Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

There's a new sheriff in town . . . Norfleet takes aim in Bath BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Sheriff Larry Norfleet officially took office Jan. 1, but he began the process of restructuring and organizing the Bath County Sheriff's Department within weeks of being elected last fall. More ... Slaughter facility, ag center: Where should one be built? BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The proposed change to Highland's zoning ordinance to allow slaughterhouses by conditional use in agriculture and light industrial zones reached the Monterey Town Council last week, and not everyone was happy with what they heard. More ... In Brief . . . Highland Economic Development Authority       ¦ The economic development authority met Tuesday at The Highland Center and agreed to ask supervisors to budget $1,500 for the EDA, the same as last year, More ... Trooper reminds drivers accidents should be reported       MILLBORO - On Sunday morning, Jan. 6, the Bath County sheriff's department received a call about a damaged vehicle that had been driven over an embankment. It had been traveling north on Route 687. When Virginia State Trooper Johnson arrived on the scene; he found the vehicle to have damage on t... More ... In Brief . . . Monterey Town Council       ¦ Jan. 3 Monterey mayor Janice Warner told town council Joe Winfield of the Department of Environmental Quality told her there was a fivemonth backlog of other cases to go through before DEQ could look at Monterey's plans for More ... See a Show! Community theater a possibility in Bath? By Margo Oxendine       WARM SPRINGS - Curtain up! Light the lights! We've got nothing to hit but the heights! If you hear Ethel Merman singing "Everything's Coming Up Roses," chances are the theater is in your blood. And if you live around here, your opportunities are slim: travel to see a show, or sit home and wonde... More ... Planning position open in Highland BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - A vacancy exists on the Highland County Planning Commission. Crysta Stanton declined reappointment to the commission and her term expired Dec. 31. The board of supervisors appoints individuals to the five-member commission to four-year terms. More ... In Brief . . . Highland Supervisors       ¦ At their first meeting of the year Jan. 2, supervisors elected Jerry Rexrode chairman and David Blanchard vice chairman. More ... Wind project, next steps: 'Wait and see' BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "As for the wind energy decision, I don't think there is really anything to be said about that," said Highland County supervisor Robin Sullenberger during the board member comment period at the Jan. 2 meeting. Dec. More ... Supervisor declines media interviews except at meetings BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "I have had calls from the editor of the paper, The Recorder," Highland County supervisor Jerry Rexrode told the board last Wednesday. "I don't trust them all that much. I made an offer. We have a public comment session - they can ask questions of this board or me at a public meeting.... More ... What's new in nature? BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Winter time presents the nature lover an opportunity to see and find some things that are more difficult to locate or identify during the growing season. Young beech trees blend into the forest understory during the summer months, but in the winter the same trees can often be spot... More ... Halterman receives award       TROUTVILLE - On Jan. 5, Troutville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department held its annual awards banquet at Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference Center. During the banquet, Amy Halterman was recognized by the rescue squad as member of the year. This annual award is given for outstanding leadership, ... More ... Engagement Peery - Turner       HOT SPRINGS - Mr. and Mrs. Carl Lee Peery Jr. of Hot Springs, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Nicole Peery to Jason Wayne Turner, son of Phil and Lynn Turner of Charles Town, W.Va. and Tim and Arleen McCoy of Maryland. More ... Engagement Smith - Vandevander       McDOWELL - Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Smith of McDowell, announce the engagement of their daughter, Alison Kay, to Zachary Taylor Vandevander, son of Debra Parker of Monterey and the late Charles E. Vandevander. The bride-to-be is employed by Donovan and Gloria Hower of McDowell and the groom-to-be is em... More ... E-911 coordinator, sheriff issue resolved, board says BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - For the second month in a row, the Bath County Board of Supervisors moved its monthly meeting upstairs to the circuit courtroom to accommodate an overflow crowd. Like last month, most of the citizens attended to make comment, either verbally or by applause, on the E-911 administra... More ... Academic Achievement Adam Thomas       MOORESVILLE, N.C. - On Nov. 16, Adam Thomas, son of James and Tammy Thomas of Hot Springs, graduated from NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C. Thomas was on the director's honor list and graduated with a GPA of 3.86. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ A Geography Bee is being held today, Jan. 10, from 2:15-3:15 p.m., at Millboro Elementary School. ¦ John Levengood of Massanutten Village, McGaheysville, has been selected to serve as page to the Senate minority leader in the 2008 session of the Virginia General Assembly in Richmo... More ... Kidney transplant fund-raiser under way       COVINGTON - A fund-raising effort is under way to assist a Covington man in need of a kidney transplant. Gary A. Williams, 38, of Covington is scheduled to undergo a kidney transplant on Feb. 21 at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. More ...      Cindy Huertas moved to Monterey recently from Fort Davis, Texas for love. Her long-distance romance with local businessman Kenny Herold of H&H Cash Store has turned out to be a good thing in more ways than one. Huertas won $50,000 New Year's Eve from the Virginia Lottery with a ticket purchased at H... More ... FFA spotlight: Sean Duff       Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles written by the Highland FFA about outstanding members of the FFA. MONTEREY - Sean Duff, son of Tim and Terry Duff of Mill Gap, is a senior at Highland High School. He is very active and dedicated to the Future Farmers of America. More ... Academic Honor Cheyna Larie Hull       CLEVELAND, Tenn. - On Dec. 15, Cheyna Larie Hull received a bachelor's degrees in psychology and human development and family studies, with a minor in Christian studies from Lee University, Cleveland, Tenn. More ... Kimberly Badgley       MONTEREY - Kimberly Badgley, daughter of Steve and Debbie Badgley of Stuarts Draft, has graduated from Marine Corps Basic Training at Parris Island, S.C. After recruiting duty in Staunton, Pvt. Badgley reported to Camp Lejeune, N.C, on Dec. 27 to complete Marine Combat Training. More ... Valley Supermarket names manager       MITCHELLTOWN - Jeff and Christie Ford, owners of Valley Supermarket in Mitchelltown, have announced the appointment of Jeff Woodzell as store operations manager. Woodzell is familiar to most residents as he was born and reared in Bath County. More ... Weather report       December precipitation was 1.8 inches above normal, while 2007 precipitation was 7.4 inches above normal. Temperatures for the month were somewhat above average but nowhere near record levels. John R. More ... Road closes in Bath County for bridge work, January 15-16       STAUNTON - Route 609 at Dry Run in Bath County will close on Tuesday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Jan. 16 for bridge work. This location is half a mile south of Route 670. Crews will replace structure beams and timber decking. All work is weather permitting. More ... Agriculture census form deadline nears       RICHMOND - In late December, farmers throughout Virginia received Census of Agriculture reporting forms from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. NASS reminds farmers the deadline for returning the completed forms is Feb. 4. More ... Cattle conference scheduled       STAUNTON - Area cattle producers are invited to attend the Virginia Pasture Cattle Conference before taking in the Virginia Farm Show. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn in Staunton on Wednesday, Jan. 23 beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. More ... Building permits       Highland County MONTEREY - The following building permits were issued by the Highland County Department of Building and Zoning in the month of November 2007: Blue Grass district - Donald Hedrick, manufactured home. Monterey district - Kathryn Gwinn, new home/cabin; Richard Roberson, electri... More ... McDowell Christmas decoration winners announced       McDOWELL - The Stonewall Ruritan Club offered the communities of McDowell, Doe Hill and Head Waters a decoration contest during this Christmas season. Because the event was so well received, the Ruritans would like to make this an annual event. More ... USDA disaster payments begin       LEXINGTON - Jacquelin P. Easter, executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Virginia, announced that USDA will begin issuing payments to farmers and ranchers across Vir- ginia who suffered losses because of natural disasters in recent years. More ...