Martinsville News

The days of Shakespearean intimidation are over, if TheatreWorks Community Players and the cast of "Julius Caesar" have anything to say about it.

A new Martinsville police chief is expected to be announced by the end of next week, according to City Manager Leon Towarnicki.

Due to the recent harsh weather, a June completion date now is anticipated for the construction of the shell building on Lot 8 in the Patriot Centre at Beaver Creek industrial park, said Henry County Administrator Tim Hall.

"But I'm not ruling anything out" as the cause of Monday's blaze at the former American of Martinsville plant, city Fire Marshal Ted Anderson said Thursday.

Armstrong confirmed Wednesday that he has submitted a letter of intent to U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, as well as the Virginia State Bar, to seek a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

People were lined up to enter the expo when it opened at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Fast Track 2014 offered area residents - both new and established - an opportunity to learn about the businesses in their backyard, according to the attendees Wednesday night.

The buildings on Aaron and Broad streets caught fire around 5:30 p.m. Monday. Within the hour, walls on one building collapsed as explosions could be heard from inside the structure.

This panoramic view of the fire scene was taken Tuesday morning, with smoke still rising from the rubble.

The city fire marshal and an area resident reflected Tuesday on the blaze that claimed the former American of Martinsville plant the evening before.

Bob Koester and Mike Bryant with Patrick Henry Community College talk Monday about how they are going to set up the college's booth at Fast Track 2014.

Motorists should be on the lookout for possible icy spots through mid-day today, according to Phil Hysell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Blacksburg.

The scene attracted spectators at Cleveland Avenue, in the parking lots around the Department of Motor Vehicles office on Starling Avenue and the city recycling bins on Market Street, as well as on Aaron Street, before the roads were blocked by city officials.

Former American of Martinsvillle facilities burned Monday evening, sending flames high into the air and clouds of thick black smoke that apparently were visible in Collinsville and Ridgeway.

About 130 area businesses and organizations - including more than two dozen first-timers - will showcase their products and services this week at the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce's annual trade show.

Picture a walking/bicycling trail that spans Henry County, from the new Philpott Marina to the Smith River Sports Complex.

Waynesboro will have to fork over some money if it wants a branch of the Virginia Museum of Natural History .

The premiere of Derek Young's latest horror film, "Psychotic State," will be held Saturday, March 1 at Hollywood Cinema in Martinsville at 5 p.m. A private party will be held afterward at Hugo's Sports Bar in Martinsville.

A motorist turns onto Nautica Way from Barrows Mill Road on Thursday afternoon. The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution Tuesday to seek state funds to help improve the road to better serve Kilgour Industries, as well as other businesses looking to locate in the Patriot Centre industrial park.

Though she doesn't have local statistics, a health official said she suspects a national decline in obesity among children 2 to 5 years old is happening here, too.

The Henry County and Martinsville city school divisions are seeking waivers from the Virginia Department of Education to continue opening before Labor Day.