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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Martinsville YMCA project secures additional $75,000
Officials of the ongoing project to construct a new YMCA facility in Martinsville announced they have secured $75,000 in state funding.
In February, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced that $23.6 million in community development block grants would be awarded for almost three dozen projects throughout the state.
The $75,000 is earmarked for planning toward the YMCA proposed for the Five Points neighborhood.
“Five Points is an underserved community that so richly deserves our investments of funds, time and attention,” said Brad Kinkema, CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County YMCA. “When we contemplated where to build a new YMCA and how to maximize and leverage the construction to have the greatest impact on Martinsville, the West End and Five Points community was the clear choice for this multi-million dollar investment.”
This is one of the more recent financial contributions to the project, announced in September with a $12 million donation from the Harvest Foundation.
[Disclosure: The Harvest Foundation is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
In October, the Lester Family donated an additional $2.5 million toward the project.
Under the current timeline, the new YMCA is projected to be constructed and open in the fall of 2028.
— Dean-Paul Stephens
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Public invited to comment on smallmouth bass management plan
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is seeking public input for its first Smallmouth Bass Management Plan.
According to the department, smallmouth bass are Virginia’s second most popular sportfish; in a given year, more than 55% of anglers in the commonwealth fish for this species.
The plan will use management and monitoring to enhance recreational opportunities for smallmouth, employ targeted research to better understand the species, and explore hatchery culture to potentially enhance and restore populations throughout the state, according to a news release.
Members of the public can provide input on the inaugural plan through April 11. The state expects to adopt the plan this fall.
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Input sought on U.S. 221 corridor study
The Central Virginia Transportation Planning Organization, in partnership with Bedford County and the Virginia Department of Transportation, will host a public meeting next week on the U.S. 221 Corridor Study.
The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Forest Public Library.
The study focuses on three locations, based on accident and congestion
- Perrowville Road to Thomas Jefferson Road (Virginia 811)
- Ambassador Road to Cloverhill Boulevard
- Enterprise Drive to Graves Mill Road
At the meeting, residents will be able to provide comments on planned improvements.
Learn more about the project and, beginning March 18, access the U.S. 221 Corridor Study Improvement Alternatives Survey at https://www.cvtpo.org/plans-projects/route-221-corridor-study.