New VMI superintendent begins tenure following allegations of racism at the school
Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins has started his tenure as VMIโs interim superintendent. Wins graduated from VMI in 1985 and recently retired after more than three decades of service in the Army. VMI will soon be investigated by the Commonwealth of Virginia for allegations of ongoing racism at the school. Winsโ predecessor, General J. H. Binford Peay III, resigned after 17 years when the allegations intensified in October. โYouโre going out into a world thatโs diverse.
Elementary school teacher tests positive for COVID-19 in Rockbridge County
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. โ Rockbridge County school leaders announced on Saturday that a teacher at Central Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Department is contacting anyone who may have been in contact with this teacher and has advised another staff member to quarantine, according to Superintendent Phillip Thompson. Officials said these two staff members have not been in close contact with any students as they are not teaching in-person. Due to privacy laws, the division canโt identify anyone who tests positive or is in quarantine, according to Thompson. This is the second positive case in the school district, and both cases involve staff members.
National Weather Service rates Botetourt County tornado an EF0
FINCASTLE, Va. โ On Tuesday, the National Weather Service announced the rating for the tornado that touched down in Botetourt County on Saturday. Your Local Weather Authority was on the air Saturday evening after the National Weather Service in Blacksburg issued a tornado warning for parts of Botetourt and Rockbridge counties. A day or so later, the National Weather Service fielded calls of damage to trees on a property near Lee Lane. Monday, a crew went to survey the damage and found that the damage was consistent with that of a tornado. Her neighbor is a weather spotter and sent photos of the damage to the National Weather Service.
Central Shenandoah Health district reports its first case of MIS-C associated with the coronavirus
ROANOKE, Va. Five children in Virginia have now had Multisystem Inflamitory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), according to the Virginia Department of Health. The latest case reported in the commonwealth was of a child who lives in the Central Shenandoah Health District. That health district contains Rockingham, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath and Highland counties, as well as the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington and Buena Vista. The other four cases reported were located in the Prince William, Alexandria and Fairfax health district. Two cases were reported in the Fairfax health district.
Covington parent concerned for suspect who had 'hit list' of peers, employees
ROANOKE, Va.- - Questions linger after deputies say a student at the Rivermont School created what they call a hit list. It included names of students and teachers from Alleghany, Covington and Rockbridge schools. For as long as it's needed, there's extra law enforcement presence at all schools in Alleghany County and Covington as a precaution. 1 priority," said Eugene Kotulka, superintendent, Alleghany County Public Schools. The list contained the names of students and employees at various schools plus the name of an Alleghany County sheriff's deputy.
Visitors excited for hot air balloon festival in aftermath of Red Hen controversy
LEXINGTON, Va. - It was too windy for the hot air balloons to take flight Saturday morning. But co-director Rachael Killingsworth of Balloons Over Rockbridge estimated thousands of visitors were at this year's festival. Nealin Parker, who was born and raised in Lexington, was excited to attend the festival. After more than a week of heat surrounding The Red Hen controversy, owner Michael Yerks of Blue Ridge Cider Doughnuts said this fun-filled event couldn't come at a better time. Parker, who was going for a walk near The Red Hen said she defends her town.