weakest, she and husband James, also in ill health, visited nursing homes to pray with patients and sing gospel tunes.

It was a teary-eyed moment for Debbie Ogle, realizing that her 18-year-old daughter Emily is all grown up, as she arrived at the Galax High School prom in a long black dress with her date Jordan Stevens of Carroll County High School.

Emily, who has Down Syndrome, has always dreamed of a true fairy tale story of going to prom in a horse and carriage — and Debbie dreamed of seeing that happen.

With the help of Twin County United Way Director Celeste Amburn and many others, both of their dreams came true.

HILLSVILLE — Families going through an economic rough patch may have a garden spot waiting as part of the Gardens Growing Families efforts.

The community garden project will assist those in need in two ways — it will provide land for people who want to grow their own food and it will raise vegetables to stock food banks, according to the Rev. Lawrence Childs of First Baptist Church of Hillsville.

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The 8th Annual Galax Leaf & String Festival will continue to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the region by showcasing local musicians, artisans and authors on Friday and Saturday in downtown Galax.

And this year, with a banner presentation being held and a tribute to The Crooked Road featuring regional musicians, Leaf & String is being designated a partner of the state's heritage music trail.

Chestnut Creek School of the Arts officially began Phase II of its long-range plans with the opening of Oldtown Pottery co-op in downtown Galax on April 1.

Phase I is well underway with the successful completion of a variety of classes in diverse genres of art, crafts and music.

Volunteers, board members and staff for CCSA and co-op members have been working for months to prepare membership guidelines, policies, leases and particularly renovations to the pottery studio building.

The fight is the easy part, says Cesar Llamas, as the 145-pound mixed martial arts fighter grapples his training partner to the mat inside of the cage, preparing for his big title fight Saturday in North Carolina.

It's easy for Llamas because he’s at Elite Combat Martial Arts in Galax five days a week, hardcore training, conditioning, learning every fight scenario and brawling for hours in preparation for his title shot for Carolina Fighting Promotions in Wilmington, N.C.

Mixed martial artist Cesar Llamas of Galax brought home the title last Saturday, putting his 5-0 opponent in a submission hold in the second round, during a competition sponsored by Carolina Fight Promotions in Wilmington, N.C.

This is the fourth fight for Llamas, who has trained at Elite Combat Martial Arts in Galax for three years and now has a 4-0 record. The muay thai fighter describes his style as “vale tudo,” which is Brazilian for “anything goes.”