Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:

Covid hospitalizations spike at Centra hospitals, straining resources. — Lynchburg News & Advance.

Hospital admissions for covid rising again. — Bristol Herald Courier.

State health and hospital leaders urge those with mild virus symptoms not to go to emergency room. — Virginia Mercury and Chatham Star-Tribune and WSLS-TV and WSET-TV.

Health district leader urges people to reconsider New Year’s plans. — WDBJ-TV.

Virginia Tech men’s basketball game against Pitt on Saturday postponed due to covid. — WSLS-TV.

Attorney General Mark Herring issues opinion saying Henry County is misuing tax revenues meant for schools by using them for debt service rather than construction. — Martinsville Bulletin.

Del. Jim Edmunds, R-Halifax County, assails new redistricting map for splitting Halifax County. — South Boston News & Record.

Two Lynchburg apartment complexes sell for $7 million. — Virginia Business.

Loose Shoe Brewery in Amherst opens second location in Appomattox County. — Appomattox Times-Virginian.

Marion to ring in New Year’s with a Possum Drop (don’t worry, it’s a fake possum) — WCYB-TV.

Mac McClung of Gate City makes his NBA debut, hits jumper for Chicago Bulls in win over Atlanta. — Bristol Herald Courier.