News

Strong winds over the weekend ushered in a strong dose of winter weather in the Rockbridge area this week.

After listening to concerns of neighbors about potential for noise, litter, lights and traffic, the Rockbridge County Planning Commission voted 3-0 last Wednesday, Jan. 10, to recommend denial of a special exception permit for a special events venue near Fairfield.

The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office made the following felony arrests over the last two weeks: Ethan Lunsford, 34, of Lexington, on warrants from Botetourt County for one felony count of intercepting an electronic transfer, one felony count of theft of a credit card number, one misdemeanor count of stalking, two misdemeanor counts of petit larceny and eight misdemeanor counts of altering computer data on Jan. 12.

Resident Wants To Sell Apples From Orchard

Pursuant to Code of Virginia Sections 15.2-2204, and the City of Buena Vista Land Development Regulations, notice is given that the City Council of the City of Buena Vista will hold a public hearing to receive comment on the following matters.

Testimony in the hearing that will determine whether the 95 animals seized from the Natural Bridge Zoo in December will be forfeited to the state closed last week.

Multiple Accidents Keep Volunteers Busy

The Lexington Police Department is offering a Safe Exchange Zone outside of the station, giving a space where people can meet up to conclude sales made online in a safe, well-monitored place.

Two Remain In Hospital

Employees with Lexington Public Works shovel out the pathways at Hopkins Green Tuesday morning after the first snowfall of the year Monday and Monday night brought several inches of snow to the area. Schools were closed and businesses and governments delayed opening Tuesday. For more on the winter weather and more photos of the snow, see page B10. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)

Normalcy Returned Amid Strong Sales, Owners Report

Last year brought a number of changes to both Lexington and Buena Vista’s downtowns.

Lexington City Council voted last week to approve a conditional use permit for Washington and Lee University to build a new student health center on East Denny Circle on the university’s campus. The permit had been presented to the Lexington Planning Commission at its Dec. 14 meeting, and the Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval.

A cat that escaped from the Lexington Pet Place Dec. 26 was found last Thursday, and is now back in the care of the store.

Lexington

Two crashes at the Interstate 81 bridge over Sterrett Road in Fairfield early Tuesday afternoon closed both southbound lanes of the interstate and Sterrett Road for hours. The Virginia State Police reported that there were no major injuries from the crashes, but there would have to be an extensive cleanup. No further information on the crashes was available as of press time. (Christopher Hamilton photo)

Split Vote Follows Hearing