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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Sara Evans and The Weight Band booked for shows at Harvester
Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mounty has added two shows to its summer schedule.
Country music artist Sara Evans will take the stage on Friday, June 2, at 8 p.m., as part of the Copy That Tour.
Evans is one of the most-played female artists in country radio of the last two decades, with five No. 1 singles including “No Place That Far,” “Suds In The Bucket, “A Real Fine Place To Start,” “Born to Fly,” and “A Little Bit Stronger.”
“Copy That,” opened at No. 1 on the iTunes chart.
Tickets start at $87 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at harvester-music.com.
The Weight Band will perform at the Harvester on Thursday, July 13, at 8 p.m.
Band leader Jim Weider describes the music as the “Woodstock Sound,” tying the album to the ensemble’s origins at the iconic festival. Members of The Weight Band were either actual players in The Band or are connected to its legacy. Weider, a Woodstock native, served as The Band’s lead guitarist from 1985-2000.
Tickets start at $32 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at harvester-music.com.
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New Deputy Forest Supervisor named
Linwood Butler has been selected as Deputy Forest Supervisor for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
Butler has almost four decades of federal government experience. He currently works on the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, serving as district ranger for the Shoal Creek and Talladega Ranger Districts. Butler also served as an administrative officer on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in Columbia, South Carolina.
Butler received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Trident University International in Cypress, California. He is expected to report for duty on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in May.
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General Assembly approves specialty license plate for Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
The General Assembly has approved the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s specialty license plate. Proceeds from sales will support enhancements and programs along the country’s most visited national park.
In 2022, the park welcomed more than 15.7 million visitors. “Unlike many large national parks, the Parkway does not charge an admission fee, making the scenic route more vulnerable to shortfalls in government funding, maintenance backlogs, and building closures,” the foundation said in a statement.
The specialty plate fee is $25, of which $15 will go toward key improvements along the Parkway, including repairs at trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Funding will also support projects such as wildlife studies, historic preservation, and educational programs. A personalized plate is available for $35. The specialty plate is available for vehicles and motorcycles.
The DMV will soon begin the steps to get plates into production. The Foundation will continue to accept preorders for the plate at GetThePlate.org until Friday, March 31. Those who have preordered by that date will be the first group to receive the plate in the mail. Others will have to wait until the plate is listed on the DMV’s website this summer. Production of the plate is estimated to take a few months, so plates will likely begin to arrive in July or August.
To order Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway license plate, visit GetThePlate.org.