HIGHLAND COUNTY

MONTEREY — Highland County sheriff David Neil tendered his resignation to the Highland County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Neil said his last day as sheriff would be Aug. 31. “It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to retire,” Neil said. “The last few years have been very trying times.” Neil cited minor health issues

MONTEREY — Highland County will soon have a new short-term vacation rental property after a joint public hearing of the Highland County Planning Commission and Highland County Board of Supervisors on July 28. John McNamara applied for a conditional use permit to operate a bed and breakfast from a house on Potomac River Road just

• Local late summer and fall events should bring more visitors to Highland County, and the Highland Tourism Council is marketing to take full advantage of the area’s unique offerings. The council discussed its marketing efforts at its Aug. 1 meeting. • Highland County Chamber of Commerce director Chris Swecker sent a written report as

SELMA — Marie Hicklin Eisenhower, 89, of 1301 Concord Street, Selma, Va, died Friday, July 22, 2022 at the Woodlands Health and Rehab in Clifton Forge. She was born in Highland County on Sept. 3, 1932 a daughter of the late Rosser Stuart and Twila Phillips Hicklin. She was a homemaker throughout her life

WARM SPRINGS – A new Civil War book on Highland County has recently been completed by Richard Armstrong, president of the Bath County Historical Society. The book goes into great detail about events that took place in Highland from the moments before the outbreak of war to the conclusion of the conflict, and then some.

MONTEREY — Parents expressed concern about the lack of special education teachers, especially at the high school, at the Highland County School Board meeting Tuesday. After the meeting, the school’s website listed two open special education positions — a high school special education teacher and a high school special education instructional aide. The school is

MONTEREY — The Highland County School Board met on June 30 for its annual closeout meeting and final updates from interim superintendent Charles Winkler. Winkler worked part-time in June to help incoming superintendent Dr. Drew Maerz, who officially started July 1. He explained some of the more significant bills presented to the school board for

ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS — Cases of COVID-19 have risen throughout Virginia with a seven-day moving average of 2,695 daily new cases reported throughout the state — an increase from last week’s seven-day moving of 2,621 daily new cases. There were 57 new cases reported in Alleghany County over the past week, four new cases in Highland

MONTEREY — The Highland County Planning Commission recommended proceeding to a public hearing June 23 for a new bed and breakfast on the edge of Monterey. John McNamara of Alameda, Calif., applied for a conditional use permit for a house he is purchasing on Potomac River Road. McNamara has family ties to Highland County. His

MONTEREY — Shaun William Gwin of McDowell waived his preliminary hearing on 13 felonies and 10 misdemeanors during Highland County Circuit Court on June 15. Commonwealth’s attorney Melissa Dowd asked Judge Rupin Shah to nolle prosequi three additional felony charges. “At this time, the commonwealth has insufficient evidence for those cases,” Dowd told the judge.

The Highland High School Class of 2022 tosses caps into the air following graduation on Saturday. (Recorder photo by Connor Minnigh) MONTEREY — Highland County’s unique nature was on display Saturday as Highland High School’s 17 seniors graduated. The high school gym was full of proud parents, beaming grandparents, wiggly younger siblings, giggly friends, and

ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS — Cases of coronavirus have risen throughout Virginia with a seven-day moving average of 3,261 daily new cases reported throughout the state — an increase from last week’s seven-day moving of 2,750 daily new cases. There were 26 new cases reported in Alleghany County this past week; five new cases in Highland County;

MONTEREY — On May 12, the Highland County School Board approved hiring a new elementary school administrator — Nicole Cabral. Cabral’s full-time contract begins July 1, but she will start part-time in June, when interim superintendent Charles Winkler wraps up his term. “I am extremely excited about coming to Highland,” Cabral said. Cabral has spent

• On May 12, the Highland County School Board heard Carly Thomas present a speech prepared for a competition for the Future Farmers of America. Thomas won first place in the area competition and will be moving on to state competition. • Students are preparing for the end of the year testing, including SOLs. Interim

McDOWELL — The Buck and Ball Living History Association LLC, the Highland County Historical Society, and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation are teaming up for McDowell Battlefield Day on May 14. “The Battle of McDowell was the first battle of Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign,” said Highland County Museum director Lori Botkin, adding that it was

MONTEREY — While the Highland County School Board approved a budget two weeks ago, the board is still looking for ways to save money for taxpayers while providing more for staff and students. Interim superintendent Charles Winkler told the board Tuesday that he and staff have gone through the list of more than 30 children

MONTEREY — “It’s an evening of good news tonight,” said Highland County supervisor David Blanchard Tuesday. The Highland County Board of Supervisors’ meeting included several presentations and updates on organizations and activities over the past year. Clean audit Supervisors first heard from Saidee Begoon of the accounting firm Robinson, Farmer, and Cox on her audit

MONTEREY — The Highland County School Board voted to send a $6.8 million school budget request to the Highland County Board of Supervisors at a work session on March 24. The total budget of $6,816,310 includes $1,579,570 of state and federal funding; $1,020,570 is state funding for school construction, and the rest is COVID-related funds.

MONTEREY — Sheriff David Neil and Captain Ronald Wimer discussed the needs of the sheriff’s department and the 911 dispatch center at the Highland County Board of Supervisors’ budget work session on March 23. Like many other departments and businesses, the sheriff finds it challenging to hire and retain qualified employees and find affordable supplies.

MONTEREY — The price tag for operating the state’s smallest school division is likely to go up again. At the Highland County School Board meeting last Thursday, March 17, interim superintendent Charles Winkler presented two revised budget proposals — one with a 2 percent plus step raise and one flat 5 percent raise. “Iamproposinga5percentincrease across the board,” Winkler said. If […]

MONTEREY — Highland County’s projected emergency medical services fee revenue is not enough to cover the budget requests submitted by EMS chief Carl Williams, according to preliminary data submitted to the Highland County Board of Supervisors at a work session on March 16. The county began assessing a fee of $180 per landowner two years ago to cover the salaries […]

MONTEREY — A Highland County man was shot in the chest Friday evening on Route 84. He is in stable condition, according to Highland County sheriff David Neil. The victim is Larry “Trey” Williams III, 47, of Monterey. According to state police, Williams was standing on his property along Mill Gap Road when the driver of a Jeep yelled obscenities […]

MONTEREY — During this budget cycle, representatives of four agencies and offices requesting funds from Highland County spoke with county supervisors at a work session on March 9. Library needs Highland County Public Library executive director Tomi Herold gave the board an overview of the library’s programs over the past two years and its plans for the future. Herold said […]

A man is in the hospital with serious injuries after a man shot him in Highland County on Friday, according to Virginia State Police.

MONTEREY — A Highland County man was shot last night on Route 84 and is in stable condition this morning, according to Sheriff David Neil. "One person had a single gunshot wound to the chest," Neil said. "A suspect was picked up in Pocahontas County last night.” Captain Ronald Wimer explained, "They had detained a vehicle that was involved, and […]

Thousands will head to Highland County this weekend for the 62nd annual Highland County Maple Festival.

MONTEREY — Masks for teachers and staff are now optional after the Highland County School Board voted to update the COVID-19 mitigation plan last night. Interim superintendent Charles Winkler and high school principal Tim Good told the board they had conducted a survey of staff and teachers and most where in favor of making masks optional for adults, as they […]

The Highland County Maple Festival returns with an in person celebration this weekend.

ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS — The rate of new cases of coronavirus continue to plummet while hospitalizations and deaths are also falling. There were 16 new cases in Alleghany County this past week, three in Covington, two cases in Highland County, and seven in Bath County. As of Tuesday, Bath is ranked 32nd in new cases per 100,000 in Virginia; Alleghany is […]

ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS — Deaths directly linked to the virus are up in this area compared to last week, as cases around the state continue to find new lows. There were 25 new cases in Alleghany County this past week, nine in Covington, six cases in Highland County and three in Bath County. As of Tuesday, Highland is ranked 18th in […]

MONTEREY — During the Highland County Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday, commissioner of the revenue Yvonne Wimer asked the board to consider a resolution to help prevent residents from higher taxes on vehicles. “As everything else has increased, so have the values of used vehicles, which is unusual,” Wimer said. Wimer said the county currently uses 100 percent of the […]

• Tuesday, Joshua Simmons, the building and zoning department administrator, reported to the Highland County Board of Supervisors on last year’s permits and building activity. • The board reappointed David Blanchard to another term on the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. • The board renewed a contract for one year with Mary K. Earheart PLLC, CPA, for specialized accounting services […]

MONTEREY — At a parent advisory group meeting Wednesday evening, Highland County School Board member Sherry Sullenberger said the board plans to offer the interim superintendent job to a candidate on Monday. She said the person has agreed to start March 1. The board had held a closed meeting to interview one candidate last week. Sullenberger said the board would also […]

ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS — Cases of COVID-19 have continued to mount while transmission rate slows. There were 59 new cases in Alleghany County this past week, 21 in Bath County, negative three in Covington (a correction with Covington’s data was made) and 10 new cases in Highland County. All except Covington saw an increase in cases week over week. As of […]

MONTEREY — In a work session on Feb. 16, the Highland County Board of Supervisors adopted a policy that will allow a member to participate in up to two meetings a year virtually in certain situations. While the board was allowed to hold virtual meetings during Virginia’s state of emergency early in the pandemic, standard Freedom of Information Act rules […]

• In a work session on Feb. 16, the Highland County Board of Supervisors approved two renewal agreements with the Timmons Group related to GIS mapping in the county. County administrator Roberta Lambert said several of the hourly fees were increasing, but the annual fee of $6,000 remains the same. • The board directed Lambert to be the designated member […]

ALLEGHENY HIGHLANDS — Cases of COVID-19 continue to fall closer to summer lows and have reached a new low for February. There were 55 new cases in Alleghany County this past week, 16 in Bath County, 29 in Covington, and no new cases in Highland County. As of Tuesday, Covington is ranked third in new cases per 100,000 in Virginia; […]

Caleb Blagg, son of Matt and Tina Blagg of Doe Hill, is the 2022 Highland County Public Schools Spelling Bee Champion. The bee was held in online-testing format. The eighth grader will represent Highland at the Region 1 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Harrisonburg on March 5. (Photo courtesy Tina Blagg)... Please log in to view this content or […]

MONTEREY — The Highland County School Board did not take action on hiring an elementary principal during its February meeting, despite pleas from parents, staff, and board member Joe Neil. The Highland Elementary School principal position has been vacant since the November death of longtime principal Teresa Blum. However, at roughly 10 a.m. Friday morning, the schools posted the opening […]

MONTEREY — The Highland County School Board did not take action on hiring an elementary principal during last night’s meeting, despite pleas from parents, staff, and board member Joe Neil. The Highland Elementary School principal position has been vacant since the November death of longtime principal Teresa Blum. However, at roughly 10 a.m. this morning, the schools posted the opening […]

• The Highland Tourism Council met Monday and rescheduled the April meeting as the council was uncertain if it had a quorum. Members Marty Leech and Christoph Herby were absent. Lori Botkin was appointed as a new member last week by the Highland County Board of Supervisors but had not yet been called to sign the paperwork to become a […]

MONTEREY — The Highland County School Board will meet tonight, Thursday, Feb. 10, to continue its discussion on several essential items, including teacher salaries, stipends, hiring an elementary principal, and hiring a superintendent. The board has tabled many of these issues for several months, prompting a group of parents to hold their own meeting two weeks ago to compile a […]

• In the Feb. 3 edition of The Recorder showcasing recent recipients of the 2022 Highland Tourism Council checks, Marty Leech was incorrectly listed as being a Highland County EDA member. Leech is a member of the Highland Tourism Council. • Also, the column “Favorite Highland County native: A pet groundhog” was incorrectly titled. The author was Clint Hubbard, who […]

Boys’ Basketball — Narrows 84, Highland County 30. The Green Wave (8-2 Pioneer, 12-6 overall) got 26 points from Jarrett Freeman and 13 more from Kolier Pruett in a home win over the Rams Saturday afternoon. Eli Moore led Highland County with eight points and Michael Campbell added six. Next up: The Rams (3-7 Pioneer, 5-12 overall) host Union, […]

Roanoke Tours joins us with details on a motor coach trip to the Highland Maple Festival and a train trip to Michie Tavern!

Boys’ Basketball — Union, W.Va. 45, Highland County 37. The Rams went on the road Wednesday night and lost a decision to the Union Tigers in Mt. Storm, W.Va. Devin Gaither had 23 points for Union (3-10), which led 29-18 at the half. Michael Campbell led the Rams with 18 points and Eli Moore added 12. Next up: Highland […]

MONTEREY — George Hogshead, chairman of the Highland Economic Development Authority, asked the Highland County Board of Supervisors Tuesday for additional funding for economic development grants. “We had a record number of applicants this year,” Hogshead said. There were nine applicants this year; last year, there were six. Three of this year’s applicants had tied scores on the EDA scale […]

MONTEREY — Last Wednesday, Jan. 26, a group of nearly 30 folks met at The Highland Center and virtually to discuss priorities and goals for Highland County Public Schools. Initially, the group hoped to create a set of priorities for parents to take to the Highland County School Board during its work session last week, but after the meeting’s agenda […]

Boys’ Basketball — Boys Home 69, Highland County 53. Akon Deng scored a game-high 26 points Monday night, leading Boys Home to the victory on the hill over Highland County. Deng had six of the Hilltoppers 11 3-point makes on the night. Ephy Morris added four threes and 18 points for the winners, while Tylon Miller scored 13. Cayden […]

High School Basketball — Highland County 73, Paw Paw, W.Va. 41. The Rams put four players in double figures in the Saturday afternoon victory in Paw Paw, W.Va. Colton Williams led the winners with 19 points, Ethan Moore had 17, Michael Campbell scored 13 and Eli Moore added 12. Highland County led 37-21 at the halftime break. Next up: […]

MONTEREY — The Highland County School Board held a work session for nearly two hours Thursday evening to discuss proposed stipends, salary scales, and options for hiring an elementary principal. Chair Kenny Hodges added a preliminary report on the search for an interim superintendent to the agenda. Board members asked superintendent Dr. Thomas Schott dozens of questions and floated various […]

MONTEREY — On Wednesday evening, a group of nearly 30 folks met at The Highland Center and virtually to discuss priorities and goals for Highland County Public Schools. Initially, the group hoped to create a set of priorities for parents to take to the Highland County School Board during its work session tonight, but after the meeting’s agenda was released without […]

MONTEREY — Rapid COVID tests are becoming rapidly hard to find in Highland County, even as the positivity rate soars. Highland Medical Center CEO Letitia Amirault said the medical center is almost out of the rapid tests and only offers them to patients showing symptoms. “Unless there is some miracle windfall in the next three days, we’ll be out of […]

MONTEREY — Virginia has laws and regulations in place for school superintendents that the Highland County School Board will need to follow in replacing outgoing superintendent Dr. Thomas Schott. The Code of Virginia requires each school division to have a division superintendent. There are four options for qualified superintendents. Option 1 — The candidate must have a doctorate degree in […]

Does chocolate milk have too much sugar to be offered at school? This was a question raised by a parent representative during a review of the Health and Wellness Policy for Highland County Public Schools.

Thanks to Peter for today’s Picture of the Day from Highland County.

The start of the school year was previously moved to October 1.

Students and staff at Highland County Public Schools will have to wait a bit longer to start the school year.

On Thursday night, hours after Virginia issued a universal mask mandate for all schools, one school board voted to not follow suit.

Crunching the numbers, some areas in Central and Southwest Virginia were hit harder than others by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Sunday afternoon fishing trip led to a record-breaking catch from one Rockbridge man.

The Department of Veterans Affairs holds a listening session today for the Salem area. This is one of fifty sessions taking place across the country. The session is taking place virtually at noon for those registered. Today kicks off the second and final weekend of the Maple Festival at Southernmost Maple in Highland County. Highland County is home to the annual Maple Festival, but it’s canceled this year due to the pandemic.

HIGHLAND COUNTY, Va – One small business in Highland County is making the most out of what was supposed to be the weekend of the maple festival. Southernmost Maple will be hosting a variety of events this weekend featuring everything from fresh maple syrup to maple donuts. This weekend was supposed to be the kickoff of the highland county maple festival, which was canceled for the second year in a row because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Because of the pandemic it’s been a big maple syrup year because folks I guess, stay at home doing their own cooking and using a lot of maple syrup so they can come here and do it direct from the producer, we got lots outlets around the state.” Owner of Southernmost Maple Mike Puffenbarger said. Puffenbarger says they will also be serving breakfast on Saturday which they expect to be a big hit.

ROANOKE, Va. – 354 days since Virginia reported its first coronavirus-related death, now, every city and county across the Commonwealth has experienced at least one death. That means all Virginia’s 133 counties and cities have experienced at least one COVID-19 related death, with 9,326 deaths reported statewide. Highland County was the last area to report a coronavirus-related death after reporting its first coronavirus-related death on Wednesday. The previous two localities to report their first COVID-19-related death were Bath County on Jan. 31 and the city of Norton on Dec. 22, 2020. Fairfax County, Henrico County and Prince William County lead Virginia with 985, 529 and 441 COVID-19-related deaths, respectively.

HIGHLAND COUNTY, Va. – More than 1,250 gallons of fuel went unrecovered, killing 870 fish in the Jackson River, after a fuel tanker rollover Friday. Where Friday’s crash happened is a site of concern, as two crashes were reported in the same area last year. Highland County Board of Supervisors requested guard rails in the fall for that area after receiving several complaints. But after filing a report with the Virginia Department of Transportation, the area was deemed too narrow to install guardrails. Lambert said she plans to file another report with VDOT in the next two weeks about both curves with the hopes to install guardrails.

HIGHLAND COUNTY, Va. – Crews are on the scene of a tanker spill on US-220 in Highland County, authorities said. The crash happened at 7:44 a.m. when a tractor-trailer hauling 9,000 gallons fuel overturned into the Jackson River in the 8000 block of Jackson River Road in Highland County, according to Virginia State Police. Full Screen 1 / 7 Tractor-trailer overturned on US 220 in Highland County on Feb. 26, 2021. DEQ also said half of the tanker load was lost in the Jackson River. First Sergeant Anthony Nicely with Virginia State Police said an extra tanker will extract the remaining fuel from the one rolled over.

The Highland County Maple Festival has been canceled due to the coronavirusHIGHLAND COUNTY, Va. – The 2021 Highland County Maple Festival has been canceled for the second year in a row, but fans will still be able to get their maple syrup this year. The 2020 festival was postponed due to the same issues, but officials said the festival will come back when it’s safe again with hope for 2022. To those worried about not getting their maple syrup fix, there’s a solution! Eleven local Highland County syrup producers will continue making syrup this year and many are selling their products online. There will also be eight local producers who will participate in the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail, which allows for more of a one-on-one tour appointment year-round outside of the allotted March festival weekends.

The 2020 General Election will be held on November 3. You can find results for Highland County here. This includes how the county voted in the U.S. Presidential, U.S. Senate and any U.S. House races or locally-contested races. Use the picker below to find them:Find Race ResultsOnly care how other counties and cities in the area voted? You’ll find all those options in this picker:How cities, counties in our region votedGet the latest Virginia election news here

HIGHLAND COUNTY, Va. – Finding outdoor fun has turned out to be the theme of 2020 and Highland County has you covered. Highland County is also home to Virginia’s first Barn Quilt Trail, which was first formed in 2011. It started with just 13 quilt squares and has grown to almost 60 works of art. Many quilt squares tell a story about the family or business,” said Chris Swecker, the executive director of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce. You can stop in at any local business to pick up a Barn Quilt Trail brochure.

Many flock to Charlottesville for the wine trail, while Nelson County launched a beer trail about ten years ago, and now Highland County leaders have created a Maple Syrup Trail. “We’re typically considered the southern capital of maple syrup,” said Chris Swecker, executive director of Highland County Chamber of Commerce. The COVID-19 cancellation only emphasized the need for year-round promotion and visitation like the Maple Syrup Trail. There are eight stops on the Maple Syrup Trail and once you complete a tour you get your passport stamped. You may visit Highland County to taste the maple syrup, but you’ll certainly see the beauty that surrounds.

Today's Picture of the Day comes from Mindy Armstrong in Highland County! Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

HIGHLAND COUNTY, Va. - A 61-year-old man died after a crash Wednesday night on Route 220 in Highland County. The man was driving a 2001 Ford F-150 and heading north when h ran off the left side of the road a half-mile north of Route 642 and overturned into a small pond, according to state police. The driver, George Allen Hevener, of Franklin, Virginia, was not wearing his seat belt and died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

Here's where we'll be during the Virginia Proud Weather Tour:Thursday, April 28: Montgomery CountyWe will preview the Fork & Cork Festival on Saturday, April 30 at Beliveau WineryFriday, April 29: Botetourt CountyWe will take part in the Buchanan Civil War History Weekend at Buchanan Town ParkMonday, May 2: Highland CountyWe will profile the newly opened Highland CenterTuesday, May 3: Bath CountyWe will profile The Homestead, which is celebrating 250 yearsWednesday, May 4: Grayson & Carroll CountiesWe will take a look at the history of Bluegrass music in these communities by going to Barr's Fiddle ShopThursday, May 5: Nelson CountyWe will celebrate American Craft Beer Week at Devil’s Backbone BreweryFriday, May 6: Roanoke CountyWe will kick off Strawberry Festival in downtown Roanoke which runs through the weekendMonday, May 9: Floyd CountyWe will take part Floyd Country Store’s music festivalTuesday, May 10: Rockbridge CountyWe will take a look at some of the interesting things going on in Rockbridge County & LexingtonWednesday, May 11: Alleghany CountyWe will take a closer look at the newly renovated Historic Masonic Theater in Clifton ForgeThursday, May 12: Bedford CountyWe’ll travel to Smith Mountain Lake and the Bridgewater Plaza as the lake celebrates its 50th anniversaryFriday, May 13: Pittsylvania CountyWe’ll travel to Danville to take part in the city’s Festival in the ParkMonday, May 16: Giles CountyWe'll be at Mountain Lake LodgeTuesday, May 17: Pulaski CountyWe’ll take a look at The Marketplace, one of the premier farmers market in Southwest VirginiaWednesday, May 18: Franklin CountyWe'll be previewing the Pigg River Ramble WeekendThursday, May 19: Amherst CountyWe’ll take part in the Amherst County 3rd Thursday programFriday, May 20: Campbell CountyWe’ll be at the Lynchburg Regional Airport preview the Lynchburg Regional Air Show, which is that Saturday and SundayMonday, May 23: Bland/Wythe CountiesWe’ll travel to Big Walker Lookout, a 100-foot observation tower at the top of Big Walker Mountain that straddles the county lineTuesday, May 24: Appomattox CountyWe’ll take a look back and forward from the February 24 tornado that slammed Evergreen, VirginiaWednesday, May 25: Halifax CountyWe'll visit Virginia International RacewayThursday, May 26: Henry CountyWe’re heading to The Rooster Walk Music & Art Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the area