Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

MRSA case confirmed in Highland elementary BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY- This week, Highland County Public Schools superintendent Gary Blair reported "a confirmed case of colonized MRSA in our elementary school." MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a form of staph infection. More ...       Sisters Jamie (left) and Jessie Hupman won funniest costume and scariest costume in third grade at the Highland Elementary School Halloween Carnival parade last Friday. Jessie doesn't look too scary here, but that's because she took her mask off after the contest. More ... Shouting from the rooftop BCHS construction on schedule for roof replacement BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Last Thursday's meeting of the Bath County School Board might have set a record as the shortest in recent memory had it not been for a lengthy presentation about the roof on Bath County High School. The board held its meeting at that time to avoid scheduling conflicts with a numbe... More ... Empty clerk seat up for grabs in Bath Julie Brinkley BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Julie L. Brinkley has worked as a legal assistant across the street from the courthouse for 17 years. The trek over to the circuit court clerk's office is familiar to her. More ... John D. Kershner Jr. BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - John D. Kershner Jr. has been interested in the office of clerk of the circuit court for decades. Kershner said he thought about running against Claude Dodson but decided to wait until Dodson retired. When Dodson retired, then deputy clerk Darlene Carpenter won the office for one t... More ... Annette Loan BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Annette Loan has worked as a deputy clerk under two circuit court clerks. She is asking voters to support her desire to parlay her nearly nine years of experience into the top job at the clerk's office. More ... Michael Spurgeon BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Michael "Mike" Spurgeon points to his basement window in the courthouse and says he'd like to move up. Spurgeon works in social services at the courthouse and is making a run for the main floor office of clerk of the circuit court. More ... Wayne Winebriner BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS Wayne Winebriner has a "real desire for the job" of clerk of the Bath County circuit court. "I like the work, I fit in well and I want to keep the office going as it is now," said Winebriner. He has worked as a deputy clerk under Darlene Carpenter for almost eight years. More ... 2 seek to unseat incumbent treasurer Mary Susan Blankenship       WARM SPRINGS - Mary Susan Blankenship is going on 20 years in office and has yet to face opposition during an election year, until now. As treasurer, Blankenship's primary duties are threefold: providing the county's accounting services, collecting taxes, and serving as Bath's Department of Moto... More ... Bonnie Jo Robertson BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Bonnie Jo Robertson thinks it is time for her generation to step up to the plate in the treasurer's office. "It is time for us to show how great we can be," she said. The treasurer's office seems to have "stayed still for 15 years" she said and she would like to step in and move t... More ... Sandra Williams BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Sandra Wolfe Williams began her work career in customer service and accounts receivable; switched to education and became a teacher and has now taken a big step back toward financial operations by challenging the incumbent Bath County treasurer. More ... Highland Commissioner gets requested extension BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Department of Taxation tax commissioner Jamie. E. Bowen granted Highland County Commissioner of Revenue Bobbie Griffin an extension to Oct. 12 for filing tangible personal property. Bowen's Oct. 17 letter said, "In view of the circumstances surrounding this request, the extension is he... More ...       The Alleghany Highlands Free Clinic held a ribbon cutting and open house at its new location, 103 Old Church Street in Low Moor, last Thursday. More ... 4-H fair plans already under way       MONTEREY - October began a new 4-H year, a time for 4-H members to reflect on last year's successes and look forward to what new year will bring. Even before the dust had time to settle at the Highland County fairgrounds, many 4-H members were planning for next year's Highland County Fair youth ... More ... Masons issue certificates of achievement       MONTEREY - Highland Masonic Lodge No. 110 held its annual ladies' night banquet at the Stonewall Ruritan building last Saturday. In addition to recognizing the widows of past members, the lodge recognized the senior center, awarded certificates of achievement to several Highland residents. More ...       Highland Senior Citizens recently enjoyed a trip to Natural Bridge to the drive through Safari Park and at lunch at "The Pink Cadillac. More ...       On Monday, Oct. 8, long time Lions Club member Fred Frye had the honor and privilege of inducting his son Todd into the Monterey Lions Club. More ... State officials agree about flooding in Cabin Creek area BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO - It appears consensus has been reached among state officials that a comprehensive engineering study is warranted for the Cabin Creek area that experienced three major floods in the past year. In his letter to Rep. Bob Goodlatte on Oct. More ... Calls plague Bath citizens       HOT SPRINGS - The Bath County Sheriff's Office has received a complaint of frequent calls from the phone number 1- 616-980-4019. It is sometimes identified as an extended vehicle warranty company, though caller IDs often show only the number while the company name is blocked. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       The Ruritan Club will host a Harvest Holiday of family fun on Saturday, Nov. 10, beginning at 3:30 p.m. with free hayrides for an hour from the picnic shelter across from the elementary school on Church Street. A petting zoo will be set up at the shelter during that time as well. More ... Library Notes By Tomi Herold Highland County Public Library       • I am pleased to report the annual used book sale on Hands and Harvest weekend was a big success. We were blessed with beautiful weather and many people came to the sale. We raised more than $4,300, which will help the library with operating expenses and collections. While the sale is open ... More ...       The Highland/Bath Farm Bureau has donated $500 to Thomas Hevener Jr. to aid with activity and travel expenses accrued as a result of his assignment to the post of FFA State Secretary. Tommy will travel to Spain in early January. More ... On the agenda Highland County Board of Supervisors Highland Modular Conference Center Wednesday, Nov. 7 7:30 p.m.       General James White Jr., Verona Residency Administrator, reports on county roads and projects. Presentations Bobbie Griffin, commissioner of revenue, and Lois White, treasurer; county vehicle license. More ...      Pictured (l-r) are Kent Ford, Dr. John Pagels of VCU, and Terry Flaherty, who enjoyed refreshments and conversation after a program presented by Pagels at the Bath County Public Library on Oct. 25. The program was on "Virginia's Mammals: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." (Photo courtesy Bath County l... More ... Correction       Supervisor Percy "Buzz" Nowlin is running for a board seat in the Cedar Creet District of Bath County, not Millboro, as incorrectly noted in a headline in the October 18 paper and in the corrections from last week. More ... Wedding Gardner - Harold       LAKE MOOMAW - On Sept. 15, Beth J. Gardner, daughter of Harley and Donna Gardner of Monterey, and R. Wade Harold, son of Randy and Mary Harold of Monterey, were united in marriage. The Rev. Mark David of Highland Baptist Church officiated the ceremony at Lake Moomaw. More ... 4-H achievements to be recognized       HIGHLAND - The Highland County 4-H Achievement Program has been planned to recognize 4-H members and adult volunteers for their participation and achievements during the 2006-07 4-H year. The programs will include a 4-H update, leader and member recognition, a year-in-review slide show, and awa... More ... Reunion Corbett       MUSTOE - A Confederate veteran of the Civil War, who served in the 18th Virginia Cavalry under Col. Imboden and the 19th Virginia Cavalry under Col. Jackson, named Mustoe Hamilton Corbett, and his wife, Victoria Jane Wilson Corbett, were remembered by descendants at their family reunion recently. More ... Bath County building, grounds assistant hired       WARM SPRINGS - The Board of Supervisors of Bath County has announced Theresa Beall has accepted the position of building and grounds assistant effective Oct. 22. Beall is a lifelong resident of Bath County who graduated from Bath County High School. More ... Douthat State Park will be closed for fall hunts       DOUTHAT - Douthat State Park will close for fall hunt opportunities. The park is closed for safety purposes during the days of the hunts. The park will be closed to all guests on Nov. 6-8. The park will re-open to the public on Nov. 9, at 6 a.m. Douthat State Park will also be closed to all gues... More ... Expert to address Indian culture in Virginia, examine local artifacts       MONTEREY - Howard MacCord believes people from all walks of life can make meaningful contribution ot the science of archaeology. He's been making a dedicated effort of his own for over 70 years. He began as a hobbyist in 1932, and achieved professional status in 1963, following his 1962 retireme... More ... Women's Center opens       LOW MOOR - Alleghany Regional Hospital celebrated the opening of the Women's Center with an open house on Monday, Oct. 29. The Women's Center is a newly-renovated area located on the third floor of the hospital housing the practice of Dr. Joanne Dudley, gynecologist, as well as hospital services ... More ... Museum Hopping Highland County Museum celebrates local history, heritage By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       McDOWELL - The Highland County Historical Society has done wonders creating an attractive, interesting museum on a small budget in a remote, rural locale. Recently, things just got even better. The society has completed a research center for genealogists with roots in Highland, Virginia's "Litt... More ... Governor warns that drought could continue       RICHMOND - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has urged localities to update water conservation and drought contingency ordinances and plans and begin preparations to implement those plans. The governor also encouraged citizens and businesses to strictly follow all calls for water conservation issued by publi... More ... Fall gathering held in Big Valley       BOLAR - Family, relatives and friends met Sunday, Oct. 21 at the home of Vesta Ruckman in Big Valley. More ... Fire ban still in effect       ROANOKE - The fire ban remains in effect on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest lands in Virginia and West Virginia. Fire officers have examined ground conditions and the expected weather outlook in light of the rainfall received last week and determined that the fire ban will rem... More ... Reunions       Stephenson family MILLBORO - The 41st annual reunion of the descendants of the late Cassius and Sarah Jane Stephenson was held on October 7, 2007 at Clayton and Jackie Plecker's riverside picnic shelter near Millboro. There were approximately 70 relatives and guest in attendance. More ...