July 3, 2008Buchanan receives grant to fix leaking problemSoutheast Rural Community Assistance Project awarded Buchanan $22,854 to assist in fixing a hefty leak. "The Town was losing 100,000 gallons of water per day and the pumps were constantly running," said Mayor Tom Middlecamp. "They came from Buena Vista with special equipment he said that pinpointed the site of the two leaks near the Old Castle Lawn and Garden property." Continue reading "Buchanan receives grant to fix leaking problem" » July 1, 2008County Tourism Office awarded grant for the arts
Attic Productions Folk Tales earlier this spring. Continue reading "County Tourism Office awarded grant for the arts" » June 27, 2008Lord Botetourt student has art displayed at U.S. Capitol Lord Botetourt High School student Nick Weirup has won a district-wide art competition sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, and now has his winning painting displayed at the U.S. Capitol. The painting -- "The Girl Behind the Barn Door" -- is the one above Weirup and Goodlatte in this photo. For a close-up, plus a look at artwork from other congressional districts, click here and follow the link to Virginia. The press release from Goodlatte's office on the contest follows: Continue reading "Lord Botetourt student has art displayed at U.S. Capitol" » June 26, 2008Botetourt residents are happy with the county but worry about growthBotetourt County conducted a citizen satisfaction survey and the results were presented Dr. Harry Wilson of Roanoke College, who conducted the survey, presented the results. The survey interviewed 308 residents and believe them to be representative of the population. He said, "The results were extremely positive. Residents are really happy to live here. Most everyone sited they were happy with the schools and the county employees, the quality of life." He said 2/3 of those surveyed felt they get their tax dollars worth in county services and 3/4 believe that county employees are good to excellent. Growth has been the dominating concern for the next five years and has been each of the three tri-annual surveys. Future priority focus he said for citizens were: growth and growth management, education and public safety. Citizens stated they were currently happy with the later two. June 25, 2008Eagle Rock Library plans approved Librarian Steve Vest and architect Glenn Reynolds with the final Eagle Rock Library design. At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday June 25 at Greenfield Technology Center, the final plans for the new Eagle Rock were approved. Glenn Reynolds of Reynolds and Associates (they have designed most of the area libraries) brought forth renderings of the parking lot, interior plans and a finalized exterior plan for the new building. As County Administrator Jerry Burgess stated, "is just a little behind schedule." The building will be 9,576 square feet with a meeting room and a computer lab plus computers spread through out the building for a total of 18 computers. There will be 72 parking spaces in the lot and two full time employees and two-part-time on tap for the building. June 24, 2008Supervisors say no to Walgreens rezoning The proposal to rezone two pieces of property on the corner of Catawba Road and US 220 in Daleville for a Walgreens came to the Board of Supervisors today. After discussion that revolved around traffic and the real need for one more drug store, the supervisors voted 3-2 against rezoning for the project. Supervisors say Walgreens will not be at the corner of Catawba Road and US 220. Continue reading "Supervisors say no to Walgreens rezoning" » Trash transfer site for citizens gets approval The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors passed a motion today to give the go ahead for bids for the new Citizen Convenience Center or trash transfer site at the current landfill which is almost full. Trash will be brought to the site and transported to Salem. On the left of the above picture, the Recycling Center will come off the road to the right at the top of the hill. It will be spacious and comfortable said Public Works Director Ron Smith. The Scales House for weighing will be relocated to the hill and be central to both the Convenience Center (at the far right in the picture) and the Recycling Center with road entries on both sides of the Scales House (in the middle of the picture). In real time, the road will meander off to the left to the site where citizens will dump their trash at the Convenience Center. Commercial haulers will go behind the structure so the two groups have different places to dispose of trash. The firm of Thompson and Litton has designed the above pictured rendering of how the new transfer site will be arranged. The project is scheduled for completion in 2009. Continue reading "Trash transfer site for citizens gets approval" » Will Walgreens be approved today? Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will receive recommendations from the Planning Commission today to approve the proposed Walgreens at the corner of US 220 North and Catawba Road in Daleville. The position narrowly passed 2-1 in the June 9 Planning Commission meeting. Public opposition due to traffic and concerns over a daycare center on the lot were voiced at that meeting. Catawba Corner LLC has proffered road improvements on both US 220 and Catawba Road for the re-zoning of two lots including Barbara H. Goad and one to Botetourt Warehouse Associates from M-1 industrial to B-2 business as part of purchase the properties and combine them with the Pauley property on the corner of Catawba Road and US 220 South . The combination would form a B-2 site for the proposed Walgreen’s and be purchased by Catawba Corner LLC. The public hearing will be held today at 1:30 p.m. at Greenfield Education and Technical Center. What do you think about the proposal? You can click "comments" below. June 19, 2008Blue Ridge library program packs the house Some 85 kids and parents attended the early show for names ending in A-L the library summer reading program -- "Catch the Reading Bug" in Blue Ridge this morning and at least that many more names M-Z attended the second show at 11 a.m. Yesterday, the acting troupe Golden Duck Productions out of Staunton presented Little Red Riding Hood at the Fincastle library. Steve Vest head librarian for the system said, it was very good as well. The program moves to Buchanan Libary tomorrow. Next week, Puppets by Pizzazz will perform at the three locations. June 12, 2008Library summer reading programs start June 16 "Catch the Reading Bug" gets kids ready for school again next fall and the summer entertainment programs will 'wow' the imagination! Yes, it is that time of year again! The Botetourt County Public Library system proudly announces that on Monday the new summer reading program begins and the first of six entertaining programs will be featured at all three libraries during that week. Little Red Riding Hood is the first program and will be performed by Golden Duck Productions. The summer program has been part of the library system for several decades and each year offers reading incentives as well as entertainment. The first program for the summer bills itself as a specialists in producing charming original plays of children's fairy tale classics and in this case is Little Red Riding Hood. Kids and parents come to the conference room at any of the three libraries during the specified times below and find a spot to sit and watch the show. On Wednesdays the programs will be in the Fincastle Library; on Thursdays the Blue Ridge Library and on Fridays in Buchanan. Continue reading "Library summer reading programs start June 16" » June 10, 2008Old Glory flies again in Fincastle The howling winds of winter tore up the Fincastle library flag pole but today some fine fellows from Alleghany County came and fixed her up! Old Glory can once again fly over the library. June 2, 2008Jury rules against Troutville podiatristA Roanoke jury has awarded a $3.5 million verdict to a Clifton Forge woman who sued her podiatrist over a 2003 surgery that she says caused incurable chronic pain and the amputation of the front of her right foot.Dr. Jennifer Feeny of Shenandoah Valley Podiatry in Troutville. We have more on this story from reporter Mike Allen. May 29, 2008Recycling above and beyond the callPeople have been leaving their old and new phone books in the post offices around the county. Guess what? They've been recycled -- thanks to Botetourt County Public Works for going to pick them up after the Daleville Post Office called The Botetourt View. We hooked them-up and now the problem has been recycled. Speaking of that, there's something new in the recycling world. May 27, 2008Botetourt tourism office gets grant Kevin Costello the director of tourism for Botetourt County is a happy guy because of the news released today about a grant to stimulate the three towns promoting business and tourism. May 22, 2008Botetourt prosecutor named to investigate Roanoke political ad Botetourt County Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom has been named special prosecutor to look into whether any laws were broken by a citizens group that launched an attack ad against a candidate for the Roanoke City Council earlier this month. Reporter Laurence Hammack has more on this developing story. May 19, 2008Fincastle library book sale needs donationsThe Friends of the Library, Fincastle Branch will be holding a Raffle and Bake Sale with the Book Sale at the July 24, 25 & 26, 2008. Local merchants are encouraged to participate by donating gift certificates or merchandise for the raffle. Raffle Items are now being collected. Rena Worthen of the library said: "Please consider helping with this fund raiser. Proceeds from the sale and raffle will be used for the children’s programs. We need your help!" Baked goods are needed for the Bake Sale and should be delivered to the Fincastle Library on July 23, 2008. Our last post about the Fincastle library was March 27. May 16, 2008Lord Botetourt principal talks about new role on Fincastle Town Council Alan Brenner, principal at Lord Botetourt High School, was recently elected to Fincastle Town Council with 29 votes -- 98 % of the popular vote. The Botetourt View caught up with Brenner over at Lord Botetourt prior to the election and here's what he had to say: Continue reading "Lord Botetourt principal talks about new role on Fincastle Town Council" » May 7, 2008County administrator announces staff changesChanges in county government begin with assistant administrator Ned McElwaine's retirement on July 1. Botetourt County Administrator Gerald Burgess has announced the following staff changes: Continue reading "County administrator announces staff changes" » Newcomb elected in BuchananThis just in -- Cleatus Newcomb has been elected to town council in Buchanan as a write-in candidate with 97 votes. For the latest on the write-in vote, click here. For more coverage of the town elections in Buchanan and Fincastle, click here. May 6, 2008Election results from Buchanan and FincastleBuchanan residents will have to wait until Wednesday to find out officially who won. There were 131 write-in votes cast for town council, and those won't be counted until then. But here are the tallies for the candidates who were on the ballot Tuesday: Continue reading "Election results from Buchanan and Fincastle" » Fincastle and Buchanan vote today for town councils Today is the big day for voting in town elections in Buchanan and Fincastle. Polls are open until 7 p.m. In Fincastle, turn-out was light this morning with election officials hoping things would pick up to keep the day moving faster. Over in Buchanan, Sandra Brown said they have had 43 voters this morning but do have a line right now. "It is about what I had expected." said Brown. All council seats and the mayorial postions are being elected today in the two towns. We'll post results here when they become available. Election officials Karen Beasley and Al Nichols wait for more voters to come in to the polls at the Fincastle town precinct at Breckinridge Elementary School. May 1, 2008Recycling Task Force establishes goals From a seven-page document of suggestions, the task force members came up with five goals for recycling in Botetourt County when they met on Tuesday night. 1. Update signs at every recycling site which includes the landfill and all elementary and high schools( James River High School will be getting recycling site again soon and a study is underway for Greenfield Elementary.) We had a previous post about recycling on April 22. Colby Trammel of Fincastle is a volunteer member of the task force and uses a yellow dot to place importance on recycling goals the committee found important and attainable. April 30, 2008Heartwell 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. April 29, 2008BBQ 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. 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 24, 2008Eagle 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" » April 22, 2008Botetourt will repeal sign ordinance after ACLU protestIn response to a threat of legal action by the American Civil Liberties Union, Botetourt County announced plans today to repeal language in its sign ordinance that limits the time period for displaying political signs. For more on this story, click here. In the meantime, we have links to our previous stories on the controversy from March 21 and March 26. And below is the full text of today's press release from the ACLU: Continue reading "Botetourt will repeal sign ordinance after ACLU protest" » April 16, 2008Trash collection company sues Botetourt CountyThis just in: A private trash collection company is suing Botetourt County in the latest flap over the locality’s decision to take its garbage to Salem. We have a breaking news story from reporter Jay Conley on what's happening. Fincastle Libertarians protest income taxes Passing out overlarge one million dollar bills that stated "The government spends one million dollars of your money every 11 seconds," Libertarians Jeff and Liz Bowles of Fincastle and their group denounced income taxes. In the shadow of the protest, long lines of last minute taxpayers struggled to get stamps at the Main Post Office off Williamson Road. Continue reading "Fincastle Libertarians protest income taxes" » March 31, 2008Tourism office moves to historic old jail next door to the Chamber of CommerceKevin Costello was in move mode this morning. He is the director of tourism for Botetourt County and the office is moving to the historic old jail located on Main Street in Fincastle. Costello, who has been handling the tourism business of Botetourt out of his office on Back Street, will relocate to the new site vacated when the Magistrate's office moved to the Botetourt -Craig Public Safety building in January. Opening day is April 1 at the new site. "My father always said I would end up in jail," said Costello with a laugh. Continue reading "Tourism office moves to historic old jail next door to the Chamber of Commerce" » March 27, 2008Fincastle Library Spring Book Fair is April 3, 4 and 5Need a new book or books to read on vacation, by the pool or on the front porch? The Friends of the Fincastle Library invites you to attend the annual book sale April 3-5. Proceeds from the book sale go to fund the children's reading programs at the Buchanan and Fincastle branch libraries. The book sale will take place during regular library hours, said Rena Worthen, a member of the library staff and a friend as well. "We have books in a wide variety from out of print to best sellers! Please, we need volunteers and are always looking for friends at all of the library branches," she continued. For more information on being a book sale volunteer call the Fincastle Library circulation desk at 473-8339. March 20, 2008ACLU wants Botetourt to change sign policy, threatens lawsuitThe American Civil Liberties Union has sent a letter to the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors urging repeal of the county's ordinance dealing with political signs. The group threatens a lawsuit if the ordinance isn't changed. Here's the complete text of the press release the ACLU sent out, and the letter: ACLU Seeks Repeal of Botetourt County Ordinance Placing Time Limits on Campaign Signs Botetourt County, VA - March 20, 2008 - The ACLU of Virginia today urged Botetourt County government officials to immediately suspend -- then repeal -- an ordinance that prohibits residents from having campaign signs in their yards more than 60 days in advance of an election or more than 15 days afterwards. The ACLU is prepared to go to court to have the ordinance declared unconstitutional. Continue reading "ACLU wants Botetourt to change sign policy, threatens lawsuit" » March 8, 2008Ralph Smith talks about his first General Assembly session
Continue reading "Ralph Smith talks about his first General Assembly session" » |
About this blog
Welcome to The Notebook, the community gathering place for news and tidbits from The Botetourt View, by community journalist Cathy Benson (that's her on the left). You'll be able to find the most up-to-date news, events and stories in Botetourt County here at this blog. And please join in! You can share your comments, stories, links and ideas here, too. This is your community conversation. .....Advertisement.....
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