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Edward Finan
Sep 26, 2026; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Virginia Tech
Hokies running back Jeffrey Overton, Jr. (16) breaks a tackle on
Boston College defensive back Ashton Cunningham (14) in the first
half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn
Images
Page A1
Edward Finan
Sep 26, 2026; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Virginia Tech
Hokies running back Jeffrey Overton, Jr. (16) breaks a tackle on
Boston College defensive back Ashton Cunningham (14) in the first
half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn
Images
Visitors enjoyed wine, music and lakefront views in addition to beautiful weather on the first day of the two-day Smith Mountain Lake Wine Fes…
Health-care
Top StorySpotlight
Tri-Area Community Health announces new behavioral health director
Jason Dunovant
Jennifer Graham
Tri-Area Community Health recently announced a new behavioral health director for its centers located throughout the region including Ferrum.
Jennifer Graham will be taking on the behavioral health director role. She was previously with Mount Rodgers Community Services for 21 years in positions serving both youth and adults.
Graham worked as a qualified mental health professional as a mental health skill builder, case manager and therapeutic day treatment counselor at Mount Rodgers. In 2020, she returned to Lindsey Wilson College to obtain a master of education degree in counseling and human development and a professional counselor license in 2020.
In a news release sent out last week, Tri-Area Community Health said Graham "takes a compassionate, individualized approach to therapy, recognizing each person’s unique strengths, experiences, and capacity for growth. Her work focuses on helping clients develop resilience and effective ways of navigating life’s challenges. With a broad and integrative perspective, she draws from various therapeutic approaches to meet each person’s needs and support lasting well-being. She views the therapeutic relationship as a space where insight, connection, and meaningful change can emerge."
“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Graham as our Behavioral Health Director,” said James Werth Jr., CEO of Tri-Area Community Health. “Her clinical expertise, dedication, and commitment to supporting mental health and well-being will be a valuable asset to our team and the individuals and families we have the privilege of serving."
“I’m excited to be joining Tri-Area Community Health and to have the opportunity to support the mental health and well-being of the people in our communities,” Graham said. “I hope to provide a safe, compassionate space where people feel heard and supported as they work through life’s challenges and move toward healing and personal growth.”
A concept plan for Carter Park in Boones Mill. The town was
recently awarded a $157,000 grant to construct the park.
Photo courtesy of Boones Mill
Construction is set to begin later this year on Carter Park
adjoining Carter Bank & Trust and Maggodee Creek. The park will
include a pavilion, playground and other amenities.
File photo
Construction of a new park in Boones Mill, the town's first, is set to move forward thanks to a grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
Boones Mill was awarded the $157,300 grant for the development of Carter Park located on 2 acres donated by Carter Bank & Trust in 2024. The park is situated between the bank's Boones Mill branch located at the intersection of Church Hill Street and Boones Mill Road in the town and Maggodee Creek.
In a release announcing the grant funding last week, Boones Mill called the project "a cornerstone of Boones Mill's multi-year downtown revitalization effort" which also includes the restoration of its historic downtown. That project is currently ongoing through a $860,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in 2024.
With funding for the park now in place, Town Manager B.T. Fitzpatrick said work is expected to begin later this year on construction at the park. Seven Oaks Landscaping is overseeing the project with plans for a pavilion and community gathering areas, a playground, a parking area as well as future plans for a trail system.
Fitzpatrick said the park could one day be used for community gatherings as well as for events and festivals. The pavilion would have a raised stage for concerts and other acts.
“This grant is a tremendous investment in the future of Carter Park and the quality of life of our residents,” Fitzpatrick said in the release. “The Virginia Outdoors Foundation's support will help us create a vibrant public space that brings people together, promotes recreation, and preserves valuable open space in the heart of our community.”
Fitzpatrick said Seven Oaks is expected to start on construction in the coming months with completion expected sometime in mid to late spring. He added that those plans could be delayed depending on winter weather.
The completion of the project could also coincide with the town's restoration project that is also set to begin construction later this year. Fitzpatrick said people passing through Boones Mill will likely soon see a lot of construction.
"This is something that will be highly visible for everybody to see the progress the town is making," Fitzpatrick said. "I think there is a lot of excitement around Carter Park. It will also be great timing because we hope to be under construction with the new streetscape and facade works downtown. So there could be a lot of activity in late spring of 2027."
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