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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Supply chain company to create 20 jobs in Roanoke

A. Duie Pyle (Pyle), a premier provider of asset and non-asset-based supply chain solutions, will establish three cross-dock service centers in the Cities of Manassas, Richmond and Roanoke, creating a total of 75 new jobs in the Commonwealth, according to a release from the governor’s office.

  • Pyle’s Manassas facility located at 10461 Colonel Court will have 30 doors and create 30 new jobs.
  • The Richmond operation located at 3609 East Belt Boulevard will have 50 doors and create 25 new jobs.
  • The Roanoke facility at 3348 Salem Turnpike Northwest will have 16 doors and create 20 new jobs.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Manassas, the City of Richmond, the City of Roanoke, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia.

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Mecklenburg County sells shell building to a biochemical manufacturer; 15 jobs on way

Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors and the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority have announce the sale of the shell building located at 81 Brunswick-Mecklenburg Commerce Blvd., LaCrosse, along with 10.06 total acres to Worthington Biochemical Corporation. 

Worthington Biochemical Corporation will be investing approximately $6,350,000 in this project and will hire 15 full time employees at this location, according to a release from the county.

The shell building was built with grant funds from the Virginia Tobacco Commission along with Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority funds. The shell building was completed in 2017.  

Worthington Biochemical Corporation is privately owned and was founded in 1947. The Corporation is now operated by the third generation of the family. Worthington Biochemical Corporation is an ISO 9001-certified company that is finishing out the shell building to suit their needs. Worthington Biochemical Corporation is a primary manufacturer of high quality enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids and kits for biotech and life science research, diagnostic, pharmaceutical and bioprocessing application.

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Danville schools win USDA nutrition award

The  U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service has recognized Danville Public Schools with a 2022 National Child and Adult Care Food Program Achievement Award.

The school district expanded their food truck meal deliveries to include the At-Risk After School Program with menu items prepared using fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a release from the USDA.  

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Ukraine benefit concert to be held in Danville

Averett University and West Main Baptist Church will co-host a benefit concert for humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Pianists Katya Kramer-Lapin and Vyacheslav Gryaznov will play in the sanctuary at West Main Baptist Church at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20. There is a suggested donation of $25 to attend. Senior citizens, children and students are welcome to donate any amount at the door. All proceeds will be going toward the Red Cross Ukraine.

Parking available at the church or along West Main Street and Mountain View Avenue. Masks are optional. The church is located at 450 West Main Street in Danville. Check out the Facebook link here for more information, https://bit.ly/3IdkbDC or visit Eventbrite to purchase tickets online at https://bit.ly/3t9dpuu.

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UVA Wise names new police chief

Steven “Beau” Boggs

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) has named Steven “Beau” Boggs as Chief of Police for the College. 

Since April 2021, Boggs has served as Interim Chief of Police where he has supervised the day-to-day operations of the police department. He has been a member of the College’s police force since 2008.

Boggs also teaches new officers in the College’s Criminal Justice Academy and serves on the Title IX committee and “Care Team,” as well as the team for threat assessment at UVA Wise.

Prior to his time at UVA Wise, Boggs served as a police officer for the City of Norton and the Town of Big Stone Gap. He also had previous roles as a game warden, conservation police officer and correctional officer. He is a graduate of Mountain Empire Community College, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy. 

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Virginia Tech rescue squad. Courtesy of Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech rescue squad wins award

The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad was recently awarded gold recognition from the National Collegiate EMS Foundation EMS Ready Campus program — one of only three collegiate rescue squads in the U.S. to earn this distinction during the 29th annual National Collegiate EMS Foundation Conference in Pittsburgh.  

EMS Ready Campus consists of three tiers of achievement — bronze, silver, and gold. Each tier builds upon a squad’s previous emergency medical services and management efforts. Previously, Virginia Tech Rescue Squad held silver tier recognition since 2018.

Five squad members were also recognized for delivering life-saving CPR on the Blacksburg campus.

The squad also received the 2022 Community Engagement Program of the Year Award which recognizes efforts by university emergency medical services groups for creative, effective, and innovative programs that bolster community engagement. The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad was one of three collegiate rescue squads in the U.S. to win the Community Engagement Program of the Year award. 

The all-student-run Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, which responds to around 1,200 emergency calls on the Blacksburg campus in a typical year, performs the same functions as a municipal rescue squad.

The squad also provides emergency medical services at major university and athletic events, manages the AED program on the Blacksburg campus, and offers ongoing health- and safety-related training like Stop the Bleed for the university community.

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Burlington store coming to Roanoke County’s Tanglewood Mall

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, will take over the former Stein Mart space at Tanglewood Mall, according to a release from Roanoke County. 

A total of seven new restaurants and three new retail and service businesses have been  announced at the property to date, according to the county.