Several economic development heads attended the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission at the Southern Virginia Committee in Bristol on May 12, including (left to right) Daniel Pinard, Economic Development Director of the Town of Rocky Mount; Bryce Simmons, Stuart Town Manager; Beth Simms, Cultural and Economic Development Director for the Town of Rocky Mount; Sean Adkins, Patrick County’s director of economic development, and Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart. The Patrick County Economic Development Authority (EDA) received $500,000 from the Virginia Tobacco...

Although patients maintain the right to refuse medical care when a rescue squad is called, they will now be billed regardless. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator Scottie Cassell spoke about the need to bill for patient refusals at the May 9 meeting. The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved the change requested by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator Scottie Cassell at its May 9 meeting. “This month alone, Station 8 had 91 patient refusals that it did not get billed...

“Everybody wanna be a steppa, but don’t wanna step,” according to the Class of 2022’s motto, but the more than 150 graduates will ‘step’ and receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 20.  Honor Graduates of the Class of 2022 are: Front Row (l-r) Emily White, Callie Crowell, Josie Vernon, Mary Nunez, Kaylee Morris, Sadie Vernon, Lainie Hopkins, Brooke Meade, Savanna Cockram.  Second Row (l-r) Tessa Haas, Jessica Handy, Geona Jenkins, Ashanti Trent, Payton Errichetti, Suzanne Gonzalez, Laurel Puckett, Jalyssa Wagoner. ...

The Town of Stuart will hold its 19th annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Uptown Stuart. Town Manager Bryce Simmons said Stuart’s Main Street will be shut down for the event that will be held rain or shine. “Most of the vendors will be able to set up on Main Street, and people will be able to park at the public lot right there next to the County Administration Building,” he said....

The Patrick County School Board and the Patrick County Board of Supervisors will hold a joint meeting on Monday, May 23 at 6 p.m. in the Patrick County Administration Building. The Patrick County School Board is seeking a joint meeting with the Patrick County Board of Supervisors. School board members hope to discuss budget issues with their counterparts. Pictured are Rob Martin, Amy Walker, Jason Wood, Ryan Lawson, Sara Leigh Collins, Walter Scott, and Shannon Harrell. School officials issued a...

Sunday, May 15 marked the 59th National Peace Officer Memorial Day, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith. The past decade has proven to be especially challenging for law enforcement nationwide, Smith said. “There has been an enormous amount of hatred thrown against our profession, never have I seen a time where our actions have been more despised than now, and we are suffering drastically nationwide because of it,” he said. Smith said departments across the country, large and small,...

As part of the ongoing project to widen U.S. 58 over Lovers Leap Mountain in Patrick County, blasting is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of May 23. The first blasting will impact traffic in the vicinity of Dehart Botanical Gardens, approximately 1.7 miles east of the Lovers Leap Mountain overlook and Fred Clifton Park. For blasting that is close to U.S. 58, traffic in both directions may be blocked for approximately 15-20 minutes at a time. Drivers and residents...

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close portions of Abram Penn Highway and Piney Forest Lane to perform maintenance, according to a release from the agency. Beginning Monday, May 23, a portion of Virginia 626 (Abram Penn Highway)  will be closed to through traffic from Virginia 701 (Stella Road) to Virginia 810 (Hollandsworth Drive) for a pipe replacement.   Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic on Friday, May 27.  Also on May 23, a portion of Virginia 707...

Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) recognized three instructors for the significant impact they have had on their students. The recent awards were the Teaching Faculty Member of the Year Award, the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year Award, and the Faculty Award for Professional Excellence. The recipients are nominated by their colleagues or students. Winners are recognized during end of the year celebrations and presented with cash prizes. This year, the award winners are Teaching Faculty Member of the...

The Ararat Ruritan Club presented the highest award in Ruritan to Mrs. Shelby Cox, in honor of her late husband and former Ruritan, Jack Cox.   Several members of the Cox family enjoyed the covered dish meal as prepared by members of the club prior to the presentation of the Tom Downing plaque. Downing was one of the founding members of Ruritan National, and the award given in his name is the highest honor bestowed upon a Ruritan. Mr. Jack Cox, along...