Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Staph infection scare addressed by schools Bath, Highland report no cases of MRSA found BY JAMES JACENICH AND CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITERS       MONTEREY and WARM SPRINGS - Several reports of staph infections in the community, the death of a Bedford County student last week from a drug-resistant strain of staph infection, and a notice to parents and guardians that Highland and Bath schools, has caused concern among in both counties that a... More ...      Leaves left trees aflame this week along Main Street in Millboro. The changing colors were 4- 6 days later this year, likely due to the dry conditions, but this week the Highlands have been awash in palette colors throughout Bath and Highland counties. Leaf-peepers have continued to flock here while... More ... Come on in, see more of Bath, Highland Tourism trail plan holds potential for local economy BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "Wayne Strickland, executive director, Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, at the invitation of the Highland County Economic Development Authority, described the benefits of a regional tourism trail for the Highlands similar to the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail in souther... More ... Campfires banned in national forest       ROANOKE - The George Washington-Jefferson National Forest has announced a ban on campfires and stoves or grills that use solid fuel such as charcoal, wood or coal. Stoves that use liquid or gas fuel will still be permitted. More ... Take precautions in the woods       Why is the forest service implementing fire restrictions on the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest? Virginia is experiencing a severe drought, with rainfall levels significantly below normal. In addition, the fall months are the usual fire season in Virginia due to dry conditions with a... More ... New Highland school board up for election Billingsley seeks first term BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland resident Kirk Billingsley believes education in this county can be improved, and he's tossing his hat in the ring to run for the Highland County School Board this year. "Highland County's been good to me over the years. I decided to raise my own children here and felt I had an... More ... Corrections       ¦ Jean Smith said the McDowell Presbyterian Women was the first group to arrive at the Hayfields Farm last Tuesday to provide food and drink to search workers. The group was not mentioned in last week's article on the Pat Ross McGraw search. "Our concern was that people down there don't hav... More ... Blagg seeks first term BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - With three children ages 10, 13 and 14, Jim Blagg of Doe Hill decided his vested interest in Highland County Public Schools was a strong motive for running for a seat on the Highland County School Board. "I thought with still having children in school, if I didn't run, I couldn't comp... More ... Flynn seeks first term BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Jack Flynn has recently had a taste of county leadership, and the experience has motivated him to do more. He believes his experience and business background would be useful for guiding education policy in Highland County, and seeks his first term on the Highland County School Board. More ... Held seeks first term BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Larry Held spent the bulk of his career in human resources, and after he learned Highland's three school board members would not be seeking reelection this year, he decided his expertise would be well-suited for the role. More ... Humphries seeks seat BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Chris Humphries believes Highland schools are not spending enough time focused on students, and has chosen to be a candidate on the school board in an effort to get that changed, especially when it comes to stressing vocational education. "I decided to run before I found out the curren... More ... Tell 'em what you think       ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS - The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission is developing a regional tourism concept and brand for a region consisting of the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Craig, and Highland, and the cities and towns of Covington, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Monterey, and New Castle. More ... Motorcycle accident leaves two dead BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Sunday afternoon around 3:30 p.m., a motorcycle driven by Robert Litten, 73, of Woodstock, ran off U.S. 250 at the foot of the west side of Shenandoah Mountain in Highland County, went up an embankment and flipped over. More ... Moyers seeks 1st term BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - John Moyers Jr. sought election to the Highland County School Board four years ago, and seeks election again this year because all three current members have chosen to step down, and he has a strong interest in improving vocational opportunities for students here. More ... 6 vie for office of Bath County Sheriff David Bratton BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - David Bratton doesn't have a background in law enforcement or criminal justice, but he says those currently in law enforcement "have been there and they haven't done the job." Therefore he has decided to run for the office of sheriff in Bath. More ... J.W. "Jay" Bryan BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - J.W. "Jay" Bryan was five years old when his father went into law enforcement, and 16 when his father became sheriff in Bath County. After 22 years in law enforcement, Bryan is seeking the same office his father held until 12 years ago. More ... Kirby Buzzard BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Kirby Buzzard is a lifelong resident of Bath County. Though he has worked in law enforcement all his adult life, he has had to work in neighboring jurisdictions. "I enjoy Bath County and I plan to live the rest of my life here," Buzzard said. The county is growing, he noted, and a... More ... Noel T. Dunnagan BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Noel "Tim" Dunnagan started in the sheriff's department as a dispatcher in 1981 and has been working his way toward running for sheriff since then. For the past 12 years, under outgoing sheriff Tommy Black, Dunnagan has served as chief deputy. While he considers Black a close frie... More ... Jubilee set for Nov. 3       WARM SPRINGS - Featuring local and regional performers, the fifth annual Old Fashioned Gospel Jubilee will be the source of many joyful noises. This year's jubilee is Saturday, Nov. 3 from 6-9 p.m. in the auditorium of Bath County High School, on U.S. 220, four miles north of Hot Springs. The doo... More ... Larry Norfleet BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Larry Norfleet is a familiar face around Bath County, mostly in the Virginia State Police uniform he wore for 29 years. Norfleet was first assigned to this area in 1995, which he considers a blessing since Bath has become his permanent home. He retired in March with the rank of ma... More ... Frank M. Pritt BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Frank M. Pritt Jr. has one credential other candidates for the office of sheriff cannot claim. He's been the sheriff in Bath County before. Pritt served as sheriff from 1967 until 1980. At the time he was elected, he was 27 years old and the youngest person elected to the position... More ... Man detained at Ft. Lewis BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       MILLBORO - Bath county deputy sheriff Diedra "Dede" Shriver and Capt. Richard Armstrong detained an Alleghany County man after he made threats at Fort Lewis Lodge Tuesday. According to Shriver, she and Armstrong were dispatched to the lodge about 12:30 p.m. when the department received a call sa... More ... Night skies worth protecting, board told BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - On a recent crisp, clear, autumn night, two young women from Arlington lay on the hard benches at the Ingalls Overlook on Route 39 and stared into the night sky. The two women had come to Bath County to see the fall colors during the day but also specifically to enjoy a sight deni... More ... Sunshine, apples, smiles: perfect recipe      Richard Jones took several turns stirring an applebutter kettle at the festival in Hot Springs last weekend. The event also included pony rides for the kids, crafts and antiques to buy, a benefit yard sale, and lots of musical entertainment. More ... Permit request moves ahead BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - In an unusual move, the Bath County Planning Commission voted to forward a conditional use permit application to the board of zoning appeals without commenting either for or against the application. David James Puffenbarger applied for a permit to operate an automotive repair gar... More ... Commission clarifies swimming pool issues BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Mattern and Craig, the engineering firm hired to prepare bid documents for the Highland swimming pool, will facilitate a mandatory meeting of all contractors and subcontractors interested in bidding on the project at the Highland courthouse this Tuesday at 2 p.m. More ... Flu shots available in Highland       MONTEREY - Highland Medical Center has several flu shot clinics scheduled from now until the end of the year. Hopefully, there will be no shortage of vaccine this year, so call to schedule your flu shot. More ... Candidates gather in Millboro for forum BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - Twenty people seeking county and school offices participated in a candidates' forum at the elementary school last Thursday, Oct. 18, organized by the Republican and Democratic committees of Bath County. More ... Millboro residents participate in search for hunter       MILLBORO - Three residents participated in the search for an elderly lost hunter early last Tuesday - Essie Heffler, an EMT and member of the local rescue squad; Danny Arbogast, an avid hunter who knew the terrain, and firefighter J.J. Ingram. More ... Seven defendants plead guilty in Bath court BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Wayne "Buddy" Purvis was on a mission of mercy that day last October, delivering Meals on Wheels in Healing Springs. He was gone just 40 minutes, but when he returned, he discovered his home had been broken into, and his morphine prescription stolen. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ Residents who want to explore a new way to get some aerobic exercise can check out the contra dance in Staunton on Friday, Oct. 26, at Mary Baldwin College in the dance studio at the Physical Activities Center. Musicians will play from 8-11 p.m. for the dances that feature lively jigs and... More ... DAR makes plans for programs       STAUNTON - The Sarah Murray Lewis Chapter of the DAR met at Third Presbyterian Church, Staunton on Oct. 13. The meeting was called to order by Regent Sarah Wolters, she thanked the hostesses, Mrs. Robert C Atkins, Mrs. Richard L. Huff, Mrs. Richard W. Stogdale Sr., Mrs. A.J. Ultee and Mrs. Arvie... More ... Brad Gumm receives safe driving award       MONTEREY - Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Services awarded a $1,000 U.S. savings bond to Brad Gumm of Vanderpool for his successful completion of the teenage driver safety education program. More than 3,200 teens have completed the program since 1999. More ... Camp Mont Shenandoah scholarship available       MILLBORO SPRINGS - Camp Mont Shenandoah, a small, traditional all girls' summer camp located in Millboro Springs, announces that it will begin accepting applications for its Camp Spirit Scholarship on Oct. 15. More ... Pumpkin readied for Halloween      Tye Hooker paints his pumpkin while his brother, Luke Hooker, left, tastes the paint at Saturday's Pumpkin Promenade festivities in Ashwood. More ...      The Highland High School class of 1997 joined together Sept. 29, at the Mountain Hideaway to celebrate their 10-year reunion. Classmates and their guests reminisced of old times and caught up with friends while enjoying a pizza and pasta buffet. The class remembered their lost classmate, David Rushb... More ... Library to hold silent auction       ROCKBRIDGE - The Rockbridge Regional Library will display a collection of art work given to the library by Landis Shepherd on her mother's 100th birthday in 2006. More ... Senior Navigator available in Bath, Highland       WARM SPRINGS - Are you getting close to 65? Do you wonder how to sign up for Social Security and what you need to know? Do you wonder how to change your Medicare D coverage or wonder how you get started? Do you want to find some help for a parent who lives in Virginia but you are not sure where t... More ... WV Book Faire - A celebration of reading       MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Book lovers, authors, and aspiring writers will not want to miss the West Virginia. Book Faire in Martinsburg to be held on Saturday, Nov. 3. Now in its third year, the West Virginia. Book Faire features book-signings, discussion groups, workshops, book sales and other specia... More ... Highland Halloween carnival planned       MONTEREY - Highland Elementary School will hold its annual carnival on Friday, Oct. 26. This event provides a chance for families and the community to come together, play games and have fun while raising money for the school. Profits from the night are used to purchase supplies and instructional... More ... Achievement Burton T. Neff       FAIRFIELD, Calif. - On June 9, Burton T. Neff completed the requirements for a master of arts from Chapman University's Fairfield campus in northern California. He received a master of arts in education with an emphasis in educational leadership and administration. A graduate of Bath County High ... More ... Births Laci Alexis Ryder       MOUNTAIN GROVE - Gary Ryder and Tracy Roberts of Mountain Grove announce the birth of their daughter, Laci Alexis Ryder. Laci was born on July 9, 2007 at 5:59 p.m. at Roanoke Community Hospital. She weighed 5lbs 13 ounces and was 19 and one-half inches long. More ... Meet the candidates       LUE GRASS - There will be an indoor picnic and opportunity for candidates and Highland residents to get to know each other better on Nov. 1 at the Blue Grass Ruritan building between 5:30 and 8 p.m. The event is free for anyone from any area wishing to exchange ideas for the future of Highland C... More ... What's blooming in Bath, Highland BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       HIDDEN VALLEY - At first glance, yarrow's cluster of white flowers can easily be mistaken for the more common Queen Anne's lace, especially if the two are growing close together as they are along the Jackson River in Hidden Valley. More ...      Commander Houston T. Smith (left), VFW Post 4989, presents a check to Retired Colonel Jim Cobb, member of the Highland County Veterans Memorial Committee, for the purchase of a bench to be placed along the Walk of Honor and a donation toward construction of the memorial. Also pictured are Jack Flick... More ... Gov. Kaine declares statewide state of emergency for fire       RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine has declared a statewide emergency and enacted a ban on open fires. The statewide burning ban is the result of drought conditions that have created a serious risk of widespread and dangerous forest fires in every region of the commonwealth. More ... Reynolds to share tall tales       CLIFTON FORGE - On Monday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., Norma and Bucky Reynolds will share scary stories and tall tales in the Michael Armstrong Community Room at the Clifton Forge Public Library. Bucky is from Covington and is a graduate of Covington High School. He and his wife, Norma, have been story... More ... Hupman to show sheep at exposition       LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Michael Hupman of Hightown, Va. has entered nine head of sheep in the open and junior breed division of the 34th annual North American International Livestock Exposition. The NAILE is recognized as the world's largest purebred livestock show with more than 21,000 entries and nea... More ...