Shannon Watkins

2 weeks ago | pmg-va.com | Shannon Watkins

Data from a national tracker puts Galax high on a list of drug overdoses from last year, but local law enforcement officials say it’s not necessarily to be taken at face value. Out of all localities across the country, Galax ranks fifth in the number of nonfatal overdoses over the past year, according to data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS).

2 weeks ago | pmg-va.com | Shannon Watkins

FANCY GAP — Devil’s Den Nature Preserve in Carroll County is getting some help from the Friends of the Blue Ridge - on May 3, there will be a ceremony to celebrate its reopening, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friends of the Blue Ridge, a service organization consisting of chapters along the Blue Ridge, “heard that many members of [the Devil’s Den] board had aged out and the trails needed to be cleaned up,” said FBR member Cary Simms, who was also involved in helping revitalize Camp Dickenson and...

2 weeks ago | pmg-va.com | Shannon Watkins

The Grayson County High School Chorus will present the Disney musical revue “Dare to Dream,” under new chorus director Gary Hultman, May 1-3 in the GCHS auditorium. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

2 weeks ago | pmg-va.com | Shannon Watkins

The Galax Old-Time Jam is now being held every Tuesday in The Rex Theater lobby — except when there’s a play rehearsal on. In that case, musicians elected to hold the jam outside, much to the delight of passersby, including new Galax Assistant City Manager Neil Holthauser (standing), who proclaimed his love for the local music. “COVID knocked a lot of stuff out,” one of the musicians observed about a general decline of the live old-time and bluegrass scene locally.

2 weeks ago | pmg-va.com | Shannon Watkins

The Wilson District seat on the Grayson County Board of Supervisors is up for grabs in November, and two Republican newcomers are vying for the spot. The seat is currently held by Brantley Ivey, who is not seeking re-election. Candidates seeking the nomination are Brian D. Hyder and Clinton S. “Sandy” Cunningham III, who was profiled in the April 23 edition of The Declaration. A nominee will be chosen in the June GOP primary. No Democratic challenger has filed to run.