Entries for February 2008

 Construction for a new Walgreen's will soon change the look of the corner of Kings Mountain Road. Walgreen's is planning to open the new store this summer says Carol Hivley, Walgreen's Corporate Spokeswomen. The new store will be 14,800 a typical size for Walgreen's. The store will feature a drive-Thur pharmacy window and will employ about 25 people. You can visit their website Walgreen's.com to file out an application if your interested in employment. Walgreen's forced locally owned business National Glass to relocate a few months ago.

      Just a little history, Charles R. Walgreen Sr. purchased the Chicago drugstore where he had worked as a pharmacist — and that started the Walgreen chain. His energy and enthusiasm soon led to new ideas and ambitious expansion. For example, he manufactured his own line of drug products to ensure high quality and low prices.

A late Thursday afternoon accident on 220 North slowed traffic down for hours. No surprise to neighbors who say his happens all he time. A quick response from Henry County Sheriff's Office, Collinsville Vol. Fire and Bassett Rescue secured the scene and prevented any potential dangers.

Neither information nor an accident report would be released from Virginia State Police. We assume the driver was not local and know he was not hurt in the accident. As always, speed and the road design was a factor. Once again, the guard rail company will be back to work.

TRAFFIC ALERT!
February 12, 2008

 TRAFFIC ALERT – ROUTE 657 
HENRY COUNTY

Route 657 (Rockwood Park Road) between Route 609 (North Daniels Creek Road) and Route 608 (Pawnee Lane) in Henry County will be closed to through traffic beginning Tuesday, February 19. This closure is necessary for a pipe replacement project. All work should be completed by 5:00 pm, Friday, February 29, weather permitting.

Motorists should use alternate routes. 

United States Congressman, Virgil Goode, who represents the 5th District of Virginia, addresses the Fieldale - Collinsville Rotary club Wednesday, February 20 at the Dutch Inn.

Goode's appearance is part of the F-C Rotary Club's ongoing services of political appearances by candidates for office. Tom Perriello, the likely Democratic foe against Goode for the 5th District seat in November, addressed the F-C Rotary Club two weeks ago. For more info on Goode's appearance contact BTW 21 for airing dates.

2008
Daytona 500

Would you believe the money that Nascar driver’s make for the 500. Take a look at this

$18,689,238 (was $18,386,023 in 2007)
1st - winner, minimum of: $1,445,250 2nd minimum of $1,044,400
3rd $752,400
4th $598,450
5th $471,500
43rd/last $233,865

• Past Purse/Race Awards (2007): $18,386,023; Winner [#29-Kevin Harvick] got: $1,510,469; 2nd; $1,102,258; 3rd: $819,216; 4th: $615,658; 5th: $529,350; and 43rd: $334,931; lowest payout: 42nd, Kyle Petty at $248,050
• Past Purse/Race Awards (2006): $18,029,052; Winner [#48-Jimmie Johnson] got: $1,505,124; 2nd; $1,095,766; 3rd: $796,116; 4th: $684,076; 5th: $537,944; and 43rd: $269,882; lowest payout: 40th, Hermie Sadler at $245,633
• Past Purse/Race Awards (2005): $17,623,980; Winner got: $1,497,154; 2nd; $1,106,138; 3rd: $828,796; 4th: $643,896; 5th: $533,579; and 43rd: $276,444
• Past Purse/Race Awards (2004): $15,972,313; Winner got: $1,495,070; 2nd; $1,096,070; 3rd: $758,839; 4th: $610,792; 5th: $472,189; and 43rd: $216,997
• Past Purse/Race Awards (2003): $14,030,129; Winner got: $1,419,406; 2nd: $1,027,101; 3rd: $707,526; 4th: $569,630; 5th: $444,609...and 43rd got: $195,663
• Past Purse/Race Awards (2002): $12,314,505; Winner got: $1,327,030; 2nd: $928,100; 3rd: $631,500; 4th: $479,075; 5th: $353,175; 43rd: $114,236
• Past Purse/Race Awards (2001): $11,049,049; Winner got: $1,303,826; 2nd: $905,700; 3rd: $608,050; 4th: $452,600; 5th: $334,650
• Past Purse/Race Awards (1959): $53,050; Winner [Lee Petty] got: $19,050; 2nd $7,650; 3rd $4,600; 4th $2,525; 5th $1,875; last 59th $100

Info from: jayski

Picture from: The New York Times

 4th of July Celebration on Track!

Just two days following the announcement that the Martinsville 4th of July Celebration event was at risk of not taking place, Clay Campbell, Martinsville Speedway President (left), announced today that the celebration will go forward.  

Immediately after the announcement was made that funding was a problem for the event, the community came together to make this free even possible again.    Several companies came forward to sponsor the event, and the goal has already been achieved for funding.  Mr. Campbell stated that calls were also received individuals in the community wanting to help ensure this event was not canceled.

The photos here are from the news conference held at 2:00pm on Thursday, February 8, 2008, at the Martinsville Speedway Media Center.   Standing with Mr. Clay Campbell are representatives from many of the companies and organizations that came forward.   

Three of the top five players in the state of Virginia, and 14 of the top 25, highlight a football recruiting class composed of 31 student-athletes who signed letters-of-intent with Virginia Tech on Wednesday.

"I congratulate my staff. I think they've done a great job of evaluating and recruiting not only talented kids, but good character kids ... players who overall put a priority on academics," head coach Frank Beamer said. "I think this class will turn out to be a really good class. These are all student-athletes we feel good about and we're happy with our success in the state. But then you have to look at the players we were able to attract from out of state. I think that group is the most talented group, outside of the state we've ever had."

After signing 19 players combined from the Commonwealth over the past two years, the Hokies inked 21 high school players from Virginia this year, including 14 of the top 25 prospects according to The Roanoke Times. Highlighting this year's in-state group are three talented players - Dyrell Roberts (#3 by Roanoke Times), Ryan Williams (#4 by Roanoke Times) and Vinston Painter (#5 by Roanoke Times) - who all earned SuperPrep All-America honors.

Roberts, who is projected as a wide receiver, is ranked the No. 27 athlete in the country by Rivals.com. The Windsor native became just the fourth running back in Bay Rivers or Peninsula District history to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark (2,236 yards) in the regular season. Williams, from Manassas, is rated the No. 26 overall player by ESPN.com, the No. 3 running back in the country by Rivals.com and was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Painter, from Norfolk, is rated the No. 4 offensive guard in the country by SuperPrep.

Ten players from out-of-state signed with Tech, highlighted by five highly rated prospects from North Carolina. Nick Becton (Wilmington) is rated the No. 26 offensive tackle in the country by ESPN.com, while Michael Via (McLeansville) is ranked the No. 31 offensive guard in the country by Rivals.com. Eddie Whitley (Matthews) is rated the No. 16 cornerback in the country by ESPN.com, while Fayetteville's Lorenzo Williams is ranked the No. 11 safety in the country by the same outlet. Jarrett Boykin, from Matthews, rounds out the quintet and is ranked the No. 81 wide receiver in the country by ESPN.com.

Eleven other players from the state of Virginia are ranked in the top 25 in the state by The Roanoke Times. They are: Virginia Beach quarterback Marcus Davis (#9), Maidens wide receiver D.J. Coles (#11), Virginia Beach wide receiver Randall Dunn (#15), Amherst athlete Peter Rose (#16), Highland Springs defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins (#18), Stafford defensive end Isaiah Hamlette (#19), Amherst linebacker Derrick McCoy (#20), Virginia Beach linebacker Lyndell Gibson (#21), Ashburn rover Jeron Gouveia (#23) and Falmouth linebacker Jake Johnson (#24) and Richlands athlete Austin Fuller (#25)

The large in-state class also features seven others ranked in the top 38 by The Roanoke Times: Virginia Beach defensive end Joe Jones (#27), South Boston linebacker Allen Stephens (#28), Virginia Beach athlete Xavier Boyce (#29), Alexandria wide receiver Ben Barber (#30), Virginia Beach running back Tony Gregory (#31), Richmond quarterback Joseph Clayton (#33) and Woodbridge tight end Eric Martin (#38).

Virginia Tech has had a strong presence at Hargrave Military Academy over the years and picked up three more players from there this year. Leading the way is defensive end Leon Mackey, who is originally from Delaware. He is ranked the No. 25 defensive end in the country by SuperPrep. Also re-signing with the Hokies were linebacker Quillie Odom and athlete Kendrick Pressley, who signed with Tech last February. Odom, originally from Osbourn Park High, is ranked the No. 5 prep school player in the country by Rivals.com, while Pressley, from South Carolina, is ranked 26^th.

The Tech staff put heavy emphasis on the receiver and linebacker positions, led by linebacker Bruce Taylor, from Myrtle Beach, S.C. He is ranked the No. 12 inside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com and earned All-America honors from PrepStar. Painter and Ryan Williams also earned All-America honors from PrepStar.

"Wide receiver had to be a priority for us," Beamer said. "We think we've got a couple of guys who could fit in there next year. And at linebacker, we lost some good players there and feel good about the group of linebackers that's coming in here."

The Hokies used commitments from athletes in five states to complete their class, grabbing one player from Delaware (Mackey), one from South Carolina (Taylor), five from North Carolina and one from Florida in defensive tackle Dwight Tucker. Tucker, from Oviedo, is ranked the No. 22 defensive end in the country by ESPN.com and the No. 45 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com. With his signing, it marks the 18^th year since 1988 Tech has signed a player from Florida.

In total, 15 signees earned first-team all-state honors this past season, including 11 from Virginia's three classifications, three from North Carolina and Taylor from South Carolina.

2008 Virginia Tech Signing Class

Article from hokiesports.com

Will the 4th of July Celebration Event take place in 2008?

A news conference was held today at the Martinsville Speedway Media Center, announcing that the annual 4th of July Celebration for 2008 is at risk of not taking place.  
The event is in need of funding, and is looking for some additional sponsors to help cover the cost of this very popular event for the community.  Read full story!

Update:  http://www.btw21.com/Default.aspx?tabid=427&mid=1531&ctl=ArticleView&articleId=40

Bassett wins a close one over Magna Vista. 55-53 

Bassett fans roared after a close game to the Warriors. The game was explosive as were the students, the schools rivalry was as HOT as the game! BTW 21 was on location for the action! Call for games air dates or to purchase the game on DVD. pic of games are also cocated on sports page.

Same Location – New Floor Plan:

The area's premiere business trade show, will take place at the same location as last year, the former home of the VF/Bassett Walker complex on Walker Road (off of Rives Road) in Martinsville. It is now the home of the Resurgence Properties LLC. March 4th will be VIP night, by invitation only and March 5th is Open to the Public.

For info (276) 632-6401
Fax: (276) 632-5059
mhccoc@mhcchamber.com