INSIDER
Tragic End, New Beginning: Elsie Wiggingtonโs Family Seeks Justice and Peaceโ
Read full article: Tragic End, New Beginning: Elsie Wiggingtonโs Family Seeks Justice and PeaceโElsie Wiggington's family is moving towards closure after her husband was arrested for concealing her body, following the discovery of human remains on their property.
POWER OUTAGES: Hundreds in Central, Southwest Virginia without power due to strong winds
Read full article: POWER OUTAGES: Hundreds in Central, Southwest Virginia without power due to strong windsHundreds of residents across Southwest Virginia are without power Tuesday morning as strong winds continue to move through the state.
Bond denied for man charged in connection with fentanyl incident at Amherst Co. elementary school
Read full article: Bond denied for man charged in connection with fentanyl incident at Amherst Co. elementary schoolA man charged for his role in studentsโ consumption of fentanyl-positive gummies at an Amherst Co. elementary school has been denied bond.
PHOTOS | Matts Creek wildfire in Bedford Co., smoky conditions in surrounding areas
Read full article: PHOTOS | Matts Creek wildfire in Bedford Co., smoky conditions in surrounding areasCrews are still working tirelessly to contain the Matts Creek wildfire in Bedford County. Get a look at smoky conditions in surrounding areas.
Victim, suspect identified in Amherst County homicide, according to Amherst County Sheriffโs Office
Read full article: Victim, suspect identified in Amherst County homicide, according to Amherst County Sheriffโs OfficeDeputies responded to reports of a badly wounded elderly woman on Boxwood Farm Road.
No major injuries reported after crash involving Amherst County school bus
Read full article: No major injuries reported after crash involving Amherst County school busNo major injuries were reported after a crash involving an Amherst County school bus Thursday afternoon, according to school division officials.
โItโs really surrealโ: Amherst business owner wins $5 million prize in Virginia Lottery
Read full article: โItโs really surrealโ: Amherst business owner wins $5 million prize in Virginia LotteryImagine walking into a grocery store and leaving out $5 million richer: thatโs exactly what happened to Amherst business owner Josh Orme.
2023 Sedalia Celtic Festival & Highland Games
Read full article: 2023 Sedalia Celtic Festival & Highland GamesThe Sedalia Center is home to some of the most anticipated annual food and music festivals in southwest Virginia, drawing loyal attendees' year-after-year from the local communities of Big Island and Sedalia, as well as from the cities of Lynchburg, Amherst, Roanoke and Bedford. Saturday March 25th the Celtic Games and Highland Festival comes to the center.
Amherst County leaders hold off on decision to give employees a pay increase
Read full article: Amherst County leaders hold off on decision to give employees a pay increaseLeaders recently discussed salary studies, which compare jobs to other localities, but Amherst County Administrator Dean Rodgers said many positions were not included in the survey, so leaders could not tell if those employees are below market average.
Town of Amherst working to upgrade water treatment plant after recent storm
Read full article: Town of Amherst working to upgrade water treatment plant after recent stormWhen a recent storm ripped across our region, fallen trees and powerlines prevented the Town of Amherst from producing water for two days.
Amherst police officer honored in emotional send-off after more than two decades of service
Read full article: Amherst police officer honored in emotional send-off after more than two decades of serviceThe Amherst Police Department surprised a treasured member of their community with an emotional farewell on Friday.
Amherst Police start No-Shave November early to support holiday toy drive
Read full article: Amherst Police start No-Shave November early to support holiday toy driveFrom Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, members of the department are growing facial hair to support their fourth-annual Toy Drive Operation, which runs during the holidays.
Tornado warning issued for parts of Buena Vista, Nelson, Amherst, Rockbridge and Albemarle counties
Read full article: Tornado warning issued for parts of Buena Vista, Nelson, Amherst, Rockbridge and Albemarle countiesThe National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of Nelson and Albemarle counties.
Award-winning Civil War historian Stephen Oates dies at 85
Read full article: Award-winning Civil War historian Stephen Oates dies at 85Stephen Oates has died after a life that saw him become an award-winning Civil War historian who wrote biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Clara Barton, William Faulkner and others.
WATCH: Amherst softball beats Liberty, Franklin County baseball beats William Byrd
Read full article: WATCH: Amherst softball beats Liberty, Franklin County baseball beats William ByrdOn Tuesday night, Franklin County defeated William Byrd 3-0 in a Blue Ridge District matchup in Vinton. Terriers ace pitcher and Virginia Tech commit Tyler Dean had nine strikeouts in the first 4 innings of play, while Franklin Countyโs Preston Crowl held the Terriers scoreless.
Central Virginia enters Phase 2 as district gets 12K doses per week, tackles preregistration lists
Read full article: Central Virginia enters Phase 2 as district gets 12K doses per week, tackles preregistration listsLynchburg and its surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell are now in Phase Two -- meaning anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccines.
A price tag on trauma? College town weighs Black reparations
Read full article: A price tag on trauma? College town weighs Black reparationsAmherst is on a path toward providing reparations to Black residents for past injustices following the town council's adoption of a resolution calling for the community to become an anti-racist town. President Joe Biden has even expressed support for creating a federal commission to study Black reparations, a proposal that's languished for decades in Congress. Anderson and other Black residents are taking part in virtual conversations this spring to talk about what reparations should look like. Can you put a price tag on trauma?โMiller and Andrews, meanwhile, have looked to Evanston, Illinois as a potential model, inviting a leading alderman from that community to speak with Amherst's Black residents next month. Driver believes the townโs higher education institutions โ UMass Amherst, Amherst College and Hampshire College โ should be part of the solution because of the role they've played in the town's racial divide.
Thousands without power as winter weather hits Southwest, Central Virginia
Read full article: Thousands without power as winter weather hits Southwest, Central VirginiaAEP outages as of 5 p.m.Thousands are without power as Southwest and Central Virginia are experiencing wintry weather. Below are the worst outage areas among the 2,724 Appalachian Power customers in Virginia without power:County/City Customer Outages Pulaski County 1,347 Montgomery County 500 Wythe County 162 Roanoke County 148 Giles County 144 Pittsylvania County 94 Carroll County 28 Smyth County 20 Franklin County 41 Grayson County Fewer than 5Hereโs a breakdown of the Dominion Energy customers in our region without power:Charlotte County: 44Halifax County: 169Alleghany County: 36Danville officials say that 1,200 customers on Memorial Drive, Lanier Avenue, Park Avenue, Bishop Road and across the river on Piedmont Drive are without power. Hereโs a breakdown of the Mecklenburg Electric customers in our region without power:Halifax County: 608Pittsylvania County: 459Hereโs a breakdown of the BARC Electric Cooperative customers in our region without power:AdHighland County: 109Hereโs a breakdown of the Southside Electric Cooperative customers in our region without power:
Police say this man stole 21 copper downspouts stolen from a Lynchburg church
Read full article: Police say this man stole 21 copper downspouts stolen from a Lynchburg churchLYNCHBURG, Va. โ Police have identified a suspect in connection with the thefts of copper downspouts at a church in Lynchburg. Damien Marquis Solomon, 37, of Amherst, has multiple outstanding warrants for grand larceny and obtaining money by false pretense in connection with the 21 stolen downspouts at Fairview Christian Church. ORIGINAL STORYFairview Christian Church on Campbell Avenue. On Saturday, Fairview Christian Church on Campbell Avenue reported the theft of 21 of its copper downspouts. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Stevenson at 434-455-6116 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.
Patterson matches record as No. 24 Buffalo beats Akron 56-7
Read full article: Patterson matches record as No. 24 Buffalo beats Akron 56-724 Buffalo routed Akron 56-7 on Saturday as a tune-up for the Mid-American Conference championship. Patterson scored two touchdowns before halftime, bringing his season totals to 1,025 yards and 18 rushing TDs for the Bulls (5-0). Marks went over 100 yards and scored twice in the first half as Buffalo (5-0) built a 35-0 lead against Akron (1-5). Buffalo: The Bulls are 5-0 for the first time since 1980 when Buffalo was a Division III program. It will be a rematch of the 2008 title game that Buffalo won for its lone conference championship.
Flash Flood Watch canceled early for area that includes Lynchburgโs College Lake Dam
Read full article: Flash Flood Watch canceled early for area that includes Lynchburgโs College Lake DamLYNCHBURG, Va. โ UPDATEThe National Weather Service has canceled a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of Central Virginia that includes Amherst and Campbell counties along Blackwater Creek below College Lake Dam. Dam operators at College Lake Dam on the Blackwater Creek reported that the dam no longer poses a potential flooding threat. The NWS canceled the flash flood watch early; it was originally expected to go until 2 a.m. ORIGINAL STORYThe National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Flash Flood Watch and says that structural concerns have been reported at Lynchburgโs College Lake Dam. The Flash Flood Watch covers parts of Amherst and Campbell counties along Blackwater Creek below College Lake Dam.
84-year-old Amherst man with possible cognitive issues missing
Read full article: 84-year-old Amherst man with possible cognitive issues missingAMHERST, Va. โ The Amherst Police Department is asking for help finding a missing elderly man. Police said Angel Luis Alberio, 84, was last seen leaving Amherst on Friday with his wife in a gray 1993 Ford Conversion Van with Virginia tag 5256BAB. According to authorities, Alberio was located early Saturday morning in Washington DC, and Amherst Police are working with DC Metro Police to find him. Authorities said itโs possible Alberio has cognitive decline. Anyone with information is asked to call the Amherst Police Department at 434-946-9300.
One person at Central Elementary School tests positive for COVID-19
Read full article: One person at Central Elementary School tests positive for COVID-19AMHERST, Va. โ A person at Central Elementary School has been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to Amherst County Public Schools. Officials say the school will remain open at this time and anyone identified as having been potentially exposed to the virus will be contacted by the health department or the school division. The announcement sent on Friday did not disclose if the person is a staff member or student.
One person at Madison Heights Elementary School tests positive for COVID-19
Read full article: One person at Madison Heights Elementary School tests positive for COVID-19AMHERST, Va. โ Amherst County Public Schools announced Wednesday that one person at Madison Heights Elementary School tested positive for coronavirus. The person was on school grounds on Friday and did have direct contact with other members of the community, according to school officials. ACPS announced that Madison Heights Elementary School will remain open despite this case. School officials said that the district has implemented contact tracing procedures with the health department to determine whether or not in-person instruction continues. Anyone who may have been potentially exposed will be contacted by the health department or ACPS.
Bedford, Amherst County students head back to school this week
Read full article: Bedford, Amherst County students head back to school this weekLYNCHBURG, Va. Forest Elementary School teachers and students showed up Tuesday prepared to have a successful first day. Every student came to school with a mask today, which was really nice, said Lorri Manley, principal at Forest Elementary School. Manley said she has 206 students learning in person every day and following social distancing markers on the ground throughout the building. In Amherst County, 60% of students will be back in person for the first time on Wednesday. Amherst County school leaders said middle and high school students will be go to school on a hybrid schedule, while elementary school students will be in the classroom four days a week and learn from home on Fridays.
More than 1,600 Amherst County families opt-in for remote learning
Read full article: More than 1,600 Amherst County families opt-in for remote learningAMHERST, Va. Mondays rain put a damper on Amherst County School leaders plan to hand out Chromebooks to parents and students in a drive-thru. Angelic Yousef and her Pre-K daughter are one of more than 1,600 families who will be doing 100% remote learning this school year. Amherst county students start school next Wednesday and a growing number are opting for 100-percent remote learning. Amherst school leaders said theyve been adding about 75 students to the Amherst Remote Academy every day, with more children in kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as high school juniors and seniors wanting to learn online. School leaders said teachers will be calling soon to introduce themselves and get some contact information.
Amherst County Schools delays reopening schools by two weeks
Read full article: Amherst County Schools delays reopening schools by two weeksAMHERST, Va. Amherst County students will now go back to school after Labor Day, rather than before it. Superintendent Dr. Robert Arnold said the school division needs more time to prepare. In a school board meeting on Thursday night, members voted to have classes start in person on Sept. 9 instead of Aug. 26. Board members also agreed to have teachers begin their planning phase on Aug. 10, rather than Aug. 3. The school board also made it mandatory that all students and staff wear masks on campus.
Amherst County wanting to give $800,000 to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus
Read full article: Amherst County wanting to give $800,000 to help businesses impacted by the coronavirusAMHERST, Va. There are still businesses in Amherst County that are still closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and need help reopening to get back on their feet. County leaders are looking to pump $800,000 into local businesses that meet certain qualifications. Officials with the economic development office said there are two different grants people can apply for. Some business if they qualify, they can actually stack CARES Act money and the Back and Business money. Theres potential that they can get $20,000-$25,000 between the two grants, Victoria Hanson, director, said.
โ10-4, Itโs a python, not a pipe bombโ: 911 call gives Amherst County first responders a slithering surprise
Read full article: โ10-4, Itโs a python, not a pipe bombโ: 911 call gives Amherst County first responders a slithering surpriseAMHERST, Va. โ A 911 call to Early Drive last Tuesday had most of Amherst Countyโs first responders rushing to the scene for what ended up to be a snake slithering up someoneโs window. The original call was for a pipe bomb, hence the huge police and medic response. โ10-4, Itโs a python not a pipe bomb,โ Deputy Reginald Olivier relayed back to dispatch. โIโd rather deal with a boa constrictor than a pipe bomb,โ Olivier said. But a snake... that was really different.โDeputies say the 6 ยฝ foot, 40-pound boa looked really sick.
โWe can not wait for a heroโ: Amherst NAACP leads march, rally for equality
Read full article: โWe can not wait for a heroโ: Amherst NAACP leads march, rally for equalityAMHERST, Va. โ A peaceful protest for civil rights popped up in Amherst Saturday evening. โNo lives matter if Black lives canโt matter, and we have to say Black lives,โ said Amherst NAACP President Gloria Witt. โThey donโt think about us as a young voice. Some say, โoh, youโre so young, you donโt need to be heard.โโBefore the march, county leaders explained what steps they have taken for equality. โAs young people, donโt let anyone tell you that you canโt do what you canโt do,โ Watkins said.
Lynchburg pilot creates cleaner to help area businesses quickly disinfect
Read full article: Lynchburg pilot creates cleaner to help area businesses quickly disinfectOn busy days, staff members like Jacob Mast are working harder to clean in between players. But now that time has been cut down thanks to Lynchburg pilot Kyle Falwell, who is the co-creator of Bon Airosol. Lynchburg pilot Kyle Falwell is the co-creator of Bon Airosol. So, within a couple, 2 to 3 days we had our first solution,โ Falwell said. Falwell says heโs working to get the cleaner approved by the EPA so it can officially be called a disinfectant.
โWe will go down in historyโ: Amherst County graduates experience commencement from their cars
Read full article: โWe will go down in historyโ: Amherst County graduates experience commencement from their carsAMHERST, Va. โ COVID-19 and social distancing meant Amherst County High School had to get creative with its graduation plans. The solution played out on Saturday: A formal commencement, but every graduate stayed in a car with their loved ones. "Weโll do anything for our kids.โSenior class president Zamire Andrews said he worried about how his high school days would end after COVID-19 cut Amherst Countyโs school year short. While the graduates spent most of the ceremony in cars, they did physically walk across the stage. โIโm still a kid from Amherst, and right here, this is just us coming together as a whole family," Andrews said.
VDOT announces Lynchburg District employee tests positive for the coronavirus
Read full article: VDOT announces Lynchburg District employee tests positive for the coronavirusLYNCHBURG, Va. โ A person working in VDOTโs Lynchburg District has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The Lynchburg District contains Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward counties, as well as Danville and Lynchburg. Those who worked with this person have been notified, and any facilities impacted were immediately closed for cleaning and disinfecting according to CDC guidelines, according to Paula Jones with VDOT. Those facilities will reopen only when all protocols are completed.
Eyesore, hazardous home in Amherst County under investigation
Read full article: Eyesore, hazardous home in Amherst County under investigationAMHERST, Va. โ An Amherst County house is a familiar sight and even an eyesore to some who drive along South Amherst Highway. Now, itโs captured the attention of health and environmental officials due to its potentially hazardous conditions. A well-known property, 4171 South Amherst Highway, sits on one of the busiest corridors in Amherst County. County officials say one of the single-family homes is deteriorating and unsafe. The Amherst County Sheriffโs Office says charges are pending in connection with the property.
Amherst County declares war on trash, looking for volunteer to help with new effort
Read full article: Amherst County declares war on trash, looking for volunteer to help with new effortAMHERST, Va. โ Amherst County is declaring a war on trash. County leaders are looking for a volunteer to help lead the effort. Dean Rodgers, county administrator, says this person will help find ways to help encourage people to keep the county clean. County leaders have a preliminary list of ideas to enforce individual responsibility and creating a reward system for people who call in violators. If youโre interested in the position, contact the county administratorโs office at 434-946-9400 or email the county administrator at dcrodgers@countyofamherst.com.
Manufacturing program helps local inmates succeed after jail
Read full article: Manufacturing program helps local inmates succeed after jailAMHERST, Va. - Robert Barnes has been out of jail for three months and is a painter in the Lynchburg area. The program -- created by Blue Ridge Regional Jail, Central Virginia Community College, Virginia Adult Education and Virginia Career Works started -- with women a year ago. "I think all the guys are leaving here feeling more confident about themselves and their abilities to make it out there," Cheri Almond, release program coordinator for Blue Ridge Regional Jail, said. He hopes to get his career started in manufacturing soon. Blue Ridge Regional Jail officials hope to continue this program next year.
Amherst County deputies honored with lifesaving awards
Read full article: Amherst County deputies honored with lifesaving awardsAMHERST, Va. - Five Amherst county deputies received lifesaving awards on Monday. Martin and three others were on the scene of a bad car accident on Route 29 in Amherst. Martin said he arrived on scene first and put a tourniquet on the driver's leg of the Ford pickup truck. Another deputy held the neck of the other driver in the four-door sedan to keep him breathing until paramedics arrived. Micah Stephens was also recognized for bringing a heart attack victim back to life.
Amherst County Public Schools takes unique approach to raise funds, needs local businesses help
Read full article: Amherst County Public Schools takes unique approach to raise funds, needs local businesses helpAMHERST, Va. - The bleachers at Amherst County High Schools fields are empty as it is summer break, but in a few years Amherst County School leaders want their spring athletes and fans to have a much better game experience. The baseball and softball parents came to us with a need and were trying to meet the need. said William Wells, assistant superintendent. Public school leaders want to build a 9,900 square-foot building that will hold locker rooms, a concession stand, practice rooms, batting cages and a bathroom. That's why Amherst County Public Schools officials would like local businesses to help out. School leaders tell 10 News theyve have made a few pitches to some companies in the area but need more.
Amherst County schools create new effort to improve security
Read full article: Amherst County schools create new effort to improve securityAMHERST, Va. - Next month, Amherst County parents coming to pick up their children from school will have to be buzzed in. School leaders said they are in the process of creating a security vestibule in seven schools. In all county schools, the classroom doors will also change. The $100,000 security project includes changing the triple window pane doors to single pane glass doors. But really, its for the safety, security of your child.
$3 million road change coming to Amherst County
Read full article: $3 million road change coming to Amherst CountyAMHERST, Va. - A $3 million road change is coming to Amherst County. Leaders with the Smart Scale program are giving the Virginia Department of Transportation money to fix U.S. 29 and Route 151 on Patrick Henry Highway. To quickly fix the problem VDOT temporarily installed flashing beams to warn incoming traffic of cars sitting in the lane. "So if you wanted to go, for example, coming out of 151 onto 29, you want to go north to Charlottesville that you'd actually go further down south and come back. So you aren't making that direct crossover over onto 29," Paula Jones, Lynchburg District's communications manager, said.
One more arrested in Operation Ice Breaker
Read full article: One more arrested in Operation Ice BreakerAMHERST COUNTY, Va. โ The Amherst County Sheriff's Office announced another arrest as a result of Operation Ice Breaker. Granville Willard Smith IV, 34, of Amherst, is charged with distribution of a Schedule I or II controlled substance. He was taken into custody in Nelson County and was released on bond. The operation is looking to tackle the methamphetamine problem in the region, according to Sheriff E.W.