Cave Spring’s Top 10 Stories of 2009
Cave Spring’s Top 10 Stories of 2009: A look back at what made the headlines.
10. Record December snowfall
During the weekend before Christmas, a snow storm dumped nearly two feet of snow on Southwest County, the heaviest amount in years and the most on record for December. The snow put a damper on travel, caused residents to slip and slide, and closed schools early for the holiday break.
9. Hit and run trial collapsed
The story in 2008 was of local prominent attorney Tom Farrell being murdered in a hit and run while jogging. The story of 2009, however, was how the trial of his supposed killer collapsed in court. Jeffrey Young was accused of hitting Farrell with this car, and then leaving. Young was seen in the area at the time, and his Jeep was spotted with front-end damage.
After a week-long trial in June, the jury decided the case was circumstantial, and Young was found not guilty.
The case of Cave Spring resident Tom Farrell’s death may never be solved.
8. Recreation Center built
In 2009, Roanoke County completed the bulk of its work on the Green Ridge Recreation Center, which will open in January.
The Recreation Center did not come without controversy, however. The November elections brought many people to the forefront who disagreed with the plans to build a recreation center. One thing which Windsor Hills candidates Sarah Goodman and Ed Elswick agreed was the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors’ mistake when deciding to build a recreation center with the County’s money.
7. Bonuses fought over
The Roanoke County School Board fought with the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors over their bonuses, and won.
The Roanoke County School Board promised full time school employees a $750 bonus and part-time school employees $500, just in time for Christmas. The Board of Supervisors, however, vetoed this idea, making many teachers angry. There was another twist, however, when members of the School Board and the Board of Supervisors sat down together and came to a compromise of sorts. They agreed to give every County employee, full or part time, a $500 bonus. The money will not come until early next year, however.
6. Cancer claims coach
Five and a half months after being diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer, Hidden Valley girls’ basketball coach Brenda King lost her fight against the disease in March.
5. Roundabout created
One controversial topic in 2009 was a roundabout created at the intersection of Colonial Avenue and Penn Forest Boulevard. One section of the road was closed throughout the summer and some of the fall to allow the new roundabout to be built. The road re-opened near the end of October. While many were concerned about the new traffic pattern, most of those driving in the area have since gotten used to the roundabout.
Artist's rendering of the new Southwest County library
4. Library ground broken
On October 27, the ground was finally broken for the new South County Library after more than a year of delays. The library will be built on Merriman Road, across from Penn Forest Elementary School, and should be finished by June 2011. The groundbreaking included a discussion of what can be expected at the new library. Plans include a bookstore and coffee shop run by the Friends of the Roanoke County Library, a drive-through lane where patrons can pick-up or drop off materials, as well as much more space.
3. Smoking banned
Many people made a fuss when smoking was banned on December 1, but others were overjoyed. Many restaurants decided to go smoke free. Some, however, decided that they would still serve smokers. Awful Arthur’s at Towers Mall, for example, made their back room into a smoking section, adding separate ventilation.
2. McNamara defeated
Ed Elswick made history in Roanoke County when he beat out three-term incumbent Windsor Hills Supervisor Joe McNamara in the Republican primary. Elswick went on to beat Democrat Sarah Goodman in the race in November.
The new Supervisor vows to make citizens more involved and to cut spending, especially on unnecessary projects such as the Green Ridge Recreation Center.
1. Knights win hoops state championship
Cave Spring completed its season of dreams in March with a 39-33 overtime thriller over Brunswick to capture the 2009 VHSL Group AA Division 3 State Championship at the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond.
Cave Spring Knights celebrate a state championship.
