Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.

* * *

RAM seeeks volunteers for May 21-22 clinic in Washington County

Remote Area Medical, or RAM – a major nonprofit provider of popup clinics delivering free dental, vision and medical care to those in need – is seeking volunteer medical, dental and  vision professionals and general support staff for its May 21-22 clinic.

The two-day clinic is to be held at Emory & Henry College. This clinic is in collaboration with Emory & Henry and its School of Health Sciences. 

RAM also needs interpreters and general support volunteers to help with set-up and take-down. To volunteer, visit www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530. 

All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Services available at the RAM free clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental x-rays, eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women’s health exams, flu shots and general medical exams. Free take-home colon cancer screening test kits will also be available.

* * *

UVa-Wise invites college-bound high school students to Prospective Student Day

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise invites all high school students and their families to attend its upcoming Prospective Student Day on April 16. The day’s events begin at 9:30 a.m. in Cantrell Hall.

Participants can learn about admissions and financial aid, take a tour featuring the highlights of the college’s 396-acre campus, and enjoy a tailgating-themed lunch in Smith Dining Commons. Following lunch, students can participate in intramurals and other activities on Henson Lawn, which will be facilitated by UVa-Wise’s Student Recreation team. 

Lastly, attendees are invited to cheer on the Highland Cavaliers in one of two NCAA Division II athletic matchups. They can choose to watch the UVa-Wise women’s lacrosse team as they take on Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina, in a South Atlantic Conference matchup at Carl Smith Stadium. Or, they can view the UVa-Wise men’s baseball team face Limestone University of Gaffney, South Carolina, in a South Atlantic Conference double-header matchup at Burchell Stallard Field.

Registration is encouraged: www.uvawise.edu/prospective-student-day. Please direct questions to 276-328-0102 or admissions@uvawise.edu. Parking is available in the college’s McCraray parking lot. 

* * *

Wytheville Community College presents play April 1-2, 8-9

Wytheville Community College presents the comedy “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten April 1, 2, 8 and 9.

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Snyder Auditorium of Grayson Hall on the WCC Wytheville campus. Ticket prices are $8 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens and students (any age, any school), and free for WCC students with ID. 

Tickets will be available at the box office in the Johnson Lobby (adjacent to the Snyder Auditorium), which opens 30 minutes before each performance. Tickets may also be reserved by calling 276-223-4795 or emailing wcctheatre@wcc.vccs.edu. For additional information or questions about this performance, please check the WCC Theatre Facebook page.

* * *

Friendship Health and Rehab Center in Roanoke wins award

Friendship Health and Rehab Center South in Roanoke has been named an Outstanding Organization by the Near Southwest Preparedness Alliance for its participation and performance in a recent simulated flooding exercise. FHRC South served as the disaster-struck facility as part of the drill organized by NSPA. The scenario utilized was a flooding event where a full evacuation of residents needed to occur. FHRC South found 34 facilities that agreed to accept residents from their facility. Collectively, the disaster-struck facility and receiving facility identified 131 vehicle seats, 32 wheelchair seats and 13 ambulances to assist with transportation. This does not include Friendship’s own resources.

* * *

Forest Service sets prescribed burn in Wise County

The U.S. Forest Service will conduct a prescribed burn today in Wise County.

Location: A portion of the control lines around the Cable Gap burn unit will be burned in preparation for burning the larger unit later this spring. The unit is located three miles northeast of Pound, VA, 2.7 miles Southeast of Jenkins, KY and approximately 1.8 miles southwest of Gaskins and Burdine, KY. 

Date and Time: Forest Service fire specialists will conduct the burn on Monday, March 21, if weather conditions permit. The ignition-phase will be concluded before the end of the day. 

Purpose: This fire will burn a 200-foot wide perimeter across the ridgetop of the larger burn unit which will act as a safety control line during the prescribed burn later this spring. Damp conditions and forecasted rain will extinguish the fire.  

Additional Information and Road/Trail Closures: Pine Mountain Trail and any connecting trails will be closed. For your safety, please follow posted signs and trail closures when they occur. The controlled burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in Wise and Letcher counties. Depending on wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke.

For the most up-to-date information visit  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7945/ and follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GWJNF and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWJNF