Archive for February, 2012

GLENVAR  – Tina Smith can rest in peace now. The man who stole her heart – and then her life – will be in prison for the rest of his years. More than a year and two months after the 41-year-old Glenvar mother was found murdered in the house she shared with boyfriend Jeffrey... »

NEW CASTLE – It’s been one year since now-7-year-old Maci Winebarger was diagnosed with a rare brain stem tumor. That anniversary on Feb. 22 isn’t one most families would want, but in Maci’s case, this year is a cause for celebration. Only a small percentage of children with her type of tumor are alive... »

By David J.Bisset The Montgomery County School Board must have been thinking about George Washington’s Birthday when they met on Tuesday night. Washington, the first president of the United States was born on February 22. The school board took 22 minutes to recognize the performance award winners, the seniors of the month, and to... »

By David J. Bisset Bennett Teates, who represents the Northwest Montgomery Village Center Foundation, has been in front of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors twice in the past month trying to get them to consider selling the old Prices Fork Elementary School to NMVC Foundation. The NMVC Foundation is composed of seven communities... »

CHRISTIANSBURG — Montgomery County was one of the busiest places in all of Virginia last year. In 2011, seven new or expanding companies announced plans to invest $43.5 million and create 572 new jobs in the community. Out of 134 counties/cities in Virginia, Montgomery County ranked 8th for job creation, 15th for investment and... »

SALEM, VA – One year and two months after Roanoke County mother Tina Smith was found dead in the house she shared with her boyfriend Jeffrey Easley and her preteen daughter, Easley unexpectedly agreed to a plea and will be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Easley appeared in Roanoke County Circuit Court... »

SALEM – East Salem Elementary Guidance Counselor Sarah Cocowitch has been selected as Salem Teacher of the Year for 2012. Her honor was announced today, only a couple of weeks after she learned she was named Virginia School and Youth Programs Statewide Volunteer of the Year. Cocowitch received that honor after heading up East... »

By David J. Bisset On a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon where people could be found outside enjoying the weather rather than inside the New River Valley Mall, there was a constant group of shoppers between Victoria’s Secret and JC Penny willing to sacrifice the good weather to help the Literacy Volunteers of the NRV... »

By David J. Bisset The date was Friday, February 17; a day many high school basketball players will recall fondly in the Christiansburg-Radford area as it was the day both teams won district tournament championships. The night belonged also to another young man, who has a Radford address, but is a senior at Christiansburg... »

SALEM – Bob Paine’s memoir on growing up in Salem is more than recollections of growing up in Salem. He also believes he had the original ideas for “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan” and almost 100 more story lines for major films and books. In “Hollywood Ate my Brain,” Robert Parson Paine explains how... »