Carrie J. Sidener, The News & Advance Journalist Profile

Articles

The News & Advance is thankful for your patience

2 months ago | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

Most newspaper readers have a can’t-miss feature or section they start with each morning. Some people turn to Sports for the latest Scoreboard. Others look forward to the Wednesday Break page with its tasty recipes or the latest good reads featured in Sunday’s edition. Many start Sunday morning with the Local & State section or look forward to the spirited debates on the Opinion page. When that favorite feature is missing from the paper, it’s frustrating.
Cyber attack hampers newspaper production

2 months ago | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

Early last week, The News & Advance team, along with our sisters across the state and nation were confronted with an unprecedented technical issue that prevented us from producing complete printed newspapers and e-editions. Some of you have expressed understandable frustrations as well as empathy upon learning of our technical challenges. For many, it’s a morning ritual to enjoy a cup of coffee while catching up on what is going on in Lynchburg and across the nation.
January is National Blood Donor Month

2 months ago | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

When I was still a student in college, my mother pulled me aside and asked if I would be willing to help a stranger. She read in The Roanoke Times about a serious blood shortage affecting the region and noticed there was a particular need for A negative donors, which just happened to be the blood type we both shared. My father volunteered to drive us to the American Red Cross donation center and the three of us headed off to do our good deed. It didn’t quite work out as planned.
Bellringing for Lynchburg's Salvation Army

Dec 7, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

It’s one of those scenes of the holiday season — cheerful volunteers standing outside local stores next to a red kettle ringing a bell. The Salvation Army’s, well, army of bellringers can be found outside area retailers. Armed with a healthy dose of Christmas cheer, these volunteers brave winter’s chill to raise money for the nonprofit that provides those in our community in the greatest need with shelter and food.
SIDEBAR: Jumble makes its return

Nov 1, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

We heard you. We’re thrilled today to announce the return of Jumble to The News & Advance. You’ll find the scrambled word game, which has been challenging and entertaining generations of players since 1954, on Page B6 of today’s edition, as well as in our E-edition at newsadvance.com/eedition. Also head over to our website to find new games. Access to our digital content is included in your subscription.
SIDEBAR: The impact of our words: Remembering N&A columnist Darrell Laurant

Oct 14, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

For almost four decades Darrell Laurant wrote about life in and around Lynchburg with a keen eye and a sense of humor. The year I began my tenure at the paper, Darrell celebrated 25 years of writing about the personalities that give this community its character. I remember him as the writer I wanted to be. I mean, he had the best gig — writing about anything and everything that interested him, free to give his opinion, but never having to take a hard stance.
SIDEBAR: Hitting the pavement

Sep 28, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

Once upon a time, I decided I was going to be a runner. It was not something that came naturally. I’m not lanky like a runner and it was one of those things I was glad I did when it was done, but had to drag myself into lacing up those running shoes and making it out the door. Over time, the miles grew. And before long, my motivation came from signing up for area races — I am Woman 5k, Run 4 Their Lives, and eventually, the 4 Miler Run held in conjunction with the Virginia 10 Miler.
A storied history: The tale behind the Virginia 10 Miler

Sep 27, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

The path of the Virginia 10 Miler has generated tales of unity and perseverance over the past 50 years. The race has grown from its humble beginnings in 1974 when 225 people lined up on Langhorne Road at E.C. Glass High School to run the inaugural race on the challenging course that reminds people just why Lynchburg is known as the “Hill City.”What else would symbolize the unity formed in a competition than the twice over hand-in-hand finishes of Olympic runners Frank Shorter and Bill Draper?
Riding that tsunami: Olympic runner talks about pressure on eve of Virginia 10 Miler

Sep 27, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

Cole Hocker reminds himself at the starting line of a race just to take a moment and take it all in. The Olympic gold medalist is this year’s special guest for the 50th running of the Virginia 10 Miler. Hocker, who represented the U.S. at the Paris Olympic Games this summer, shocked almost everyone by winning the men’s 1,500-meter final with a time of 3:27.65. He now holds the Olympic record for the metric mile.
Use of force justified in Lynchburg hotel shooting

Sep 17, 2024 | newsadvance.com | Carrie J. Sidener

The use of deadly force by two Lynchburg Police officers in a hotel shooting has been ruled justified, according to a news release issued by the city’s Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison issued her finding in the fatal shooting of Francisco Javier Hernandez Jr. on June 27 at the Super 8 Hotel on Candlers Mountain Road.