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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ACP, King University ink dual-degree program for pharmacy students
Leaders of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy in Oakwood and King University in Bristol, Tennessee, have signed a dual-degree agreement that will allow students to complete a bachelor’s degree at King in three years and then complete a doctor of pharmacy degree at ACP in three additional years.
The agreement, which was signed Tuesday, states both institutions will appoint a program supervisor to manage and advise students who participate in the program, according to a news release announcing the agreement.
ACP will admit up to 10 students each year pursuing an accelerated program leading to the bachelor’s degree in biology and a doctor of pharmacy from ACP, the release said. It will require approximately three years of attendance at King University, followed by a minimum of three academic years at ACP.
If more than 10 students from King University are qualified, the students chosen to attend ACP will be selected on a competitive basis, the release said.
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State announces conservation grants
The governor’s office this week announced $15.5 million in Virginia Land Conservation Foundation funding for 28 projects across the state.
The projects will conserve a total of 8,606 acres, according to a news release announcing the awards.
“The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant awards will support projects spanning all the way from Scott County in Southwest Virginia to Virginia Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. I’m proud that we have made significant, meaningful investments over the last four years to protect our natural resources and boost our local economies,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in the release. “By expanding open spaces and outdoor recreational opportunities, we’re bolstering local economic activity while providing beautiful, natural places for Virginians and visitors to recreate.”
Grants were awarded in five categories: farmland preservation, forest preservation, historic preservation, natural area protection and open spaces and parks.
Here are the projects in Southwest and Southside that received funding, with details from the governor’s office. A full list of the fiscal year 2026 awards can be found here.
Grayson County: New River Soil and Water Conservation District – Wilson Hollow, New River Trail Expansion | $550,900
Acquisition of 239 acres of forestland, water resources and open grassland habitats. The New River Soil and Water Conservation District will manage the site, providing new public access for boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking and nature-based photography.
Halifax County: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve, Bournes Addition | $120,000
Acquisition of 23.5 acres adjacent to Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve. Located in one of the most significant essential conservation sites in the state, the property supports dozens of natural resources, including habitat for four rare plants.
Mecklenburg County: Virginia Outdoors Foundation – Parkland Farms | $751,753
Conservation easement to protect a 950-acre farm featuring streams and wetlands. The working farm, which produces tobacco, corn and beans and maintains cattle pastureland, is adjacent to another 686-acre Virginia Outdoors Foundation easement.
Montgomery County: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Eastern Divide South – Hagan Tract Addition, supplemental funding | $1,074,781
Supplemental funding for acquisition of 104 acres to be added to Eastern Divide Natural Area Preserve. The underlying karst landscape supports a population of one of the commonwealth’s most imperiled species. The property also supports habitat for a significantly rare species and contains mature calcareous forests and approximately 1,100 feet of tributaries to the North Fork Roanoke River.
Saltville (Smyth and Washington counties): Virginia Outdoors Foundation – Henry W. Carneal | $281,150
Conservation easement to protect 563 acres. The property includes 350 acres of “outstanding” forest conservation value, and the southern portion lies within the Saltville Battlefield Historic District. The site supports habitat for multiple natural heritage resources.
Scott County: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Kane Gap Connectivity Project | $464,000
Acquisition of 250 acres to develop the final section of the Wilderness Road into a hiking and biking trail. The trail, known as The Great Warrior’s Path by Native Americans who used it, would connect the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center at Natural Tunnel State Park to Kane Gap.
Wythe County: The Archaeological Conservancy – Preservation of the Martin Indigenous Archaeological Site | $292,250
Acquisition of 16.3 acres of farmland along the New River that is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places. The site contains an indigenous village and cemetery dating as far back as the Archaic Period (2,000 B.C.E.). The Archaeological Conservancy is working with DHR, tribal partners and The Conservation Fund to protect this resource for archaeological research and access by members of descendant tribal communities.
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Youngkin announces state board appointments
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced another round of state board appointments, including these residents of Southwest and Southside:
Student Advisory Board: Laura Altizer of Riner, student; Ava Sophia Robinson of Bluefield, student.
State Board of Social Services: Zach Clinton of Lynchburg, vice president, American Association of Christian Counselors.