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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Residents and businesses can apply for money to recover from Hurricane Helene and February flooding-related disasters
Applications for the $50 million in state-funded disaster assistance have opened up.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday that the Virginia Disaster Assistance Fund has begun accepting applications from homeowners and businesses in Southwest Virginia.
The assistance is available to owners of property that was destroyed or suffered major damage in the remnants of Hurricane Helene almost a year ago or in the February 2025 winter storms. A portion of the $50 million will also go toward mitigation projects to strengthen homes, properties, bridges and community infrastructure to better withstand future disasters.
The funds were appropriated by the General Assembly and approved by Youngkin in the 2025 budget amendments package.
Eligible localities are Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties, as well as the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton and Radford.
Funding will be distributed through local governments and planning district commissions, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
Residents should contact their local government or regional planning district commission to apply. More information about eligibility criteria, guidelines and the application process can be found at www.dhcd.virginia.gov/disaster-assistance.
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Youngkin announces appointments
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced additional state commission and council appointments, including these from Southwest Virginia:
Virginia Commission for the Arts: Hayley Allison of Richlands, chief of staff to Del. Terry Kilgore.
Secure and Resilient Commonwealth Panel: Michael Whiteaker of Bristol, emergency coordinator, Mount Rogers Health District.
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Elk Cam is live for 2025 season
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources announced the beginning of the eighth season for the Virginia Elk Cam.
The camera, which is located on reclaimed mine land in Buchanan County, scans a field frequented by elk. The animals are particularly active during early morning, evening and nighttime hours, and as the weather cools, they become more active during the day, according to a news release from the department. The camera also captures the sound of elk bugling during the breeding season through October.
Elk were historically found throughout eastern North America, including Virginia. Unregulated hunting and changes in the animals’ habitat led to the eradication of elk in the East. The last survivor of Virginia’s original elk herd was killed in 1855 in Clarke County, the department said.
Between 2012 and 2014, 75 elk were relocated into Buchanan County from eastern Kentucky. The herd has now grown to more than 250.
For more information about elk, visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/elk/.