(Danville) — Danville Fire Crews spent most of Sunday dousing a blaze outside of a factory.   They were called to the Blue Ridge Fiberboard on Celotex Drive at around quarter to three in the afternoon.   Three Engines, a Ladder truck, a Support Unit, and a Command unit answered the call with 16 personnel.   The firsts units saw a large fire in an outside storage area of the plant where finished board products are stacked and stored.  They tapped into on-site hydrants and began dousing the blaze alongside, plant personnel who were using tow motors to ..read more

(Danville) — Danville Police have charged a woman with animal abuse at a local doggie day care. Police were told this week by a complainant about a video that was made public earlier in the week. It allegedly shows animals being abused by a groomer who was employed at the time by Hollywood Pets on Hairston Street. The video showed the groomer striking dogs in January and February of this year. The complainant shared the video to social media. It was shared to a wider audience by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Animal Control investigated the incident with help from detectives with ..read more

Project Imagine, a pioneering program dedicated to steering youths away from gang activity and community violence, recently celebrated a significant milestone as its 25th class graduated, bringing the total number of teenagers completing the program since its inception to nearly 150. Led by Robert David, violence prevention manager for the City of Danville’s Project Imagine, the program focuses on pairing the teens with mentors and setting tangible goals for participants, including refraining from contact with law enforcement, improving academic performance, completing school, and gaining empl ..read more

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your position with DPCS?  I am a Prevention Program Manager at Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services.   I have the pleasure and honor of overseeing all our community-based prevention work, which includes mental health wellness, suicide prevention, trauma and resiliency, substance misuse prevention, and problem gambling prevention.  This work includes acting as the lead agency for several collaborative groups: West Piedmont Trauma and Resiliency Community Network (WPTRCN), Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (RASAP ..read more

(Washington) — Our local congressman is sponsoring a bill that would prevent feds from regulating gun suppressors.  Fifth District Congressman Bob Good has introduced the Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act. It would deregulate suppressors, eliminate penalties for owning one, and allow current and retired law enforcement to carry concealed firearms with suppressors. It would also eliminate state bans on the devices. “I oppose any form of regulation or tax on the people’s right to keep and bear arms. No constitutional right should be at risk due to public opinion, or subject to regulatory a ..read more

(Danville) — Danville planners have added another restriction to one of the city’s growing gateways.  Last year the city established the West Main Corridor Overlay District. It runs from the North Carolina line to Rison Street. It governs new development along the corridor, which is the route many travelers are taking into Danville to visit the casino.   Danville City Council this week voted unanimously to add car washes as a prohibited use in the district.  There were already 20 other businesses that are not allowed along that stretch of road. That includes check cashing busine ..read more

(Danville) — The weather’s getting warmer—that means the Danville Otterbots will soon kick off their fourth season in the Appalachian League.   The Bots this week announced this year’s roster. It includes four returners from last year, some local talent, and top players from colleges around the country.  Fans will see players from the A-10, ASUN, Big 12, Big South, C-USA, CAA, MEAC, SoCon, South Atlantic and Sunshine State conferences. 2023 Appalachian League All-Stars Michael Callan Moss, Jackson Tyer, Raymond Ladd and Alex Barger return to the Otterbots for a second season.  T ..read more

(Danville) — The local airport now has a permit to build a new training center.   The Danville Aviation Training Facility at Danville Regional Airport will include a 12,000 square foot hangar. Dewberry Engineer Tim Lasler told Danville City Council this week they needed a permit to waive yard requirements to allow a twenty foot front yard setback. Buildings in the Light Economic Development District require fifty-foot setbacks. (cut1).  The center will feature advanced education, research and training.  Lasler says it will also spur economic growth and lead to more site improvem ..read more

(Richmond) — Unemployment rates in Southside Virginia are setting historic lows for the month of March.   The new survey from the Virginia Employment Commission shows Danville with a 4.3% jobless rate in March.  That’s down six-tenths of a percent from February, and down slightly from the same month a year ago.   On the down side, the Danville rate is tied for the fourth-highest in Virginia.  Pittsylvania County fell from 3.2% in February to 2.7% in March. It’s the county’s lowest unemployment rate in 11 months, and tied for their lowest-ever level in March.  Halifax C ..read more

It is an undeniable fact that when we discuss historic restoration, we invariably ignore the bathroom. The very idea we would consider keeping any older version of one is not possible. Older bathrooms have rusty plumbing and squeaky pipes. Some have broken tiles and faded carpets. And every fixer-upper in HGTV history takes time to let a horrified homeowner bask in the glow of an all-pink tiled nightmare. So, it’s pretty rare to see a beautifully renovated historic home with a bathroom that matches. We’ve seen lots of gorgeous bathrooms that appear to have historic fixtures and original sinks ..read more