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Recent News Items
Local Civic Leader Leaves Legacy of Honor, Good Works
Whether you knew him as James, Jim, Jimmy, J.H. or Jay Dixon, you knew he was a very special person - a visionary who returned to his native county and devoted his life to his country and community.
Jay Dixon, of Gate City, passed away Jan. 20, 2012 at the age of 71. He returned to Scott County in the early 2000s with his wife, Carol, to use his talents and influence to improve the quality of…
Moonshine Stills Discovered in McMurray Hollow
Last week special agents with the Virginia State Police discovered two stills in a barn located on McMurray Hollow in the Hiltons area while executing a search warrant.
On Dec. 27, agents found one functional still and an unassembled still inside the barn. They also seized a significant amount of production supplies and approximately 100 gallons of mash.
Sgt. Michael Conroy with the Virginia State Police said charges are pending and the discovery…
SCC Approves $85.1 Million Revenue Increase for Appalachian Power
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved a total of $85.1 million in revenue increases for Appalachian Power Company in two rate case orders.
One case is a review of base rates that, under Virginia law, takes place every two years. The other case was filed under a provision of Virginia law allowing electric utilities to recover environmental expenses.
The original additional revenue increase requested by Appalachian Power in both cases totaled $203.4 million.…
County School Division Earns ‘Operational’ Accreditation Through AdvancED
Scott County Public Schools earned the second best grade of "operational" from members of a Quality Assurance Review team that visited the system last week as part of the system's quest to earn an additional level of accreditation.
During the four-day visit held Nov. 27-30, team members visited eight schools and talked to a total of 225 persons during their on-site review, which is required for all systems hoping to attain accreditation through AdvancED.
…
Shoe Fund Nears $6,000 Mark
"So remember while December brings the only Christmas day, in the year, let there be Christmas in the things you do and say." - Anonymous
The balance of an annual drive that brings smiles and tears of joy to deserving youngsters continues to rise.
Each year since 1989 the Rotary Club of Scott County has accepted contributions that allow them to purchase new shoes and socks for selected Scott County students through the Shoe Fund.
In the past two weeks, the fund balance has grown to nearly $5,600 - an amount still short of the 2011 goal of $16,000.
DEQ to Hold Water Quality Meeting in Hiltons
A state agency is holding a pair of public meetings to allow comments on restoration efforts aimed at improving the water quality of the North Fork of the Holston River in Southwest Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announces an effort to restore water quality for the North Fork Holston River and the tributaries of Lick Creek, Beaver Creek, Laurel Creek, Locust Cove Creek, Robertson Branch, Turkey Run Creek, Logan Creek, Toole Creek, Tumbling Creek,…
Star Begins Candidate Profiles This Week
In two weeks, local voters will elect new leadership to the Virginia State Senate, Virginia House of Delegates, Scott County Board of Supervisors, Scott County School Board and the constitutional offices.
We asked the same two questions to each of the candidates and asked for their responses to pertain to the office they seek. Each candidate was also asked to submit a brief biography to accompany their responses.
This week, we profile candidates for…
Blockhouse to Host Harvest Celebration
In harvest time, harvest-folk, servants and all, should make altogether good cheer in the hall. - Thomas Tusser, "Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry: August's Husbandry"
A special celebration is planned for this Saturday in a re-creation of a days gone past tradition.
At the end of the year's harvest, friends and neighbors came to together to celebrate their bounty and good fortune. It was a time for good spirits, sharing and musical entertainment.
Hill Station Boat Site Unveiled
Scott County Recreation Department Director Skip Sheets wanted to find a way to open up access to the county's two rivers to local residents and visitors alike.
So last year he pitched an idea to the Scott County Board of Supervisors about giving a few bucks to his department to be used solely at three boat sites on local waterways.
Sheets used the funds to purchase trash receptacles, picnic tables and gravel, pay for…
County to Introduce Prescription Drug Discount Card
County officials are set to unveil a new prescription drug discount card today that can save county residents on their prescription drugs.
The current economic climate calls for ways to help residents reduce the high cost of much-needed prescription medications.
Scott County, through a partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), is launching a free Prescription Discount Card program to help area residents with the high cost of prescription medications. The launch of…
RC Optimist Club to Break Ground on Park
A Rye Cove community service organization officially breaks ground this Friday on a new park that will highlight their history.
The event begins at 10 a.m. on Sept. 23 at the site of the new “Community Park by Optimist Club” on Rye Cove Memorial Road.
Residents in Rye Cove formed an Optimist Club in 2007 as a way to represent their community. With a historic past the includes the Carter’s Fort, the Stage Coach…
Tourism Marketing Grants to Benefit Southwest Virginia
Tourism Marketing Grants to Benefit Southwest Virginia
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling was in Abingdon yesterday to hand out grant funds for five tourism-based groups in Southwest Virginia.
The grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation are designed to assist local and regional tourism entities to leverage local marketing dollars.
Grant recipients include the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, Friends of Southwest Virginia, Round the Mountain…
Ferguson Hired as New Superintendent
John Ferguson Jr. can now remove the word “Interim” from his official job title.
The Scott County School Board voted to hire Ferguson as superintendent of Scott County Public Schools at last night’s monthly meeting held at Fort Blackmore Primary School.
Details from Ferguson’s contract were not available at press time.
Board members interviewed the first of four candidates last Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the school board central office with…
Service Planned to Honor, Remember 9/11
The 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on this country will be memorialized in a community event to be held Sunday. From veterans to law enforcement to school children, the ceremony planned to commemorative the attacks of Sept. 11, 2011 say "we remember."
The Carter’s Fort Chapter Daughters of the American Revolutions along with Overmountain Men Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and the Town of Gate City are sponsoring a “We Remember 9/11” 10th Anniversary Memorial…
Honorary 9/11 Food Drive to Benefit Food Pantry
Two local groups are collecting food items to benefit a county charity in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
AmeriCorps and Senior Corps Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a program of Appalachian Community Action Agency, are conducting a food drive as a community service project in remembrance of the tragic attacks on Sept. 11, 2011.
“It’s been 10 years since the tragic events unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001,” explained Karen Davidson, who…
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Help Wanted
Church MusicianGate City United Methodist Church in Gate City, VA currently has an opening for a part-time Church Musician. The successful candidate must be available 2 hours on Wednesday nights and 2 hours on Sunday mornings plus special events as needed. Five years of experience is required. The Church Musician must work with the Choir Director, Choir and other musicians. Salary is negotiable. To apply, please mail resume and references to: Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Gate City United Methodist Church, 255 Walnut Street, Gate City, VA 24251 or gatecityumc@yahoo.com. Please call 276-386-7083 for more information.