Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Lynchburg to host public meeting on downtown project
The city of Lynchburg will hold a public meeting March 27 on the next phase of its Downtown Renewal Project.
The meeting will be held at the Community Market, 1219 Main St., and will begin at 6 p.m. It will focus on the construction of a portion of Main Street from the 1200 block to the Lynchburg Expressway, according to a news release from the city.
The work, which will include pedestrian and vehicle enhancements, are part of a project that began in 2016.
City staff will talk about the history of the project, its current status and what the next phase will involve. Plans for communicating with stakeholders will also be discussed. Light refreshments will be offered.
The Downtown Lynchburg Association is hosting the event. For more information, call 434-485-7269.
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Cumberland Forest Community Fund opens grant applications
Applications are now being accepted for 2024 Cumberland Forest Community Fund grants.
The grants are available to community groups, nonprofits and local governments for projects that support a “triple bottom line”: tangible contributions to local economic diversification, increased community capacity, and enhanced environmental quality, according to a news release announcing the grant cycle.
The grant program, which began in 2022, is open to projects in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties and the city of Norton.
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise serves as the program administrator. Funding and other support is provided by the Cumberland Forest Limited Partnership, the Nature Conservancy and the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation.
[Disclosure: The Anne and Gene Worrell Foundationis one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
Examples of eligible projects may include downtown revitalization initiatives, recreational trails, renewable energy projects or land or water restoration projects.
Applications will be accepted through April 26. More information on the Cumberland Forest Community Fund, including the program guidelines and application, can be found at www.oxbowcenter.com/communityfund.
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Free adult vaccine clinics scheduled for Bland, Wise counties
The Bland and Wythe County Health Departments, in collaboration with the Wythe-Bland Foundation, will host free adult vaccination clinics next month.
The clinics will offer vaccinations including diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus (Tdap), shingles and COVID-19.
The clinics will be held April 2 at the Elbert Munsey Masonic Lodge in Rocky Gap and April 25 at the Wytheville Meeting Center.
Appointments can be made by calling the Bland County Health Department at 276-688-3642 or the Wythe County Health Department at 276-228-5507. Spanish-speaking residents may call 276-238-6105 to schedule an appointment.
Walk-ins will not be accepted. Those with an appointment will not incur any out-of-pocket costs.