Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Clinch River State Park expands in Russell County
Clinch River State Park has added 457 acres in Russell County, an expansion that will provide new public access to the river.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has acquired a cluster of five parcels along 2.5 miles of the Clinch River connecting to the town of Cleveland, according to a news release from the department.
The largest of the new tracts, 435 acres known as the Owens Preserve, was previously owned by The Nature Conservancy. In 2001, the nonprofit organization donated an open-space easement and dedication of the property to DCR as an addition to Cleveland Barrens Natural Area Preserve, the release said. DCR secured total ownership of the property this month.
The site features more than 4,000 feet of river frontage and spring-fed streams, one of which forms a waterfall that flows into the Clinch.
Clinch River is Virginia’s first “blueway” state park, or recreational water trail system.
Under the master plan for the park, the first improvements will include an entrance road, trails, ranger station and maintenance yard. Currently, this property is closed to the public, the release said.
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Radford names commencement speakers
Radford University announced Mark Pace and Amanda Cox as keynote speakers during its spring commencement ceremonies, which will be held May 3 and 4.
Pace, a 1992 Radford alumnus, is president and owner of E.C. Pace Co. Inc., a heavy highway utility company based in Roanoke. He also has served as a member and vice rector on the Radford University Board of Visitors. He will deliver the keynote address at the university’s undergraduate ceremony.
Cox, who received an MBA from Radford in 2021, is external affairs manager at Appalachian Power Co. She previously served as president and CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and its Partnership for Economic Growth. She will deliver the keynote address during the graduate hooding ceremony.
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Bristol Rhythm & Roots announces full lineup
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has announced the full lineup for this year’s festival, which runs Sept. 13-15.
Acts including Hippies and Cowboys, Laid Back Country Picker, Sam Grisman Project, The Resonant Rogues, Junior Sisk and Justin Golden have been added to the list of performers. The festival last month announced its headliners, including 49 Winchester, Ashley McBryde and The Wallflowers.
A full list of acts is online, as is ticket information.