.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Local News

  • County man sentenced to 48 years

    A Bedford County man faces 48 years in prison following conviction and sentencing by a jury.

    Michael Nicholas Bowden, 20, stood trial in Bedford County Circuit Court, Tuesday, charged with unlawfully detaining Kelli Beamer, also 20, choking her with his hands and raping her. The incident occurred at his father's home on Feb. 22.

    According to court testimony, the two had a relationship for several years. Beamer testified that it had been sexual since they were 16. The sex occurred at either Bowden's father's house or at Beamer's parents' house.

    Click here to read more...
  • Breaking: Man dies in logging accident in Montvale

    A 69-year-old Botetourt County man died following a logging accident Friday morning in Montvale.

    The accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. Friday in a remote area in Montvale off Partridge Lane, in the Goose Creek Valley area. Montvale fire and rescue crews responded to the scene.

    Killed in the accident was Haden Lee Dunbar, 69, of Webster Road. The man was described as a long-time employee of Eddie Dooley Inc., a Blue Ridge logging company.

    Click here to read more...
  • Breaking - Man sentenced to 48 years

    A Bedford County man faces 48 years in prison following his conviction and sentencing by a jury in Bedford County Circuit Court this week.

    Michael Nicholas Bowdon, 20, stood trial Tuesday, charged with unlawfully detaining Kelli Beamer, also 20, choking her with his hands and raping her. The incident occurred at his father's home on Feb. 22.

    According to court testimony, the two had a relationship for several years. Beamer testified that it had been sexual since they were 16. The sex occurred at either Bowdon's father's house or at Beamer's parents' house.

    Click here to read more...
  • Rubatex brings in 40-ton boiler to plant

    Rubatex International is in the process of installing a new boiler as part of a $750,000 investment to its Bedford operation. The company is hoping the city does all it can to help provide reasonable electric rates to help the company keep the new boiler running.

    Earlier this month two cranes were brought in to help put the 40-ton boiler in place. The boiler helps power some 25 presses that cure the rubber produced by the company.

    Click here to read more...
  • County hires Stephanie White to develop new ag curriculum

    How do you sell square bales of hay for $75 a bale when your neighbors are getting $3 a bale for the same product?

    Click here to read more...
  • Local rider, trainer has 'perfect job'

    "I have the perfect job," says Sue Ott.

    Ott, who lives in the New London area of Bedford County, gives riding lessons and trains horses. She also performs in horse shows on a Lipizzan horse named Desche.

    Click here to read more...
  • Did you hear?

    Keep your cars locked

    The Bedford Police Department is urging area residents to keep their cars locked, following a string of larcenies from vehicles in the city.

    There have been a dozen larcenies from unlocked cars since the first of the year, six in the past month, according to reports from the department. Items taken include money, wallets, checks, an IPOD, a Blackberry and phone charger, a camera, DVD players, a handgun and video games.

    Click here to read more...
  • Bedford nurse wins first Region 2000 geriatric award

    A nurse at Oakwood Manor has received Region 2000's first Outstanding Geriatric Nursing Professional award.

    According to a Region 2000 press release, the award is given to the nursing professional who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the aging population. The winner was nominated and selected by a panel of peers.

    Joanne Goding, the winner, has been a nurse for 41 years. According to Harriet Hurt, her supervisor, she has a natural love for all people, especially the elderly.

    Click here to read more...
  • Planning commission weighs in on cell tower requests

    Two cell tower requests elicited different responses from a bare quorum of the Bedford County Planning Commission.

    District 1 Planning Commissioner Rick Crockett, District 6 Planning Commissioner Robin Hartman and District 3 Planning Commissioner Steve Wilkerson were absent. Both cell tower requests were from AT&T and, according to Mike Pace, the attorney representing the company, are needed to complete its network.

    Click here to read more...
  • Real estate tax rate won't increase in city

    Following some funding cuts to outside agencies, Bedford City Council passed a budget last week that eliminated a proposed increase to the real estate tax rate.

    Council was considering raising the real estate tax rate by 3 cents, but the approved budget keeps the rate at 81 cents per $100 of valuation. Most outside agencies, however, will see their funding cut by 50 percent. Also eliminated from the budget was a proposed $1 increase to the city refuse collection fee.

    Click here to read more...