Justin Faulconer

Bedford

Reporter at The News & Advance

Newspaper reporter, loves UFC and movies, parent, husband

Articles

Amherst County officials discuss regulating battery storage facilities

4 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

AMHERST — Battery storage facilities and the possibility of regulating such land use in Amherst County were heavily discussed at a May 6 joint meeting of the county board of supervisors and the planning commission. Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG), a company that specializes in fire safety of battery storage facilities and other energy projects, was part of the joint session that Amherst County Board of Supervisors Chair Claudia Tucker said was solely about education.
Board approves Amherst County 2025-26 budget with 3% raise, no new taxes

6 days ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Amherst County’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget that includes a $60 million general fund and $2.5 million for solid waste spending received the county board of supervisors’ approval May 6. General fund revenues increased by half a million dollars, or 0.8%, but county department heads were asked to trim budget requests to balance the figures.
Bedford statehouse candidate, Spanberger oppose state forcing solar projects on localities

1 week ago | starexponent.com | Justin Faulconer

Bedford County resident Joy Powers, who is running as a Democrat for Virginia’s House 51st district, in a news release Monday said she joins gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger to “firmly reject the idea that Virginia Democrats support mandating solar projects on unwilling localities.”The release said Powers, who is running against Del.
Public meeting set for May 12 on potential historic district for Shipman

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Virginia Department of Historic Resources staff will hold a public informational hearing May 12 for consideration of a historic district for the Shipman area of Nelson County. According to a letter from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) posted on the county government’s website, the state’s historic preservation office is considering nomination of the Shipman Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Hands-on learning takes root in Amherst Middle's ag science course

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

On a late April afternoon, students in Tyler Parr’s Applied Ag Concepts class at Amherst Middle School were busy watering plants for a sale that upcoming weekend. The spring fling fundraiser on April 26 in front of the school featured plants of various types and hanging baskets the students grew themselves with the help of a local greenhouse, according to Parr, the school’s agricultural science instructor who in January was announced as Amherst County Public Schools’ teacher of the year.
Public hearing on updated flood maps set for May 28

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

The Nelson County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on an updated ordinance for the county’s general floodplain district at its May 28 meeting. Dylan Bishop, director of planning and zoning, said the county is required to submit its ordinance for review and evaluation for compliance to be part of the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Energy Management Agency (FEMA) that provides affordable flood insurance to property owners.
Jason Childress running for at-large seat on Amherst School Board

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Madison Heights resident Jason Childress is running for an at-large seat on the Amherst County School Board in the Nov. 4 election. Childress, who grew up in Lynchburg, said he has lived in Amherst County for 23 years and likes how much more laid back the county is compared to the city. He said he is running for office for the first time to make a positive difference, and he has two daughters currently in the county school system and a stepson who has graduated.
Lynchburg woman charged with felony homicide in infant's death

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

A Lynchburg woman is accused of felony homicide in connection with the death of her infant daughter, the Lynchburg Police Department announced Monday. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Endia Latara Walker, 23, was arrested April 3 and charged with three counts of felony child neglect and one count of felony child neglect resulting in serious injury, the LPD said at the time of her arrest.
Amherst Town Council seeks applicants to fill vacant seat

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

Amherst Town Council is seeking applications for an interim appointee to serve following the recent resignation of former Vice Mayor Andra Higginbotham on April 30. Any interested citizen registered to vote in the town and wish to serve can apply by May 20. The application can be found at http://amherstva.gov/government/board-vacancy/application-to-fill-vacancy-on-town-council/ and in the town hall building at 174 S. Main St., Amherst, during normal business hours.
Gateway Sewer project funding discussed during budget hearing

1 week ago | newsadvance.com | Justin Faulconer

The Amherst County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget at an April 29 meeting. The budget that takes effect July 1 includes a $60 million general fund, a $2.5 million solid waste fund and $64.5 million for Amherst County Public Schools. County Administrator Jeremy Bryant’s budget summary states the general fund revenues increased by roughly half a million dollars, or 0.8%.