Noise citation against Starlite Drive-In dismissed

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The court battle over noise concerns at an iconic movie theater in Christiansburg has come to an end. 

On Tuesday, a Montgomery County judge dismissed the case against Starlite Drive-In.

Police ticketed the business for a noise disturbance in May. Owners of the local landmark say they recently had to move away from in-car speakers due to the cost. But people who live nearby complained about the volume of the new sound system.

According to the town ordinance, noise should not be plainly audible from 50 feet away or more.

Attorneys argued that the drive-in was exempt from that because it's part of their operations. 

"I'm excited to let the word be known that we're going to play movies the way they're supposed to be played and spread the word around that come spring, you're going to be able to hear a movie," said Peggy Beasley, owner of Starlite.

Starlite has been a popular spot for the Christiansburg area since 1953.