April 30, 2008Troopers bring simulators to remind prom goers not to drink and drive  Over at Lord Botetourt High School today, Trooper M.S. Jordan tried to get students to walk a straight line using simulator goggles that made the student sway and totter while Trooper J.R. Mann rode in the passenger seat of the Virginia State Police simulator . Wearing the specialized goggles, a driver gets the motion of being visually impaired -- one of the side effects of drinking and driving. Each student from a PE class or driver's ed took a turn piloting the vehicle through a course of orange pylons.The state police sponsor the vehicle in hopes they will be able to avoid responding to the scene of the saddest of calls -- the death of a teenager due to drinking and driving, Mann said previously. Both Lord Botetourt and James River high schools hold their proms this Saturday. Heartwell bids county government good-bye
 Well over 100 people came by the BBQ in his honor to say good-bye and Buck Heartwell who is retiring as county attorney after 28 years said it was sad, but time to move on. The county's constitutional officers -- Treasurer Benton Bolton, Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom, Commissioner of the Revenue Jay Etzler, Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle and Clerk of Court Tommy Moore -- got together and paid for the lunch to honor him. After lunch at his private law office on Main Street in Fincastle, Heartwell accompanied by his wife Sudie, was introspective, "I enjoyed my years of service with the county. It is sad, but it was time for a change." Buck and Sudie Heartwell and Angie Brogan his law office secretary were all smiles after his retirement lunch on the courthouse square in Fincastle. Fish Wagon stops in Troutville There are a lot of ponds and lakes around Botetourt and the Fish Wagon out of Arkansas stops by several time per year bringing stocking fish. On Wednesday morning at Southern States in Troutville the truck waited for customers. Larry Barnhill drives the Fish Wagon to Virginia complete with oxygenated tanks that he travels to various stops along the way. Cavalier Automotive owner responds to gas prices In The Notebook last week, Dwayne Yancey commented on the rising gas prices in Botetourt and Larry Ceola at Cavalier Automotive contacted the Botetourt View about how to save on gas mileage in the face of the rising prices! Larry Ceola at Cavalier Automotive in Cloverdale sees alternatives to high gas prices in better gas mileage. Continue reading "Cavalier Automotive owner responds to gas prices" » James River grad Tincher throws 2,000th strikeout
Here's the story and more photos. Also, our sports section is planning a bigger feature on Tincher in this coming Sunday's print editions of The Roanoke Times. We had a previous post about Tincher on April 16, when she set the ACC record for wins. Photo by Matt Gentry. April 29, 2008Photos from the Robin and Linda Williams showOur paparazzi photo crew was on hand at The Buchanan Theatre last Friday night for the Robin and Linda Williams show. We have photos of some of the fans who stepped onto our red carpet. We you there? What did you think of the show? Feel free to leave some comments below Terrific Tuesday random bits of info What is going on in your neck of the woods? On this terrific Tuesday, I saw my neighbor's white cat in the tree by the Breckinridge Mill. Send me a picture of your favorite next Tuesday! Here's a few random bits of info brewing in Botetourt County. Some Botetourt gamers were out with the rest of the mob at Game Stop last night at midnight getting Grand Theft Auto 4. I am told this was a big event since it is the first new version in almost four years. 210 people waited in line for the midnight sale. The State Police were out on Read Mountain Road about an hour ago checking driver's permits and inspection stickers, tags -- don't forget to look at yours to make sure they are current! BBQ on Court House square for Buck Heartwell on April 30Buck Heartwell is retiring as County Attorney after 28 years and on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. a BBQ lunch in his honor is being held next to the Fincastle Court House. Sponsors of the event are elected officials in Botetourt County and include Treasurer Benton Bolton, Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom, Commissioner of the Revenue Jay Etzler, Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle and Clerk of Court Tommy Moore. The event is being held to allow county employees and others to offer their thanks to Heartwell. DJ's Pit Stop owned by Doug and Jeff Moran will feature BBQ and all of the fixin's to go along. The sponsors said they are showing their appreciation and honoring all of the years of Heartwell's service and commitment to Botetourt County. Autism group holds fund-raiser Friday-Saturday in BonsackWant to help the Blue Ridge Autism Center (BRAC) and you like to do scrap booking? The "Crop for the Cause" event is being held at Bonsack United Methodist Church on May 2nd and 3rd for a $25 donation. The event takes place from 5 p.m on Friday to 2 a.m. on Saturday and again on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, said Lisa Hensley an employee of the BRAC who wanted to do something creative to help the center. BRAC Rachel Rideout is a Creative Memories consultant who volunteered to help and she is taking orders for set-ups. She can be reached at 977-6075 or docnrae@cox.net. National Helen's Week? These posters are all over the Botetourt County Court House and associated government offices. Who is Helen and what does it mean? Circuit Court Clerk Tommy Moore says this celebration has been going on for years and the Botetourt View will have to come back Friday morning around 11 to know what it means. How does Helen rate her own week? We have some insider info. She's an employee who works in county offices...stay tuned for more! April 28, 2008Going Green for Earth Week celebrated at Greenfield Elementary Recycling was the key to the Earth Week celebrations at Greenfield Elementary. Students at Greenfield observed Earth Week by recycling paper in all their classrooms.
Botetourt United soccer club to hold try-outs May 10 and 17The Botetourt United soccer club will hold try-outs May 10 and May 17. Full details are outlined in this press release from the club: Continue reading "Botetourt United soccer club to hold try-outs May 10 and 17" » National Day of Prayer is Thursday; 10 locations in Botetourt
Continue reading "National Day of Prayer is Thursday; 10 locations in Botetourt" » Troutville rescue squad plans unusual fund-raiserTroutville Rescue Squad wants the public to know it will conduct a portrait fundraising drive and it will begin in the near future. Families and friends in their service area will be getting a phone call in the next days and weeks to make a donation to the squad. Those who give to the volunteer squad will receive an 8x10 family portrait for their efforts. Funds will go to assist the squad in training. "The Troutville Rescue Squad appreciates your continued support," said Lynn Cox and Forrest Kessler, co-presidents of the squad.
Farmer's Market opened Saturday Hardly a parking spot could be found as the Botetourt Family Farmer's Market opened to rave reviews at Ikenberry's in Daleville on Saturday. People milled in and out of the porch at Ikenberry's in a steady stream where the following Botetourt farmers are going to be providing produce, meat and dairy products. Three months ago these growers formed to bring locally and naturally grown foods to their own community. Stores lining up for Kroger Square at BonsackThe Kroger store under construction at Bonsack isn't in Botetourt, but it's close enough that some folks in Botetourt -- especially those in Blue Ridge -- will be interested. Business writer Jenny Boone has an update on just what stores are lining up for the new development. Botetourt's biggest losers (weight-wise, that is)In case you missed it, here's a story on some people around Western Virginia who have been successful in losing weight -- and keeping it off. Two of those people featured are from Botetourt -- Pam Sink of Blue Ridge and Erin Lunsford of Fincastle. Here's the story -- and here's a link to the before-and-after photo gallery. April 26, 2008Teen Scene rocks RMMS RMMS sixth-graders Lacey Blankenship, Carissa Robertson, Taylor Rutrough, Dakota Crawford and Danielle Brewer hang out at Teen Scene on Saturday night, April 26. Battle for Buchanan Sunday at 2 p.m Civil War enthusiasts got a first hand view of Hunter's Calvary attacking McCausland's troops, heard period music, the roar of cannon, the clash of swords and even a lecture on Hunter's Raid. Looking like a carousel horse, this piebald steed with "glass-eyes" raced toward the Union Calvary during the clash between the Confederate and Union Calvary units at the Buchanan Town Park. April 25, 2008Blue Ridge Supervisor Billy Martin restores family heirloom wagon The green and red and yellow wagon parked in a yard on Mountain Pass Road in Blue Ridge has a lot of family history in the Martin Family. Martin is a Republican occupying the seat vacated by then supervisor Wendy Wingo. The retired head postmaster for Roanoke has a busy life yet not one that allows him to forget the past. The old Conestoga wagon looks like a buckboard sitting in his yard. It belonged to his great-grandfather Gaspard Martin of Patrick County who was a farmer. He would hitch his white mule Tom to the wagon and carry his produce and goods to market said Martin. Martin has rebuilt the wagon bed and restored the wheels and undercarriage to its original shape. he plans to fix the cover part as his next project."It was in rough condition but I will get back to the way it should be." See images that capture the valley Pam Horton of Blue Ridge submitted this photo to our Images of the Valley photo contest. She took this on the last day Explore Park was open in the fall. For a gallery of photo contest winners, click here. Bonsack to get new nTelos storeThis isn't in Botetourt but it's close enough that a lot of folks in Blue Ridge will be interested. Business writer Jenny Boone reports on her blog, The Storefront, that nTelos will be opening a store at the new Kroger Square that's under construction in Bonsack, just over the line in Roanoke County. For more, see Jenny's blog. We had a previous post about the Bonsack Kroger on April 14. HFI announces five new board members and 2008 fund driveThough elected to the board last fall, Historic Fincastle, Inc,hisfinc.org HFI made the announcement in the spring newsletter. The following people have been added to the board of directors. Carol Brenner, Cassandra Bulmer, Kip Burton, Nancy Downs and Brian Jones have all joined the They have also started the 2008 membership and annual fund drive. Respond to HFI at PO Box 19, Fincastle, Virginia 24090 or call the HFI office at 473-3077. Our print edition hits the streetsThe first issue of our new community newspaper for Botetourt County comes out today. * If you’re a subscriber to The Roanoke Times and live in Botetourt County, you’ll find The Botetourt View included in your regular newspaper delivery each Friday. * If you’re not a subscriber, but still live in Botetourt, you’ll get The Botetourt View mailed to you each week as part of the Simply Savings advertising flier you now receive. For most of you, that generally means it will arrive on Friday or Saturday, depending on postal delivery. If that uncertainty sounds like a reason to subscribe, our circulation department will be happy to help you. (Note: There are a few postal routes in southern Botetourt that come out of Roanoke where we're not able to reach non-subscribers, so that's another reason to subscribe.) * In addition, we have free copies of The Botetourt View available at these locations: -- Food Lion, 1641 Blue Ridge Blvd., Troutville And, for a limited time only, we also have special promotional copies available at these locations in Botetourt: Botetourt's frost date moves earlier in the springCassie Driskill offers some gardening and assorted tips as you prepare for the growing season that can be incorporated into you gardening schedule this weekend! Driskill is a little amazed that the National Weather Service has moved the last date for frost from May 15 to April 15. (It has frosted in Botetourt twice since then.) But gardening season is upon us so take note of the tips. Continue reading "Botetourt's frost date moves earlier in the spring" » Welcome to The Botetourt View!Welcome to the new website for community news for Botetourt County. If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog for the past month or so, you’re noticing something different today. If you’re coming here for the first time, well, it’s all new anyway. The big news here today is that we’ve launched a full website -- and a weekly print edition. What you’re looking at here is The Notebook, our news blog for The Botetourt View. Most days, we update this blog multiple times -- sometimes with things you’ll later see in print in some form, sometimes with things you won’t. Think of it as a running conversation. And we do want this to be a two-week street. You can click the “comment” button on the lower right to comment on blog posts. You can also share your news and photos at news@botetourtview.com. If you want to bookmark this blog, here’s the new, formal address. And if you want to bookmark the whole site, you’ll want this. For more about what the whole website features, click here. For more on our print edition, click here. Finally, to meet our community journalist, Cathy Benson, either in person or in cyberspace, click here. April 24, 2008Big weekend in Botetourt CountyThe weather is supposed to be good but don't spend all weekend mowing the yard! Botetourt has a lot to offer Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Cell phones and Botetourt County Has anyone out there got a funny Botetourt cell phone story to share? Join us for coffee (or tea) Yes, we know you’re reading this online -- and scattered all over this site are links where you can submit news and photos to news@botetourtview.com. But we also know that not everybody is online -- and sometimes not everything is easy to send across the Internet. So that’s why we have a drop box. Think of this as our Botetourt bureau. We also know that sometimes it’s good to just sit and chat -- and that’s why Cathy Benson, our community journalist for Botetourt, will be holding “office hours” at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon. That’s her picture on the right. She’s eager to hear your ideas about covering our community -- so stop by and share some news the old-fashioned way. Eagle Rock Library design choices unveiled Botetourt County Library System is getting another library and two designs were shown to a crowd of about fifty people last night. Members of the library board pose with the lodge concept design along with head librarian for the county, Steve Vest. Continue reading "Eagle Rock Library design choices unveiled" » Ruritan Rudy Bears go to Read Mountain Fire and Rescue  Rudy Bears will give comfort to children at accident scenes, house fires or from injuries they incur that require a rescue vehicle. Rachel Bays of RM Fire and Rescue accepts Ruritan Rudy bears from Steve Claris of the Bonsack/Blue Ridge Ruritan Club Continue reading "Ruritan Rudy Bears go to Read Mountain Fire and Rescue" » April 23, 2008Buchanan Theatre sold to SRO At the Jane Powell concert Sunday night at the Buchanan Theatre, Harry Gleason, the chairman of Standing Room Only (SRO) made an announcement that had been months in the making. Administrative assistants honored at Lord Botetourt All around the county administrative assistants were honored for their day. At Lord Botetourt High School, the ladies were treated to lunch at Hotel Roanoke by principal Alan Brenner. The administrative assistant staff at LBHS: Linda King, Brenda Snell, Debbie Ream, Brenda Simmons, Cathy Quinn and Sherry Graham posed with principal Alan Brenner (not pictured Judy Dudding.) Botetourt Girl Scouts collect cans for recycling Jane Garnett sends us this on behalf of the Girl Scouts: No, this is not trash. “Girl Scout Kelly” is doing her part for Earth Day by recycling aluminum cans. Did you know? Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. Used aluminum cans are recycled and returned to store shelves as new cans in as few as 60 days. Americans earn nearly $1 billion dollars annually from recycling aluminum cans. Botetourt Girl Scout Service Unit is recycling cans to help save the planet. So far, the Girl Scouts have collected 26 large garbage bags of crushed cans.
Katie comes forwardA few weeks ago, we noticed a bunch of signs along U.S. 11 and U.S. 220 wishing someone named Katie a birthday -- and a tongue-in-cheek welcome to "the Geritol Club." We made a shout-out to Katie -- and now she's come forward. Katie McKechnie sends us this email: It's me!!!!!! It was my fabulous 40th birthday and my wonderful [friends] wanted me to know how loved I was. My name is Katie McKechnie. I teach second grade at Greenfield Elementary. There were a total of 11 eleven signs around town, including signs going into RMMS to make sure my children's friends were aware of the event. We do have pictures that will be on their way. Have a great day and I love this!!!! So, happy birthday all over again Katie, and we look forward to getting the pictures. And if anyone else out there sees something odd, strange or curious around the county, be sure to get a picture and send it to us at news@botetourtview.com Teacher's death caused by smoke inhalationA Botetourt County woman whose remains were found Sunday after a fire at her home near Blue Ridge died of smoke inhalation, the sheriff's office said. We have the latest new, and a link to the online guestbook, here. For previous coverage of the fire that claimed the life of Melissa Rickman,click here. Hiking the Appalachian Trail from Daleville to Maine Rebekah McDonald of Daleville plans to hit the trail on May 15 accompanied by her dog Geronimo.They have matching backpacks! During her travels the Botetourt View will keep up with her progress. Rebekah McDonald played Julia Hancock, the love interest of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Discovery Expedition that traveled through the area a year and half ago. She had worked at a Lewis and Clark historic site in Montana where she graduated from the University of Montana in 2006 in photojournalism. McDonald is a 2002 grad of Lord Botetourt High School. A free lance photographer since then and assistant manager at Outdoor Trails in Daleville at Botetourt Commons, this will be her final step of the flight into adulthood, said McDonald. Continue reading "Hiking the Appalachian Trail from Daleville to Maine" » Robin and Linda Williams perform Friday night
Tickets are still available to see Robin and Linda Williams at the Buchanan Theatre Touting their latest CD, "Radio Show", the couple will perform in the renovated theatre at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $20. From their website: "Virginia based Robin and Linda Williams are known for their rich harmonies and original songwriting rooted in the country/bluegrass/gospel tradition. They have gained widespread national prominence on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," as one half of The Hopeful Gospel Quartet as well as performing in their own right." Dual enrollment classes will move next year Assistant School Superintendent John Busher said that dual enrollment courses will no longer be taught at Greenfield Education in Daleville as they have been for a number of years but at Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC) in Fincastle. Busher said that in the interest of a more central location for students that attend James River High School as well as those at Lord Botetourt, dual enrollment classes-- those classes that earn both college and high school credit, will be moved to BTEC and may become a trend for other offerings.
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May 1 is the