Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Stand-off ends in suicide Man burns down home, fires at officers By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WILLIAMSVILLE - A dramatic stand-off between disturbed gunman and law enforcement and other emergency personnel came to a tragic end Tuesday, near this bucolic little outpost in northeastern Bath County. When it ended, the gunman, Donald R. More ... Sheriff arrests one in Monterey vandalism case BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - The Highland County Sheriff's Officearrested Timothy Olen Armstrong of Doe Hill April 21 for intentional destruction of private property and petit larceny related to a rash of vandalism that occurred in Monterey Sunday night, March 30. At least 14 businesses and residences were damaged... More ... Former magistrate will serve no prison time By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - Nearly a dozen supporters showed up in Bath County Circuit Court last Friday for the sentencing of Cristina Stinespring, formerly of Bacova. Stinespring, 56, was convicted earlier this year of four felony counts of embezzlement. Judge Humes Franklin heard the case Sept. 7; after t... More ... 17 indictments handed down from Bath special grand jury By Margo Oxendine • Staff Writer       WARM SPRINGS - A special grand jury convened in Bath County Circuit Court last week. The seven-person panel handed down 17 indictments. Eight of those indictments were for Ronald Lee Morris and Mark Wayne Shifflett.The two were arrested April 4, after an eight-county burglary spree. More ... Three farmers criticize Highland tax increase BY JAMES JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Forty-three chairs were arranged in rows and columns in the back of the room during the public hearing at the Highland Modular Conference Center Monday night, but only four people sat in them. Twelve chairs were evenly spaced about the "U" shaped assembly of folding tables at the front... More ... HHS principal search narrowed to one       MONTEREY - Highland County Public Schools superintendent Gary Blair said his search for a principal to replace retiring Highland High School Randy Hooke has narrowed to one choice. He wouldn't reveal who that was until he's had a chance to run it past the school board and get their approval. Blai... More ... County ready to talk over school budget By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff writer       WARM SPRINGS The Bath County Board of Supervisors met for a public hearing on the county's school budget Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and, for once, had an early night of it. The purpose of the hearing was to hear comments from citizens regarding the advertised school budget. All supervisors were... More ... Strait Creek water quality questioned By: James Jacenich • Staff writer       MONTEREY - The state is conducting a study of West Strait Creek and Strait Creek to determine level of impairment. Dr. Robert N. Brent of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality told a group of Highland residents at a public hearing Tuesday that a "Total Maximum Daily Load" study began in Feb... More ... Tender Hearts Quilts reopens after accident By Gina Hamilton • Contributing Writer       MILLBORO - There's a feeling of gentleness, of quiet times spent around a sewing table, in Cheryl Thompson's shop, Tender Heart Quilts, much like the quiet demeanor of the woman herself. On Tuesday, she was pleased to welcome customers back into the building, which had been closed since March 5,... More ...      Starr Bolar United Methodist Church sponsored a benefit hymn sing on Sunday, April 20. More than 50 members from the Bolar community enjoyed music provided by the Donnie Liptrap family, Mountain Top Gospel, and Jed Thomas. Tammy Hicklin presented the love offering donation that was collected to the ... More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       n A fund-raiser is continuing at Millboro Elementary School as students try to collect $900 worth of quarters for the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life in Bath County, which will be held on Saturday, May 24, at the school. Donations for Quarters for a Cure can be made by contacting a... More ... Yip, yip hooray for Pet Set Salon About Your Pets By Margo Oxendine, Staff Writer       ASHWOOD - Bath County dogs have something wonderful to wag about: The Pet Set Salon. Judy Maliwauki opened her doors in Ashwood six weeks ago. Her first client, a precious powder-puff of a Maltese named Sadie Shifflett,is now a regular, as are a growing number of other beloved doggie darlings. More ... Cross-continental runner passes through Highland BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Elena Helmerick, 23, is running across America. She's running in support of local, natural foods, sustainable agriculture, and to encourage others to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. She's running to discover America, its farms and country roads, its people and their passions. More ... Arrest made in theft case       WARM SPRINGS - On April 9, 2008, Aaron Jacob Samuel Hanshew was arrested on four counts of petit larceny by Major R.D. Chestnut of the Bath County Sheriff's Office. These charges all stem from larcenies from vehicles in the past two months. The first was on Triple Pine Lane in Hot Springs where a... More ... Blood drive takes volunteer effort       HOT SPRINGS - Bath County Jackson River Red Cross held its second blood drive; it was spirited but slightly off its selected goal of 50 units or pints. Some 38 people took time from their busy schedules to wait the 30 minutes it took to register. With only three deferrals, 39 whole units were co... More ...      Twelve students gathered at The Highland Center on Monday, April 21, for a hands-on QuickBooks class, taught by Henry Reeves, Small Business Development Center counselor at James Madison University. The Valley SBDC has been partnering with the accounting firmof PBGH, LLP to bring QuickBooks classes ... More ... Engagement Simonson - Griffin       EULESS, Texas - Andreé Christina Simonson of Euless, Texas and Julian Mark Griffin of Harrisonburg, Va. announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. More ... A foolishly wonderful spring evening By Cynthia B. Coleman • Staff writer       The auditorium was dark, lit only by an image projected on the east wall near the stage, an image of white, yellow and green, a likeness of the evening's program, "It Might As Well Be Spring … Follies." When the doors opened, the audience filed in with hushed excitement, filling in 150 seats at th... More ... Covington man loses weight to gain money BY JAME S JACENI CH • STAFF WRITER       FALLING SPRIGNS- Earl Broughfman of Falling Spring lost 125 pounds and won $250,000 through a Million Dollar Body online workout program. "You just log in, work out, and win money," said Broughfman. "It's free and you can win up to $1,000 a day. More ...      Jensen Ford, a fourth-grader at Valley Elementary School, caught this eight-pound large mouth bass on April 20 while fishing with her father. It is her biggest bass to date. Jensen is the daughter of Jay and Kim Ford of Hot Springs and the granddaughter of Tommy and Patsy Ford and Terry and Carol Su... More ... Old Millboro school group considers options By Gina Hamilton • Contributing Writer       MILLBORO - The residents' group seeking to develop its own plan for the old Millboro school property is wasting no time in that effort, holding meetings again on Thursday, April 17, this past Sunday and Tuesday. More ... Young and old alike enjoy family movie night       MONTEREY - They came from all around the county for a showing of "Bee Movie" (recently released on DVD) at the first ever Family Movie Night at the Highland County Public Library. Moms, dads, toddlers, elementary school students, middle school students and senior citizens snacked on popcorn, pota... More ... Retirees, disabled vets still can filefor stimulus payments       RICHMOND - Even though April 15 has passed, the Internal Revenue Service reminds retirees, disabled veterans and others who normally do not filea tax return that there is still time to submit a 2007 form to receive an economic stimulus payment. More ... Correction       Two Bath County High School 10th grade honor roll students' names were incorrectly listed in last week's paper as Drew and Ryan Newcomer. The correct names are Drew and Ryan Newmarker. More ... Photos      Richard Hicks of Mustoe and Chris Hicks of Staunton found 551 black morel mushrooms on Tuesday, April 22. (Below) Some of the morels were bigger than a onedollar bill. As of Tuesday the Hicks family has found 1,403 morels and are eagerly waiting for white morels to push through the leaves. (Recorder... More ... May is National Home Improvement Month       DESPLAINES, ILL. - It's that time of year again - a time for fresh ideas, new beginnings, and home remodeling. The season also marks the time when homeowners across the country seek out contractors who can turn their dream homes into reality through the process of remodeling. More ... Choose the right flooring       Choosing new floors for your home can be a daunting task. To help make the process a little less confusing, consider this advice: Think about the room's use. Is it a family room that gets a lot of traffic? A laminate floor would be a good choice here. They're made to look like wood, stone or slat... More ... Wallpaper removal is painless, easy       Grown tired of your wallpaper? If you've ever tried stripping wallpaper using a homemade vinegar-and-water solution - or a heavy commercial steamer ­- you know what a tedious, unpleasant and time-consuming task it can be. More ... The scrub-free way to a mildew free house       Mold and mildew can make the exterior of your home look dirty, unattractive and rob it of its curb appeal. If left unchecked, it can also damage paint, wood, roofs and siding. More ... Arm yourself against ants, indoor and outdoor       Spring has finally sprung, and people across the country are gearing up for a season of outdoor fun. Whether you're picnicking, barbecuing or simply soaking up some rays, nothing crashes a party like an army of ants. However, with the proper tools, getting rid of ants is safe, easy and effective, ... More ... Highland High School drama club presents musical montage       MONTEREY - The Highland High School drama club performed in front of a packed audience of middle and high school students on Thursday afternoon, April 10. Five members performed four one-acts, which included a poetry reading and an improvised musical montage. More ... Girl Scouts enjoy old-fashioned sock hop      Area Girl Scouts participated in a 1950s themed sock hop at the Highland Methodist Church April 11. Top left, (l-r) are Anna Armstrong, Sophie Hevener, Hannah Newlen, Haleigh Deem, Courtney Hoover, and in back Whitney Hunt. Top right: Bethany Hoover and Monica Roberson await their orders of burgers,... More ... Wal-Mart, driver's education teams up for safety      Jeff Knittel, safety manager for Wal-Mart Transportation, says the driver on the right can't see the truck on the left through the rear-view mirrors. Knittel's team of safety instructors provides training throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and southern Pennsyvlania in an attempt to show st... More ...      First year art student Laura Schneider stands beside her recently completed "Starry Night" acrylic mural, which was originally painted by Vincent van Gogh. The mural was painted in the recently renovated Bath County High School Guidance Department officeof Heather DeBoe on a section of an unused bul... More ... Society chapter learns about bricks       MONTEREY - Thick as a brick. Down like a ton of bricks. Hit a brick wall. You're a brick. All of these idioms use the deceptively simple clay brick to illustrate strength. Brick structures in early Virginia, as elsewhere in the world, have always been regarded as strong, impressive creations. More ... Fish Kill Task Force co-chair to speak May 3       CLIFTON FORGE - While spring is usually a time of great anticipation about upcoming activities on the Cowpasture River, this year anticipation has been replaced by apprehension about another fishkill in these waters. The Cowpasture River suffered its first expansive fishkills during spring and e... More ... Learn to make silver jewelry this summer       MONTEREY - It's an alchemist's dream come true: ordinary looking clay that transforms into pure silver. It may sound like science fiction, but in reality it's an amazing material know as Precious Metal Clay, or PMC, and it has revolutionized the art and jewelrymaking industry. More ... FFA spot light: Justin Neil       MONTEREY - Justin Neil is a senior at Highland High School. He is the son of Ginny and Joe Neil of Doe Hill. Justin has been a member of the Highland Future Farmers of America chapter for seven years. This year Justin earned his Virginia State FFA degree. More ... Highland FFA receives top honors       MONTEREY - As students of Highland High School bring their school year to an end, members of the Highland FFA Chapter are busy competing in Career Development Events. More ... New business opens on Muddy Run       HOT SPRINGS - Edwards Forestry Services' new officeis now open in Bath County, at 4333 Muddy Run Road (Route 614). Operating as Larry Edwards, Consulting Forester since January 2000, from his Augusta County officein Greenville, Edwards is now extending his forestry services to Bath and Highland ... More ... BCHS FCCLA attends leadership conference       HOT SPRINGS - Three members of the Bath County High School chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, recently attended the State Leadership and Recognition Conference in Virginia Beach. More ... Highlander brings home a gold medal       MONTEREY - Morgan Kelly, daughter of Bob and Sylvia Kelly of Monterey, won a gold medal for her display and portfolio, a Baltimore International College scholarship for $5,000, and a first place trophy for her division-career portfolio and work sample at the Virginia Family, More ...