There is no approved solar project in Patrick County, however, a company has filed a Notice of Intent with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). A map of a proposed project was included in a 2022 letter to affected residents and county officials. Dominika Sink, Senior Director of Project Acquisition and Development with Energix, said she knows there’s a lot of confusion about Fairy Stone Solar, LLC and its proposed projects. But “there is no approved project. We have never...

Virginia Tech’s Reynolds Homestead in Critz, VA has opened registration for its spring session of College for Older Adults. Classes begin April 17 and run through May 26. This six-week session of classes is presented through the generous support of The Landmark Center. The variety of opportunities this session includes hikes, computer class, art offerings, crafting sessions, movement classes, and fun day trips. The full schedule of classes and activities will be posted on the Reynolds Homestead website March 20 at...

Front Porch Fest dropped the first of three line up announcements for the annual 4-day music festival to be held Aug 31-Sept 3 in Patrick County. Held on the front porch to the Blue Ridge mountains in Stuart, the yearly event weaves together a love of music and community and the fourteenth annual is set to be the biggest yet. In addition to the high quality lineup, organizers are curating a full schedule of arts, movement, and nature based offerings,...

The Stuart Town Council approved giving the Stuart Parks and Recreation Association $2,500 and a reimbursement equal to its water and sewer costs at its March 15 meeting. Stuart Parks and Recreation Association member Amy Corns spoke to the Stuart Town Council about the need for financial assistance for the pool at DeHart Park. Association member Amy Corns said the funds would help keep the DeHart Park pool a break-even prospect. “In order to pay the Virginia minimum wage of...

The Patrick County School Board approved its 2023-24 proposed budget at a March 14 meeting. The Patrick County School Board approved its 2023-2024 revenue budget presentation at a March 14 meeting. Schools Superintendent Jason Wood said the school board has to present its budget to the county administration before April 1 each year, according to state law. “We still do not have the new calculation tool from the Department of Education (VDOE), so they did what was called a ‘skinny...

A public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, as the Patrick County Board of Supervisors consider setting the real estate tax rate. Seating became an issue at the March 13 Board of Supervisors meeting, with several county residents forced to stand during the meeting. County officials have said the limited seating arrangement is due to a Covid era court order in the room that doubles as one of the county’s courtrooms. The decision to hold...

A rendering of the Dairy Queen drive-thru restaurant currently under construction in Daleville. The anticipated opening is early fall 2023.Photo courtesy of Botetourt Co. EDA By Matt de Simone   Winter in Botetourt in 2023 lacked some of the usual weather accustomed to the chilly temperatures. While, thankfully, the snow stayed away from most of the area, Blizzards are projected to arrive in the coming months. This fall, to be exact. No, the Farmer’s Almanac isn’t telling residents to prepare...

Botetourt County Public Schools (BCPS) School Board will hold a public hearing at the BCPS Central Administration Offices in Fincastle this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to hear the views of the community regarding the 2023-23 school board budget. Following the hearing, the school board will vote on the proposed budget as presented. The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing session at 6 p.m. this Tuesday, March 28, at the County Administration Center in Daleville. Daniel and...

At this month’s Fincastle Town Council meeting, Town Manager David Tickner gave an update on Big Spring Park. Volunteer trail-builders continued their work last Wednesday morning laying gravel and clearing the trail further. Liz Belcher and other volunteers are using some equipment Bobby Simmons lent to the project.

(Left to right) Chamber Ambassador Committee Chair Danielle Alexander, Tuck Chiropractic Assistant Destiny Hoskins, Tuck Chiropractic Assistant Logan Hayslett, Dr. Anna Flynn, Dr. AJ LaBarbera, Chamber Executive Director Khari Ryder, and Chamber President Anna Muncy. By Matt de Simone   The Botetourt Chamber of Commerce held an open house last week at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic. Dr. AJ LaBarbera and Dr. Anna Flynn greeted visitors and took a moment to thank everyone for joining them at the event. Light refreshments were...