DOWNTOWN LYNCHBURG

Downtown Lynchburg was transformed into a water lover’s dream this past weekend with a 700-foot water slide winding through the heart of the city.

The historic 2,400-square-foot home on 5th Street in Downtown Lynchburg is now available.

One family in Lynchburg is renovating a home that could be a hub for African American culture.

Downtown Lynchburg is encouraging people to try somewhere new for Restaurant Week 2023.

On Tuesday, the YMCA of Central Virginia announced an $11.5 million capital campaign goal to renovate the Downtown YMCA on Church Street.

On Monday, the Downtown Lynchburg Association announced that Get Downtown will be held on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

An annual event is returning to Lynchburg this Labor Day weekend – the Lynchburg Pridefest is slated to be held at the Riverfront Park on Saturday afternoon.

Hill City Donuts recently opened in the popular Mama Crockett’s Cider Donuts location.

For the second consecutive weekend, the Lynchburg Police Department [LPD] is investigating reports of shots fired in the downtown area.

It’s been about two years since the feature was shut off due to much-needed repairs.

Employees at Myers and Rhodes Equipment Company, located on the 1600 block of Main Street, discovered the destruction Monday morning.

The festival, originally slated for August 26 & 27 at Riverfront Park, isn’t going to happen this year, and the Academy Center of the Arts said the lack of outdoor amenities is to blame.

The Lynchburg police department designated the 800 block for pro-choice supporters and the 900 block for pro-life supporters, with Monument Terrace separating the two sides with gates and law enforcement.

Mission House Coffee announced Wednesday that they’re opening of a third location, in addition to their Downtown Lynchburg and River Ridge Mall locations.

While many restaurants have been forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages and inflation, one Lynchburg business is expanding.

Four floors feature patterns designed by staff members at the Downtown Lynchburg Association.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin visited Lynchburg Friday and spoke one-on-one with 10 News about several topics impacting Southwest and Central Virginia.

Michelle Ayers owns Purple Door Gourmet Kitchen and Catering and plans on opening the location on the 900 block of Main Street.

Once they collect $1,000 through small change and QR codes, business partners match it in order to make a $4,000 donation.

After two years of construction, residents say it’s about time.

Ten winners will be announced Dec. 1. You need to take a photo of your stamped card and upload it online.

Local businesses across Southwest Virginia are getting ready for Small Business Saturday and the holiday shopping season.

There's a petition to rezone the foundry warehouse on Concord Turnpike from industrial to a commercial property.

Air Force veteran Michael Doucette was the keynote speaker and brought a message of duty, honor and country.

The current facility was built in 1956. No word yet on when renovations are expected to be complete.

Lynchburg Fire Chief Greg Wormser says the fire that engulfed the Cottage Stillroom and Candle Factory was accidental, but the investigation into what caused Friday’s inferno it is ongoing.

James River Week runs Sept. 11-18.

Four sports are making their Olympic debut in Tokyo: skateboarding, sport climbing, karate, and surfing. Business owners in Lynchburg are hopeful that the games bring attention to those sports.

The transition from the current one-way streets to two-way streets will occur in three phases

The Suicide Prevention Awareness Coalition is hosting a special fundraiser on Sunday, July 17th at Percival’s Island in Downtown Lynchburg.

The initiative is called Hill City Keys, and it started seven years ago with school students painting donated pianos.

The colorful display takes place at 9:15pm Friday, July 2nd.

Two new laws are adding an extra layer of safety for cyclists across the Commonwealth.

The playground would go in Riverfront Park near the Splash Plaza.

While reports differ on its origin, many believe the version you see today became popular in the 1950s and 60s.

The Vietnam War and Foreign Conflicts Foundation is on a mission to raise one million dollars to build a museum in Nelson County.

A new outdoor venue in downtown Lynchburg will open its doors this weekend.

One of the major attractions is the James River running alongside the city. The waterway was a major resource in the 18th century.

An 11-year-old boy with autism told a Lynchburg business owner that a small nameplate is the only thing marking his mom’s final resting place at Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery. She wanted to pitch in to help.

A downtown Lynchburg road is temporarily closed after a crash involving two Lynchburg Police Department vehicles on Thursday evening.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – One year into the pandemic, and like everywhere else, the Hill City has seen its fair share of struggle. The Downtown Lynchburg Association released their 2020 annual report to show the impact. Kathy Shaw, owner of Beeswax Candle Co., relies heavily on online sales and says revenue jumped 50 percent at the start of the pandemic. When it comes to online sales, Ben Noyes can’t say the same. “A lot of it was people working from home instead of coming downtown to work,” said Noyes.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Monday marked one year since America reported its first COVID-19 death, but the U.S. has come a long way since then. Lynchburg residents and business owners created a memorial as the nation’s death toll continues to rise. Inside the Hip Tulip Flower Shop, Colleen Dykstra helped prune nearly 500 roses in the shape of a heart to honor those who have been impacted by COVID-19. For Dykstra, the vibrant, three-foot display of roses blossoms a bond with so many others. Organizers hope it becomes a growing memorial, where people leave messages, flowers and photos to honor loved ones they’ve lost.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – For the first time since March, Lynchburg Community Market’s Crafter’s Gallery reopened its doors earlier this month. The Crafters Gallery is in the building behind the city’s farmers market and features the work of local artisans all year long. Also, there are now fewer crafters to allow both shoppers and vendors more room to social distance. She’s had a booth at the Crafters Gallery for more than 30 years and couldn’t wait for the return. The Lynchburg Community Market also has permanent vendors like bakeries and cafes and a seafood market is in the works right now.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – One business gearing up for Small Business Saturday just opened its doors on Black Friday. Ayven Avenue Boutique, a new shop that sells women’s clothing and accessories, is located on 5th Street in Downtown Lynchburg. “We really feel like small businesses need some support this year. So, we wanted to get down here and just be a part of the community and let everyone know that we’re here,” Howell said. The original boutique was located on Leesville Road but shut its doors after two years.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg’s Main Street Renewal Project is on the road to completion, even though it’s faced some bumps along the way. Project manager Jim Talian said that while every building on Main Street between 12th and 8th streets is now connected to the new water and electric systems, they’re facing minor setbacks. The new water systems have a higher pressure than the old water systems, so we had to put pressure-reducing valves on all 57 water services. The 800-block of Main Street, scheduled to open by Thanksgiving, is now planned for early December, while the 1000-block, set to reopen by Christmas, has been pushed to late January. Talian said that despite setbacks, the entire project is expected is to be complete by June 2021, two months ahead of schedule.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Police Department ia searching for two suspects wanted for vandalizing and stealing from a church. It happened on October 8th at the First Unitarian Church in Downtown Lynchburg. The church’s minister, Reverend Terre Balof, believes the suspects captured on surveillance video stole a rainbow banner hanging above the entrance, then placed a sticker of a white supremacist group on the church’s free, outdoor library. “If they were trying to intimidate us, that’s not going to work, and we’re ordering another banner,” said Reverend Terre Balof. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lynchburg Police Department.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – As pizzeria workers slice and dice inside Benny Scarpetta’s on Main Street, construction crews continue slicing and dicing the roadway outside. Lynchburg’s Main Street Renewal Project has taken a toll on traffic between 8th and 12th Street over the past year. But in recent months, businesses like Benny Scarpetta’s have hit another roadblock: COVID-19. Businesses have faith in the future of Main Street. “The goal is that it brings in more business and to hear that it’s already on track is super, super nice,” Miles said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. A Lynchburg group created eye-catching art to start a conversation about suicide and mental health. The Suicide Prevention Awareness Coalition invited artists to draw inspiring chalk images and messages outside of the Academy Center for the Arts on Sunday. The event coincided with the start of National Suicide Prevention Week. People are struggling more so now than ever, and some people are struggling that have never struggled before, said Christina Ingram of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Coalition. The event was attended by Lynchburg vice mayor Beau Wright, who said he has also struggled with his mental health in the past.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Some old parking meters in Lynchburg have been refurbished and converted into piggy banks. We need people to clear off their change that they have in their dresser drawers and bring them down, said Peggy Nolley, creator of Change for Change Caring Meters-Lynchburg. Nolley started Change for Change Caring Meters in Lynchburg after seeing the idea in Canada. A gigantic result Nolley said will help Lynchburg-area families. So, I think all the help that they can get even though its not going to be huge dollars, said Libby Fitzgerald, co-partner of Change for Change Caring Meters-Lynchburg.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Supporting Downtown Lynchburg businesses just got a little easier. The event is just as unique as the businesses that make up Downtown Lynchburg while raising thousands of dollars for the downtown associations recovery initiative for businesses hit during the pandemic. While spotlighting people to what makes Downtown Lynchburg so special the association is also collecting donations. As the Downtown Associations way to say thank you, when you give you could receive exclusive merchandise. Since the event is virtual it can reach people who arent familiar with Downtown Lynchburg.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - You could be dealing with some delays in Downtown Lynchburg starting on Monday. For the next two years, parts of Main Street will close, as contractors and Appalachian Power are working to replace aging waterlines and update sanitary, storm and electrical systems. Business owners said the project will be a pain, but they are glad customers will have access to their doors. That's going to make it clear for people," Rodney Taylor, the owner of Market at Main, said. City leaders are also offering free two-hour parking in some parking decks during the construction.