I hope you enjoy my latest column, a collection of weekly short news updates and future events to look out for, and arriving to your inbox as part of our NRV newsletter on Mondays.
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.
Medal of Honor awarded to the late John Ripley of Radford
A Radford veteran was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor last Thursday.
Col. John W. Ripley received the nation’s highest honor in recognition of members of the armed forces who “distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty,” according to a White House press release.
Ripley joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Radford High School in 1957, and served during the Vietnam War, according to a release from the office of Virginia’s 9th District U.S. Rep Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
Decades later, Ripley would be recognized for his actions on April 2, 1972, when he single-handley halted North Vietnamese advances toward the Dong Ha Combat Base where he and the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Battalion were stationed. After three hours of exposure to heavy enemy fire, Ripley placed and set off explosive charges under the Dong Ha Bridge, stopping the enemy advance.
“I am honored to share Colonel Ripley’s remarkable service in the Halls of Congress,” said Griffith in a news release. “His courageous actions at Dong Ha will stand the test of time and deserve to be a fixture for future generations aspiring to serve.”
After retiring in 1992, Ripley served as president of Southern Virginia College in Buena Vista before later leading Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham as its president. Ripley died in 2008.
Ripley’s family attended the medal ceremony, including his son, Thomas, who said “the Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest award. Only 300 U.S. Marines have worn the Medal, and we are incredibly honored that our father, Colonel John W. Ripley, will be included in those ranks. He was a proud Virginian, and loved the Marine Corps. Today is a chance to remember him, his service to our country and to our Corps. Semper Fidelis.”
To read an extensive summary of Ripley’s actions, click here: https://morgangriffith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/jwr_executive_summary.pdf
Price Park prompts predicament for Montgomery County commission
The Montgomery County Planning Commission was divided over how its comprehensive growth plan should address the future of Price Park before approving a new section of “Montgomery Matters” last week.
At the June 17 meeting, commissioners reviewed a part of the so-called new long-range plan focusing on the future of the county’s four distinct “villages” — Elliston-Lafayette, Riner, Shawsville and Prices Fork — when it comes to land use, economic development and housing. Part five, which was discussed at the meeting, included a future land use map that would coordinate roads, utilities, schools, parks and public facilities.
None of the members disagreed that Price Park is vital to Prices Fork, a community where land is becoming a premium with ongoing housing development spurred by Virginia Tech’s growth.
However, the park, located south of Prices Fork Road, is currently private, with multiple owners and land titling issues yet to be resolved. That includes an important privately owned parcel of about 5 acres where the parking lot and main park access is located. A group has been trying to consolidate as much as 65 acres for the park, which could then potentially be given to the county.
The group, which includes former government planners and leaders of the New River Land Trust, is trying to raise more than $100,000 to make the park whole. Members of the group spoke during the meeting, asking the commission to add support of the park to the Prices Fork village plan.
But, because of the ongoing issues, county Planning Director Brea Hopkins told the commission that, on advice of the county attorney, legal issues would prevent that specific addition.
Commissioners heard from multiple residents who asked them to consider making the private Price Park a public amenity in Prices Fork. This included a comment from a younger resident, Olivia Lawrence, who said “me and my friends and my neighbors all love going to the park and just like hanging out. I know that a lot of kids in my neighborhood and around the town would just hate to not be able to come here anymore.”
After an extensive debate of what wording could actually be used, the commission decided to approve the other three village plans — and then took a separate vote on Prices Fork, adding language to generally support a public or private park there.”
The board of supervisors will meet for their second monthly meeting on June 22 and consider adoption of the part five plan. The meeting will start at 7:15 p.m. at the County Government Center in Christiansburg.
Four Special Olympics athletes to participate in USA Games
Four New River Valley bowling athletes traveled with Team Virginia to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics U.S.A. Games in Minneapolis.
Melinda Andrews and Brianna Adamos are from Christiansburg and Brandon Chun and Benjamin Norris are from Blacksburg. Their team qualified for the USA games after competing in last fall’s state championship, according to Nancy Morehouse, Special Olympics Virginia senior director for the Southwest Region. Matt Adamo, a coach from Christiansburg and Brianna’s father, will also travel to lead the delegation’s pickleball team.
Fifty-seven athletes for the Virginia delegation departed from Dulles Airport on June 19 ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony on June 20, according to a Special Olympics Virginia press release. The bowling team comprises seven athletes, four of whom are part of a unified bowling team in the NRV, composed of athletes with and without disabilities.
“It is one of our most popular programs for sure,” said Morehouse. “So not only do they get to do their sport, but the social aspect of bowling is a really awesome opportunity for our athletes and for our partners.”
Team Virginia will also compete in such sports as bocce, golf, flag football, powerlifting, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
The bowling team will compete in single, double and four-person events from June 23 to 25. Select sports during the games will be broadcast of ESPN+ on the ESPN app. Fans can also keep up with Team Virginia on the Special Olympics Virginia website and their social media channels.
