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Today's News

  • Letters

    Following the footsteps

    I am a Democrat, so much so that I once contributed to the Democratic National Committee as well as to Democratic candidates.

    But all that stopped several years ago when it became obvious that national Democratic politicians were following in the footsteps of Republican politicians. In other words, strict loyalty to the party, getting reelected, and blaming the other side for the failure to solve national problems. I was disgusted with the whole Washington scene.

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  • What we have learned from September 11th

    Seven years ago, Americans looked on in horror as the events of September 11th unfolded. At the end of the day the skyline of one of our greatest cities was forever changed, the Pentagon, a symbol of America’s military strength was still smoldering, and a previously indistinguishable field in western Pennsylvania had suddenly and terribly become an unmarked grave for America’s newest heroes.

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  • House resolution recognizes threat of terrorism

    House resolution recognizes threat of terrorism

    On September 11th, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate gathered on the steps of the United States Capitol for the annual Congressional Remembrance ceremony, honoring the thousands of men and women who were killed when terrorists attacked our nation on September 11, 2001. I found this ceremony moving.

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  • The continuing water release debate

    The present water release protocol from Leesville Dam is enveloped in folklore and justified by 42 years of operation that generally favored enhancing river flows over maintaining safe water levels in Smith Mountain Lake.

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  • The GOP: Party of the rich, white, and powerful

    If you watched any of the Republican National Convention, you had to notice the sea of white faces that stared back at you from the hall. It was very difficult to spot a delegate of color.

    You couldn’t help but notice, too, that most of those white people appeared to be rather well-heeled, let’s say. Well paid; well off; living the Republican dream.

    It shouldn’t be necessary to remind people that the GOP is today what it’s always been: the party of the rich and the privileged, and also a party that remains nearly all white.

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  • The Germans are right

    Last week, the Bush administration decided to forgo taking unilateral action against Russia for its war with Georgia. In doing this, President Bush wisely chose to follow the softer approach advocated by Germany and some of our other European allies.

    Acting unilaterally would have been a very bad idea. As Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pointed out, we could be the ones who will be isolated if we act precipitously.

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  • Folks helping folks

    What makes a good neighbor?

    In a thought, it’s that when the chips are down, those around you are willing to step up to the plate and help. It’s folks helping folks.

    And there are a lot of good neighbors around these parts.

    For all the bad news that often gets publicized, there’s a lot of good going on around us, too. Even in those tough times.

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  • Jury acquits man of molesting girl

    A Bedford County jury found 35-year-old Keith Lee Dotson not guilty Tuesday on three felony sex offense counts involving a girl under the age of 13 years old.

    The jury, which deliberated for less than an hour, acquitted Dotson on counts of attempted rape, aggravated sexual battery and forcible sodomy. Dotson, who was arrested last February, still faces three counts of forcible sodomy, one count of aggravated sexual battery and five counts of animate object sexual penetration in connection with the alleged assault of another girl.

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  • Planning commission moves mill plans forward

    The Bedford County Planning Commission, Monday night, unanimously approved a request by the Big Otter Mill Foundation that clears the way for the foundation to begin work to open the mill to the public.

    The mill is located on a 1.7 acre tract on Va. 122 in an agricultural area, 1.3 miles north of Liberty High School. It was completed in 1920 and is on the Virginia Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. It has also been identified on a Bedford County listing of its historic places. It operated until 1950 and has been abandoned ever since.

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  • Chase ends in accident, injuries and fire

    An attempt at a traffic stop last Thursday in Bedford County led to a seven-mile chase ending with the car being pursued flipped over and the driver and passenger injured, according to the Virginia State Police.

    Trooper M.D. Mayhew said he had attempted to stop the vehicle on Route 43 north near Northside Building Supply for several traffic violations when the chase ensued. He had been patrolling in that area at the time.

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