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CITY OF LEXINGTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW AN APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE FIRST FLOOR OF AN EXISTING BUILDING AT 221 S. MAIN STREET TO BE USED AS A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT

Local crews responded to a house fire at 1134 Turkey Hill Road Sunday afternoon that damaged about 80 percent of the structure. Nathan Ramsey, Rockbridge County fire-rescue chief, said that lightning appears to have struck the house during a storm. The house, he said, is not normally occupied and no one was there at the time. Departments that responded were Kerrs Creek Fire and EMS, Lexington Fire and EMS, Rockbridge Baths Fire, Buena Vista Fire, South River Fire and Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue. According to the Rockbridge Baths Fire Department, the original structure was a log cabin that had several additions, which complicated firefighting efforts. The fire was extinguished and all crews cleared after about four hours on scene. This is the third time in recent weeks that lightning was believed to be the cause of local structure fires. (photo courtesy of the Rockbridge Baths Volunteer Fire Department)

Do you have a son or daughter heading to college this fall? Or maybe you’re the one returning to college?

A crash on Interstate 81 Sunday afternoon caused backups once again on the interstate and on U.S. 11.

The annual local National Night Out event drew a big crowd to Hull’s Drive-in last Tuesday evening for a variety of educational and entertaining activities by many local organizations. Among the scenes were (clockwise from above) children enjoying sno-cones provided by the Lexington Police Department; children meeting a Virginia State Police dog; families checking out a Natural Bridge Volunteer Fire Department truck; children picking up fruits and other items from the Rockbridge Area Community Services booth; Moe, VMI’s sports mascot, greeting children; a Goad’s Body Shop car on display; Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office deputies serving up hot dogs; and children picking up bubbles and other items from the Lexington Police Department booth. The evening concluded with a free showing of the movie “Minions.” (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photos)

Iconic Engine To Pull Fall Excursions

Three siblings from the Charlottesville area drowned in the James River near Arnolds Valley last Friday evening.

The Lexington Architecture Review Board voted 4-1 last Thursday to approve an application by Chy Clark for a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of the historic Sheridan House located at 201 Randolph St. Several members of the board expressed regret about the situation, but ultimately felt that the decision was in the best interest of the city.

Collette Barry-Rec, a longtime advocate for military service members and founder of the Care-Box Project, died in her home on Aug. 1.

First Classes Set For Fall

Pop Goes The World

Buena Vista City Council meetings are for conducting the city’s business – not for touting one’s candidacy for political office. That’s a message that was delivered loudly and clearly by Buena Vista Mayor Bill Fitzgerald at last week’s City Council meeting.

The Rockbridge Community Table has closed for two weeks so the board can strategically plan for the upcoming fall and winter seasons at TCT.

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Needed ice floes are disappearing.

7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Like the zombie characters in TV’s “Walking Dead,” Congressman Ben Cline sleepwalks behind Donald Trump. He defends his master’s pronouncements of innocence by saying, “If they can do this to a former president, they can do it to you.” This disregards a basic principle of the American judicial system, “Innocent until proven guilty.” Yes, Mr. Cline, if your constituents are charged with breaking the law, they deserve to prove their innocence in court. That is how our system works.

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I urge everyone, no matter your politics, to read the latest indictment of the former president, found here (or simply google it): https://www.justice.gov/storage/ US_v_Trump_23_cr_257.pdf.

Aug. 4, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: On Aug. 1, the Rockbridge area lost a special person. Her name was Collette Barry-Rec and she dedicated much of her life to honor veterans and this country.

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: While the Republican front runner continually harps on the past, the Republican House majority keeps announcing “there’s smoke” as they investigate the “Biden Crime Family.” Let me remind you who is actually blowing smoke. Beginning in 2011, Republicans said they had a better Affordable Care Act and were determined to repeal and replace Obamacare. That was 12 years ago! Then in 2016, Hillary starred in seven Benghazi investigations, followed by accusations of destroying her server and being involved in “Pizza-gate.” In 2020 it was Biden’s turn in the center ring of the Republican circus with “Stop the Steal.” The results? After many multiple investigations, some in the courts, Republicans have continually come up with nothing!

Aug. 9, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I have been a member of the board of directors of the Rockbridge Area Health Center (RAHC) for only four years, and I continue to be amazed at the number and variety of services the health center offers.

Aug. 1, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: In 1930 a plaque honoring Traveller, Robert E. Lee’s horse, was placed on the stable attached to the house built for the Lee family-- and Traveller!