Local news from the New River Valley

nrv government news

Montgomery County

What: Board of supervisors

When: Monday, 6 p.m. work session and 7:15 p.m. meeting

Where: Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.

One of two people suspected of taking $2,600 worth of cigarettes from a Newport store last week was arrested Thursday night in West Virginia, the Giles County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Kimberly April Rhoten, 46, of Camp Creek, W.Va., was arrested by officers from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, according to Giles County Lt. Ron Hamlin.

CHRISTIANSBURG -- A Christiansburg man who is charged in connection with his cousin's death waived his preliminary hearing Friday.

Keith Dean Quesenberry, 22, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of 23-year-old Michael Andrew Quesenberry.

Caves on federal and state property remain closed to prevent the spread of white nose syndrome.

By now, almost everyone has heard of H1N1, a flu strain commonly referred to as "swine flu."

But Will Orndorff of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation also wants people to have another abbreviation on their minds: WNS.

Registrar Tracy Howard said moving elections from May to November will help ease budget woes.
RADFORD -- Citing potential budget cuts, one city official thinks voters should head to the polls later next year.

Registrar Tracy Howard has proposed moving Radford's city council and school board elections from May to November to save the city about $4,500 per election cycle.

A field day of exploring Virginia's natural resources will be held today at Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve.

Hosted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, activities include a guided hike and a presentation on the natural history and stewardship of the site.

Radford University's faculty senate approved a motion of no confidence in Provost Wil Stanton.

RADFORD -- The Radford University faculty senate approved Thursday a motion expressing no confidence in the academic leadership of Provost Wil Stanton.

A YouTube Web page created by someone using the screen name "NextKillerVirgTech" who posted threatening messages Wednesday and Thursday has been removed from the site.

A YouTube Web page created by someone using the screen name "NextKillerVirgTech" who posted threatening messages Wednesday and Thursday has been removed from the site.

A message stating "This account is closed" was posted on the popular video-sharing site late Thursday. Tech officials notified students, faculty and staff of the threatening messages by e-mail Wednesday night.

The group, which has few direct powers, has been in the spotlight recently for questioning the university's administration.

The Radford University Faculty Senate has commanded much attention the past year as it has struggled with the administration of President Penelope Kyle over issues ranging from curriculum changes to layoffs.

The Hungarian Student Association at Virginia Tech will hold a solemn remembrance tonight of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fights.

As part of the event, the HSA will screen "Torn from the Flag" from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fralin Life Science Auditorium on West Campus Drive

The 20-year-olds had been drinking before they visited their alma mater, the prosecutor says.
RADFORD -- Three young Radford men who broke into the new Belle Heth Elementary School over the summer and caused more than $3,000 in damage will spend their holidays in jail but may be able to avoid felony convictions.

Marshall David Williams, Andrew Preston Black and William Russell Price, all 20, were charged with breaking and entering, attempted grand larceny and property damage -- all felonies -- and underage possession of alcohol, a misdemeanor.

The company plans to close the New River Foundry on Dec. 12 and let go of the remaining 76 employees.
Radford leaders expressed dismay Thursday at the news of Intermet Corp.'s closing.

The city "was saddened to receive notice from Intermet regarding their intent to close the foundry, which has been a key component to the city's industrial base for nearly 120 years," according to a news release sent late Thursday. "As Radford's economy was built on the two major pillars of manufacturing and education, loss of such a long-standing element of our community will be deeply felt."

Some downtown merchants have expressed concern about bike riding on sidewalks.
BLACKSBURG -- Town officials are asking residents to be aware of the rules that prohibit skateboarding, inline skating and roller skating on downtown sidewalks and streets and the use of bicycles on sidewalks.

The reminder was prompted by concerns expressed by some downtown merchants about bike riding on sidewalks, said Heather Browning, the town's community relations manager.

Wilderness Trail Festival, Aug. 19

In addition to the massage photos, Korena Anderson also sent in the photos of the festival shown on this page.

A lot of pictures came in of the Wilderness Trail Festival in Christiansburg on Aug. 19.

The faculty senate is set to discuss the university provost's leadership today.

A day before the Radford University faculty senate was expected to take up a motion expressing no confidence in the leadership of Provost Wil Stanton, the university board of visitors called for unity in a statement to the campus community.

RADFORD -- A Native American Heritage Festival is set for Saturday in Bisset Park to celebrate some of the region's first inhabitants.

The festival will feature native drumming, food, languages, weapons and lifestyle exhibitions, men's and women's traditional dancing and jingle dancing, in which the dancer wears a dress covered in noise-making ornaments, or jingles.

Free fares are planned for a limited time for Blacksburg Transit's new Christiansburg routes.
CHRISTIANSBURG -- Residents may want to give the expanded transit service in town a try, especially since plans are to offer free fares for a limited time.

Plans are to begin the expanded Christiansburg routes offered by Blacksburg Transit on Nov. 23 and to allow free fares on those routes between Nov. 23 and Dec. 31, said Transit Director Rebecca Martin.

Suspects sought in cigarette thefts

The Giles County Sheriff's Office is asking for help in identifying the people who took more than $2,000 worth of cigarettes during a store break-in.

The consolidated school under construction in Elliston will be called Eastern Montgomery Elementary School.
Eastern Montgomery Elementary School is the name of Montgomery County's new consolidated school, slated to open next fall.

The Montgomery County School Board approved the name 6-0 at its meeting Tuesday night. Board member Penny Franklin abstained.

Rosemary Feit Covey followed Virginia Tech graduate David Welch's treatment until his death.
BLACKSBURG -- For many, cancer treatment is a very private thing.

Not for David Welch.

Welch, a 1991 graduate of Virginia Tech, commissioned artist Rosemary Feit Covey of Alexandria to follow his treatment from 2005 until his death Jan. 7 at age 42.