Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
* * *
Virginia receives federal funds for mine land reclamation
A second round of funding totaling $22.79 million is coming to the Virginia Department of Energy so it can reclaim abandoned mine land features across the state.
The money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation will lead to more community development projects and job opportunities through the Abandoned Mine Land program, the department said in a news release. The AML program reclaims features left behind by coal mining that occurred before 1977.
“This funding is a game changer for Virginia and the work that this agency can accomplish through new abandoned mine land projects,” Virginia Energy Director Glenn Davis said in the release. “Creating jobs in coal-impacted communities is a priority. Through reclamation and repurposing of these historically mined lands we can contribute to workforce growth and find economic development opportunities through projects.”
Contractors and coal companies interested in bidding on AML projects can find out more details via the Virginia Energy website. All must be registered in Virginia’s procurement system, eVA.
* * *
New River Community College offers free computer tune-ups
New River Community College will offer free tune-ups and virus scans for computers, tablets and phones at its April 6 Cyber Day event.
The NRCC Computer Club is hosting the event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Godbey Hall.
Several students and David Filer, an information systems technology professor and club advisor, will work on systems at the event. Any Windows or Android device is welcome.
For more information, contact Filer at dfiler@nr.edu or 540-674-3600, ext. 4272.
* * *
Nikki Giovanni to host celebration of student poetry at Virginia Tech
Ten student poets from across Virginia Tech will take center stage at the Moss Arts Center on April 10.
The Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize ceremony, hosted by University Distinguished Professor Emerita Nikki Giovanni, is set for 5 p.m., with a reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public.
The ceremony will feature original poetry read by the students and Giovanni.
The top three winners will receive monetary awards, with the first-place recipient winning $1,100. Second and third place are awarded $500 and $300, respectively. An awards presentation will immediately follow the poetry readings.
The 10 student finalists and four honorable mentions:
- Ayah Ali, general engineering
- Tayler Butters, English
- Samantha Cho, creative writing
- Victoria Cross, experimental neuroscience
- Victoria Lee Feigert, history (honorable mention)
- Aaidin Finefield, history
- Caroline Foltz, literature and creative writing
- Molleigh Judd, creative writing (honorable mention)
- Kayleigh Kalagher, English
- Emily Paquette, animal and poultry sciences
- Rose Puschnik, neuroscience (honorable mention)
- August Reynolds, English
- Aimee Straka, biomedical engineering (honorable mention)
- Lillie Tynch, English