Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
LewisGale Hospital Alleghany adds new imaging equipment
LewisGale Hospital Alleghany recently unveiled its new Nuclear Medicine SPECT CT equipment at its Low Moor campus. The testing can help better evaluate and diagnose Parkinson’s disease, thyroid, and parathyroid hyper/hypo activity studies, cardiac stress, skeletal imaging, gastrointestinal imaging, among others, according to a release from the hospital.
This new technology combines a Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) with a traditional Nuclear Medicine Scan. The result is a test that shows the function of the organ system (NM) combined with the detailed anatomy of the body (CT). This aids clinicians in diagnosing certain conditions and overseeing treatment plans.
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Portion of Blackwater Creek Trail in Lynchburg closed
Beginning Monday, April 24, and continuing through Wednesday, May 24, the Blackwater Creek Trail will be closed from the footbridge at Point of Honor Trail to the four-way intersection west of Hollins Mill Tunnel (MM 3 to just beyond MM 2) to allow vital ground testing for a major city infrastructure project. (This section will be open for Memorial Day.)
During this time, the Point of Honor Trail section, which is currently closed, will be temporarily opened for trail users to bypass the closed section of Blackwater Creek Trail. This section will be accessed via the footbridge. Point of Honor Trail reconnects with Blackwater Creek Trail at the four-way intersection behind Hollins Mill Park, near the tunnel.
As a reminder, the Randolph Street parking lot and Beaver Trail remain closed as these areas are still actively impacted by construction. There will be signage posted at major entrances near the area, and flagging personnel and barricades will be in place to protect the public and workers.
The City of Lynchburg reminds trail users not to trespass into any area marked for construction and/or blocked with barricades and/or gates. Trail users are asked to please use alternate trails and routes when areas are closed. Signage is posted along the Trail and on Randolph Road.
For information on trail closures and other trail access information, visit https://www.lynchburgparksandrec.com/trails/.
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TAP holds job fair, event for first time homebuyers, and more
Total Action for Progress in Roanoke has scheduled multiple events over the next few weeks
- April 29: Learn how to buy your first home in our free homebuyer class. To register for this free class visit tapintohope.org/event/homebuyer-class.
- May 2: TAP is hosting a job fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Williamson Road Public Library. Find out more at tapintohope.org/event/tap-job-fair-2.
- May 20: Resource fair and fun day will take place on May 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Goodwill Jobs Campus located at 2502 Melrose Avenue. Find out more at tapintohope.org/event/monthly-youth-events.
- Mothers-to-be: TAP officers a free pregnant women’s program that provides support services during and after pregnancy. To find out more or enroll contact 540-767-6094 or tapheadstart@tapintohope.org.
- Free African American studies class every Saturday until June: tapintohope.org/event/african-american-studies-class
- Attention veterans: for a limited time, TAP is offering you free money management coaching. Find out more by contacting Brittany at brittany.ibrahim@tapintohope.org or call 540-800-6731.
- TAP Head Start is enrolling year-round. tapintohope.org/event/head-start-open-enrollment
- Fundraiser for TAP-Sabrina’s Place. Find out more here: tapintohope.org/event/annual-car-fundraiser/
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College nominees included Sarah Grace Hern, Virginia Tech; Amber Litterer, Virginia Tech; Cara Newbill, Virginia Tech; and Madison Webb, New River Community College. 
Nominees from Floyd County included Andrew Buckman, Greg Hardwicke, Lori Marsh, Greg Sazonov, Lydean Spangler, and Paul Tremblett. 
Nominees from Giles County included Denise Blakeney, Faye Cofer, Larry Greene, and Charles N. Herbert, Jr. 
High school nominees included Sarah Harvey, Radford High School; James Riffe, Radford High School; December Ward, Pulaski County High School; and Alex Woodward, Floyd County. 
Dick Arnold of Montgomery County, Judith Hess Jones of Montgomery County, Drew Smith of Montgomery County, and Mary Catherine Stout of Pulaski County were all nominated in the Lifetime Achievement category. 
Nominees from Montgomery County included Becky Daniels, Jan Jackson, Gunin Kiran, Susan Madison, Merissa Sachs, Debbie Sherman-Lee, Scott Smith, and Clara Taylor. 
Nominees from Pulaski County were Jim Cook and John Ross. 
Radford City nominees included Janell Dobbins, Jessie Foster, and Melissa Jarrell.
NRV Leading Lights honors 35 local volunteers
New River Valley Leading Lights recently honored 35 community volunteers at a ceremony held on April 13. The volunteers were recognized at an event at the German Club at Virginia Tech.
The New River Valley Leading Lights organization’s mission is to acknowledge and honor volunteers across the New River Valley who are making community changing impacts through volunteerism, culminating in an annual celebratory banquet. Retired Blacksburg Police Chief Anthony Wilson served as this year’s guest speaker.
High school nominees included Sarah Harvey, Radford High School; James Riffe, Radford High School; December Ward, Pulaski County High School; and Alex Woodward, Floyd County.
College nominees included Sarah Grace Hern, Virginia Tech; Amber Litterer, Virginia Tech; Cara Newbill, Virginia Tech; and Madison Webb, New River Community College.
Nominees from Floyd County included Andrew Buckman, Greg Hardwicke, Lori Marsh, Greg Sazonov, Lydean Spangler, and Paul Tremblett. Nominees from Giles County included Denise Blakeney, Faye Cofer, Larry Greene, and Charles N. Herbert, Jr. Nominees from Montgomery County included Becky Daniels, Jan Jackson, Gunin Kiran, Susan Madison, Merissa Sachs, Debbie Sherman-Lee, Scott Smith, and Clara Taylor. Nominees from Pulaski County were Jim Cook and John Ross. Radford City nominees included Janell Dobbins, Jessie Foster, and Melissa Jarrell. Dick Arnold of Montgomery County, Judith Hess Jones of Montgomery County, Drew Smith of Montgomery County, and Mary Catherine Stout of Pulaski County were all nominated in the Lifetime Achievement category.
From the 35 nominees, 11 were chosen as Distinguished Recipients. The 2023 Leading Lights Distinguished Recipients honored included Sarah Harvey (High School Award), December Ward (Robert “Bob” Job High School Award), Cara Newbill (College Award), Madison Webb (College Award), Greg Sazonov (Floyd Community Award), Larry Greene (Giles Community Award), Debbie Sherman-Lee (Montgomery Community Award), Susan Madison (Montgomery Community Award), John Ross (Pulaski Community Award), and Janell Dobbins (Radford Community Award). Judith Hess Jones of Montgomery County was named as the Lifetime Achievement Distinguished Recipient.
Dick Arnold also received a one-time Founder’s Award for all of the work he has contributed to the New River Valley Leading Lights organization and the NRV community.
The community Distinguished Recipients receive $500 to direct to a non-profit of their choice, and the Lifetime Achievement recipient receives $1,000 to direct. The nominees’ volunteer efforts include work with food pantries, emergency response, afterschool programs, community groups, clothing drives, community cleanup, education, environmental causes, and many more.
NRV Leading Lights was established in 2007, prompted by the outpouring of voluntary service after the April 16 events at Virginia Tech. The first Leading Lights Recognition Event was held in April 2009. These annual events highlight the extraordinary compassion of ordinary citizens who united in service to others. To learn more about NRV Leading lights, visit www.leadinglightsnrv.org. NRV Leading Lights will be seeking volunteer nominations later this year for the 2024 awards.