Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Liberty professors to take part in $2 million grant to expand local drug treatment services
Liberty University School of Behavioral Sciences professors Dr. Fred Volk and Dr. Brian Kelley have partnered with Horizon Behavioral Health on a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice,to help more members of the local community recover from substance use disorders.
Volk (co-principal investigator and evaluator) and Kelley (evaluator) will provide their feedback and guidance for the four-year grant to expand the services of Lynchburg’s Adult Drug Court (ADC), according to a release from Liberty. The treatment court allows those who plead guilty to drug offenses to agree to a closely monitored, long-term regimen of check-ins and therapy facilitated by the court and other partners in the community, all as an alternative to serving jail time.
“The treatment court has been in place for several years, but because of funding it had really reached capacity and could not grow,” said Horizon Program Manager and co-principal investigator Jennifer Smith Ramey in a statement. “We know from the community assessment data from the Virginia Department of Health that we’ve had huge increases in overdose deaths and substance use, and that has only been exacerbated since COVID. When we found this opportunity, we knew it was a great fit for not only Horizon’s mission but for the community’s need most importantly.”
The ADC is currently at capacity with 10 individuals, but the grant will allow for 15 more in each of the four years. The court will hire additional staff, a full-time clinician to provide the evidence-based substance use treatment, a case manager to monitor and coordinate services for clients’ needs, and a peer recovery specialist. Transportation for clients to and from the ADC will also be supported with these funds.
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Patrick & Henry adds board members
Patrick & Henry Community College has added three board members: Clyde DeLoach, Brandon Scott, and Jewell Drewery. These members were appointed by their respective localities to fill vacancies that arose last year.
A resident of Stuart, Virginia, DeLoach was appointed to the college board by Patrick County for a four-year term to serve the remainder of the term vacated by Wren Williams, who was elected to the House of Delegates. DeLoach has had a varied career having worked as a Respiratory Therapist for 15 years before getting his Ph. D from Baylor University, and he has been a Methodist Minister for 27 years, serving most recently at Stuart United Methodist Church until 2007. He is now retired and currently serves on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors as the Chair of the Blue Ridge District.
Brandon Scott who lives and works in Rocky Mount was appointed by Franklin County to serve the remaining term vacated by Bill O’Brien. Scott has been working at Earth Environmental and Civil as a Professional Civil Engineer for more than 15 years.
Jewell Drewery has recently returned to the Martinsville area after living and working in Charlotte, N.C. as a Senior Account Executive in Sales. Upon her return to Martinsville, Drewery began a new career as a Realtor with Rives S. Brown. Drewery was appointed to the college board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Dennis Casey.
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Goodwill adds board members
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys announced four new board members and new board officers. This brings the number of board members to 19.
Matthew Churchill from Wells Fargo continues as the Board Chair for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. Aaron Boush, Carilion Clinic, is now the Vice Chair and most recently was the board’s Treasurer. John Wood, retired from Vistar Eye Center, continues his role as Secretary. Angelia Vernon, City of Roanoke, will now be the Treasurer.
The new board members began their three-year terms with Goodwill effective January 1, 2022 and can serve a maximum of two terms. The four new board members are:
- Melissa Lubin, Dean of the School of Professional & Continuing Education and Chief Economic Engagement Officer at James Madison University
- John Provo, Director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Economic & Community Engagement
- Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Member of Roanoke City Council
- Sam Worthington, President of the Roanoke Region of Newspapers for Lee Enterprises
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Forest Service sets prescribed burns
The USDA Forest will begin conducting spring season prescribed burns in Bath and Alleghany Counties as early as February. Prescribed burns improve wildlife habitat by restoring open woodlands and grasslands to the forest landscape. Safety is the Forest Service’s top priority, and Forest fire managers will conduct prescribed burns in the following areas only under appropriate weather conditions:
The 1,800-acre Fore Mountain burn area is located six miles northwest of Clifton Forge. Fore Mountain Trail (Forest Trail 473), Dolly Anne Road (Forest Road 125), White Oak Flat Road (Forest Road 337) and State Route 606 may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn may have lingering smoke effects in the Clifton Forge area and along the I-64 corridor.
The 1,150-acre Tri-County burn area located in Longdale Furnace, is one tenth of a mile southeast of I-64. The burn area runs directly adjacent to Green Pastures Recreation Area. Portions of North Mountain Trail (Forest Trail 467), Yaccrs Run Trail (Forest Trail 658) and Tri County Road (Forest Road 271) may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Longdale Furnace area and along the I-64 corridor.
The 500-acre Spice Run burn area is located ten miles south of Covington in the Children’s Forest area of Alleghany County. Children’s Forest Loop Trail (Forest Trail 627), Children’s Forest Horse Trail (Forest Trail 628), Potts Mountain Road (Forest Road 351) and Tucker Road (Forest Road 351C) may be temporarily closed.
The 517-acre Morris Hill burn area, located ten miles north of Covington, includes the Morris Hill Campground at Lake Moomaw. The Fortney Loop Trail (Forest Trail 418), State Route 600, State Route 605 and the Morris Hill Campground may be temporarily closed.
The 124-acre Coles Point burn area, located ten miles north of Covington, contains the Coles Point Recreation Area at Lake Moomaw. The entire recreation area, Cole Trail (Forest Trail 425), Kelly Bridge Trail (Forest Trail 462) and State Route 605 may be temporarily closed.
The 60-acre Evans Tact burn area is located three miles southeast of Clifton Forge along the banks of the Cowpasture River. Robinson Road (Forest Road 3024) may be temporarily closed.
The 74-acre Walton Tract burn area is located five miles Southwest of Millboro Springs and ten miles Northeast of Clifton Forge. The Beards Mountain Spur Trail (459A), Watson Road (Forest Road 637), Upper Boat Launch Road (Forest Road 637G) and Crizers Gap Road (State Route 632) may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Nimrod Hall area and along the Cowpasture River Highway (State Route 42) corridor.
The 344-acre Coffee Pot burn area is located one mile Southwest of Millboro Springs and seven miles West of Goshen. The Coffee Pot Road (Forest Road 462) may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Millboro Springs area and along the State Route 42 and State Route 39 corridors.
The 1,195-acre Porters Mill burn area is located four miles southeast of Hot Springs and four miles north of Douthat State Park. The Salt Pond Ridge Trail (Forest Trail 620), Brushy Ridge Rd (Forest Road 1901), and Limekiln Road (Forest Road 194) may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Millboro Springs area and along the State Route 42 and State Route 39 corridors.
The 6,060-acre Big Wilson burn area is located two miles southeast of Hot Springs. Brushy Ridge Trail (Forest Trail 456), Little Mare Mountain Trail (Forest Trail 714), Lick Block Trail (Forest Trail 461), Sandy Gap Trail (Forest Trail 637), Brushy Ridge Rd (Forest Road 1901), Dolly Anne Rd (Forest Road 125), State Route 703 and the Homestead Skyline Drive Road may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Hot Springs area, the Ingalls Field Airport and along the State Route 39, State Route 629 and U.S. Route 220 corridors.
The 2,250-acre Jackson River burn area located four miles north of Warm Springs is within the Hidden Valley Recreation Area and along the Jackson River. The Jackson River Gorge Trail (Forest Trail 481D), Hidden Valley Trail (Forest Trail 481), and Hidden Valley Road (Forest Road 241) may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Burnsville, Williamsville and Monterey areas and along the U.S. Route 220 corridor.
Smaller units within the 2,944-acre Hidden Valley burn area may be burned this winter and spring. The grass fields are located three miles north of Warm Springs and total 62 acres. The Cobbler Mountain Trail (Forest Trail 611), Neal Run Trail (Forest Trail 619), Jackson River Gorge Trail (Forest Trail 481D), Hidden Valley Trails, and Forest Road 241 may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn may have lingering smoke effects in the U.S. Route 220 and State Route 39 corridors.
The Forest Service advises: “For your safety, please follow posted signs and closures when they occur. Depending on wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke on the day of the burn.”