Here’s a round-up of briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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We have more armadillo news. No, we don’t have any new sightings, not since the New Year’s Day sighting of an armadillo scampering through a near in Montgomery County. (We have a photo here.)
Scientists with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Virginia Museum of Natural History say there’s no evidence yet that armadillos have established themselves in the state; these reports so far are described as “wayward males,” which sounds like something from a country song. There are no reports – yet – of a breeding colony, although scientists fully expect that to come. Armadillos are already well-established in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Nonetheless, there have been enough sightings for Donald Linzey of Virginia Tech’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation to include armadillos in a new edition of his book, “The Mammals of Virginia.” It came out in October through McDonald & Woodward Publishers, so was in the works before the recent round of sightings – the Wise County waddler in late September and a Roanoke sighting in August that wasn’t reported until November.
Linzey said there’d been enough sightings before then to warrant the armadillo being listed as one of the 122 species of mammals that occur in Virginia.
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Paid internship, scholarship available for students in Danville, Pittsylvania, Halifax
The Global Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS) announces a paid internship with accompanying scholarship for a rising Junior at Virginia Tech. The scholarship has been developed in collaboration with Virginia Tech’s chapter of Women in Transportation International. Students whose primary residence is in Danville, Pittsylvania County, or Halifax County may apply.
This opportunity is for either a Junior-level community college transfer student or Junior-level Virginia Tech student and who is majoring in Engineering, IT/Computer Science, Physics, Math, or Business at Virginia Tech. Other degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The awardee will receive a $5000 scholarship for the Junior year, which will be divided between the Fall and Spring semesters. Additionally, the awardee will intern for GCAPS in the summer before the Junior year, and will work on a project matching the awardee’s skills and abilities. The internship is a paid position.
GCAPS, a VT Transportation Institute affiliate, is a research and engineering services provider for the mobility industry.
To learn more about GCAPS, go to https://www.gcaps.net/.
To apply for the GCAPS internship and scholarship opportunity, go to https://www.gcaps.net/internship-scholarship/
Applications are due March 1, 2022 and the awardee will be announced April 1, 2022 following an interview of the finalists.
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Liberty University School of Law offers free tax assistance
Liberty University School of Law will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance services free for qualifying individuals from Feb. 15-March 5 (Tues./Thurs./Sat.) at the Liberty Mountain Conference Center. To qualify for the free service, the income of the taxpayer (or the income of both spouses if filing jointly) may not exceed $54,000. No appointment is necessary; the service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Returns from previous years and international student tax returns cannot be filed. Both spouses must be present if married and filing jointly.
Dates and Times:
Feb. 15, 22, March 1 – 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Feb. 17, 24, March 3 – 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Feb. 19, 26, March 5 – 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: Liberty Mountain Conference Center, in the Candlers Station Shopping Center on Candlers Mountain Road
What to Bring:
- Proof of identification (photo ID)
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and dependents
- Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return
- Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
- Proof of bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit (blank check)
- If applicable, the total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number (social security number or business Employer Identification Number)
- Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements
- Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable
For more questions or additional information, please call (434) 592-5300.
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Danville Community College begins 8-week classes on March 14
On March 14, Danville Community College will begin its second 8-week course offerings for students who wish to complete their courses faster, or for those who may have missed the January deadline for 16-week spring semester classes.
“We want to give our students every opportunity to complete their degree or program their way,” said Dr. Muriel Mickles, interim president at Danville Community College in a statement. “We know that traditional 16-week courses are not for everyone. By offering shorter classes mid-way through the spring semester, we add an extra layer of flexibility for our students to get the courses they need, in a way that best suits their lifestyle.”
A variety of 8-week classes will be offered, with an emphasis on core classes that students need for most programs.
If you or someone you know are interested in applying or attending second 8-week courses at DCC, visit danville.edu/nextsteps and fill out the form.
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