Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Southwest and Southside:

Politics and government:

Mecklenburg County eyes tighter rules for solar farms. — South Boston News & Record.

April 19 hearing set for solar farm in Charlotte County. By size, it would be second-largest east of the Rockies. — South Boston News & Record.

Smyth County charged one resident $884 for Freedom of Information Act request; bill pending before Gov. Glenn Youngkin would prevent that. — Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Former Del. Joseph Yost, R-Giles County, pleads guilty to embezzlement; gets community service. — The Roanoke Times.

Town of Bedford gets new police chief. — Lynchburg News and Advance and WDBJ-TV.

Richland’s vice mayor suddenly resigns from council. — Bristol Herald Courier.

Grayson County renovates former school into health clinic. — Galax Gazette.

Lawsuit filed against VMI alleges school violates Gov. Youngkin’s order against “divisive” teaching. — WSLS-TV.

Economy:

Dominion Energy closes part of solar farm in Greensville County after two fires. — Richmond Times-Dispatch. (Dominion is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy).

Well-known restaurant in Gretna reopens after two-year pandemic closure. — Chatham Star-Tribune.

Danville pasta plant looks to hire 80 workers. — WDBJ-TV.

Plastics manufacturer under construction in Hurt. — Chatham Star-Tribune.

Former Blackstone College building, most recently used as Methodist conference center, will reopen as hotel in August. — Blackstone Courier-Record.

Covid:

Hospitalization rates remain high but infection rates low. — Norton Coalfield Progress.

Ukraine:

Lynchburg man raising money for medical evacuations from Ukraine. — WSET-TV.