HES musical highlights SOLs
     BY HIROKO AKAIKE • HIGHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MUSIC TEACHER MONTEREY — The Spring Music Program this year was more than music; it was about everything the students have been learning — art, science, history, English and math. More than a musical, it was a spring festival. The program for kindergarten through second grade was entitled “Feathers, Scales and Furry Tails.” Through this unit, students learned about different animals. Some of the gifted and talented students had their animal projects on display as well.
More ...

Bath ... and all that jazz
     By MATTHEW CAMPAGNA • Staff Writer WARM SPRINGS — Pretend for a moment that when “The Sound Of Music” star Julie Andrews sang, “The hills are alive with the sound of music,” she was singing about Bath County. Pretend for a moment that when she said “hills,” what she really meant was “mountains.” Specifically, the ones in your backyard. And just what sort of music do they make? For some, the songs of birds. For others, the wind rustling the trees. The crickets, the spring peepers, or the occasional wild thing in the woods — take them as solo performances or as parts of a larger, natural symphony. However you take them, the hills really are alive with the sound of music. But for Justin Flynn, Garth Newel Music Center’s resident composer, the hills are alive with music of another sort; they’re alive with the sound of jazz!
More ...

Meetings target land use vision
     By MATTHEW CAMPAGNA • Staff Writer WARM SPRINGS — The Homestead Preserve project has stirred mixed reactions from county residents since its arrival here some four years ago. While some look forward to the enhanced economic opportunities that 450 new homes and additional retail outlets will bring, others are concerned the affluent new county residents in relatively large numbers will have a negative effect on local culture and that the cost of living in Bath County will spiral upward. In light of this growing debate, the county’s supervisors have taken a renewed interest in land use and growth management.
More ...

Public hearing scheduled on Highland New Wind Development application
     By Anne Adams • Staff Writer MONTEREY — It’s been more than 10 months since Highland New Wind Development, LLC, applied for a conditional use permit to construct and operate a 39-megawatt commercial wind facility in Highland County. In about two weeks, a public hearing will finally be held on the developer’s request.
More ...

Bath crowns its new queen
     The theme for the Miss Bath County and Junior Miss Bath County Pageant last Saturday was a “Spring Evening.” And the stylish gowns, musical entertainment, colorful decorations and fresh beauty of the young contestants reflected it perfectly. Emcee Marcia Smith joined with Kim Cahoon, both from the Covington-based group Southbound, to provide the entertainment. Karen Hise, and the duo of Erin Plecker and Monica Plecker, filled out the evening with song. But the beauty came from within. There were seven contestants for the Miss Bath title: Heidi Brunner, Chasity Crawford, Kirby Green, Julie McAllister, Jamie Plecker. and deShawn Wooding. Kirby Green won the crown, with deShawn Wooding first runner-up and Jamie Plecker second runner-up. Heidi Brunner won Miss Congeniality.
More ...