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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Patrick County Chamber of Commerce to hold Secret Santa program
The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce will be giving away $1,000 each to five Patrick County residents picked at random from a drawing. The funds come from an anonymous donor.
The chamber outlined the rules:
To be eligible for the drawing, employees must have worked for a company, organization, business, or county department or office for at least two years and make $45,000 or less and meet the criteria listed below. Also, with several new businesses opening in the county, some of which have not been in operation for two years, if your business is less than two years old, an employee who has worked for you the majority of the time you have been open is eligible for the bonus if the employee meets the other requirements, which are as follows:
1. Be a Patrick County resident.
2. Have worked for a Patrick County company, organization, business, or county department or office for a minimum of 28 hours per week for two years or, in the case of a new business less than two years old, worked the majority of the time since opening. Also, any active member of a volunteer Patrick County fire department or rescue squad is eligible, regardless of hours worked.
3. Make $45,000 per year or less.
4. No more than 25 entries per company, organization, business, or county department/office.
5. Entries must be submitted using the Google Form by business owners, human resources, or supervisors. Volunteer fire department and rescue squad entries must be submitted by a chief, manager, supervisor or president of the organization. No family or friend nominations.
6. Only one winner per company, organization, business, or county department/office.
7. Business owners are not eligible.
8. Past winners are not eligible.
The validity of all entries will be the responsibility of the company submitting the entry and will not be the obligation of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce to verify. All entries must be received no later than 5:00 pm on December 2, 2022. A random drawing will be held on or before December 5, 2021. Winners will be notified through the company or organization submitting the entry and checks will be delivered during work hours. Those with questions should call the Chamber office at 276-694-6012.
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Roanoke County will hold Christmas tree lighting Dec. 5
Roanoke County will hold its ceremonial Christmas Tree lighting on Monday, December 5 at South County Library.
This year’s theme “Christmas Classics” will feature entertainment, crafts and activities throughout the evening. The event kicks off with a ceremonial tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. and Christmas carols performed by students from Oak Grove Elementary School’s after school program.
Holiday crafts and activities for children and teens will be available including reindeer hats, 3D-printed ornaments and tea light snowman luminaries. Cave Spring High School Jazz Band will be performing holiday songs in the auditorium.
This free event is presented by Roanoke County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in collaboration with South County Library. South County Library is located at 6303 Merriman Rd. For more information, call (540) 387-6078 ext. 0 or visit www.RoanokeCountyParks.com and www.RoCoLibrary.org.
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The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) and the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) recently recognized companies with top safety and reclamation records.
Coal mines without lost time accidents this year were recognized at the MCPA banquet by category. Those with the most working hours in each category were deemed the winner of each category.
Small Underground
Inmet Mining, LLC, D-7 Osaka, 0.00 (18,181 hours)
Small Surface
J.W. Construction Co. Inc., # 1 Mine (22,149 hours)
Extra Energy, Inc., Virginia Point Surface Mine (20,990 hours)
J. W. Construction Co. Inc., Hickory Gap Strip (15,846 hours)
Medium Underground
Capital Coal Corp., No. 11 Mine (47,152 hours)
Ramaco Land Holdings, LLC, Tiller No. 1 Mine (39,933 hours)
Inmet Mining, LLC, D-31 Cut Through (25,304 hours)
Medium Surface
Russell County Reclamation, LLC, Moss # 3 (42,782 hours)
Paramont Contura, LLC, Long Branch High Wall Mine (36,442 hours)
Paramont Contura, LLC, 88 Strip High Wall Mine (35,897 hours)
Ramaco Land Holdings, LLC, Big Creek Surface (34,605 hours)
Clintwood JOD, LLC, #57 Miner (33,478 hours)
Civil, LLC, CV # 1 Surface (30,620 hours)
Inmet Mining, LLC, Pigeon Creek (27,138 hours)
Large Underground
Paramont Contura, LLC, LLC, Deep Mine 41 (913,122 hours)
Large Surface
Paramont Contura, LLC, 88 Strip (184,000 hours)
Surface Mineral Co., Airport Surface (172,464 hours)
Dickenson Russell Contura, LLC, McClure Prep Plant (153,897 hours)
Clintwood JOD, LLC, Laurel Branch Surface (131,190 hours)
Paramont Contura, LLC, 88 Strip 3 Forks (95,000 hours)
Paramont Contura, LLC, 3 Forks HW (64,599 hours)
Paramont Contura, LLC, Long Branch Surface (64,599)
Humphreys Enterprises, Inc., #26 Strip (57,800 hours)
The coal industry was also recognized for environmental excellence in various categories. Winners were also recognized at the MCPA banquet.
Best Reclaimed Highwall– Ramaco Resources Land Holdings, LLC, Mudlick Highwall Permit
Best Active Preparation Plant- The Black Diamond Company, Wellmore #8 Preparation Plant
Best Active Refuse Fill- Ramaco Resources Land Holdings, LLC, Jamison Creek Impoundment
Best Active Refuse Impoundment– Paramont Contura, LLC., Toms Creek Impoundment
Best Active Underground Mine– Buchanan Minerals, LLC, Buchanan Mine #1
Best Completed Underground Mine- Paramont Contura, LLC, Toms Creek
Best Active Surface Mine– Red River Coal Company, Inc.
Best Abandoned Mine Land Enhancement Project- Savage Services Corporation, Clinchco Gob Removal