Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Tire business permit denied BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - David Botkin wants to run a tire business on his 1.67 acre lot in an R-2 residential zone off Airport Terrace Road near Monterey. He has a 40x60 feet utility shed on his lot, which was built in 1998. Problem is, he can't get a conditional use permit to have a tire business there " the ... More ... Former Bath sheriff defends gas expenses BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Rising fuel prices impact the Bath County budget as much as they do private citizens. While the county struggles to findways to save, a bold move two years ago to reduce fuel costs in the sheriff's department ended up costing the county. More ... Bath supervisors propose to cut budget By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - A proposed $1 million-plus cut to Bath County's budget was the result of a three-hour discussion Monday, but getting to that conclusion proved a challenge for officials, who picked the current $21,250,969 budget apart line by line. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County Board of Supervisors       . Bath County supervisors agreed Monday to adjust the public comment period at regular board meetings. More ... Old Millboro school plans generate board discussion       WARM SPRINGS - The fate of the old school campus in Millboro is still a hot issue among residents and officials. At Monday's budget meeting, supervisors mentioned Bath citizens are still concerned about whether the buildings should be torn down and remain in county hands, or sold to Spectrum Desi... More ... BCHS weight room progressing BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - A proposal by the Bath County High School Athletic Boosters to refurbish the old high school gym into a multi-purpose facility including a weight room moved a step forward Tuesday at the monthly meeting of the Bath County School Board. More ... In Brief . . . Bath County School Board       . The Bath school board met Tuesday at Millboro Elementary School and approved the following appointments: Pat Whitson, fall cheerleading sponsor; Kimberly Reese, flag corps sponsor; John Young, More ... Residential wind turbine tower approved       MONTEREY - Highland will soon be home to wind turbine tower, on a farm, but it's not much like the industrial sized utility planned atop Allegheny Mountain. It will power one house, and is much smaller. The zoning ordinance requires a conditional use for structures over 35 feet in height. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       Although we're barely into spring, a big event is coming up that needs participants and support - the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Bath County, which will be held on Saturday, May 24, at Millboro Elementary School, beginning at noon. Olivia Haney is chairing the event this yea... More ... BZA denies Spruce Street variance BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request last Thursday for a setback variance from George Henderson for his house on Spruce Street, Monterey. Henderson wanted to add an equipment shed and roof extension that would have exceeded his side-yard setback. More ... Maple festival attendance not disappointing       MONTEREY - "It wasn't a record breaker, but some food vendors had the best year ever," said Highland County Chamber of Commerce director Carolyn Pohowsky, recapping the recent Maple Festival results. "The chamber is really pleased," she said. ""We sold half of the brass key chains, at end of day... More ... Abattoirs in, sales pavilions maybe, planners say BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - No one complained at the joint public hearing last Thursday about changes to the zoning ordinance to allow abattoirs (slaughterhouses) as a conditional use in agricultural (A-2) and light industrial (M-1) zones. More ... National Healthcare Decisions Day set for April 16 at BCH       Hot Springs - Bath Community Hospital along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decisionmaking- an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16, 2008 as National Healthcare Deci... More ... On the agenda       Bath County Board of Supervisors Bath courthouse, Room 115 Tuesday, April 8 - 6 p.m. Closed Session; 7 p.m. Regular Meeting ¦ 6 p.m. More ... Bluegrass jamboree delights many By CYNTHIA B. COLEMAN • Staff writer       HOT SPRINGS - If anyone missed Saturday night's sixth annual Bath Bluegrass Jamboree because of the "bluegrass," then they missed an opportunity to not only hear local and regional talent, but one of America's musical roots. More ... Highland YEP gears up for 2008 summer       MONTEREY - Are you a student, between the ages of 14 and 18, looking for a summer job? Do you know any one that fitsthat description? Does your community organization need to have any work done? More ... Home improvements can help sell your home       The real estate bubble has burst, or so the economists tell us. With this current state of affairs, sellers must do all they can to make their house the most attractive one around. Buyers are more discern- ing than ever and won't settle for a subpar home when there are plenty of other options. More ... Spring cleaning is in the air By Cindy Inman, www. askcindyhow.com       (MS) - As we emerge from the frost of winter and begin to dare allow ourselves to think of the renewal that spring brings, let's prepare ourselves to restore our homes as well. Of course, traditionally this is referred to as "spring cleaning. More ... Wind project moving ahead; permit concerns still an issue BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland New Wind Development wind utility project is moving ahead, H.T. 'Mac' McBride told supervisors Tuesday. "We have approval (from VDOT) for both entrances (state line and cattle crossing on Laurel Fork). The power purchase agreement is being worked on by our people in Minnes... More ... Births Taiden Elijah Combs       MILLBORO - Chantry and Jessica Combs, of Millboro, announce the birth of their first child, a son, Taiden Elijah Combs, on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008 at Augusta Medical Center. He weighed eight pounds, nine ounces and was 21 inches long. More ... Designer Solutions offers floor to ceiling beauty By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       HOT SPRINGS - The time is right. The location is perfect. A need is filled. What more could a shop owner ask? Miranda Shotwell is delighted. Her new showroom, Designer Solutions, is open for business on Cottage Row at The Homestead. It offers "everything from floor to ceiling" for the well-appp... More ...      Recently, Lilias Folan, known as the "First Lady of Yoga" since her ground breaking 1972 TV series Lilias! Yoga and You joined The Homestead for a women's wellness weekend. Folan is regarded as one of America's most knowledgeable Master Yoga teachers. Invited from Bath and Highland counties were yog... More ...