Hundreds of parade goers lined the roads and filled many parking lots in Meadows of Dan Saturday as the Meadows of Dan Community Association’s Christmas Parade got underway.The Floyd County High School Marching Band, Merry Grinchmas, and many church floats with at least one proclaiming “Jesus is the reason for the season,” were joined by 4-wheelers, horses/riders, antique vehicles and others to the delight of many. Santa Claus also made a special appearance at the end of the parade.Businesses were...

Usher in the holiday season in Stuart on Friday and Saturday with Hometown Christmas, which will offer holiday festivities for all.The Grand Illumination is slated to be held on Friday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. The Christmas tree located at the Patrick County Courthouse in Stuart will be turned on, according to Chris Prutting, executive director of One Family Productions, which partners with the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce on the project.  Friday also is the final day to buy a...

The Board of Supervisors discussed Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staffing issues and call response times at its Nov. 21 meeting. The county’s Operational Medical Director told the Patrick County Board of Supervisors that EMS squads in the Meadows of Dan/Vesta areas are struggling to respond to calls. Dr. Jason Edsall was asked to discuss EMS call volumes and response times at the Nov. 21 meeting with Patrick County Emergency Management Services (EMS) Director Scottie Cassell. Edsall noted that Station 8,...

The Board of Supervisors agreed to explore the process of closing a portion of road to meet the outdoor requirements for a childcare center. The county’s economic development director said the plan to open a childcare center may be “dead in the water” due to a lack of required outdoor space. Before he is ready to scrap the plan entirely, Patrick County Economic Development Director Sean Adkins asked the Patrick County Board of Supervisors to consider a partial road closure...

Kevin Hubbard, of Hubbard 1 Productions, started videoing the U.S. Highway 58 construction to document the changes over time. A Meadows of Dan man is documenting the construction and changes in the mountain created by the project to widen U.S. 58 in the area of Lovers Leap. Kevin Hubbard, of Hubbard 1 Productions, said he’s heard the project talked about for his entire life. Discussions were that “it was going to happen, and it was a couple years down the...

According to The Wilkinson Group, the neighborhood’s main street would be located on the southwest side of the property, close to Alt. 220. This concept retains the historic structures of Murray Cider Co. to be repurposed for civic and commercial uses.Photo courtesy of The Wilkinson Group By Matt de Simone   The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors agreed to “move things along” with proposed changes in the county’s Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) zoning over to the Botetourt Planning Commission. County...

Library Director Julie Phillips (at podium) introduces Eagle Rock Library Branch Supervisor Jennifer Hannah (right) to the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. By Matt de Simone   Julie Phillips introduced new Eagle Rock Library Branch Supervisor Jennifer Hannah to the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors at last week’s monthly meeting. Hannah is a longtime educator who lives in Eagle Rock. She previously taught for several years working in Alleghany County Public Schools and Central Academy Middle School, where she won...

Santa Claus is coming to town… and he’s making his way through Botetourt County starting on Dec. 4 in Buchanan. From Dec. 4-17, Santa Claus will join his friends with Botetourt County Fire & EMS to bring holiday cheer to county communities. Look for Santa and emergency service workers to make their way through county communities on the following dates: BLUE RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. Saturday, Dec. 10 beginning at 12 p.m. Includes: Blue Ridge Heights, Peach Tree, Thornblade, Brookfield,...

Slave Quarters (built in 1860) This is a so-called “double-saddleback” construction, with two levels, located on Greenfield Plantation.File photo The Historic Greenfield Preservation Advisory Council of Botetourt County recently announced that four members from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) of the National Park Service in Natchitoches, La. will be at Historic Greenfield Dec. 5-7 to document the slave quarters, summer kitchen, and farm manager’s house. “We are very fortunate to have them come by, as they...

Photo courtesy of Robert McRae Robert McRae, retired pastor of Galatia Evangelical Presbyterian Church, has recently released a book titled “Sentinels of the Faith: Called to Worship in Botetourt County, Virginia.” The book touches on some 270 years of Trinitarian Christian Church history in Botetourt County. The book was written as a way of continuing to celebrate Botetourt County’s 250th anniversary. “The idea for the book grew out of a desire to compile a complete list of churches in Botetourt...