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Martinsville’s suspended mayor fights petition to remove him in a recall trial by jury, a rarity in Virginia
A jury trial on a petition to remove a public official is unusual in Virginia, but two such cases are currently on commonwealth dockets. One of them, in Martinsville, involves Mayor L.C. Jones, whom a circuit judge suspended pending trial, despite the lack of criminal charges.
Politics
Del. Wren Williams’ wife gives birth on the side of the road en route to hospital
Mom and baby are doing fine, the Patrick County legislator says.
Local
Pittsylvania board, VDOT to hold public hearing on funding for proposed rural road improvements
The VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan is required by the state and updated annually to plan financing for improving secondary roads.
Culture
New historic marker tells the story of Roanoke ophthalmology pioneer Elbyrne Gill
The marker was unveiled Friday across the street from the site of the former Gill Memorial Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat Hospital.
education
Virginia Tech board changed bylaws to allow Rocovich to serve third term as rector; now he oversees presidential search
The board voted last year to allow the Roanoke lawyer, who had served two terms earlier in the century, to serve a third time. He is now in charge of what he says “is the single most important thing a board does” — pick a president.
eCONOMY
Cardinal Commerce Notes: Botetourt business expands safe room offerings, First Piedmont names CEO, plus news from Roanoke, Lynchburg, NRV
Get up to speed on recent business happenings.
OPinion
Election Live: Updates on the redistricting special election
This is where we’ll be updating election news through the day and analyzing the returns after the polls close.
Health Care
Centra will bring hybrid emergency department-urgent care facility to Lynchburg
The new center aims to ease emergency department strain, but research on hybrid care models remains limited.
news briefs
Headlines from across the state: Monroe’s home in limbo, as nation’s 250th birthday nears; more …
From elsewhere: JXN Project unveils rebuilt “founding father” home, highlighting Black history in Richmond. Madison Warner, daughter of Sen. Mark Warner, dies at age 36. Virginia Beach police charge Facebook blogger with violating Oceanfront curfew, highlighting First Amendment concerns.
Sports
‘Martinsville Missile’ sets a new land speed record for a stock car
With a Henry County driver behind the wheel, the car designed and built in Martinsville broke the record of 244.9 mph with a top speed of 253 mph.
WEATHER
Mid-April will feel more like midsummer this week
High temperatures topping 90 in April are uncommon for our region and don’t necessarily portend a hot summer.
Cardinal 250
Who declared for independence first — North Carolina, or this Virginia county?
Cumberland County claims the honor by one day over Charlotte County, and says its resolution was more definitive than an earlier one from North Carolina.
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