News

John Ed Robinson Sr., 76, of Buena Vista, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, surrounded by family.

In light of the persistent dry conditions, Rockbridge County has initiated a ban on all open-air burning, effective this past Monday, Nov. 6.

Lexington City Council last Thursday unanimously approved several amendments to the city’s financial and debt policies, including some recommended by Davenport & Company, a financial advisory group based in Richmond that is helping the city plan for financing future capital projects.

The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office made the following felony arrests over the past two weeks: Summer Leigh Vance, 43, of Buena Vista, for one count of making threats to burn on Nov. 1.

CITY OF LEXINGTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APPLICATION OF MAXMARK HOMES LLC AND WEATHERBURN HOLDINGS LLC PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE WEATHERBURN PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF THORNHILL ROAD AND CHAMBERLAIN LOOP IN LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA.

Buena Vista

Rockbridge

Shawn Michael White, 30, pled no contest to charges of rape, object sexual penetration and sodomy in Buena Vista Circuit Court on Oct. 10. He was indicted on the charges by a grand jury on April 3, which occurred between Nov. 22, 2022 and Jan. 2, 2023.

Buena Vista is applying for a $930,000 Industrial Revitalization Funds grant to go toward construction of Mountain Gateway Community College’s Wilson Workforce Center.

Tyson Cooper (center), who was running unopposed for Buena Vista mayor, was among the candidates greeting voters as they entered the Municipal Building to vote Tuesday. Because of an early deadline and the uncertainty of when results would be available, The News-Gazette did not attempt to provide election results in today’s issue. The results will be posted online at www.thenews-gazette.com and appear in next week’s issue. (Anneliese Schneider photo)

The Final Whistle

Students and staff at Washington and Lee University were under a shelter-in-place order for nearly four hours last Wednesday while police swept the school, following a potential threat to campus.

“Broadband’s last mile is always the most expensive,” said Del. Terry Austin at the Oct. 25 candidates forum held by the chamber of commerce. “It can cost up to $40,000 per household to get the last mile. It’s made it practically unaffordable for a lot of localities.”

Two-day virtual workshops are scheduled to take place on the Virginia Tech campus that will prepare participants with the knowledge necessary to take the FAA Remote Knowledge Aircraft Test (aka Part 107). Participants are provided with an overview of federal regulations and best flight operational strategies and safety.