Tag Archive

How did Glenvar really get its name?

Glenvar: The name is affixed to the well-known West Roanoke County community; it’s seen on signs for businesses and the library now under construction; it’s worn by teenagers on green and yellow hoodies. But where, one might ask, did the name Glenvar originate? A recently discovered mention in an ancient newspaper sheds new light... »

Austin wins Republican nomination for 19th District House seat

Terry L. Austin of Buchanan won the Republican Party nomination to run for the 19th District House of Delegates seat in the November General Election. Austin easily defeated three other candidates for the party nomination in a “firehouse primary” Tuesday, May 7 by collecting 44.5 percent of the 1,770 votes cast in Botetourt, Alleghany... »

Police will enforce seat belt laws

SALEM – Drivers and passengers who don’t wear their seat belts may find themselves with a traffic ticket. The Salem Police Department announced today, May 8, that its officers will be participating in the 2013 “Click It or Ticket” mobilization campaign that is being conducted statewide in Virginia from May 20 – June 2.... »

Nature’s April Fool joke: Snow one day, 80s the next week

CRAIG COUNTY – It was Mother Nature’s April Fool’s joke on Craig County and the Roanoke and New River valleys. Just before afternoon commute time on April 4, the skies dumped between 4 and 7 inches of sleet and fluffy, wet snow. Snow covered daffodils and other blooming bulbs and created winter sculptures on... »

Kindergarten’s Gauck named Salem Teacher of Year

SALEM – Kindergarten teacher Tarri Gauck has been named Salem Schools’ Teacher of the Year by her peers. She’s found her calling in teaching, and  her home at West Salem Elementary after starting off in editing video for television, then teaching at three other schools before West Salem. She is also the Clinical Faculty... »

Catawba Murder Hole cave is subject of new book

CATAWBA – A noted cave, which some say wants to tell its own story, now has the opportunity in a recently released book. “Murder Hole” is about the Catawba-area cave of the same name in Botetourt County that author, landowner and caver Marian McConnell describes as “a unique place of danger and beauty.” McConnell,... »

Webster C. Hall matures into fine wine

SALEM – From the name and the antique painting of a hunt scene on its label, anyone seeing a bottle of Webster C. Hall’s 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve could believe the winery has been around ages. The boutique winery with roots in Salem is relatively new on the scene, although one of its founders... »

Rocket Fuel program brings about positive behavior

NEW CASTLE – Last week the gym at Craig County High School was filled with middle school students, all of them winners. They are participants in “Rocket Fuel,” a positive behavior program. The program is designed and implemented each year at the beginning of school to reward students who exhibit positive behavior both in... »

No plans to close shooting range, ranger says

CRAIG COUNTY – Although gun rights’ advocates are asking supporters to pack a Feb. 7 Craig County Board of Supervisors’ meeting, the agenda subject is not about closing a shooting range in the National Forest there, county and federal officials say. Instead, the report by Eastern Divide National Forest Ranger Cindy Schiffer will be... »

A joke becomes reality in ‘country store’ book

CRAIG COUNTY, VA – If Craig County had a Best Seller list, “Craig County Stores & Other Points of Interest” by local residents Jerry Carper and Glenn Paxton would certainly be at the top. The book which Paxton says started out as a joke has sold 435 copies and is currently on its fourth... »