The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office recently partnered with New River Valley Community Services to offer post-trial help for jurors.

Public transportation access in rural communities is a tough issue for residents, but now there is a new option for folks in the New River Valley, and it’s free.

The program provides on-demand access to public transportation in the New River Valley for people who are disabled or over the age of 65 who don’t have access to an established line.

New River Valley Community Services is making access to their services easier for residents.

Hospital visits caused by unintentional drug overdoses nearly doubled in the New River Valley in August. “The social isolation caused by the pandemic, I think, has made it difficult for some people to cope,” said Mike Wade, the Community Wellness Coordinator with New River Valley Community Services. Drug overdoses in Southwest Virginia are up 11% since the start of 2020, according to the Virginia Department of Health. New River Health District Director Dr. Noelle Bissell said drugs are also starting to reach a younger age group in the area. “Especially concerning was in our younger demographic, our 0 to 14 age group and our 15 to 19 age group.