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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Times-Virginian weekly newspaper shuts down
The Times-Virginian, a weekly newspaper covering Appomattox and Campbell counties and other nearby communities, published its last edition Feb. 5, according to a notice on the newspaper’s website.
“Unfortunately, it is no longer financially feasible to continue publishing the Times-Virginian at the current level of support,” the newspaper said. “Adverse market conditions post Covid are contributing factors to this decision.”
The Times-Virginian was founded in 1892 and said it had 14,000 readers weekly. It published on Wednesdays.
The newspaper’s parent company, Chatham-based Womack Publishing, will continue operations in 11 other markets in Virginia and North Carolina.
Womack’s other newspapers in Virginia include The Altavista Journal, the Chatham Star-Tribune and the Smith Mountain Eagle.
“While unpleasant, I am proud of this local institution, and I hope local journalism will prevail with this loss in our community,” Appomattox Town Councilman McKinley Cardwell said on Facebook.
— Matt Busse
Mountain Gateway seeks alumni award nominations
Mountain Gateway Community College is seeking nominations for its ninth annual Distinguished Alumni Award.
The award recognizes alumni who have achieved distinction in their professions. According to a news release from the college, nominees should:
- Be a graduate of or have completed a minimum of two semesters at Mountain Gateway.
- Be present to accept the award and be the commencement speaker at the May 2025 graduation.
- Have attained extraordinary distinction and success in his or her professional career or personal life.
- Be a person of such prominence and integrity that the college will take pride in his or her recognition.
- Have attained regional, statewide, or national distinction and/or have significant involvement in civic, cultural or charitable activities.
Previous recipients include Steven Leitch, John Stone, Julie Persinger Gardiner, Nova Wright, Ashby Clements, Catherine Hiler, Devan Nicely and Chris Fisher.
Nominations may be made online or can be mailed to MGCC Educational Foundation,
1000 College Drive, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Nominations are due 5 p.m. March 5. The award will be presented at the Mountain Gateway Community College commencement exercises on May 9.
State parks set opening date for campgrounds
Campgrounds at Virginia state parks will reopen for the season on March 7, and campsites are now available for booking online.
Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, according to a news release from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the park system.
Full-service campgrounds with bathhouses are open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December, with the exception of Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River state parks, which have full-service campgrounds open year-round.
Due to campground upgrades, Claytor Lake, Fairy Stone, Grayson Highlands and Bear Creek Lake will have full or partial campground closures during the 2025 season.
Open fires, including charcoal and wood fires, are prohibited between midnight and 4 p.m. from Feb. 15 through April 30. Exceptions may be in place at campgrounds that have on-duty hosts.