Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
D-Day Memorial announces annual Flames of Memory event
The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford will honor the 4,427 men lost on D-Day during Flames of Memory 2024.
The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7 and 8. Thousands of luminaria will be arranged throughout the memorial’s grounds; visitors can park and walk through the illuminated memorial or drive around the circle to view from their vehicles.
Guests on Friday and Saturday evenings can experience Christmas 1944 on the frontlines with “Christmas in Wartime,” a presentation that features reenactors and living history displays, reminiscent of how soldiers celebrated the holidays while fighting in World War II. G.I. Santa makes his annual appearance on Saturday.
Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
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Lynchburg seeks public input for transportation safety project
The Central Virginia Transportation Planning Organization, in partnership with the city of Lynchburg and the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company, is kicking off a project designed to create a safer transportation network in the city.
The goal of the Lynchburg Multimodal Plan is to make it easier and safer for people to walk, bike and use other modes of transportation besides driving, according to a news release announcing the initiative.
Using data analysis and community input, the plan will help the city, GLTC and the CVTPO prioritize which project should be implemented first to meet the needs of residents. The plan is expected to be completed by next fall.
Residents can take the Transportation Network Survey to share a comment or show on a map places where it is hard to walk, bike or take a bus in Lynchburg. Respondents can also share general comments about transportation challenges in the city.
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Pound hosts open house to discuss riverwalk plan
Appalachian Voices, the town of Pound and Hill Studios are hosting a community event from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Pound Town Hall.
The event will offer residents the chance to learn more about the plans for the new Pound Riverwalk, a proposed recreation space intended to enhance the town’s walkability while providing nature-based flood mitigation solutions.
The event will feature an open-house format, where community members can ask questions, view project plans and share their input on the design and features of the Riverwalk.
For more information about the event or the Pound Riverwalk project, email Kara Dotten, New Economy Program coordinator for Appalachian Voices, at kara@appvoices.org.
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Youngkin names board appointments
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has made additional appointments to state boards, including several from Southwest Virginia:
Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority board of directors: Megan Baker of Roanoke County, economic development director, Roanoke County; Dennis Cronk of Roanoke, director, Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group Inc.; Mickey Johnson of Moneta, member, Bedford County Board of Supervisors, senior account executive, WFXR-TV; Tucker Lemon of Roanoke, president, Martin, Hopkins & Lemon PC; Tammy Shepherd of Roanoke County, member, Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, owner/broker, Shepherd Realty Group; Raymond Smoot of Montgomery County, retired CEO, Virginia Tech Foundation.
Board of Counseling: Gerald Lawson of Salem, professor, Virginia Tech.
