Shannon Watkins

Galax

Columnist at Galax Gazette

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Articles

Citizens offer ideas for downtown's future

3 weeks ago | pmg-va.com | Shannon Watkins |Brian Funk

An inventory of downtown Galax property, dubbed the Community Visioning Tour, gathered 30 people in person and a few on a Facebook Live stream, according to the city’s Main Street Director Hailey Ryan. This Main Street project, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, will guide investment, support local entrepreneurship and help preserve the character that makes downtown Galax unique, according to the city.
Galax Elementary School Art Show wows again

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

Broom “brushes,” a splatter-portrait area, DayGlo works hung under blacklights, an entrance made of falling “paint” — this year’s Galax Elementary School Art Show was less a display than, to revive a term last spotted in the 1960s Pop Art world, a happening. Its young creators yet again proved that a dynamic artist’s view is not limited by age or experience — only imagination.
WCC honors McBride for contributions to school

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

Wytheville Community College (WCC) recently presented an Honorary Associate’s Degree in Humane Letters to Dr. Oliver McBride. This honor is bestowed upon on individuals who have contributed significantly to the progress and development of WCC. Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC president, presented the award to McBride at the school’s May 10 commencement ceremony.
Shannon Watkins: Of Dubai-ous Origin

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

I should point out right away that the headline and the recipe this week have nothing to do with each other, which is mostly meaningless information unless you, too, have been casting around for the Famous Viral Dubai Chocolate. Finding this stuff has been a side quest in my culinary life that has somehow managed to take over every waking moment, despite my best efforts and good sense. It’s embarrassing.
Great Galax Duck Race tickets on sale

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

The event of the year is close at hand, and the glitterati of the Twin Counties and environs are wild to get their hands on tickets to the Great Galax Duck Race. For over 10 years now, the race has held everyone in thrall, far more so than any lesser celebration. The Kentucky Derby? The Met Gala? The Oscars? Footnotes. The Great Galax Duck race, however? The last word in fashionable gatherings, where everyone who’s anyone comes to see, be seen and support the Galax Volunteer Fire Department.
Class of 2025 graduates from Grayson County High School

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

INDEPENDENCEOvercast skies and intermittent cold winds visited the Grayson County High School Class of 2025’s graduation ceremony on May 31, but it was also touched by a golden sun. Schools Superintendent Kelly Wilmore spoke briefly, informing everyone that out of 128 seniors in this year’s class, for the fourth year in a row GCHS could boast a 100% graduation rate. Class officers provided reflections about their time in high school.
APCo says bills will go down

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

A representative from Appalachian Power Co. gave a presentation to Galax City Council at the May meeting, informing them that bills could go down in the future — but only for a couple of months. The presentation was informational only and required no voting. Jake Holmes from APCo’s External Affairs spoke to council about the APCo Rate Reduction Act, which the Virginia General Assembly passed in February.
Board addresses EMS agencies' concerns

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

INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County Board of Supervisors’ final budget work session ended in a vote to approve the school system’s portion of the fiscal year 2026 budget, and along the way detoured into discussion about the financial needs of EMS agencies. The school system’s budget was approved at $30.4 million, of which $8.3 million would be funded by the county — the minimum local effort required by the state.
Shannon Watkins: Crisp Breezes

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

I really have no words for the weather this past week; I had to switch back to my winter wardrobe (pants and a shirt, vs. my summer dresses, though I didn’t need a heavy coat) and managed to lose an umbrella. And yet, we’re in the middle of spring and more than halfway to actual summer? With autumn weather? Can someone explain this?
New procedure available to treat prostate enlargement

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

Dr. Kareem Zaki of Twin County Urology gave a presentation at the Crossroads Institute on May 14, about aquablation, a surgical technique for treating prostate enlargement with fewer negative side effects than most other surgery types to date. Zaki said the practice has only performed 11 surgeries to date — and so far, only 50,000 have been performed worldwide — but their success rate is high, including in Australia, where it was pioneered.