Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Bath schools facing declining enrollments Millboro Elementary at risk in the future BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The food was home cooked, the atmosphere was light and friendly, but the Bath County Board of Supervisors came loaded with some tough questions for the school board at the annual joint budget work session dinner held Monday at the school board offices. More ...      A logging truck owned by driver, Carroll "Rick" Davis Andes Jr., driving for Darryl Rasnake/Wesvaco, flipped over in the curve approximately nine and one-half miles south of Monterey on U.S. 220 at the Wright Farm Tuesday afternoon. The resulting wreckage and debris blocked traffic in both lanes and... More ... Amendment revised for slaughterhouse BY CYNTHIA B. COLEMAN • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - As they took their seats, members of the Highland board of supervisors, the planning commission and Monterey Town Council chatted and chuckled among themselves setting the tone for the meeting ahead - one of serious but good-natured debate about the fate of zoning for slaughterhouses. More ... Bills switch over to House, Senate BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       RICHMOND - Legislation being watched by Highland and Bath citizens moved along a little further in the General Assembly this week. Bills related to wind energy facilities, school funding, and the proposed homestead exemption for property taxes have all been communicated to the House or Senate. More ... Bath BZA denies another variance request BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The Bath County Board of Zoning appeals continued its strict application of variance regulations Monday, denying an application by the Puckett family for a variance to lot size requirements. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County Board of Supervisors and School Board       ¦ No action was taken by Bath supervisors or school board members during the joint work session Monday. The boards addressed a number of issues related to the budget for the coming year. More ... Highland Medical Center hires new CEO       MONTEREY - The board of directors of Highland Medical Center has announced Dr. D. Bradley Drawbaugh has been hired as the center's new chief executive officer. He arrived last Tuesday, and immediately stepped into the position. More ... Supes quiz school board       WARM SPRINGS - During the meeting of the annual joint Bath School Board and Board of Supervisors dinner, supervisor Percy Nowlin presented the following list of 10 questions to the school board and administration and asked for a response in writing: More ... DuPont Community Credit Union has scholarship application deadline       WAYNESBORO - For the thirteenth year, DuPont Community Credit Union will award $1,000 scholarships to 19 high school students at the DCCU annual meeting in April. A total of $19,000 in scholarships to area students will be awarded at the meeting. The deadline for applications is March 10, 2008. More ... Drowning death charge under advisement Bath County hunting death case also heard in circuit court BY MARGO OXENDINE • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - The mother of a four-year-old boy who drowned in the Cowpasture River Aug. 11 stood trial in Bath County Circuit Court last Friday. Kathleen Beirne, 45, of Covington, pleaded guilty to felony gross neglect and wanton, reckless disregard of a child under the age of 18. More ... State plans to cut school budget BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County School Board was given a sharp welcome to the job Monday as superintendent Gary Blair detailed state plans to cut about $100,000 in education grants to the county. The cuts are part of an across-the-board reduction to education money proposed for the state 2008-10 ... More ... Charger Star Search finds motherlode BY MARGO OXENDINE       WARM SPRINGS - It was Bath's very own version of "American Idol." The sixth annual talent show sponsored by the Bath County High School Achievement Booster Club attracted close to a full house of spectators, and the entertainment featured something for every taste. More ...      Below: After several inches of snow on Wednesday, Main Street Monterey was deserted by evening. (Recorder photo by Janice O'Reilly) More ...      The Edward Mullenax family held their annual Christmas party on Dec. 15, 2007 at the Manassas Presbyterian Church. The family gathered for good food, the story "A New and Improved Santa," read by Amy Beard and singing led by Sam and Melanie Beard. Santa arrived, listened to the wants of the little k... More ...      Contestants for the 2008 Maple Queen contest are (l-r) in front: Amanda Marie Harper, Makayla Faith West, and Molly Kathryn Mobley; standing: Kate Elizabeth Obaugh, Jessie Denise Siron, Emily Ann Wagner, Kari Lee Obaugh, and Abigail Adams Cavellier; not pictured: Anastasia Louise Wilfong. Originally... More ... Stewart - Beale       HOT SPRINGS - On Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, Thomas Coleman Stewart and Delores Butler Beale were united in marriage at the Piney Grove Baptist Church at 3 p.m. by the Rev. W. Ed Mansfield. The bride was escorted and given in marriage by her son-inlaw, Victor A. Kerr. The bride's daughter, Cherie ... More ... Heart health experts host free program       SALEM - February is American Heart month and to help boost awareness of heart disease - the leading cause of death in the United States - the hospitals of HCA Southwest Virginia are hosting their first series of free educational programs featuring heart health experts. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       ¦ The Math Olympiad winners for the elementary and middle school have been announced. There was a three-way tie for first place at the fifth- and sixth-grade level between Zach Brinkley, Jessie O'Conner, and Emily Smith. The seventh grade had a two-way tie for first place with D.J. Jack and... More ... The Homestead honors employees for longtime service       HOT SPRINGS - The Homestead honored many longtime employee partners with annual service awards, awarded in one, three and five year increments. Awards ranged from one year of service to 50 years of service at the famed resort. More ... Millboro district supervisor reports on county issues BY: CAROL HARDBARGER • COUNTY SUPERVISOR       MILLBORO - Since taking office, I have been trying to learn all I can about the Virginia and Bath County codes, how Bath County does business and what are the key issues for the county, as well as the Millboro District. I have met with former supervisor Cliff Gilchrist to learn about the floodin... More ... Rockbridge Regional Library announces new director       LEXINGTON - The board of trustees of the Rockbridge Regional Library announces the selection of Alan Bobowski to become new library director upon the retirement of Linda Krantz this June. The board is confident Bobowski will enable the library to continue to serve the community with vision and s... More ... Sen. Webb concerned about rural Virginians' health care       WASHINGTON, D.C. - A ccording to U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), Virginians living in rural areas of the commonwealth would see their access to health care challenged under President Bush's proposed fiscal year 2009 budget. More ... Two child care programs serve Bath County       MILLBORO - Did you know Bath County has two school-age programs operating in the valley and Millboro communities? For over 10 years, the local government has supported the licensed childcare programs that serve school-age children at Valley Elementary School and students from Millboro Elementary ... More ... Photos      John Wright inspects damage to VDOT rock retaining wall and surrounding area. More ... Clarification       The Recorder has learned that Clark Earnhart, Charger football star in 1981 - 82, also had his jersey retired. He was the second Charger to rush for over 1,000 yrds, besting the record held since 1975 by Derek Watkins for most yardage in a season. Earnhart finished with 1,157 yards on the season a... More ... Protect Chesapeake Bay with tax dollars       RICHMOND - Virginians can help conserve open space land and prevent pollution from reaching the Chesapeake Bay when completing their tax returns by contributing any or all of their tax re- fund to funds set up solely for those purposes. More ... SeniorNavigator helps facilitate partnership with Bath       Bath County and SeniorNavigator are in partnership to address the needs of seniors and caregivers in our community. More ... DAR met in Staunton       STAUNTON - The Sarah Murray Lewis chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution met Saturday, Feb. 9 at Third Presbyterian Church in Staunton. The Regent, Sarah Wolters, thanked the hostesses, Ms. Peggy Aglubat, Mrs. James H. Cook, Mrs. Miller E. Petty and Mrs. Arthur R. R... More ... Sheep workshop set       MONTEREY - Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Highland Sheep and Wool Producers Association will host an educational workshop for area sheep producers on Friday, Feb. 29, at 1 p.m. at the Highland Modular Conference Room in Monterey. More ... ARH offers cardiac rehabilitation programs       LOW MOOR - When 55 year old Theo Sharp of Covington experienced "burning" in his chest, his coworkers at Cucci's restau- rant convinced him to go to the hospital. He went to the emergency room at Alleghany Regional Hospital where an EKG showed evidence of an acute myocardial infarction - a hear... More ... $425,000 donated to youth programs       STAUNTON- Farm Credit of the Virginias supports a variety of youth programs with agricultural ties, like Future Farmers of America and 4-H. This week they announced that, along with the 22 other agricultural credit associations in the 15 eastern states which comprise the AgFirst Farm Credit distr... More ... Club holds 'show and tell'       MONTEREY - The Monterey Garden Club met Tuesday, Feb. 5 in the Mountain View Room of the Highland County Public Library. Rhet Wilson was hostess and Sue Robinson was in charge of devotions. Most members attending brought an object to discuss for the annual "Show and Tell" program. More ...      June, Donald McCaig's eight-year-old border collie has been chosen for the United States Team to compete in the World Sheepdog Trial in Wales in September. The World Trial will draw several hundred dogs from 23 different nations. For 19 years, McCaig held sheepdog trials on his farm outside Williams... More ... Governor reminds Virginians of burning ban       RICHMOND - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine reminds citizens of Virginia's annual spring fire season burning ban. The spring fire season, as defined by state code, began Feb. 15 and continues until April 30. During this period, the commonwealth's "4 p.m. Burning Law" prohibits outdoor burning before 4 p.m. ... More ...