Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:
Economy:
Virginia’s economic growth will slow in 2022, Old Dominion University economists predict. — Virginia Business.
Lawsuit against big solar project in Charlotte County dismissed. — Southside Messenger.
Planning commission tables ordinance that would lift Nottoway County’s ban on solar farms. — Blackstone Courier-Record.
Believe in Bristol program to award $80,000 in grants to entrepreneurs. — WCYB-TV.
Legal:
Fincastle man charged in connection with January 6 Capitol riot. — The Roanoke Times and WSLS-TV.
Pocahontas Correctional Center inmate dies in Roanoke after attack. — Bluefield Daily Telegraph and WVVA-TV.
Church in Lee County burns; investigation underway. — WCYB-TV and WJHL-TV.
Elk illegally killed in Buchanan County; reward offered. — WCYB-TV.
Politics and government:
Roanoke NAACP criticizes Senate’s failure to pass voting rights act. — The Roanoke Times.
Lynchburg mayor rebukes council member after school board meeting. — Lynchburg News & Advance.
Bristol city manager says no state or federal help expected for stinky landfill. — Bristol Herald Courier.
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt County, calls on President Biden to address inflation, violent crime. — WSLS-TV.
Cline discusses Ukraine, inflation, crime. — WSET-TV.
Covid:
Centra reaches all-time high for covid patients. — WSET-TV.
Ballad’s covid hospitalizations hit new record. — WJHL-TV.
Virginia reports 8th child to die of covid. — WSET-TV.
Danville school board to tackle mask rules. — Danville Register & Bee.
School districts in region take different paths on masks. — Martinsville Bulletin.
Student mask rule in Mecklenburg County remains in effect for now. — The Mecklenburg Sun.
Wise County and Norton to comply with governor’s order on masks. — Norton Coalfield Progress.
Other:
Amtrak to conduct formal audit after train stuck on tracks near Lynchburg for hours during snowstorm. — WSET-TV.
Student and teacher at Bath County’s Valley Elementary receive award for lifesaving after helping student who was choking. — WDBJ-TV.