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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UVA Wise receives biggest gift ever
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise has received a $11.2 million gift from the Bristol-based Bill Gatton Foundation, the largest in the school’s history.
The Foundation’s investment will create six endowed funds and support:
- The Chancellor’s Greatest Needs Fund, which includes the naming of the C.M. “Bill” Gatton Hospitality Suite and the C.M. “Bill” Gatton Chancellor’s Seating Box in the David J. Prior Center.
- The naming of the Bill Gatton Department of Nursing.
- The naming of the Bill Gatton Department of Technology Management and Data Analytics and, once constructed, the Bill Gatton Technology and Data Analytics Hall.
- The creation of the Bill Gatton Scholars Program, which includes three incredible new scholarship funds: the Bill Gatton Academic Scholarship, the Bill Gatton Athletic Scholarship, and the Bill Gatton Technology & Data Analytics Scholarship. These particular funds will be matched by the University of Virginia’s Strategic Investment fund at $4.5M.
- Create the Rachel Clay-Keohane Mathematics Fund to honor the former star basketball player and head coach of the UVA Wise women’s basketball team, member of the UVA Wise Hall of Fame and long-time faculty with the UVA Wise Department of Mathematics.
- And, finally, the gift includes support and naming on the Bill Gatton Softball Field.
The Gatton Foundation gifts, along with the matching funds, will add another $15 million to the school’s endowment, which currently sits at $166 million, according to a release from UVA Wise.
“To say this gift will be transformative doesn’t really capture the monumental impact that it will have,” UVA Wise Chancellor Donna Henry said in a statement. “Every future student at the College will benefit from this gift.”
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Bedford County Economic Development Authority announces funding for child care facilities
The Bedford County Economic Development Authority has announced $30,000 in funding for child care providers in the county.
In July 2024, the authority launched a Childcare Facilities Grant in Bedford County.
Three child care centers in Bedford County submitted applications to the EDA for funding: The Children’s Lounge SML, Blue Ridge Montessori School, and The School Zone. These applications were recently approved, according to a release from the authority.
The Children’s Lounge SML located in Moneta will be using the funds for staff training, playground equipment and a portable sink. Owner Alexandria Hendricks runs The Children’s Lounge Roanoke and opened the Smith Mountain Lake location in September 2023 in hopes of meeting the demand for child care in the Moneta area.
Blue Ridge Montessori School in Lynchburg will be using the funds to gain a Montessori Teacher Certification for one of their current teachers. By doing so, a new classroom will open allowing for 20 new students from ages three to six years old. This teacher will sign a contract promising to remain at the school for at least three years.
The funds for The School Zone in Forest will go toward purchasing playground turf. With current state regulations, The School Zone spends thousands of dollars each year on mulch for the safety of the children. The playground turf will allow The School Zone to invest its yearly mulch funds on expansions.
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Fall litter cleanup set for Roanoke’s Melrose Avenue for Nov. 9
SERV (Standing for Equity in the Roanoke Valley), the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke and Clean Valley Council are working together to lead a Fall Litter Cleanup on Melrose Avenue and at the lower Horton Park and Kiwanis Nature Park from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Individuals, families, civic organizations, businesses and other groups in the Roanoke Valley are invited to join this community cleanup. The meetup is at the Goodwill pavilion, near Melrose Library (2502 Melrose Ave., Roanoke), where supplies will be distributed.
Registration is required. Go to cleanvalley.org and click on “Get Involved” and “Upcoming Events,” or type: https://www.cleanvalley.org/events/melrose-litter-cleanup-with-the-kiwanis-club-of-roanoke-serv.
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Temporary parking changes in downtown Lynchburg announced due to construction
Beginning Monday, November 11, and continuing through Tuesday, December 31, a new accessible entry will be constructed at the rear of the Lynchburg Museum, 901 Court Street. In addition, new accessible entrances to and from the Clay Street Parking Deck will be constructed. Barricades will be set up from behind the museum to the stairway entrance of the Clay Street Parking Deck. No vehicles (including emergency vehicles) or pedestrians will be allowed access in the work zones.
Please note the following:
- The exit ramp from the top level of the Clay Street Parking Deck will be closed. Temporary signage will be in place to route vehicles both up and down the ramp from Eighth Street.
- The entrance/exit on Ninth Street for those who park on Level 2 of the Clay Street Parking Deck will remain open as will the entrance/exit on Clay Street for those who park on Level 1.
- The stairway and the elevator at the Clay Street Parking Deck will remain open.
- During construction, those who would normally utilize the accessible area for drop-offs at the rear of the Museum will be limited to the first 70 feet of the lane between the Lynchburg Museum and the Lynchburg Police Department’s West Building (located at 805 Clay Street). Vehicles will be able to pull in, drop off and return to Court Street. Signage will be posted directing accessibility to the Museum.