Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the 2007-08 school year       Bath and Highland High schools have announced valedictorians and salutatorians for the 2007-08 school year. See stories page 4-5. (Recorder photos by Cynthia Coleman and James Jacenich) More ... 9-1-1 gets busy signal       Family learns, too late, of Verizon's trouble with connections in Millboro MILLBORO - Sometime before 5 a.m. on Thursday morning, April 3, Gloria Bryan woke up and realized her husband Donnie was not in the bed. She got up, worried he was sick, for Donnie had been recently treated for heart ... More ... Millboro residents rally to save old school By Gina Hamilton • Contributing Writer       MILLBORO - Residents interested in keeping the old Millboro school property in local hands have 90 days to come up with a plan for the property, or watch it get snapped up by a developer, which plans to convert some of the buildings to apartments and condos, and possibly offer the place back to t... More ... Investigation of Monterey vandalism continues BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Sunday night, March 30, someone damaged mailboxes, signs, a traffic safety mirror, electrical power boxes and an air conditioner in Monterey along Mill Alley and Main Street and north along Potomac River Road. The reports to the Highland County Sheriff's officestarted coming in around ... More ... Bath deputies make arrest in Hot Springs       HOT SPRINGS - Corporal R.B. Weaver and Deputy J.S. Cutlip responded to a report of a breaking and entering at the Barbara Keyser residence on McGraw Gap Road in Hot Springs on April 10, 2008. Investigation revealed that several guns were missing from the residence. Later in the afternoon of the 1... More ... $5,ooo-plus in property damage       MONTEREY - The Highland County Sheriff's Officereceived the following reports of destruction of property and vandalism in and around Monterey March 30. Damage in excess of $2,000 is considered a felony. Though the total amount is well in excess of that amout, the individual incidents will most li... More ... Bath native killed in head-on collision       COVINGTON - Jeff Keyes, a Bath County native, was killed Tuesday afternoon in a two-car accident in Covington. According to Virginia State Police, Keyes, 45, who lived in Covington, was driving his 1986 Cadillac Cimarron south on U.S. 220 by the Honda-Nissan dealership, when he crossed the cente... More ... Anderson, Pritt take top honors at BCHS       WARM SPRINGS - Caitlin Anderson and Joseph "Joey" Pritt have been named Bath County High School's 2008 valedictorian and salutatorian. Anderson is the daughter of Jewell and Sandra Anderson of Mitchelltown and Pritt is the son of Roy and Linda Pritt of Alleghany County. More ... Highland High's top students reflectclass diversity BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The top academic spots at Highland High School have gone to two young people with very different backgrounds and goals, yet they share a common aspiration - to be the best they can be in their chosen field. HHS class of 2008 valedictorian Leigh Gibson spent 14 years in New Zealand be... More ... Blue Roof expands into West Virginia BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Blue Roof girls, as they have come to be known due to the blue roof on their Monterey home that stands out among the greens and reds of their neighbors, have taken a big step into a regional presence with their recent acquisition of the concession and restaurant contract at Cass Sc... More ... Correction       • Larry Held is no longer a substitute teacher at Highland County Public Schools, as reported in the March 27 school board budget story. • A $1,362 increase to $1,003,362 in revenue to Highland's constitutional officesis a .136 percent increase, not a .001 percent increase as reported... More ... State extends deadline for limited exemptions for hay and feed haulers due to drought conditions       RICHMOND ­- At the request of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management authorized motor carrier exemptions to hours worked, More ... School to ask again for 5 percent staff raise By Cynthia B. Colema n • Staf Writer       HOT SPRINGS - Monday, Bath County School Board members wrestled with numbers, and their consciences, as they worked to cut the proposed school budget by $1,022,790, as directed by county supervisors. All board members, plus administrators Dr. David Smith, Sue Hirsh, Paul Lancaster, Justin Rider,... More ... Ag center may come under private ownership BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Though the Allegheny Highlands Agricultural Center Steering Committee had little new to report on the proposed Allegheny Highlands Agricultural Center, negotiations are under way for a land purchase, and a group of private individuals is considering investing and forming a corporate ent... More ... On the agenda       Highland County Board of Supervisors Highland Modular Conference Center Monday, April 21 - 7:30 p.m. Continued meeting ¦ Publich budget Thursday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m. More ... Car salesman asks area residents to fill car with 1,000 pounds of food       STAUNTON - Jimmy Thompson of McDonough Toyota in Staunton is beginning an ongoing food drive to help feed the needy in Bath and Highland counties. The goal is to fill one of his Toyotas with 1,000 pounds of food by the end of the summer. More ... Evangelist Rick Via to be at Living Stones       CLIFTON FORGE - Rick Via of Blue Ridge will preach at Living Stones Ministries beginning Sunday morning, April 20 and continuing through Wednesday night, April 23. Sunday services will be at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Services will start at 7:00. More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       Students at Millboro Elementary School are conducting a fund-raiser, Quarters for a Cure, collecting quarters for the Relay for Life being held on Saturday, May 24, at the school. Students are working toward a goal of $900. Anyone wishing to donate can contact any student or leave quarters in the... More ... Keep moving: Exercise has many benefits Healthy Living By Dr. Kim Bird, Medical Director, Highland Medical Center       You know that exercise is good for your heart, but do you know that exercise can prevent diabetes, strokes, some cancers and help your brain? It's true! People who exercise have a lower rate of heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers (mainly colon, breast, and uterine). More ... Aging council seeks nominations for 'Best Practice'       RICHMOND - The Commonwealth Council on Aging announces the 2008 Best Practices Award program, targeted to organizations serving older Virginians and their families. More ... Work-related stress needs to be recognized, managed       Many people are under pressure to perform well at work. Often, that desire to succeed actually can be beneficialand impart feelings of worth. But when pressure becomes excessive, it can be a catalyst for work-related stress. The definition of work-related stress is very simple: It is stress that ... More ... Bath seniors to visit Amish country in PA       HOT SPRINGS - The Bath Community Senior Center is planning an Amish Country and Lancaster Show trip July 7-9. Twenty-fiveseniors will travel in a restroom- and video-equipped motorcoach with Diamond Tours to Lancaster in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country for three days and two nights. More ... Photos       The Bath Highlands Lioness Lion Club will sponsor the Miss Bath County pageant, with its 2008 slogan as, "Breaking with Tradition," at the Bath County High School on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. More ... On the agenda       The following dates have been approved as revised for budget work of the Bath supervisors and school board. ¦ Thursday, April 17 - 7 p.m. More ...      The parking area at Millboro Elementary School off Church Street is surrounded by the splendor of Bradford pear trees in full bloom right now, a visual delight worth driving by to see. (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) More ...      The Monterey Lions Club donated $10,000 to the Highland County Pool Project Monday. Pictured (l-r) are club president Richard Shamrock presenting the check to Highland County Recreation Commission treasurer Maggie Cavell. Looking on is club treasurer Randy Richardson. (Photo courtesy Monterey Lions ... More ... 'Read Across America' held at MES, VES       HOT SPRINGS - Valley Elementary School recently celebrated "Read Across America Day" with guest readers, costumes, decorations, and writing contests. The school was transformed into "Seusville" in honor of the great author, Dr. Seuss. Community and business leaders shared their favorite stories w... More ... Birth Jake Ryan Boguess       HOT SPRINGS - Shannon Renee Ryder and Alvin Dean Boguess Jr. announce the birth of their son, Jake Ryan Boguess, on Feb. 28, 2008. He weighed seven pounds and six ounces, and was 20 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Leroy and Marguerita Ryder of Warm Springs. More ... Downtown Staunton awash with shopping delights Day Tripping By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       STAUNTON - It's rather amazing, really. While downtowns across America are, sadly, disappearing, Staunton is vibrant and bustling. How did it happen? Rosemary Brady can tell you. She's owned The Golden Tub for decades, and watched the rebirth unfold. More ... Photos      The 50-Plus trio entertained at the WCHS Open House Sunday afternoon, delighting visitors with old standards, and even inviting a singalong. From left are Joanne Woodzell, mandolin; Faye Cauley, guitar; Jackie Plecker, vocals; and Willy Smith, who assisted the ladies with his renowned bass playing. ... More ... Photos      Thurston, the Boston Terrier, watches the action from the window of Design @ Nine, a "She Salon," at 9 E. Beverley Street. Thurston is one of many shop dogs in the downtown area. "Staunton is a very dog-friendly town," says shopowner Rosemary Brady. More ... Highland High School FFA member spotlight       MONTEREY - James Colaw is the son of James and Connie Colaw of Blue Grass. He is a senior at Highland High School. He has been a FFA member for seven years. He is also this year's Highland FFA Chapter Relay for Life team captain. He was asked the following questions about his FFA experience. More ... Green house-building event honors Earth Day       BRANDYWINE, W.Va. - Beginning April 19, Potomac Highlands Partnership Housing, a covenant partner of The Fuller Center for Housing, and Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, will host a one-week event in Pendleton County to demonstrate green building techniques in conjunction with the worldwide cel... More ... Transportation plans take a hit; hearings scheduled       RICHMOND - The Commonwealth of Virginia will host six public hearings across the state in April and May to receive public input on a scaled down program for highway and transit improvements. The nearest hearing in this area will be held on Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Rockingham County ... More ... Photos      At their April 1 meeting, the Bolar Ruritans thanked Bath County Boy Scout Troop 95 (top left), the Bath County 4-H Club (bottom left) and their two student members, Justin Dull and Will Thomas (right), the youngest Bolar Ruritan member, for all their hard work and volunteer assistance during the cl... More ... Shamrock & Stephenson achieves top company rankings       KANSAS CITY, Mo. - United Country-Shamrock & Stephenson Realty of Monterey, Va., was recognized at the United Country Real Estate Training and Awards Convention held Feb. 21-24 in Kansas City, with the Summit Club Award. The award, based on gross commissions for 2007, was presented to fewer than ... More ...      Sylvia Schooler Snead celebrated her 99th birthday on April 27. She lived in Ashwood for 68 years and raised two boys and two girls, Mary, J.C., Helen , and Wayne. More ... Achievement Rachel Miller       VERONA - Rachel Miller recently achieved the rank of black belt in karate. She is a member of American Freestyle Karate under the instruction of Master Jon Bowersox. Miller is the daughter of David and Elaine Miller of Verona, and the granddaughter of Charles and Carolyn Rexrode of Mustoe. More ... Engagement Whitecotton - Sweeney       BLUE GRASS - Larry and Jeanie Whitecotton of Blue Grass announce the engagement of their daughter, Karen Dawn Whitecotton, to Michael Ray Sweeney Jr., son of Donald and Lunora Doyle of Monterey and the late Michael Sweeney. More ... Engagement Stanley - McGlothlin      MILLBORO - Travis Wayne McGlothlin of Millboro and Amanda Gail Stanley of Elkton have announced their engagement. Stanley is the daughter of Tony Grimsley of Shenandoah and Pete and Pat Goode of Stanley. McGlothlin is the son of Kathy Mabry of Millboro and Eddie Mabry of Dayton. Stanley is a graduat... More ...