David Broyles

Hillsville Town Council was asked at its September 23 regular meeting to provide two judges for the upcoming Blue Ridge Crossroads Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) Community Business Launch program. SBDC Representative April Collins approached council with a request to provide a judge for the business plan and “pitch” portions of the program locally.

The Carroll County Public Schools Board of Education in open session on September 26 announced the names of a qualified applicants to fill the remaining term of the late Phillip Berrier, who represented the Fancy Gap District.

A guilty plea by Kevin Lee Sizemore of Hillsville to five charges in connection with a murder trial in Carroll County Circuit Court on Monday resulted in what could have been a five-day jury trial into an active sentence of 28 years in prison with five years of supervised probation and unsupervised probation for the remainder of Sizemore’s life. The incident concerned the July 27, 2022 shooting death of Laura Caroline “Carrie” Buffkin, age 30, at a home she had recently purchased in Woodlawn.

Hillsville Mayor Gregory Crowder (far left) and Hillsville Chili Shootout Coordinator Greg Talley (far right) present “Dad’s Chili” team members with a plaque for finishing first place, judges pick division with Blue Ridge Tap House in second and “Hooked on Chili” in third. The team also won first in the people’s choice division of the annual event on Saturday.

Carroll County came out fired up for an inspired first half against Alleghany on October 11 at Tommy Thompson Feld but the Cougars’ offense was able to get on track in the second half of a 27-8 Three Rivers District win in Hillsville.

The Carroll County School Board at its October 8 regular meeting appointed Joey Haynes as Fancy Gap District School Board Member, to fill out the remaining one year term of the late Phillip Berrier. The board was also told Carroll has received a second community school development grant.

The CCHS Administrative Team reviewed and selected Jacob Roberts as Senior of the Month for September. Criteria for senior nominations included: going above and beyond their ability; helping others or showing an act of kindness or generosity; or making CCHS and/or the school system proud. Principal Charles Thompson on September 8 presented Roberts with a certificate of recognition for the honor.

Carroll County Ministerial Food Pantry volunteers continue their work fighting hunger and malnutrition locally up to and beyond World Food Day on October 16 this year as they have for more than a decade.

The Carroll County Board of Education during its October 8 regular meeting approved a low bid for HVAC improvements at Carroll County Middle School, a waiver for days missed due to Hurricane Helene and a proclamation affirming the role of school board, school superintendents, teachers and parents in bullying prevention.

Assistant School Superintendent Dr. Marlin Campbell briefed the Carroll County Board of Education at its October 8 meeting on upcoming changes in the Standards Of Learning (SOL) system’s assessment process and summarized the local division’s performance. One important takeaway from percentile rankings was local students are improving at a rate greater than others across the state.