Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry takes the No. 21 Ford around the track during the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway earlier this season.
Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry takes the No. 21 Ford around the track during the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway earlier this season.
Franklin County Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Siers speaks with the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
Franklin County Public Schools remains likely to finish the fiscal year more than $1 million over budget for the fiscal year ending later this month. The estimates were provided to supervisors at the board's monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Significant cuts have been made by the school division in recent months to help curb the overspending for the year. Nearly 60 positions have been cut in recent weeks to reduce the budget, along with other cost-cutting measures, according to Superintendent Kevin Siers, who spoke with supervisors during Tuesday's meeting.
Siers said those cuts could save the school system more than $2.25 million. Those savings will be used against any overspending for this fiscal year. Any funds left over could go toward any unfunded budget needs.
The budget overage estimate is $1.2 million currently. That $2.25 million from spending reductions could be used to make up the shortfall with $1 million left over for other needs, Siers said.
"If it should end up being a bit more than that, then we would have less for those budget priorities," Siers said.
Snow Creek District representative Nick Mitchell thanked Siers for the work that has been done to get the division's budget under control. He said the work that has been done will have the schools on better footing going into the new school year.
"I know we've had some tough talks, but I appreciate what you are doing and I appreciate your progress that I believe is being made to put us on a good path going forward," Mitchell said.
While the school system is currently estimated to be $1.2 million over budget, Deputy County Administrator and Chief Financial Officer Brian Carter said that estimate could change in the coming months. He warned that the schools could be as much as $3 million or $5 million over budget.
The final estimates on the school's budget may not be completed until as late as September.
Appalachian Power Co. representative Rob Mann was invited to speak with supervisors Tuesday to discuss the near-record low water levels at Smith Mountain Lake. The lake is currently nearly 5 feet below full pond and has remained at that level for several months.
Mann said Appalachian Power has three "triggers" that can be hit in drought conditions that would allow a reduction in the required flow of water from the Smith Mountain Project, which includes Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes. So far, the power company that oversees the lake has implemented two of the triggers due to the drought.
Mann said the first trigger was hit April 27 to reduce outflow from Leesville Dam into the Roanoke River. The second trigger was hit on May 11 to further reduce the water released.
The Smith Mountain Project uses the two lakes to store water and generate power. Water passes through turbine generators at Smith Mountain Dam into Leesville Lake. Water can then be pumped back into Smith Mountain Lake.
A minimum outflow into the Roanoke River is required based on the power company's water management plan with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The outflow is required to maintain habitats and recreation downstream.
"The drought conditions don't look like they are going to let up this summer," Mann said. "It could go lower."
Brandon Middleton, Appalachian Power's hydro manager, said the area would need as much as 10 inches of rain to get lake levels back up to normal levels. He added that could be difficult as any brief rain in the area currently goes into the dry soil.
Gills Creek District representative and Chairperson Lorie Smith questioned if data centers could have an impact on the lake's level. Middleton said no data center is impacting the lake level and it would take approval from agencies such as FERC and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality which would require multiple public hearings before any such action could possibly take place.
Supervisors voted 6-1 in favor of creating a dog park in Westlake using funds raised by the Recreational Development of Franklin County over the past two years. Blackwater District representative Marshall Jamison was the lone vote against the park.
Since 2024, the group has raised more than $60,000 through donations to fund the dog park. The county is expected to use the donated funds to construct the dog park located just off Booker T. Washington Highway (Virginia 122) in Westlake along Lakewatch Center Drive.
In addition to the donated funds, the county would provide the funding required to maintain the park which would include water, power, landscaping and other costs. Those costs to the county are estimated at $13,600 annually.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3507
Rocky Mount Fest earned the Virginia Main Street Merit Award for Promotional Innovation last week, recognizing the town's success in creating and growing the popular annual downtown event.
The award was presented June 10 during the Virginia Main Street Awards luncheon held as part of the Virginia Economic Developers Association Summer Membership Meeting in Blacksburg. Missy Morris, main street executive director for Rocky Mount and Community Partnership, and Daniel Pinard, cultural and economic development director, accepted the award on behalf of the town and Community Partnership of Rocky Mount.
Missy Morris (left), main street executive director for Rocky Mount and Community Partnership, and Daniel Pinard (right), cultural and economic development director, accept the Virginia Main Street Merit Award from Promotional Innovation from Courtney Mailey, program manager of Virginia's Main Street coordinating program.
Rocky Mount Fest was created by the town in 2023, originally called 150Fest, to celebrate the town's 150th anniversary with a free music festival for the town. In its brief three years, the event has quickly grown to a major promotor and economic boost for the town.
"For a town of 5,000 residents to be able to bring in 20,000 visitors in one day is a huge accomplishment," Morris said of the reasons the town was recognized.
Last year's festival featured 18 bands across fives stages set up along the town's downtown area which is closed off to traffic for the day. More than 65 vendors are also set up along downtown with many of its retail businesses and restaurants extending their hours for the event.
Crowds react to the music of Franklin County natives Crawford & Power on the Farmer’s Market Stage Sept. 22 at Rocky Mount Fest.
Morris said many downtown businesses see a boost in customers for the day. For restaurants and bars in downtown, it is become their busiest and most profitable day of the year, she added.
"Rocky Mount Fest began as a way to celebrate our community's 150th anniversary, and it has grown into an event that reflects the very best of Rocky Mount," said Rocky Mount Mayor Holland Perdue on the award. "Receiving this recognition from Virginia Main Street is an honor and a testament to the many people who have helped transform Rocky Mount Fest into a celebration of our heritage, community spirit, and Historic District."
This the second time the town was recognized for Rocky Mount Fest. In 2024, the town received the Celebrate Tourism Summit award as the Outstanding One-Day Event of the Year last year.
Morris said preparations are already well underway for this year's Rocky Mount Fest set for Sept. 19. Vendor spaces and food truck spots have been increased to support the growing number of visitors.
More information on the acts performing at this year's Rocky Mount Fest are expected to be announced in the coming months. The festival features local artists and national acts that complement Rocky Mount's roots as part of the Crooked Road music trail.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3507
Boaters watch the Fourth of July celebration at Parkway Marina in 2023.
The no-wake zones for the two on-water fireworks shows at Smith Mountain Lake during the Independence Day weekend.
No-wake zones will be in effect for boats watching fireworks shows around Smith Mountain Lake for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.
The no-wake zones will be in place during and after two fireworks shows to ensure safety as boaters enter and leave the viewing areas. The zones have been defined by the Smith Mountain Lake Association Water Safety Council and local law enforcement agencies.
According to a release from the Water Safety Council, the area around the fireworks display at Mitchell's Point Marina on July 2 will be a no-wake zone. Boats with flashing amber and red lights will identify the boundaries of the no-wake zone near the fireworks display at Parkway Marina on July 4.
Boaters are asked to reduce speed at the no-wake zone boundary and idle to their preferred viewing locations without throwing wakes that jostle earlier arrivers. After the fireworks have ended, boaters should idle back to the zone boundaries before accelerating to a safe after-dark cruising speed.
No-wake zones have been set up for the last 22 years to help keep boaters safe. They are credited with minimizing accidents on the lake during these busy events and adding to the enjoyment of watching fireworks from the water, according to the release.
Ignoring the no-wake zones is considered reckless operation, a citable offense that carries a fine and impacts the operator’s driving record. Law enforcement will also be on alert for anyone who appears to be operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Water Safety Council asks all people attending by boat to also wear properly fitting life jackets. Boaters should keep navigation lights on and be vigilant about operating safely among all the boats in the area.
“We had experienced a scare at our first fireworks-by-boat outing in 2004,” said Jerry Hale, a Water Safety Council member who originated the no-wake fireworks program. “As we were headed home, a cruiser’s wake that was invisible in the dark crashed over passengers seated in the bow of our 23-foot runabout. It seemed to me SML’s on-the-water Independence celebration need not be that dangerous or intimidating.”
Hale offered additional tips for enjoying fireworks by boat safely in the Water Safety Council release:
“These safety measures will support another great year of fireworks over the water,” Hale said.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3507
RICHMOND — Gov. Abigail Spanberger and two lawmakers say they have resuscitated legislation to create a legal market for selling cannabis in Virginia.
Though the governor vetoed the measure, nearly killing it for the year, she announced a deal Tuesday alongside the bills' sponsors, Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, and Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax.
They intend to put the framework for a cannabis market into the state budget, which must be signed by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown. The state would allow sales beginning July 1, 2027, and the market, Spanberger said, would be "safe, legal and well-regulated."
Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, who sponsored the bills alongside Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, said that building the market correctly is as important as launching it, adding that the final product "reflects years of work."
Earlier this year, Spanberger proposed an array of changes to the bills, delaying the start date, reducing the number of stores and hiking penalties for offenders. After lawmakers refused to accept her amendments, Spanberger vetoed the legislation.
But the governor said she was still committed to a marijuana market, and negotiations began immediately. Though the governor relented on some aspects, her priorities remain intact, she said.
The trio agreed to the governor's later start date and compromised on a 6% cannabis tax that will rise to 8% on July 1, 2029. Initially, Spanberger wanted a higher tax so marijuana can provide a revenue stream similar to beer, wine and liquor. But she acknowledged that a lower tax rate will help sway buyers to purchase from legal sellers. Buyers also will have to pay the state sales tax and a local tax, meaning the total tax rate in 2027 will range between 12.3% and 16.5%. Virginia's proposed tax rate is lower than most other states.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks Tuesday at a news conference announcing there is a deal to authorize cannabis sales and put the legislation in the upcoming budget.
Under the agreement, the state will allow 350 stores, but it will not award every license immediately. A slower rollout is designed to give small businesses time to compete with large manufacturers. Regulators will decide where to award licenses.
Concerning penalties, the state will give harsh punishments to people who sell to underage customers, which Spanberger said was a priority. But the governor agreed to drop heavy prison sentences on people who grow or transport excessive amounts of marijuana. The governor and lawmakers agreed to delay until 2027 a provision that would fine a person $250 for consuming marijuana in public. Legislators will continue discussing that law next year, Krizek said. It would be illegal for a person to possess more than 2 ounces of marijuana.
"We all share the belief that recriminalization is not the answer," Aird said.
For now, tax revenue will go to the general fund. The state intends to spend the money on pre-kindergarten programs, K-12 education, substance use disorder programs and public health. Initially, lawmakers planned to divert a percentage of revenue to the cannabis equity reinvestment fund, which is designed to help communities hurt by past marijuana laws, but Spanberger diverted the tax money away from that fund. Lawmakers will continue discussing the subject next year, Krizek said, who added that the topic of tax revenue was too big an issue to include in the current framework.
The latest version of the law would make illegal intoxicating hemp products. Currently, a hemp product is legal if it contains 25 times as much CBD as THC, which Aird has called a "loophole." A Republican lawmaker said this provision would put Virginia hemp sellers out of business.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, along with the bills' two sponsors, intend to put the framework for a cannabis market into the state budget. Spanberger said the market would be "safe, legal and well-regulated."
The final product "reflects years of work" and compromise, Krizek said. Building the market correctly is as important as launching it, he added.
To make the agreement a reality, the House, Senate and governor must agree to a state budget. For months, that process has been consumed by debate concerning data centers and their tax breaks.
Republicans mostly have voted against legalizing marijuana sales. Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, said he disfavors the legislation and the fact that Democrats are legislating through the budget.
"I'm not in favor of the retail market of marijuana in general, but doing significant policy through the budget is not a plan," he said.
Staff writer Dave Ress contributed to this report.
Eric Kolenich (804) 649-6109
The longest day of the year, otherwise known as the summer solstice, has fallen on June 21, marking the astronomical start to the season.
