Articles

April 3, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I wrote about hate in a prior letter. Time for a reminder.

April 3, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: We are concerned about how the tax rates being considered by the Board of Supervisors will impact the already strained budgets of county residents. A lot of residents are senior citizens, including ourselves, and are on fixed incomes. Our property assessment increased dramatically and we definitely appreciate the proposed rate reduction in the real estate tax rate. Even with this reduction, we are still facing an increase in what we will have to pay.

April 3, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: The weather is warming up and the spring flowers are out. If you’re anything like me, your thoughts are turning to gardening! Have you considered planting a tree? In addition to adding interest, flowers, and shade to your yard, trees can help remove excess water, feed pollinators, and shelter birds.

March 30, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: How can we continue to remain silent after the last school shooting? Three 9-year-olds just died in their school room near Nashville, the state next door to Virginia. Every one of the murderer’s seven weapons were legally purchased.

The Buena Vista School Board last week approved a fiscal year 2024 budget that includes a 7 percent pay raise for all district employees, two new employee positions, and a request for increased funding from the city.

The Rockbridge County High School girls tennis team earned a 5-4 home win over Broadway in the Valley District opener on Tuesday of last week at the Lexington Country Club courts.

Wildcats Fall To Western In OT

In a challenging week, the Rockbridge County High School softball team lost a pair of nondistrict games to Stuarts Draft, falling 3-1 last Monday at Draft and suffering a 9-0 home loss on Thursday.

The Rockbridge County High School baseball team split a pair of nondistrict games with Stuarts Draft last week, earning a 13-5 road win last Monday before falling 14-8 at home on Thursday.

The Rockbridge County High School boys tennis team picked up its fi rst t wo w ins of t he s eason o n the road last week, defeating Stuarts Draft 8-1 last Monday and cruising to a 9-0 win in its Valley District opener against Broadway last Tuesday.

In its first week of action, the Parry McCluer High School softball team split a pair of Pioneer District games, cruising to a 27-1 road win in five innings over Narrows on Tuesday of last week before suffering an 11-3 home loss to Covington on Thursday.

The process of weaning babies, which begins with that first spoonful of solid food, will be the topic of discussion at the April 11 La Leche League meeting to be held at 10 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church on 40 Village Way.

On Friday, April 14, three trails in Rockbridge County will officially become part of the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail Program.

Area youths and adults turned out for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Natural Bridge firehouse Saturday morning. The event was a fundraiser for the fire department. (Lucretia VanBrocklin photos)

Wednesday, April 5

Strong winds didn’t keep just over 900 people, including 98 volunteers, from turning out for the 15th annual Bull & Oyster Fest at the Virginia Horse Center Saturday afternoon. Luckily, they were sheltered from the winds by a large tent. Ticket holders enjoyed a bounty of barbecue and shellfish while tapping their toes to the music of Gary Ruley and Mule Train. They also had the chance to participate in two raffles. This event is a major fundraiser for the Rockbridge Area Health Center. (Joann Ware photos)

The Rockbridge Regional Library book sale is back.

Fund Created To Support Local Causes

Evelyn Ayres

The strong winds Saturday took out trees that blocked roadways and caused scattered power outages. In Rockbridge County, there were a total of 33 emergency 911 calls for trees down, according to Rockbridge County Fire/Rescue Chief Nathan Ramsey. The Rockbridge Baths Volunteer Fire Department is shown below tackling a tree across the road in Goshen Pass. Ramsey and Raphine firefighters, meanwhile, responded to a house on Harvest Lane in Raphine (seen above) that was heavily damaged by a fallen tree. The two occupants were displaced, and Red Cross was contacted to assist with hotel room for a couple of nights until the insurance company can do assessment and provide assistance. (photos courtesy of Ian Felty and Rockbridge County Fire/Rescue)

Deborah Potter McCormick, 540-463-7652