Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:
Politics and government:
Blacksburg planning commission recommends affordable housing project on split vote. — The Roanoke Times.
National Butterfly Center in Texas closes indefinitely after threats fro right-wing conspiracy theorists. — San Antonio Express-News. (The candidate challenging Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, for the Republican nomination in the 9th District was recently videotaped in a confrontation at the butterfly center.)
Griffith urges action on fentanyl bill by Feb. 18 — Southwest Times.
Roanoke ranks last among Virginia metros for LGBT-friendly policies. — Roanoke Rambler.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, expects better broadband and infrastructure in Southwest Virignia due to federal funding. — WJHL-TV.
Covid:
Radford University lifts student vaccine requirement. — The Roanoke Times.
Ballad: 97% of patients on ventilators aren’t vaccinated. — WJHL-TV.
Danville school leaders keep masks mandatory. — Chatham Star-Tribune.
Mecklenburg County lifts mask mandate. — The Mecklenburg Sun.
Cases drop but hospitalizations rise in Halifax County. — Halifax Gazette-Virginian.
Economy:
Liberty Trust hotel in downtown Roanoke to open in March. — The Roanoke Times.
Medical marijuana dispensary opens in Christiansburg. — WDBJ-TV and WSLS-TV.
Other:
Eight Dominican boys lured to South Hill by promise of baseball camp that never materialized returned home. — South Boston News and Record.
Roanoke Valley sees rises in hepatitis cases. — WSLS-TV.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner says Amtrak admits mistakes with train stranded north of Lynchburg during snowstorm. — WSET-TV.
Tazewell County Fair to mark 150th anniversary in August. — Bluefield Daily Telegraph