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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Franklin County names new administrator
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors has chosen a new county administrator.
Steve Sandy, a longtime deputy administrator, will take over on Feb. 1 for Christopher Whitlow, who is retiring.
Sandy has been in Franklin County since August 2015, part of a 27-year career that includes local government jobs in Botetourt and Montgomery counties. He is a member of Virginia’s Broadband Advisory Council and is the county’s broadband manager.
In a news release, Sandy said he is grateful for the board’s trust.
“Mr. Whitlow has done a tremendous job in this role over the past several years and is leaving the [c]ounty in a very good position!” he said.
Sandy is a “great fit” for the role, and the board looks forward to more success, board Chairman Ronnie Thompson said in the news release.
— Tad Dickens
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Columbia Gas announces Covington pipeline work
Columbia Gas of Virginia will upgrade natural gas infrastructure in Covington starting next month and continuing into June.
The project will involve replacing 15,000 feet, or just under 3 miles, of underground pipeline.
The company said in a news release that the work will impact a “significant number” of roadways, including East Mallow Road, East Hamilton Drive, South Carpenter Drive, East Carrolton Drive, South Edgewood Avenue, South Ashland Avenue, East Madison Street, South Crowder Avenue, South Patrick Avenue, East Gray Street, South Fairlawn Drive, East Scotland Road, Dolly Ann Drive, South Mound Avenue, East Hugh Street, South Pond Avenue and South Massie Avenue.
“Replacing the natural gas lines with newer materials will serve the community for many years to come,” Columbia Gas spokesperson Stephanie Benson said in an email.
Crews will work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. and possibly on weekends, according to the news release.
Restoration work could include temporarily patching surfaces on public and private property, with permanent restoration to follow, the company said.
Columbia Gas asks drivers passing through work zones to slow down; watch for workers, signs and road flaggers; and expect changes in speed limits or traffic lanes.
Columbia Gas serves 290,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 98 cities, towns and counties throughout Virginia, including in the Lynchburg region, part of Southside, and Alleghany and Giles counties. It is a subsidiary of Merrillville, Indiana-based NiSource (NYSE:NI).
— Matt Busse
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National Christmas tree hails from Highland County
This year’s national Christmas tree is a 32-foot red spruce from Highland County.
The tree, which was cut Nov. 15 from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, will be on display on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. The tree lighting ceremony will take place Dec. 4. Tickets are required; information is available on the National Park Service’s website.
This marks the third year the Forest Service and National Park Service have partnered to provide the national Christmas tree and the second year for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, the news release said.