Over the three decades from 1990 to 2020, Montgomery County’s population grew by 33 percent, or nearly 24,500 people. Christiansburg’s population grew the fastest during that time, nearly doubling at 45.4 percent. Those are just two statistics that help illustrate why the county needs a comprehensive plan and needs to update it regularly. The Montgomery […]
Jeff Lester
Jeff Lester served for five years as editor of The Coalfield Progress in Norton, The Post in Big Stone Gap and the Dickenson Star in Clintwood. He has worked in rural community journalism in Southwest Virginia for nearly 35 years, beginning as a Coalfield Progress staff writer in early 1990. Lester grew up in Marion and in the Glade Spring area and is a proud graduate of Virginia Intermont College and Virginia Highlands Community College. He has won numerous Virginia Press Association awards, including the 2002 statewide best in show writing award for nondaily newspapers. Under his guidance, Coalfield Progress reporters won the same award in 2008. He can be reached at jeff.c.lester819@gmail.com.
Posted inLocal
Bus drivers, technicians, skilled workers could see pay scale changes from Montgomery County
The proposal will boost pay for skilled workers to make the county more competitive for its open roles.
Posted inSports
Big Stone Gap focuses on its undefeated team, not its fugitive coach
News media from as far away as Great Britain descended on the Wise County town, but local fans just wanted to talk about the team.
Posted inLocal
Montgomery County supervisors again will consider expansion of Christiansburg dump site
When the board of supervisors meets Monday, it also will consider a proposal to conduct more frequent real estate assessments and will look at reauthorizing an agricultural zoning district.
Posted inHealthcare
Avian flu is killing vultures in Southwest Virginia. This is a ‘new phenomenon,’ Tech expert says, but may not represent wider spread
Avian flu has been confirmed in dead vultures in Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties. The state is awaiting tests on other vultures elsewhere in Southwest Virginia.
Posted inLocal
After questions, Montgomery supervisors take on construction waste dump site expansion again
The proposal would allow for disposal of 2 million cubic yards of debris over a 40-year period, including soil, brick, concrete block and broken concrete.
Posted inLocal
Suspension policy could change in Montgomery County schools
The goals, according to meeting documents, are to ensure academic continuity, address the root causes of behavioral problems and reduce the frequency of repeated suspensions.
Posted inPolitics
Razor-thin margins in Radford mean absentee ballots may determine winners
Angel Turpin and Joy Morrison hold leads going into absentee ballot counting.
Posted inPolitics
At Lee County hospital that once closed and then reopened, Spanberger warns about federal impacts on rural health care
President Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” budget legislation will remove $26 billion from health care in Virginia, Spanberger said following a tour of the Lee County hospital. “The harm hasn’t hit yet.”
Posted inLocal
Dumpsite proposal reaches Montgomery supervisors for vote
The board will also vote on various appropriations including money for a Marcus Alert system and school nutrition programs.
