Ferrum men's basketball coach James Johnson, shown in a recent practice, has been an assistant coach and a head coach at Virginia Tech.
Ferrum men's basketball coach James Johnson, shown in a recent practice, has been an assistant coach and a head coach at Virginia Tech.
Franklin County School Board's Boone District representative Jerry Conner and Blackwater District representative Arlet Greer listen to a presentation on critical security needs at county schools on Monday evening.
The Franklin County School Board announced plans to request more than $1 million in additional funding to address what they see as critical security needs in county schools.
Board members unanimously agreed Monday night to start taking steps to increase security at the high school, middle school and each of the elementary schools in the county. The renewed focus is partially due to a bomb threat that forced a lockdown at several schools in the county last month.
"As we reflected on the incident that occurred back in October, we took time to evaluate what additional measures could be implemented to strengthen the safety and security for our students and our staff," said Andrew Nester, operations director for Franklin County Public Schools.
Nester said administrators, central office staff and the division's safety team met in recent weeks to discuss ways to improve safety. The division also gathered feedback from students and staff at several schools.
Through those conversations, school officials developed a plan for multiple safety improvements. Some of those steps include increased fencing to limit entry, weapon detection software, moving student services at the high school to limit guest entry on campus, implementing a badge key system for students and staff to enter schools, replacing aging video cameras at schools and purchasing metal detectors for school events.
Nester said the total cost to address all of the security needs would be $4.1 million with a portion of that being funding that would be recurring each fiscal year.
"This is a large number to as for, but at the end of the day, we can't put a price tag on students and staff safety," Nester said.
One of the costliest security measures would be to go to a badge keyless entry system to enter the schools which was estimated at approximately $1.5 million to implement. Nester said staff currently have to carry multiple keys for multiple doors and buildings at a school.
Following Nester's presentation, board members discussed the best ways to begin addressing the needs. They came to the consensus that fencing, weapon detection software and camera replacement should be funded first.
Those three security measures would cost approximately $1 million based on information provided Monday. Nester said more research would be needed to get a final cost in the coming weeks.
"I think for something immediate, that makes the most sense," said Rocky Mount District representative Adam Bennett.
Blackwater District representative and Chair Arlet Greer said the school board would plan to reach out to the Franklin County Board of Supervisors for funding to meet those first critical security needs next month. Other security needs would be included as part of next year's budget discussion, she added.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3324
Saber Healthcare Group held a grand opening for its newest facility, Smith Mountain Lake Health and Rehab Center, on Thursday.
Michael Demagall, vice president of population health and business development for Saber Healthcare Group, gives a tour of its newest facility at Smith Mountain Lake on Thursday.
MONETA — Smith Mountain Lake will soon have a new health and rehab center for the region. Saber Healthcare Group provided a sneak peek at its newest facility on Thursday.
Smith Mountain Lake Health and Rehab Center is a 90-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility at 640 Scruggs Road near the lake's growing Westlake community. It is expected to provide 120 local jobs, including nursing, therapy, dietary, housekeeping and administrative roles.
Construction started on the new facility in May with a completion date still some weeks away. Michael Demagall, vice president of population health and business development for Saber Healthcare Group, said they decided to hold a grand opening reception a few weeks early before the cold winter months.
Demagall said a limited number of patients should be admitted sometime in December. That will start the center's process toward obtaining its Medicare and Medicaid certification.
"Once that occurs and we get our Medicare and Medicaid license, then we can admit more people," Demagall said.
The facility has 60 rooms with 30 being private and the other 30 being semi-private which will allow for a total of 90 patients at a time. The beds will be available for both long-term and short-term care, Demagall added.
"We expect to do a fair amount of short-term rehab," Demagall said. "Get those folks transitioning from the hospital to here and them back to the community where they want to be. If they need us for long-term care, we will be here for that as well."
Demagall said the expectation is for the facility to be approximately 70% long-term care and 30% short-term care.
As the needs in the community increase, Demagall said he expects staff to increase with it likely reaching full staff in a matter of six to eight months. That could be sooner based on interest from the public.
"We are getting a lot of inquiries," Demagall said. "Some from as far as an hour away as well as from here. Some live here but their loved ones live farther away and they want to bring them closer home."
Demagall said Smith Mountain Lake is a growing area with a "void" of skilled nursing facilities nearby. The area was seen as a good opportunity to fill a need, he said.
Saber Healthcare Group, based in Beachwood, Ohio, has more than 160 facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Delaware, Indiana and Virginia. This will be the company's 39 facility in Virginia with its nearest facility being Rocky Mount Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3324
Micheal Demagall with Saber Healthcare Group provides a tour of SML Health and Rehab which held its grand opening on Thursday.
Members of the Rocky Mount Town Council listen to discussion during its monthly meeting Monday evening.
Hamilton
A previously unnamed street in Rocky Mount will soon be dedicated to the legacy of the Rev. McKinley Hamilton, who pastored the First Baptist Church.
The historic church in Rocky Mount's downtown is currently under renovation to become the McKinley J. Hamilton Center for Community Enrichment. The church's congregation moved to a new location in 1965 while maintaining ownership of the downtown landmark.
In addition to being the church's pastor, Hamilton was a civil rights leader involved in multiple local organizations during his lifetime. He was also honored by the Virginia General Assembly shortly after his death in 2011.
The Rocky Mount Town Council voted unanimously Monday to name an unnamed road adjacent to the church in honor of Hamilton. It will now be listed as Hamilton Way.
"It's come up before that we need to find a name for it," Town Manager Robert Wood said about the street. "So it worked out well that they wanted to have a road near the center named after the reverend."
Current First Baptist Church Pastor Chris Coates thanked council members for their decision to name the road for Hamilton. He said the name Hamilton Way was fitting for the former pastor as he helped people find their way.
"Tonight I do thank town council that you would honor the church's request to honor his life, his contributions and his memory by naming the street after him," Coates said.
With the approval Monday, signs will now be prepared for an unveiling planned for next month, possibly before the Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas celebration.
The Rocky Mount Town Council also provided an update on efforts to assist members of the Diamond Avenue community in Rocky Mount who have requested assistance in updating a wooden bridge into the town and creating a second exit to the community that can sometimes be blocked by passing or stopped trains on railroad tracks that cross the only entrance.
The town has worked to obtain state funding to update the bridge, build a second exit and provide water and sewer services for the community. On Monday, Town Manager Robert Wood said a grant was recently awarded for $69,000 that would provide funding to develop plans to extend sewer and water services to the area.
Mayor Holland Perdue added that town staff would be meeting later this week with Sen. Bill Stanley on the Diamond Avenue issue. The town has asked Stanley to assist in state legislation that could provide funding to assist the community's needs.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3324
Tri-Area Community Health has been recognized with a rural health award for its local school-based service programs.
Virginia's Rural Health Association recognized Tri-Area Community Health with the 2026 Best Practices in Rural Health Award. The award recognizes effective and innovative approaches to improving health in rural communities. Tri-Area will be honored during the association’s awards luncheon Nov. 18.
In three years, Tri-Area has developed a regional school-based health program serving students and school employees at 31 schools in Carroll County, Galax City, Grayson County, Floyd County and Patrick County. The program combines on-site medical and behavioral health services, prevention and early intervention, telehealth and care coordination to make health care more accessible in rural communities, according to a release from Tri-Area Community Health.
During the 2025–2026 school year, the program completed 1,996 medical encounters, more than 270 sports physicals and 2,143 behavioral health counseling encounters. Behavioral health educators provided classroom lessons, small groups, individual check-ins, prevention activities and community outreach, the release said.
“This program would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our school-based staff,” said Pam Hylton, Tri-Area Community Health’s school-based services director. “From counselors, medical providers, and clinical support staff to virtual care coordinators, patient access staff, our IT specialist and behavioral health educators, everyone plays an important part in making this work. They deserve to be recognized for their efforts to improve the lives of students, families, school employees, and other residents throughout our service area.”
Tri-Area recognized the employees throughout the organization who provide administrative, clinical, technical, and operational support to the program. They also recognized their partnerships with participating school divisions as well as financial support from the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services and several local donors in the release.
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3507
