I hope you enjoy my latest column, a collection of weekly short news updates and future events to look out for, and arriving in your inbox as part of our NRV newsletter on Mondays. Here’s last week’s edition.
As your New River Valley reporter, I primarily cover Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery County and Radford, but aim to expand my reach throughout the rest of a bustling valley.
I aim to inform and meet people where they are at, but the valley is vast. So if you have thoughts on a developing story or ideas on how I can get to know your community better, you can reach me at erick@cardinalnews.org.
Process begins for new Falling Branch company
A proposed 105-foot-tall manufacturing facility could become Christiansburg’s next industrial development, with town officials set to begin the public review process.
The town will consider a conditional use permit request for a structure greater than 70 feet to be built in the Falling Branch Corporate Park. The manufacturing facility is planned to have a footprint of 8,500 square feet and will be located on approximately 38 acres of land.
“It is not a data center, it’s manufacturing,” said county Economic Development Director Brian Hamilton. He did not specify what kind of manufacturing facility — or the company involved — because he said there are nondisclosure agreements between the economic authority, county board of supervisors and the prospect.
In order for the manufacturer to consider the area as a place to build its facility, Hamilton said the board of supervisors had to first acquire the property and then develop it to a tier-5 site according to the standards of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the state’s economic development arm. That includes a site that has access to roads, water, sewer, fiber, natural gas and electric.
“It’s a significant investment should the company locate in our area,” said Hamiltion, “and our goal is to always provide well-paying jobs and investment, so the board of supervisors pay for the services that the county needs.”
A public hearing on the conditional use permit requests will be Sept. 22.
First responders honored for bravery
Having put the safety of others above their own, four members of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s department were recognized for their bravery after responding to a life-threatening fire at an apartment complex in Christiansburg.
Deputy Brittany Harless, Deputy Matthew Donnelly, Sgt. John Blankenship and Capt. Casey Phillips received the Eric Sutphin Valor Awards during the July 27 county board of supervisors meeting.
On March 25 at approximately 2 a.m., the officers received a call about a structure fire at Linden Green Apartments in Christiansburg and soon arrived to assist town police officers and fire/EMS personnel. The fire had consumed the lower portion of an apartment building and the officers went in to evacuate residents that remained on the upper portion.
“You don’t really think about yourself as much as what can I do to get everyone out of here as safely as possible and as quickly as possible,” said Phillips, who recalled heavy smoke rolling up toward the first responders as he helped evacuate a mother and her children. “Thankfully, no one was injured. Other than some slight breathing issues for the next couple days, we all got out pretty unscathed.”
The award was presented for the first time this year and is named in honor of Corp. Eric Sutphin, who was killed in the line of duty in 2006. Two years prior, Sutphin had been recognized for his heroism during a shootout involving fellow deputies and a suspect.
“This was a team effort amongst us as well as Christiansburg Police Department, and the Christiansburg Fire and Rescue so I’m very appreciative of what we got, but it’s also one of those things we couldn’t do without everyone else who was there as well,” said Phillips.
First-ever all-women charity tournament set at Riner golf club
History will be made at the Auburn Hills Golf Club in Riner with the first all-female charity tournament to be hosted this month.
The Auburn Hills Ladies Golf League will host the Working 9 to 5 Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 8, in an effort to raise funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Montgomery County — providing free books for children under five years old.
“We’ve built friendships, confidence, and a true sense of community,” said Terri Welch, president of the golf league in a press release. “Hosting this tournament gives us the opportunity to share that spirit while supporting a cause that changes children’s lives through the gift of reading.”
The inaugural tournament will include a Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest, additional games and prizes awarded by local businesses. The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a book each month to enrolled children helping children develop a love of reading and a strong foundation for success in school, according to the release.
“Whether someone comes to compete, dress up as Dolly, or simply spend a day with friends, every participant is helping place books into the hands of children across Montgomery County,” said Welch.
More can be found here.
