The state plans to demolish dozens of buildings at the former Central Virginia Training Center, a facility that once provided crucial services for the developmentally disabled. While local leaders see this as an opportunity for new development, families and advocates express concerns about the loss of accessible counseling and care options. The facility served Amherst and surrounding Southwest Virginia communities, including Lynchburg and Madison Heights. This article explores the community’s mixed reactions and what the future may hold for the site.

Amherst hoped to put on a show for its first home game of the season, and the fans were ready for an exciting contest.

Amazon is officially coming to Madison Heights in Amherst County. In late August, the company invested more than $16 million to build a 78,000-square-foot distribution facility at the Amelon Commerce Center on West Progress Lane.

A woman was arrested following a suspicious fire investigation that took place in Campbell County, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office said.

"It won’t be an ability issue, it will be a will issue."

A man is dead following a single-vehicle crash that occurred in Amherst County on Saturday, Virginia State Police said.

Some local lawmakers are working to fundamentally change elections in Virginia. Here's how.

Fred Wiggington was sentenced to life in prison for the 2023 murder of his wife Elsie, but her family says the possibility of parole is a painful disappointment.

The Department of Homeland Security has recently released a public list of alleged sanctuary jurisdictions, including several in our area — some of which say they were unaware they were even listed.

The 100 Mile Yard Sale is back like it never left.

A deputy for the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office was arrested on Thursday for multiple charges, Amherst County Sheriff’s Office said.

The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for many counties and cities in our area on Saturday.

A UMass student who made a half-court shot during a women’s basketball game halftime promotion will get his $10,000 prize from the school itself.

A rare gold medal from the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis has been sold at auction for $545,371 as part of a larger collection of memorabilia from previous Games.

A 36-year-old man is dead following an overnight shooting in Lynchburg, according to the Lynchburg Police Department.

Elsie Wiggington's family is moving towards closure after her husband was arrested for concealing her body, following the discovery of human remains on their property.

Amherst's Baxter leading Valley Girls Junior Open, tied for first with +7 after round one

We're continuing to dig into the disappearance of Elsie Wiggington, as family claim the ball was dropped early in the investigation.

It's been almost a year since Amherst woman Elsie Wiggington disappeared - and now, friends and family are pushing law enforcement for answers.

Hundreds of residents across Southwest Virginia are without power Tuesday morning as strong winds continue to move through the state.

The fire warranted help from agencies in six counties.

A house fire in Amherst Co. was destroyed b a fire Wednesday evening, according to Asst. Chief Steve Drummond with the Amherst Fire Department.

A man charged for his role in students’ consumption of fentanyl-positive gummies at an Amherst Co. elementary school has been denied bond.

Crews are still working tirelessly to contain the Matts Creek wildfire in Bedford County. Get a look at smoky conditions in surrounding areas.

A brewery in Amherst is set to close its doors after two years in business.

A Lynchburg Police K9 assisted in the arrest of the man who was wanted out of three counties

Deputies responded to reports of a badly wounded elderly woman on Boxwood Farm Road.

Thousands were without power in Central and Southwest Virginia following the strong winds that rolled through the region Friday night and Saturday morning.

One person sustained life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Amherst Friday, according to the Amherst Police Department.

A man is dead after a single motorcycle crash on the Blue Ridge Parkway Saturday, according to the National Park Service.

14-year-old Caitlyn Baxter has always known what she’s wanted.

No major injuries were reported after a crash involving an Amherst County school bus Thursday afternoon, according to school division officials.

A minor has been charged with carjacking in connection with an incident at the Ambriar Shopping Center in Amherst on Sunday, according to police.

Amherst town leaders will meet Wednesday night to consider whether or not to allow short term rentals like Airbnb's in residential neighborhoods.

Imagine walking into a grocery store and leaving out $5 million richer: that’s exactly what happened to Amherst business owner Josh Orme.

The Sedalia Center is home to some of the most anticipated annual food and music festivals in southwest Virginia, drawing loyal attendees' year-after-year from the local communities of Big Island and Sedalia, as well as from the cities of Lynchburg, Amherst, Roanoke and Bedford. Saturday March 25th the Celtic Games and Highland Festival comes to the center.

According to Virginia State Police, an Amherst man is dead after crashing on Airport Road, which is just north of Training Center Road.

Amherst town leaders are holding a public hearing on whether to allow Airbnb or short term rentals in residential neighborhoods in the town.

Multiple Crashes on the roads due to icy conditions

Saturday’s Powerball jackpot once again saw no winner.

Amherst came out victorious, winning 35-34 against Rustburg.

Demario Douglas recorded over 100 yards receiving in the Flames road win.

Amherst County Public Schools will see more school resource officers soon, thanks to a ruling by the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.

Leaders recently discussed salary studies, which compare jobs to other localities, but Amherst County Administrator Dean Rodgers said many positions were not included in the survey, so leaders could not tell if those employees are below market average.

Any storms that develop could produce strong winds, heavy rain and lightning

The Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living is stepping in to help people in Lynchburg beat the heat.

Instead of closing at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Virginia ABC said that they will now close at 9 p.m.

When a recent storm ripped across our region, fallen trees and powerlines prevented the Town of Amherst from producing water for two days.

The vet, Patrick Gries, 54, admitted to stealing the opioids and pleaded guilty to two different counts in January 2022.

Thanks to Swati out of Roanoke and Renee out of Amherst for sending us today’s Pictures of the Day.

A tornado warning that was issued for parts of Amherst County has expired.

The Amherst Police Department surprised a treasured member of their community with an emotional farewell on Friday.

More families in Amherst County will get to put presents underneath the Christmas tree this year.

Thanks to Trish for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Cave Spring!

The Medical Examiner in Roanoke has identified the body found in a wooded area in Amherst back in October.

Authorities are investigating after human remains were found in Amherst on Wednesday, according to Virginia State Police.

From Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, members of the department are growing facial hair to support their fourth-annual Toy Drive Operation, which runs during the holidays.

The 100 Mile Yard Sale takes place for the next five days along Highway 29.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of Nelson and Albemarle counties.

Stephen Oates has died after a life that saw him become an award-winning Civil War historian who wrote biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Clara Barton, William Faulkner and others.

Thanks to Diane from Amherst for sending us today's Picture of the Day!

An Amherst man wanted on several warrants was arrested after a three-hour-long standoff on Thursday, according to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.

It can go towards pandemic response, such as vaccinations and safety equipment. The money can also replace lost revenue.

Thanks to Diana for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Amherst!

Owners hoping to carry on tradition of providing locally produced products to Amherst.

EmbraceRace was founded in 2016 by a couple who believe it is never too early to start conversations with children of all races about racism.

On Tuesday night, Franklin County defeated William Byrd 3-0 in a Blue Ridge District matchup in Vinton. Terriers ace pitcher and Virginia Tech commit Tyler Dean had nine strikeouts in the first 4 innings of play, while Franklin County’s Preston Crowl held the Terriers scoreless.

Lynchburg and its surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell are now in Phase Two -- meaning anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccines.

Amherst is on a path toward providing reparations to Black residents for past injustices following the town council's adoption of a resolution calling for the community to become an anti-racist town. President Joe Biden has even expressed support for creating a federal commission to study Black reparations, a proposal that's languished for decades in Congress. Anderson and other Black residents are taking part in virtual conversations this spring to talk about what reparations should look like. Can you put a price tag on trauma?”Miller and Andrews, meanwhile, have looked to Evanston, Illinois as a potential model, inviting a leading alderman from that community to speak with Amherst's Black residents next month. Driver believes the town’s higher education institutions — UMass Amherst, Amherst College and Hampshire College — should be part of the solution because of the role they've played in the town's racial divide.

AEP outages as of 5 p.m.Thousands are without power as Southwest and Central Virginia are experiencing wintry weather. Below are the worst outage areas among the 2,724 Appalachian Power customers in Virginia without power:County/City Customer Outages Pulaski County 1,347 Montgomery County 500 Wythe County 162 Roanoke County 148 Giles County 144 Pittsylvania County 94 Carroll County 28 Smyth County 20 Franklin County 41 Grayson County Fewer than 5Here’s a breakdown of the Dominion Energy customers in our region without power:Charlotte County: 44Halifax County: 169Alleghany County: 36Danville officials say that 1,200 customers on Memorial Drive, Lanier Avenue, Park Avenue, Bishop Road and across the river on Piedmont Drive are without power. Here’s a breakdown of the Mecklenburg Electric customers in our region without power:Halifax County: 608Pittsylvania County: 459Here’s a breakdown of the BARC Electric Cooperative customers in our region without power:AdHighland County: 109Here’s a breakdown of the Southside Electric Cooperative customers in our region without power:

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Police have identified a suspect in connection with the thefts of copper downspouts at a church in Lynchburg. Damien Marquis Solomon, 37, of Amherst, has multiple outstanding warrants for grand larceny and obtaining money by false pretense in connection with the 21 stolen downspouts at Fairview Christian Church. ORIGINAL STORYFairview Christian Church on Campbell Avenue. On Saturday, Fairview Christian Church on Campbell Avenue reported the theft of 21 of its copper downspouts. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Stevenson at 434-455-6116 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.

24 Buffalo routed Akron 56-7 on Saturday as a tune-up for the Mid-American Conference championship. Patterson scored two touchdowns before halftime, bringing his season totals to 1,025 yards and 18 rushing TDs for the Bulls (5-0). Marks went over 100 yards and scored twice in the first half as Buffalo (5-0) built a 35-0 lead against Akron (1-5). Buffalo: The Bulls are 5-0 for the first time since 1980 when Buffalo was a Division III program. It will be a rematch of the 2008 title game that Buffalo won for its lone conference championship.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATEThe National Weather Service has canceled a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of Central Virginia that includes Amherst and Campbell counties along Blackwater Creek below College Lake Dam. Dam operators at College Lake Dam on the Blackwater Creek reported that the dam no longer poses a potential flooding threat. The NWS canceled the flash flood watch early; it was originally expected to go until 2 a.m. ORIGINAL STORYThe National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Flash Flood Watch and says that structural concerns have been reported at Lynchburg’s College Lake Dam. The Flash Flood Watch covers parts of Amherst and Campbell counties along Blackwater Creek below College Lake Dam.

AMHERST, Va. – The Amherst Police Department is asking for help finding a missing elderly man. Police said Angel Luis Alberio, 84, was last seen leaving Amherst on Friday with his wife in a gray 1993 Ford Conversion Van with Virginia tag 5256BAB. According to authorities, Alberio was located early Saturday morning in Washington DC, and Amherst Police are working with DC Metro Police to find him. Authorities said it’s possible Alberio has cognitive decline. Anyone with information is asked to call the Amherst Police Department at 434-946-9300.

AMHERST, Va. – A person at Central Elementary School has been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to Amherst County Public Schools. Officials say the school will remain open at this time and anyone identified as having been potentially exposed to the virus will be contacted by the health department or the school division. The announcement sent on Friday did not disclose if the person is a staff member or student.

AMHERST, Va. – Amherst County Public Schools announced Wednesday that one person at Madison Heights Elementary School tested positive for coronavirus. The person was on school grounds on Friday and did have direct contact with other members of the community, according to school officials. ACPS announced that Madison Heights Elementary School will remain open despite this case. School officials said that the district has implemented contact tracing procedures with the health department to determine whether or not in-person instruction continues. Anyone who may have been potentially exposed will be contacted by the health department or ACPS.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Forest Elementary School teachers and students showed up Tuesday prepared to have a successful first day. Every student came to school with a mask today, which was really nice, said Lorri Manley, principal at Forest Elementary School. Manley said she has 206 students learning in person every day and following social distancing markers on the ground throughout the building. In Amherst County, 60% of students will be back in person for the first time on Wednesday. Amherst County school leaders said middle and high school students will be go to school on a hybrid schedule, while elementary school students will be in the classroom four days a week and learn from home on Fridays.

AMHERST, Va. Mondays rain put a damper on Amherst County School leaders plan to hand out Chromebooks to parents and students in a drive-thru. Angelic Yousef and her Pre-K daughter are one of more than 1,600 families who will be doing 100% remote learning this school year. Amherst county students start school next Wednesday and a growing number are opting for 100-percent remote learning. Amherst school leaders said theyve been adding about 75 students to the Amherst Remote Academy every day, with more children in kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as high school juniors and seniors wanting to learn online. School leaders said teachers will be calling soon to introduce themselves and get some contact information.

AMHERST, Va. Amherst County students will now go back to school after Labor Day, rather than before it. Superintendent Dr. Robert Arnold said the school division needs more time to prepare. In a school board meeting on Thursday night, members voted to have classes start in person on Sept. 9 instead of Aug. 26. Board members also agreed to have teachers begin their planning phase on Aug. 10, rather than Aug. 3. The school board also made it mandatory that all students and staff wear masks on campus.

AMHERST, Va. There are still businesses in Amherst County that are still closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and need help reopening to get back on their feet. County leaders are looking to pump $800,000 into local businesses that meet certain qualifications. Officials with the economic development office said there are two different grants people can apply for. Some business if they qualify, they can actually stack CARES Act money and the Back and Business money. Theres potential that they can get $20,000-$25,000 between the two grants, Victoria Hanson, director, said.

AMHERST, Va. – A 911 call to Early Drive last Tuesday had most of Amherst County’s first responders rushing to the scene for what ended up to be a snake slithering up someone’s window. The original call was for a pipe bomb, hence the huge police and medic response. “10-4, It’s a python not a pipe bomb,” Deputy Reginald Olivier relayed back to dispatch. “I’d rather deal with a boa constrictor than a pipe bomb,” Olivier said. But a snake... that was really different.”Deputies say the 6 ½ foot, 40-pound boa looked really sick.

AMHERST, Va. – A peaceful protest for civil rights popped up in Amherst Saturday evening. “No lives matter if Black lives can’t matter, and we have to say Black lives,” said Amherst NAACP President Gloria Witt. “They don’t think about us as a young voice. Some say, ‘oh, you’re so young, you don’t need to be heard.’”Before the march, county leaders explained what steps they have taken for equality. “As young people, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what you can’t do,” Watkins said.

On busy days, staff members like Jacob Mast are working harder to clean in between players. But now that time has been cut down thanks to Lynchburg pilot Kyle Falwell, who is the co-creator of Bon Airosol. Lynchburg pilot Kyle Falwell is the co-creator of Bon Airosol. So, within a couple, 2 to 3 days we had our first solution,” Falwell said. Falwell says he’s working to get the cleaner approved by the EPA so it can officially be called a disinfectant.

AMHERST, Va. – COVID-19 and social distancing meant Amherst County High School had to get creative with its graduation plans. The solution played out on Saturday: A formal commencement, but every graduate stayed in a car with their loved ones. "We’ll do anything for our kids.”Senior class president Zamire Andrews said he worried about how his high school days would end after COVID-19 cut Amherst County’s school year short. While the graduates spent most of the ceremony in cars, they did physically walk across the stage. “I’m still a kid from Amherst, and right here, this is just us coming together as a whole family," Andrews said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A person working in VDOT’s Lynchburg District has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The Lynchburg District contains Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward counties, as well as Danville and Lynchburg. Those who worked with this person have been notified, and any facilities impacted were immediately closed for cleaning and disinfecting according to CDC guidelines, according to Paula Jones with VDOT. Those facilities will reopen only when all protocols are completed.

AMHERST, Va. – An Amherst County house is a familiar sight and even an eyesore to some who drive along South Amherst Highway. Now, it’s captured the attention of health and environmental officials due to its potentially hazardous conditions. A well-known property, 4171 South Amherst Highway, sits on one of the busiest corridors in Amherst County. County officials say one of the single-family homes is deteriorating and unsafe. The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office says charges are pending in connection with the property.

AMHERST, Va. – Amherst County is declaring a war on trash. County leaders are looking for a volunteer to help lead the effort. Dean Rodgers, county administrator, says this person will help find ways to help encourage people to keep the county clean. County leaders have a preliminary list of ideas to enforce individual responsibility and creating a reward system for people who call in violators. If you’re interested in the position, contact the county administrator’s office at 434-946-9400 or email the county administrator at dcrodgers@countyofamherst.com.

AMHERST, Va. - Robert Barnes has been out of jail for three months and is a painter in the Lynchburg area. The program -- created by Blue Ridge Regional Jail, Central Virginia Community College, Virginia Adult Education and Virginia Career Works started -- with women a year ago. "I think all the guys are leaving here feeling more confident about themselves and their abilities to make it out there," Cheri Almond, release program coordinator for Blue Ridge Regional Jail, said. He hopes to get his career started in manufacturing soon. Blue Ridge Regional Jail officials hope to continue this program next year.

AMHERST, Va. - Five Amherst county deputies received lifesaving awards on Monday. Martin and three others were on the scene of a bad car accident on Route 29 in Amherst. Martin said he arrived on scene first and put a tourniquet on the driver's leg of the Ford pickup truck. Another deputy held the neck of the other driver in the four-door sedan to keep him breathing until paramedics arrived. Micah Stephens was also recognized for bringing a heart attack victim back to life.

AMHERST, Va. - The bleachers at Amherst County High Schools fields are empty as it is summer break, but in a few years Amherst County School leaders want their spring athletes and fans to have a much better game experience. The baseball and softball parents came to us with a need and were trying to meet the need. said William Wells, assistant superintendent. Public school leaders want to build a 9,900 square-foot building that will hold locker rooms, a concession stand, practice rooms, batting cages and a bathroom. That's why Amherst County Public Schools officials would like local businesses to help out. School leaders tell 10 News theyve have made a few pitches to some companies in the area but need more.

AMHERST, Va. - Next month, Amherst County parents coming to pick up their children from school will have to be buzzed in. School leaders said they are in the process of creating a security vestibule in seven schools. In all county schools, the classroom doors will also change. The $100,000 security project includes changing the triple window pane doors to single pane glass doors. But really, its for the safety, security of your child.

AMHERST, Va. - A $3 million road change is coming to Amherst County. Leaders with the Smart Scale program are giving the Virginia Department of Transportation money to fix U.S. 29 and Route 151 on Patrick Henry Highway. To quickly fix the problem VDOT temporarily installed flashing beams to warn incoming traffic of cars sitting in the lane. "So if you wanted to go, for example, coming out of 151 onto 29, you want to go north to Charlottesville that you'd actually go further down south and come back. So you aren't making that direct crossover over onto 29," Paula Jones, Lynchburg District's communications manager, said.

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – The Amherst County Sheriff's Office announced another arrest as a result of Operation Ice Breaker. Granville Willard Smith IV, 34, of Amherst, is charged with distribution of a Schedule I or II controlled substance. He was taken into custody in Nelson County and was released on bond. The operation is looking to tackle the methamphetamine problem in the region, according to Sheriff E.W.