Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

The pulling tractor of the 220-foot big rig leaves Hot Springs as the rear, pushing tractor just arrives, while wheels go every which-a-way. Four years ago, the first runs of the big truck transporting parts to and from the Bath County Pumped Storage Station was a big event with people standing on t... More ... Supervisors prepare for wind project BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "This is probably the biggest project we've ever had in this county or probably will ever have," said Highland County supervisor Jerry Rexrode Tuesday, in reference to the industrial wind energy utility proposed for Allegheny Mountain. More ... More arrests on Bath indictments BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - More arrests were made this week in connection with 35 indictments handed down by a Bath grand jury Jan. 22. The most serious charges are against two Bath men - Elmer Mines of Warm Springs, and John Alan Mills of Millboro. More ... AMR to expand in West Virginia BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Allegheny Mountain Radio has the goahead for two new West Virginia transmission sites. "Before the end of the year we received notice we had a construction permit for construction in Pendleton County," said AMR assistant general manager Carson Ralston. Subsequently, it received notific... More ... No big stumps at Highland's dump       MONTEREY - Highland County adopted a change to its solid waste ordinance after a public hearing on the proposal Tuesday. What it means for residents is that roots and stumps larger than six inches in diameter brought to the old landfill site can be turned away at the discretion of the site operat... More ... In Brief . . . Highland County Board of Supervisors       ¦ Highland's board of supervisors set a public hearing on the VDOT construction improvement program and six-year budget plan for its March 4 board meeting. More ... Board won't require incidental take permit BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland County supervisor Jerry Rexrode asked county attorney Melissa Dowd to give a legal opinion on whether the county should require Highland New Wind Development to get a federal incidental take permit and habitat conservation plan for its industrial wind turbine facility planned ... More ... 3 of 4 utility bills still afloat BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       RICHMOND - The legislation introduced in the General Assembly related to wind energy continue to move through the Senate and House this week. Of the two original Senate bills, one was withdrawn, and another has survived the Senate and been communicated to the House. Two related House bills remain... More ... On the Agenda       Bath County Board of Supervisors Bath County Courthouse - Room 115 Tuesday, Feb. 12 - 7 p.m. Closed session - 6 p.m. More ... Highland FFA holds first annual game show      Highland FFA's first game show, held in the Highland Elementary School gym last weekend. James Colaw captured the coyote above with a snare. The turkey below belongs to Roy Bowers. (Recorder photos by James Jacenich) More ... Sweetheart Dinner celebrates love, food, fun BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       HOT SPRINGS - Rhett and Scarlett. Anthony and Cleopatra. Fred and Ethel. Peanut Butter and Jelly? Now that you're thinking about famous pairs, think about celebrating Valentine's Day with your sweetheart. Get the week off to a delectable start this Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Sweetheart Dinner; it's... More ... Theater rehearsal set for Sunday BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       HOT SPRINGS - The newborn Bath community theater group, christened the Mountain Valley Players, has set its first rehearsal for Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. in the Hot Springs firehouse. The variety show, "It Might As Well Be Spring," will feature the 38 people who auditioned Jan. 26, as well as an... More ... Photos      Sun Fun & Fitness in Monterey held its first open house Saturday. Above, owner Misty Puffenbarger demonstrates an exercise to get awesome abs. Seems to have done the job. Below, Lisa Jacenich of Monterey tentatively attempts a stair climbing machine designed to strengthen leg muscles. It's certainly... More ... Photos      Diners above at the Lions Club annual Groundhog dinner delighted in fried oyster last Saturday at the Highland Elementary School cafeteria. Right, the serving line moved quickly thanks to Lions manning spoons and plates (l-r) Sue Dudley, Fred Frye and Butch Washer. (Photos courtesy Melody Moats) More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ A number of residents enjoyed a "travel night" at the Goshen public library Jan. 30, with slides and a video of a hiking adventure along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, as they traveled down to the Colorado River and back up. More ... Engagement Plecker - Mercer       MILLBORO - Marty and Susan Plecker announce the engagement of their daughter, Katie Plecker of Millboro, to Greg Mercer of Woodstock. Mr. Mercer is the son of Randa Kennedy of Woodstock and the late Scott Mercer. The bride-to-be is a 2002 graduate of Bath County High School and a 2006 graduate ... More ... Engagement Green - Bridgforth       HOT SPRINGS - Willie and Suzanne Green of Hot Springs are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kirby Ellen Green, to William Scott Bridgforth Jr., son of Scott and Donna Bridgforth of Kenbridge. Ms. More ... Correction       Ben Hull was inadvertently left off the Highland High School honor roll in last week's Recorder. He was on the B honor roll for the nine weeks and the semester. More ... Engagement Armstrong - Colaw       MILLBORO - Rickey and Donna Armstrong of Millboro announce the engagement of their daughter, Krista Michelle, to Michael Scott Colaw, son of Mike and Donna Colaw of Warm Springs. Ms. Armstrong is currently pursuing a degree in elementary education at Bridgewater College. She will graduate in 201... More ... Flynn's photos shown at Highland County library       MONTEREY - Every once in awhile, someone can capture an idea so well that you see the world in a different way. Talking about photography with Jack Flynn presents a series of ideas that open up places in the world in an extraordinary way. More ... Births       Colleen Peyton Adams MONTEREY - Byron and Anne Adams announce the birth of their sixth child, Colleen Peyton Adams, on Friday, Feb. 1. She was born at 8:40 p.m. at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. She was six pounds, 10 ounces, and 17 inches long. More ... Valentine's Day holiday centuries old       Although February 14th is celebrated as a lovers' holiday today, with the giving of candy, flowers, Valentine's Day cards and other gifts between couples in love, it originated as a tribute to St. Valentine, a Catholic bishop. More ... A rose by any other color ... what they mean       Red - sincere love & respect, courage & passion. Send red roses to convey the message of your passionate love for that someone; saying "I love you." Pink - grace and gentility, the rose of sweet thoughts. More ... What's news in nature BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       FOREST LANDS - The next couple of years may be the last chance anyone will have to see eastern hemlock trees growing wild in the Highlands. The majestic trees are rapidly following the fate of the chestnut, which disappeared from these mountains almost 100 years ago. More ... FFA member spotlight: Jessie Siron       MONTEREY - Jessie Siron, 17, the daughter of Doug and Kristie Siron of Doe Hill, is a junior at Highland High School. Siron is the reporter of Highland's Future Farmers of America chapter and has been a member six years. She shared the following about her FFA experience. More ...      The Victory Chapel WH&FM held its monthly meeting Saturday at the Avante Nursing home in Waynesboro to help Margaret Hamilton celebrate her 94th birthday. Twentyone members and friends surprised her with a party at noon. Hamilton operated Corbett's Store in Mustoe until her retirement. (Photo courte... More ...      Following the meeting of the Fiber Guild of the Allegheny Highlands, Jim Jacenich demonstrated the art of Japanese cord making (Kumihimo). Pictured (l-r) are: Martha McGrath (chairperson), Faye Chapman, Deborah Lambert, Jacenich, Daryl Ritchie, Amy Ritchie (scribe), and Maggie Morse. The next work s... More ...      The third of an ongoing series of felting classes was held in the Highland County Arts Council's room of The Highland Center. Lisa Jacenich has been teaching cob-web lace and nuno felting techniques, which use wool and silk fibers to create shawls and scarves. Anyone interested in more information c... More ...      Chef Randy hosted a day of gingerbread house and cookie decorating with local students in December. The class from TOTS Preschool visited Garth Newel to creatively practice skills learned in preschool such as patterns, shapes, counting, texture, and the art of patience. "The students' focus was incr... More ... Conservation opportunities continue in '08       WARM SPRINGS - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District are continuing to provide planning, technical, and cost-share financial assistance to farmers and other agricultural landowners for a wide variety of resource related practices tha... More ... Weather report       Temperatures for January were 2.6 degrees below normal but far from record lows. Total precipitation was just about normal but snowfall was only about half of average. John R. More ... Outdoor fires are still unlawful before 4 p.m.       CHARLOTTESVILLE - Virginia Commonwealth's 4 p.m. burning law goes into effect Feb. 15, the start of spring fire season in Virginia. This law prohibits burning before 4 p.m. each day from Feb. 15 to April 30 if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry gra... More ... Saxman highlights passed legislation       RICHMOND - With the 2008 General Assembly session entering its third full week, Del. Chris Saxman highlighted several pieces of legislation that have passed the House of Delegates. More ... Chocolate festival held May 3       CLIFTON FORGE - Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 3 and start looking through your chocolate recipes. The Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center will once again host its annual fund-raiser, the Art of Chocolate Festival. More ... Va. Senate repeals abusive driver fees       RICHMOND - The Virginia Senate passed legislation Thursday, Jan. 30 to repeal the unpopular abusive driver fees. Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Edward Houck (DSpotsylvania), repeals section 46.2-206.1 of the Code of Virginia also known as the abusive driver fees. More ... VCE hosts calving road show       BLACKSBURG - Virginia Cooperative Extension will host an educational road show for area cattle producers titled "Cleaning Up Your Calving Act." Producers throughout the valley will have a number of opportunities to attend this program at 7 p.m. at the following locations: Tuesday, Feb, 5 at the ... More ...