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When we look back upon the year just past, you might say things get a little hazy – smoky to be more precise.
Yes, you know where I’m going with this … One of the biggest stories in 2023 in the Rockbridge area had to be the Matts Creek fire that devoured more than 11,000 acres in just over a week in November. We’ll remember it not just because it was the largest fire in our area in recent memory; we’ll remember the smoke that lay thick as fall fog throughout much of the county for several days, making it unsafe for many of us to go outside. Schools were closed and masks that residents had left over from Covid days were put to use.
The Forest Service brought in firefighters from across the country, and the old Natural Bridge High School, now the Stonebridge Center, became a command center. Helicopters set backfires as the fire spread from Bedford into southeastern Rockbridge County.
And then, if you believe in miracles, one happened. As the firefighters completed setting up containment lines, over 3 inches of rain fell in a day in that area – more apparently than anywhere else in western Virginia, and the most we had seen in months by far. Within days, most of the firefighters were heading home and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
The reason the fire had spread so quickly had been due, of course, to the drought-like conditions our farmers and the rest of us had been suffering through since summer. Water tables were so low that, according to former forester Kenny Mohler – known for his sense of humor – the Maury River only ran every other day.
But the drought was serious enough for our farmers that our county requested a state emergency declaration – which by year’s end had not come through. Fortunately, Mother Nature has been much kinder to us since the second week of the fire, and we’ve had plenty of rainy days since then.
The dry conditions, though, may have helped make for a more colorful fall than normal, which was certainly enjoyed by the thousands of folks from throughout Virginia and East Coast who came to Rockbridge to see the historic 611 steam engine pull excursions out of Goshen for the first time.
Speaking of miracles, Will Harris, his family, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Virginia Scenic Railway and a small army of volunteers pulled off a minor man-made miracle as they created a “station” out of a field just south of the old Stillwater plant, laid track and restored historic passenger cars in a matter of weeks. Then another army of volunteers worked to put over 1,300 passengers onto those cars every day for five weekends, working out a number of kinks in the process. The hope is that the 611 excursions will prove to be one of our ongoing tourist attractions.
A tourist attraction with a 51-year history in Rockbridge County, meanwhile, finds itself in serious trouble as the year ends. The state attorney general’s office and state police conducted a surprise early morning search – a “raid,” as described by critics – that resulted in the confiscation of 95 animals and the euthanasia of a white tiger. A court case is underway in general district court over the fate of those animals, a case that may determine the fate of the zoo itself.
The same day that the state began searching the zoo for mistreated animals, a celebration was taking place just a few miles away in Natural Bridge Station. A company moved its operations from Las Vegas to here this fall and is hiring 60 people.
That economic development joined developments taking place around Lexington during 2023. Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ and Starbucks all opened during the year, one hotel is nearly finished and another is just getting started. Things also continue to look up in Buena Vista where the Virginia Innovation Accelerator is supporting startup enterprises, and Mountain Gateway Community College is creating a workforce center. One big piece of economic news in 2023 that promises big dividends for the future was the transfer of the ownership of Natural Bridge State Park to the state. (See this week’s editorial for more details.)
Of course, as with any year, we said goodbye to a lot of folks we knew and loved. One that hit home for us was our very own “Mr. Paxton,” our current publisher’s father. The former editor and publisher of The News-Gazette was not only a major player in the local news world, but also in the preservation of Lexington and in all of the other causes he championed. He will be missed.
Join us now as we present our annual week-by-week review of the past year, compiled by Ed Smith, Joann Ware, Joseph Haney and Anneliese Schneider. We wish all of you a wonderful 2024.
Jan. 4
Ellen Campbell and Jade Harris run as the Republican and Democratic candidates in a special election for the Virginia House of Delegates 24th District seat, which had been held by Campbell’s husband Ronnie Campbell until his death in December of 2022. The special election was set for Jan. 10.
Glasgow volunteer firefighters rescued a hunting dog from a sinkhole and then later were called to rescue six dogs from ice-covered rocks in the Thunder Ridge Wilderness Area near Arnolds Valley. All of the dogs were rescued without injuries.
A weather summary for 2022 reported that the year had been wetter overall than 2021, with overall higher precipitation throughout Rockbridge County.
Jan. 11
Lexington city officials sent the proposed Spotswood Drive development proposal back to the drawing board ahead of a public hearing.
Repairs continued at the Rockbridge Regional Library after a burst pipe on Christmas Day caused significant damage to the book drop room, the Piovano meeting room and the children’s’ section of the library.
Mary Huffman of Furever Friends asked to speak to the Buena Vista City Council at its meeting on Jan. 5 after receiving a letter from the city in December directing her to cease her cat care-taking activities in the park and remove all items associated with those activities. Huffman expressed her dismay over the letter, noting that she and her husband Phil, along with other advocates for the city’s feral cats, have expended much time, energy and money caring for the cats at the park and enjoyed success at reducing their number.
Goshen Town Council voted 4-1 to approve a contract for purchasing 1.3 acres of property on Maury River Road for $120,000 as the site for a planned community center for the town. A federal grant of $225,000 was included in the 2023 federal budget for the town to purchase property for the community center.
Jan. 18
Ellen Campbell won the Jan. 10 special election for the House of Delegates 24th District seat.
Gunner, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office’s new explosives detecting dog, made his first official patrol for the department, along with his owner Deputy Sean Capps, at the Lee-Jackson Day Parade on Jan. 14 and the CARES Martin Luther King Jr. Community Day Parade on Jan. 15.
A proposal presented to the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 9 by Rockbridge County Fire Chief Nathan Ramsey included hiring three additional emergency services responders.
Jan. 25
The board of directors and staff of the Rockbridge Area YMCA took comments from the public and attempted to answer questions about the future of operations at the YMCA following the sudden dismissal of Executive Director Bobbie Wagner on Jan. 4 by the board of directors of the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Buena Vista City Council reversed course on Mary Huffman’s cat caretaking activities at Glen Maury Park, voting unanimously to pay $2,000, or about half the costs, for a structure that would serve as a cat shelter and feeding station at Glen Maury Park.
Buena Vista Mayor Bill Fitzgerald announced at the Jan. 19 City Council meeting that he would not be seeking reelection to a fourth two-year term in the Nov. 7 elections. Mary Lee Huffman also announced that she planned to retire from her role as Buena Vista treasurer on April 1. Deputy Treasurer Amy Hudson would succeed Huffman.
Feb. 1
A search for a Buena Vista man, Gregory Kersey, following a break-in and assault, resulted in a shelter-in-place order being issued in Buena Vista on Jan. 26. Two other individuals – Dakota Camden of Roanoke and Tytray Martin of Highland Springs – were arrested that morning in connection with the same crime. Kersey was arrested at 4:15 p.m.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with the proposal to hire three additional emergency medical services responders by April 1. The new staffing has a one-time cost of $190,000 and annual costs of $175,000.
The completion of a new aquatic center at Virginia Military Institute was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and dedication on Jan. 27. Construction on the $44 million facility began in December of 2020.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help cover medical expenses for Mike Schwartz, 66, a BMX racer from St. Mary’s County, Md., after he broke his neck in three places in a wreck at the USA BMX Blue Ridge National Race held at the Virginia Horse Center on Jan. 27.
Feb. 8.
The Board of Supervisors and both city councils agreed in principle to purchase land behind Food Lion in Buena Vista to serve as the new site for the Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services Building, ending a nearly decade-long search for a site.
The Buena Vista branch of the Rockbridge Regional Library temporarily closed for repairs, with services moving to the education building of St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Brandon Anderson, 35, of Pocahontas, entered an Alford plea in Rockbridge County Circuit Court to one felony charge of abduction by force or intimidation and misdemeanor charges of assault and battery, attempted sexual battery and animal cruelty in connection with an incident on Longhollow Road on Dec. 17, 2021. He was sentenced to five years for the abduction charge, with 2.5 years suspended and received a suspended sentence of one year for each misdemeanor.
Feb. 15.
A vigil was held by CARE Rockbridge at Hopkins Green in Lexington for Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was brutally beaten by law enforcement in Memphis Tenn.
Natasha Rose Bowden, 25, and Asmodeous Frost (AKA Daniel Preston Boone), 38, both of Covington, were indicted by a Rockbridge County grand jury on 60 felony charges and nine misdemeanors each in connection to a series of breakins and thefts at storage units throughout Rockbridge County over a six-month period. The investigation connected the pair to similar break-ins in Alleghany, Augusta and Bath counties, as well as the city of Covington.
Lexington City Council discussed amending language in the city’s code of ethics to either remove or to clarify language which requires members of the city’s many boards and committees to recuse themselves from discussions if there is “an appearance” of a conflict of interest.
Feb. 22.
The Spotswood Building Committee presented an updated design for the proposed apartment building on Spotswood Drive to the Lexington City Council. The new design kept the same shape as the initial proposed development, but made significant changes to the aesthetics of the building’s exterior.
Glasgow Town Council accepted the resignation of Town Manager George Hayfield after two years of service. Hayfield left Glasgow to accept a position as the town manager in Buchanan.
Rockbridge County Superintendent Dr. Phillip Thompson outlined the county school’s safety protocols in the event of an active shooter scenario at the county School Board’s regular meeting, following the deadly shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Local first responders performed a river rescue in dangerous water conditions after a kayaker became stranded on the far side of the Maury River in Goshen Pass.
March 1
Jermale Jerome Fitz of Glasgow was found guilty of the one misdemeanor count of destruction of property and acquitted of felony charges of arson and statutory burglary by a Rockbridge County Circuit Court jury in connection with a fire that destroyed the historic Echols farmhouse just north of Glasgow in January 2022.
Buena Vista Mayor Bill Fitzgerald, City Manager Jason Tyree and City Attorney Brian Kearney attended the February meeting of the Rockbridge Regional Library board of trustees to discuss the state of the library building on Magnolia Avenue and when the library could return to the building. Following a closed session, the board of trustees voted to move back into the library building.
Del. Ellen Campbell announced that she will be seeking reelection to her seat in the House of Delegates in November’s general election.
A Rockbridge County woman died following a fire at her house on Feb 24.
March 8
Lexington City Council voted 5-1 to approve the conditional use permit for the development of an apartment building on Spotswood Drive following changes to the exterior aesthetics of the proposed design.
Buena Vista school administrators provided details about the proposed move of second grade classes from Kling Elementary School to Enderly Heights Elementary School at the School Board’s meeting on Feb. 23.
Ricardo Vergara, a Washington and Lee University student, was arrested by the Lexington Police Department and charged with one felony count of rape, one felony count of object sexual penetration and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery in relation to an incident that occurred on Jan. 14.
March 15
An assembly with talks, music and school cheers was held at Lylburn Downing Middle School at the conclusion of Black History Month to help students better understand the history of the school and its history as a school for Black students.
Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista passed resolutions to participate in the second wave of settlements from litigation against numerous opioid supply chain defendants. The settlements, which will be paid in installments over the next 16 years, are part of a nationwide lawsuit against distributors and manufacturers of opioids.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors decided to equalize the real estate tax rate at 61 cents per $100 of assessed value to offset reassessments that are pushing property values up by 21 percent.
March 22
Movers with Two Men and A Truck moved part of the Buena Vista Library collection from St. John’s United Methodist Church back to the building on Magnolia Avenue in anticipation of partially reopening the library in that building. The library’s collection of youth books and its youth programs would continue to be housed at the church.
Members of the Lexington Tree Board addressed the Lexington City Council to express concern over the removal of trees at Jordans Point Park and how City Arborist Celia Raney was either not consulted or “largely ignored” throughout the process.
The Rockbridge County School Board voted to change the name of the Floyd S. Kay Vocational Center, the career and technical education building at Rockbridge County High School, to the Rockbridge Innovation Center.
March 29
Leland Johnson, 44, of Lexington was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Stormie Markland, 38. Marklands remains were found along Hoppers Creek Road in Arnolds Valley on March 22.
Former Vice President Mike Pence visited W&L and spoke on a variety of topics, including the possible indictment of former President Donald Trump, the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capital, the war in Ukraine and the national debt.
April 5
The Buena Vista School Board approved moving the city’s second grade from Kling Elementary to Enderly Heights Elementary, an effort to ease crowded conditions at Kling. As part of major renovations to Glen Maury park and campground, Buena Vista’s director of community development presented the School Board with a request to mount a Wi-Fi transmitter on Kling Elementary, to extend Wi-Fi access into the park.
A timber-frame pavilion planned by RARO was installed in Brewbaker Park with the help of many volunteers. Completed in only five days, the project was funded through a $20,000 grant RARO received from the Community Health Foundation.
April 12
After multiple permit denials, W&L received approval to build a freestanding wall in University Chapel, to separate the body of the chapel from the recumbent statute of Robert E. Lee in its annex.
The cost for renovations planned to transform RCHS’ Floyd S. Kay Technical Center into the Rockbridge Innovation Center have risen. The School Board received authorization from the Board of Supervisors to borrow $9 million for the project. The most recent bidding estimate was over $12 million.
April 19
Rockbridge Area Health Center’s two new mobile health care units — one medical and one dental — prepared to take to the roads. These units will extend health care access for Rockbridge County residents.
A pursuit turned deadly after an attempt by members of the Rockbridge County Sherriff’s Office to arrest a man wanted by Lynchburg police led to a vehicle chase and the suspect’s death by suicide.
Three new TRACK trails were opened in Rockbridge County.
April 26
The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge voted to suspend the Rockbridge Area YMCA advisory board. This came after months of negotiations between the Blue Ridge and Rockbridge associations over the latter’s attempts to merge with Alleghany’s YMCA, which has a separate charter.
Lexington could soon join more than 100 communities across the country as a home to a Gold Star Memorial, as the Lexington City Council voted to provide a location for the memorial at Jordans Point Park once the funds for the memorial were raised. The project for the memorial is being led by Jaden Keuhner, a junior at W&L.
The baseball field at Rivermont School Rockbridge in Fairfield was renamed Mace Field, in memory of coach Jerry Mace, while the dugouts were rededicated in memory of Todd Bare, active in Rockbridge sports in the 1980s.
Renovations continued at Glen Maury Park, causing the city to delay opening the lower campground until July.
May 3
The Rockbridge Area Relief Association celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Martin Brown, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under the Younkin administration, faced calls to resign over comments he made during an address at the Virginia Military Institute.
The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge released a statement addressing its recent decision to suspend the Rockbridge YMCA board, as well as the firing of the executive director of the Rockbridge branch earlier this year: “It is not where we hoped to be but it is necessary to allow all parties the space and professional courtesy to move forward.”
May 10
Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge closed on six acres of land at the intersection of East Midland Trail and Forge Road, future site of the Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services.
Buena Vista and Lexington city councils pledged support and funding for Hope House, a nonprofit temporary residence with support services for people recovering from addiction, to be located on Magnolia Avenue in Buena Vista.
Concerns were raised by several citizens about the proposed location of the Gold Star Memorial at Jordans Point Park.
May 17
The three families supported by Rockbridge County’s Hosting Ukrainian Families prepared to leave Lexington. “They are getting more confident in being here and even closer to selfsufficiency,” said Jerry Nay, leader of HUF.
A parade of emergency vehicles was held in Goshen ahead of the funeral of Devin Riley, who died in a single-vehicle car crash in May. Devin was a member of the Goshen Volunteer Fire Department and a senior at RCHS, which was closed for the day.
May 24
Virginia State Police began an investigation after a man turned a gun on himself in a traffic stop in northern Rockbridge County. Deputies of the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office made the stop after a search on the vehicle’s expired tags found its owner was wanted by state police.
The Virginia Innovation Accelerator program, located in the former Mundet-Hermetite building in Buena Vista, kicks off with an Agri-CULTURE expo.
May 31
Echelon Resources brought Lexington City Council an updated proposal to develop 5.4 acres of on Waddell Street, a parcel Lexington bought from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Wayne F. Handley is named as Buena Vista’s new police chief. Handley will bring 23 years of experience from the Norfolk Sheriff’s Department.
A mockup of the proposed Gold Star Memorial is put up in Jordans Point Park.
June 7
An investigative team of Buena Vista Police Department and Rockbridge Sheriff’s Office members arrested a man in connection with several incidents of vandalism to public utilities in May.
Raphine firefighters participated in the search for a small plane that crashed in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The plane was located three miles north of Montebello.
After a several-months delay, Main Street Lexington completed installation of a triangle garden at the northern entry to Lexington’s downtown.
June 14
Lexington Public Works completed renovations to Kids Playce playground.
An open house was held to show visitors renovations at the former Natural Bridge Juvenile Corrections Center, which local residents James and Karen Pannabecker are in the process of turning into Natural BRidge, a community arts and culture center.
June 21
The Hope House, the proposed sober living home in Buena Vista, received over $210,000 in state grant funding.
Lexington City Council appointed Dr. Sandra Hayslette to fill the School Board seat formerly held by Mollie Fox.
Jonathan Patterson was sentenced, in Buena Vista Circuit Court, to life in prison for the murder of his father in January 2022.
June 28, 2023:
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation closed on the purchase of Natural Bridge State Park, the completion of a decade-long effort to bring the land under state ownership.
Equine Herpes virus was detected in two horses at the Shenandoah Classic Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center.
North Fork Lumber in Goshen received over $945,000 from the U.S. Forest Service, which will be used to expand the mill’s capacity.
July 5
Two new stores were planned for the U.S. 11 north corridor – a Dollar General Marketplace at Fairfield and a 7-Eleven convenience store and BP gas station at Timber Ridge.
The Lexington Fire Department welcomed a new aerial ladder truck with the “latest cutting- edge technology,” dubbed “Tower 9,” which was replacing the only tower firetruck in the Rockbridge area.
Lexington resident Chad Whitmer was named executive director of the Rockbridge Area YMCA.
Solar panels were installed on two Habitat for Humanity houses on Spencer Court north of Lexington, the result of a partnership between Virginia Habitat for Humanity and GiveSolar, a nonprofit that assists other nonprofits and low-income home owners to gain access to solar energy.
July 12
A Lexington institution for more than 90 years, The Southern Inn restaurant, ceased regular dining operations this past week. Owners George and Sue Ann Huger said they would continue operating their catering business and holding special events at the downtown eatery.
Rockbridge area colleges were expecting to continue striving for diversity in admissions in spite of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the practice of racebased admissions.
Goshen Town Council began the process of seeking to have the town take over collections of transient occupancy taxes from the county.
Parry McCluer High School Principal Todd Jones reported to the Buena Vista School Board on plans to institute a new dress code for students and teachers.
July 19
A low bid of just over $14 million for renovations and expansion of the Rockbridge Innovation Center – formerly the Floyd S. Kay Vocational Center – was accepted by the Rockbridge County School Board. The costs are nearly twice the original estimate for the project from several years earlier.
The latest controversy over Confederate imagery erupted on social media in response to the removal of a United Daughters of the Confederacy plaque at the grave site of Traveler, Robert E. Lee’s horse, outside of University Chapel, formerly Lee Chapel.
Plans for a 39,000-square-foot building for Washington and Lee University’s commerce school were approved by the Lexington Planning Commission.
A new pavilion for the Raphine Volunteer Fire Department was dedicated to the memory of firefighter Dale Earhart, who was killed in 2022 while helping a friend cut down trees.
July 26
A Rockbridge County jury convicted Jonathan Armstrong Watkins, 36, of Natural Bridge Station, of second-degree murder in the December 2021 shooting death of his girlfriend, Katrina Leeann Dudley.
An Ohio dentist, educator and entrepreneur, Austin Rehl, brought before Buena Vista City Council an ambitious proposal to develop a trades school on 285 acres of steeply sloped woods and meadows between Long Hollow Road and 32nd Street.
Lightning struck the Maury Service Authority’s water treatment plant recently, causing malfunctions that nearly led to a boil water advisory for water customers.
The inaugural Rockbridge Breakfast Club’s “Celebrate Rockbridge” event drew 500 to Brewbaker Park in Lexington to honor area firefighters. The Goshen Volunteer Fire Department A Team was victorious in a tugof- war contest to lay claim to the Devin Riley Memorial Firefighters Challenge trophy.
Aug. 2
A strong summer storm brought high winds that uprooted trees and damaged homes, causing power outages in Lexington and Rockbridge County.
Members of Lexington City Council toured Jordans Point Park to review planned improvements that are to include a paved parking area, a handicappedaccessible picnic area, a concrete trail and the Gold Star Memorial to honor veterans.
Barbara Wright, assistant to the executive director of Rockbridge Area Community Services the past 23 years, was honored on the occasion of her retirement.
Aug. 9
Three siblings from the Charlottesville area – Omar, 19; Marieme, 16; and Aicha Wade, 10 - drowned in the James River near Arnolds Valley.
Collette Barry-Rec, a longtime advocate for military service members who founded the Care-Box Project, died at the age of 79.
Plans were announced for passenger train excursions this fall between Goshen and Staunton that will be pulled by the iconic Norfolk and Western Class J No. 611 steam engine.
The Lexington Architectural Review Board voted 4-1 to allow the demolition of the historic Sheridan House, damaged in a 2016 fire, to proceed.
Aug. 16
The three Rockbridge area superintendents of schools sent letters to local state legislators imploring them to support fully funding the Standards of Quality after a study conducted by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that schools across the state were being woefully underfunded.
Former Goshen Mayor H.D. “Buster” Carter Jr., who also served on the Rockbridge County School Board and was a charter member of the Goshen Fire Department and First Aid, died at his home.
The House Mountain Learning Cooperative, a home-school cooperative focusing on upper elementary children, applied for a conditional use permit to open a facility at 10 N. Lewis St. in Lexington.
Aug. 23
Jean Clark, Rockbridge Regional Tourism executive director, announced she is retiring after more than 40 years in local tourism.
The Rockbridge SPCA made a plea for the adoption of dogs and cats as the shelter facility was filled to capacity.
Jim Halasz, Lexington city manager since 2019, announced that he would be retiring in coming months.
A draining of the Lake Merriweather dam at Goshen was conducted earlier than usual this year, leading to complaints about the murkiness of the Maury River downstream.
Aug. 30
Former Buena Vista Police Chief Richard Keith Hartman pleaded no contest to an amended indictment of misuse of public funds and received a twoyear suspended sentence.
Threshold, Lexington’s housing commission, held a public hearing on plans to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to fund a city-wide survey of housing needs.
An ongoing need for more counseling services in the Rockbridge County schools was a topic of discussion during a joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors and School Board.
Emma, a pregnant donkey that got stuck in deep mud at the end of an old pond in the Black Creek area, was rescued by crews from the Glasgow Fire Department, Effinger Fire and EMS and Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.
Sept. 6
Washington and Lee’s University Chapel reopened following renovations that included construction of a partial wall that separates the main space from the Edward Valentine recumbent statue of Robert E. Lee.
An Indiana man, William Barger Jr., died in a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 64 in Rockbridge County, a tenthof- a-mile west of Fredricksburg Road.
Rockbridge County schools were participating in a Community Schools initiative to reduce absenteeism that was funded by a $338,000 grant.
An uptick in Covid cases in the Rockbridge area was reported, with a combined 123 cases in the three local jurisdictions in the past 13 weeks, including one Covid-related death.
Sept. 13
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors exercised an option to purchase 22.012 acres near Raphine for the purpose of economic development. The price tag for the land was $1,250,000.
Approximately $53.5 million in planned capital improvements were identified for the city of Lexington over the next decade that include, among other projects, renovations to city hall.
Vickie Huffman, Rockbridge County attorney the past 19 years, announced that she would retire in February.
The Gold Star Memorial was installed at Jordans Point Park by the Woody Williams Foundation.
Sept. 20
Results from last year’s Standards of Learning test scores were mixed for local schools – Parry McCluer High School was accredited with warning while the Lexington city schools wasranked second in the state by Virginia’s Comprehensive Instructional Program.
In observance of the 100th anniversary of Parry McCluer High School, centennial prints depicting various scenes at the school through the years were being sold as a fundraiser for the Blues Educational Foundation.
Business was booming at Glen Maury Park following the completion of $1 million in upgrades, with much of the work involving electrical service upgrades in the park’s campgrounds.
The iconic 611 Norfok and Western steam engine arrived in Goshen for fall excursions between the town and Staunton.
Sept. 27
Matthew W. Paxton Jr., retired editor and publisher of The News-Gazette who helped form the Historic Lexington Foundation and the Lexington Downtown Development Association and was involved in numerous other civic pursuits, died at the age of 96.
A controversy was brewing over the removal of a book, “Kiss Number 8,” from the Lylburn Downing Middle School library because of complaints about the book’s content that some considered age inappropriate for middle-school age students.
Virginia Military Institute’s board of visitors voted to accept, pending approval of the Department of the Army, the Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery for relocation to the VMI-owned New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. (A federal judge on Dec. 18 issued an injunction to halt, at least temporarily, removal of the statue.) Oct. 4
The 611 engine completed two test runs ahead of its planned paid excursions from Goshen to Staunton.
The Buena Vista Public Service Authority sought funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency in hopes of improving the city’s financial situation for a much needed upgraded wastewater treatment plant.
Lannie Ballard, while in hospice care for Stage 4 liver cancer, was working to get enough support to make the honeybee an official state pollinator of Virginia.
Oct. 11
More than 20 citizens made public comments at a Lexington School Board meeting speaking both for and against the book “Kiss Number 8.”
The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police were investigating a bomb threat called into Rockbridge County High School. The school was evacuated and dogs were brought in to sweep the school building. No explosives were found.
Lexington City Council voted unanimously to move forward with selling the cityowned property at 626 Waddell Street, which previously belonged to the Virginia Department of Transportation, to Echelon Resources Inc. for development. Council also approved amendments to the development agreement for the Spotswood property to align the development periods for both properties so Echelon could plan them as one large project.
Oct. 18
A New York man faced multiple charges following a multi-county pursuit along Interstate 81 that ended with a crash in northern Rockbridge County. The incident began with an attempted carjacking.
The Planning Commission voted 3-1 to recommend denial of special exception permits for solar arrays proposed for farms near Raphine and Natural Bridge Station. Both votes followed public hearings in which neighbors raised objections to the solar projects.
Oct. 25
A replica of a bateau that had been on display at Jordans Point Park was headed downstream to Glasgow. Lexington planned to use the pavilion for public gatherings, a goal included in the Jordans Point Park master plan.
According to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, Rockbridge was in “severe drought” conditions, prompting the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors to declare a drought emergency and seek disaster assistance from state and federal agencies.
Nov. 1
A candidates forum was held at the Hampton Inn Col Alto. Topics for debate included marijuana laws and the installation of solar arrays on farms.
The Buena Vista School Board approved the distribution of $346,000 in state funds, most of which was allocated to a new after-school tutoring program.
Nov. 8
Students and staff at Washington and Lee University were under a shelter-in-place order for nearly four hours after a threat was received and police swept the school. No evidence of an active threat was found in the police search.
The 611 completed its last excursion of the season.
Buena Vista applied for a $930,000 Industrial Revitalization Funds Grant for the construction of Mountain Gateway Community College’s Wilson Workforce Center. Work had already begun on transforming the former Courtesy Ford property on Forest Avenue into the Continued from page B5 workforce center and classes were already taking place in the McCormick building.
Nov. 15
Leslie Ayres, Lenna Ojure and Melissa “Missy” Whitesell were the winners in contested races in Rockbridge County’s elections. Three incumbents on Buena Vista City Council lost their seats.
The Norfolk and Western 611 steam engine departed Goshen for its home at the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke. Due to the popularity of the excursions, officials expected them to return in 2024.
Cheryl Wagner was named director of Rockbridge Regional Tourism, succeeding longtime tourism director Jean Clark. Wagner had been the marketing director for the regional tourism program here before becoming Staunton’s director of tourism, a position she held for 16 years.
Nov. 22
The Matts Creek fire, a massive wildfire in the National Forest lands on the Bedford-Rockbridge County border, was 33 percent contained after burning through 11,016 acres. Rainfall to the area aided the firefighters in their efforts.
The Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference Center was under new ownership. Uganhar “Kumar” Mukkamala of Chantilly and Vijitha Gutta of Atlanta closed on the purchase of the historic property in October. Gutta was drawn to the hotel because of its history.
Owners of the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington announced that the eatery would close at the end of the year and reopen in 2024 under a new name and with a new dining concept.
Nov. 29
XFS Global LLC set up manufacturing operations in a 34,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Heatex in Natural Bridge Station industrial park. The company was in the process of hiring 60 workers.
Action was delayed on a 3.0 megawatt solar array proposed for a 141-acre farm near Natural Bridge Station. An unpopular project at the public hearing, the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors opted to continue the public hearing until Jan. 8.
Bobbie Wagner, former director of the Rockbridge Area YMCA, was named the new CEO of the Alleghany Highlands SPCA in Covington.
Dec. 6
Jonathan Armstrong Watkins, 36, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in Rockbridge County Circuit Court for charges related to the murder of Katrina Dudley on Dec. 10, 2021. He was convicted on charges of second degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a murder by a jury following a week long trial in July.
Dr. Laura Kornegay was selected to be the executive director of Rockbridge Recovery, an organization that provides services for individual recovering from addiction.
Over a week after the Matts Creek Fire was fully contained, restoration and monitoring work continued in George Washington and Jefferson National forests. The fire burned 11,020 acres before being fully contained.
Dec. 13
Over 92 animals were seized after a search of the Natural Bridge Zoo. Authorities also searched the home of zoo owners Karl and Debbie Mogensen located on the zoo grounds.
The Lexington School Board unanimously approved new policies for the selection and removal of library and classroom materials at its December meeting. This came after the school system’s controversial decision to remove “Kiss Number Eight” and “It’s Perfectly Normal” from the LDMS library in September.
Dec. 20
A federal judge denied a petition on behalf of the Natural Bridge Zoo owners to delay a civil forfeiture hearing in General District Court on the 95 animals seized by the state.
A venue for weddings, receptions, reunions and other celebrations near Fairfield was proposed, but neighbors close to the location expressed concerns about the traffic and noise associated with such a place.
Steven Shank was appointed to be the new CEO of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation early next year succeeding Glenn Petty. Petty planned to spend time on his farm and take care of his wife.
A ribbon cutting was held for a new bench dedicated to the memory of longtime Brownsburg resident Dick Barnes, who died in May of this year. The bench was placed outside the Brownsburg Museum, which Barnes helped found.
Dec. 27
Witnesses for the Virginia Office of the Attorney General testified concerning alleged neglect of animals at the Natural Bridge Zoo in a hearing in Lexington/ Rockbridge General District Court. The hearing will resume Jan. 5.
The county’s Economic Development Authority adopted a resolution in support of a feasibility study for a general aviation airport in Rockbridge County.
Brendan Perry was appointed to the Lexington School Board to fill the seat that had been held by Tim Diette.
