From elsewhere: Longtime Roanoke journalist George Kegley passes away at 93. Halifax adds officers are guns found at school. Gin Blossoms to play Bristol Feb. 22.

Cardinal Staff
Covington and Sussex have zero covid cases, but far Southwest still has high rates
The 11 localities with the highest rates are all west of the Blue Ridge; 10 of those 11 are in Southwest Virginia.
Averett opens center for nursing program in Norfolk; more . . .
Briefs: Applications now being accepted for abandoned mine projects. Averett presents ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ Thursday-Saturday. Virginia Western adds grants administrator.
Southwest Va. COVID death rate still triple state rate; more . . .
From elsewhere: udge rejects plea agreement in embezzlement case against former legislator. Hillsville dance studio to perform at Daytona 500. Emu on loose in Franklin County.
Salem Museum to host virtual talk on Virginia Tech history; more . . .
Briefs: Emory & Henry adds fund-raiser. VCEDA awards grant to Lee County driving school.
Senate votes to begin recreational pot sales in September; more . . .
From elsewhere: As infections drop in Danville, so do vaccinations. Judge gives boost to Lee Enterprises as it battles hostile takeover. Legislators disagree on whether college hazing should be felony.
Appalachian Regional Commission awards $174,458 to Hurley
Meanwhile, Del. Will Morefield says he is hopeful of state funding for flood-ravaged community.
Lynchburg drug court expands with help from Liberty profs; more . . .
Patrick & Henry and Goodwill both add new board members. Forest Service sets prescribed burns.
Heart’s Ann Wilson to play at FloydFest; more . . .
School leaders advocate for construction funding. Southwest covid rate down but still higher than state average. Some Starbucks workers in Roanoke seek to unionize.
Five Virginia Tech researchers win national honors; more . . .
Briefs: Mead’s Tavern in Bedford added to National Register of Historic Places. Fralin Institute scientists to discuss healthy lifestyle in public seminar. Dredging ban begins at Smith Mountain Lake.