Justin Faulconer

Bedford

Reporter at The News & Advance

Newspaper reporter, loves UFC and movies, parent, husband

Articles

Nelson supervisors eye long-term plan for more school buses

3 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

With a month to go before the deadline to pass a budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Nelson County Board of Supervisors at a May 30 meeting voiced urgency to secure a long-range funding for more school buses. The county budget forecast for fiscal year ’26 that begins July 1 is $51 million, about $212,200 more than the current budget, or 0.4%. Local taxes make up 79% of revenue, local anticipated revenues are at $40.8 million, state funding is at $5 million and federal money is at $1.3 million.
Nelson brewery partners with food bank to roll out Fresh Food Express Van

3 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Devils Backbone Brewing Co. recently announced its support of a new Blue Ridge Area Food Band initiative in unveiling the new Fresh Food Express van. The initiative expands the food bank’s capacity to serve all communities with nutritious, fresh produce. The Fresh Food Express ensures neighbors and families experiencing food insecurity across the outreach’s service area have access to healthy options.
Amherst County High School celebrates first cosmetology graduates

3 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Amherst County High School celebrated the first graduates of its cosmetology course during its May 23 commencement ceremony, a program that started in the 2022-23 school year with 10 girls. Principal Joey Crawford said the students went through three years of the course and are eligible to take a state board exam. Two have passed the state board exam and are state-certified cosmetologists, Crawford said during a May 30 phone interview. Seven students finished the program, he said.
True crime author Diane Fanning to speak in Madison Heights June 16

3 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

The Friends of the Madison Heights Library welcomes true crime and fiction author Diane Fanning to speak at the Madison Heights Public Library Community Room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 16. Born and raised in Baltimore, Fanning was a 10-year resident of Amherst County. She and her husband currently reside in Bedford.
Amherst School Board member Eric Orasi seeks second term

3 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Amherst County School Board District 5 representative Eric Orasi is running for a second term in the Nov. 4 election and is eager to help the school division continue moving forward. Orasi, who was first elected in 2021, said he feels the board has started “some good work” during his first four years. He has four grandchildren who graduated from Amherst County High School and three grandkids currently enrolled, which is a contributing factor to running again.
Five candidates interview for vacant Amherst Town Council seat

3 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Five Amherst residents interviewed for a vacant seat on town council at a special called meeting May 29. The seat was vacated by former mayor Andra Higginbotham at the end of April. Council has petitioned for a special election for it on Nov. 4 and will make an appointment at its June 11 meeting. The five who interviewed in closed session are Ventris C. Gibson, Aaron L. Ferro, Harold Oswald Thomas Jr., Jason Meador and Singaram “Sonny” Sundaramurthy.
CVEC linemen bring home hardware in rodeo competition

5 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Six linemen from Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) showcased their exceptional skills, speed, and safety at the annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman Rodeo held in Doswell on May 16 and 17. "Competing against teams from across the region, our linemen demonstrated why they're among the best in the business," a news release from CVEC said. "More than just a competition, the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo serves as a celebration of the trade.
Kaine, Warner condemn closure of Old Dominion Job Corps Center

6 days ago | roanoke.com | Justin Faulconer

LYNCHBURG — Virginia’s two Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released a joint statement Friday blasting the U.S. Department of Labor’s decision to shut down contractor-run Job Corps centers across the country, including the Old Dominion Job Corps in Amherst County. The decision will “abruptly eliminate crucial job training for thousands of young Americans and cut nearly 13,000 jobs across the program’s 99 centers,” the senators’ news release condemning the measure said.
Gov. Youngkin to speak at National D-Day Memorial's June 6 anniversary

6 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Gov. Glenn Youngkin will attend the 81st anniversary of D-Day at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford on June 6. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The governor will deliver remarks during the 11 a.m. ceremony, the memorial announced Thursday. Joining Youngkin at the event will be Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, USMC (Ret), Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, Adjutant General of Virginia.
Kaine, Warner condemn closure of Old Dominion Job Corps Center

6 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Virginia’s two Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released a joint statement Friday blasting the U.S. Department of Labor’s decision to shut down contractor-run Job Corps centers across the country, including the Old Dominion Job Corps in Amherst County. The decision will “abruptly eliminate crucial job training for thousands of young Americans and cut nearly 13,000 jobs across the program’s 99 centers,” the senators’ news release condemning the measure said.