Carr Boyd spent about one year to the week as Botetourt County Emergency Services Director.  County Administrator Kathleen Guzi announced this morning that Boyd has resigned effective the end of the month of May. More to follow.

UPDATE, 11:09 a.m.: Matt Chittum of The Roanoke Times has more on the story here.

JRHS students were pulled out of class for a “Ghost Out” Day to promote safe driving habits. Pictured from left are (back row) Blake Sawyer, Isaiah Allen, Carolynn Seymour, Morgan Gozzo, Tiffany Brandt, (front row) Kyle Harrell, Molly Hand, Amber Tiller and Haylee Corvin. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Kyle

James River YOVASO organized several events to educate students and the community about the importance of driving safely. The Arrive Alive campaign focused on the week of April 30 – May 2 leading up to the James River prom.

YOVASO started and ended the campaign with a distracted driving check as school was dismissed. This gave documentation that the campaign helped students minimize distractions and drive more safely.

To make the campaign fun, students competed for prizes in a banner design contest and a school wide scavenger hunt. Over 200 prizes were dispersed throughout the week!

We would like to give a special thanks to Subway in Eagle Rock, Verizon Wireless Zone in Daleville, Advanced Auto, Bellacino’s, and the Family Christian Bookstore in Roanoke for their donations supporting this campaign.

Recognizing a more serious side of the safe driving message, nine students represented the statistics of deaths by unsafe driving and were pulled out of class for a “Ghost Out” Day. The students are pictured from left to right, Back Row: Blake Sawyer, Isaiah Allen, Carolynn Seymour, Morgan Gozzo, Tiffany Brandt, Front Row: Kyle Harrell, Molly Hand, Amber Tiller, and Haylee Corvin.

The Botetourt Fire and Rescue Squad from Buchanan and Eagle Rock assisted by Hugh’s Transport set up a graphic display of a serious traffic accident for students to view during lunches.

On May 2, the week culminated with a morning assembly. Jamie Talbott introduced guest speakers, Ron Long and Sammi King. Ron Long’s daughter, Hannah, and Sammi King’s older sister, Susan, are both victims in recent driving accidents. The entire school was deeply moved by the seriousness of these tragedies. We really appreciate Mr. Long and Mrs. King for speaking at the assembly. Thank you for helping educate James River students about the importance and necessity of always driving safely.

– Submitted by Rebecca Kyle and Amanda Marshall

Sandra’s Marking Company Inc., located in Buchanan, participated with Buddy Buchanan to bring Work Zone Safety to James River High School driver’s ed students on Friday, April 26.

Buddy shared stories about the importance of safety while going through a work zone. Buddy worked for VDOT for many years before retiring. He now works for a private company called DBI Services.

Sandy Hutchens, president of Sandra’s Marking Company Inc., also shared stories and showed the equipment that her employees use to ensure safe work zone areas out on the road. Driver’s ed teacher Mike Goad said James River has had Sandy and Buddy do presentations at the school for over 15 years to alert new drivers of their surroundings.

– Submitted by Kallie Cox

Contact the TVFD for pool water!

Eventually it will get warm enough to think of a sunny day of swimming. Need water for your pool? Try the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department. a great group of dedicated community workers.

C.J. Boothe of the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department has a suggestion: “Warm weather is upon us, and the Troutville Fire Department is announcing that we are once again filling pools this year. Our Tanker has a capacity of 3,000 gallons.

“We charge $175 dollars per load, which we treat as a tax-deductible donation. Please keep in mind that we fill pools on a first come, first serve basis. If you have a pool that you would like filled, please call us at 540-966-8661. Please have the following information ready when calling: your name and call back number, approximate pool size (gallons), and best time of day to have pool filled. Call us with any questions. Be safe!”

So get your pool filled with water and help the TVFD at the same time!

Josh Peck and Jennifer Mills share these photos of flooding on Catawba Creek near Fincastle.

You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER FLOODING COVERAGE:
* Rachel Rock shares photos of flooding on Craig Creek in Oriskany
* Cassandra Brandt shares photos of the James River in Buchanan
* Sherri Kent shares photo of high water in a tunnel near Buchanan
* Gary Reed shares photos of flooding on Craig Creek near Eagle Rock
* Teresa Black shares photos of flooding on Catawba Creek near Haymakertown
* Ken Seay shares photos of flooding around Buchanan
* Erin E. Hickock shares flood photos around Buchanan
* Weather news on Kevin Myatt’s Weather Journal

Rachel Rock shares these photos of flooding on Craig Creek on Old Rail Road in Oriskany.

You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER FLOODING COVERAGE:
* Cassandra Brandt shares photos of the James River in Buchanan
* Sherri Kent shares photo of high water in a tunnel near Buchanan
* Gary Reed shares photos of flooding on Craig Creek near Eagle Rock
* Teresa Black shares photos of flooding on Catawba Creek near Haymakertown
* Ken Seay shares photos of flooding around Buchanan
* Erin E. Hickock shares flood photos around Buchanan

Cassandra Brandt shares these photos of the James River in Buchanan today.

You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER FLOODING COVERAGE:
* Sherri Kent shares photo of high water in a tunnel near Buchanan
* Gary Reed shares photos of flooding on Craig Creek near Eagle Rock
* Teresa Black shares photos of flooding on Catawba Creek near Haymakertown
* Ken Seay shares photos of flooding around Buchanan
* Erin E. Hickock shares flood photos around Buchanan
* Schools suspend bus transportation to James River HS and vocational school
* Flood coverage around the region from The Roanoke Times

And another:

Sherri Kent shares this photo of high water in the tunnel near the old IGA outside Buchanan.

You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER FLOODING COVERAGE:
* Gary Reed shares photos of flooding on Craig Creek near Eagle Rock
* Teresa Black shares photos of flooding on Catawba Creek near Haymakertown
* Ken Seay shares photos of flooding around Buchanan
* Erin E. Hickock shares flood photos around Buchanan
* Schools suspend bus transportation to James River HS and vocational school
* Flood coverage around the region from The Roanoke Times

Gary Reed shares this photo gallery of flooding on Craig Creek near Eagle Rock.

You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER FLOODING COVERAGE:
* Ken Seay shares photos of flooding around Buchanan
* Erin E. Hickock shares flood photos around Buchanan
* Schools suspend bus transportation to James River HS and vocational school
* Flood coverage around the region from The Roanoke Times

Teresa Black shares these photos of flooding on Catawba Creek on Haymakertown Road today.

You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” button to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER FLOODING COVERAGE:
* Ken Seay shares photos of flooding around Buchanan
* Erin E. Hickock shares flood photos around Buchanan
* Schools suspend bus transportation to James River HS and vocational school
* Flood coverage around the region from The Roanoke Times