New court dates were set Thursday for a pair of burglary suspects and the four men accused of killing a Caswell County convenience storeowner.

Chatham officials and health care experts broke ground Thursday on an 85-room skilled-nursing center scheduled to open in the spring. Chatham Health and Rehabilitation Care Center will open June 1 at 100 Rorer St. in southern Chatham, according to Randy Scott, project manager for Martin Bros. Contractors in Roanoke, which is constructing the building.

The Carlisle School’s new Danville campus celebrated its grand opening Thursday at the former Colonnade Room on Piney Forest Road.

Although Capt. Allen Tanner of the Salvation Army brought a nine-passenger van to pick up shoes being donated by Rippe’s, after the 200 pairs were put in the vehicle, there was hardly room for Tanner and his brother Brandon.

As the 2008 elections settle down, candidates are gearing up for the 2009 Virginia state races. Republican Attorney General hopeful David Foster stopped in Danville on Thursday as part of his campaign launch.

A single-family home at 1420 Calvary Road was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.

Residents along U.S. 58, east of Danville, say speeding vehicles on the highway endanger their children when they are boarding and stepping off the school bus. One parent has the skid marks to prove it.

A singlewide mobile home on Lawless Creek Road was consumed by flames Thursday night.

Sponsored by Eden officials, the trip’s goal was to educate participants concerning the economic impact of the Taylorsville facility on the local community. 

The Rockingham County Animal Shelter Advisory Committee meets Thursday to discuss fundraising efforts and final designs for the new shelter.
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Governmental Center in Wentworth. It is open to the public.

Police are looking for an unknown man who took two televisions from Schewels Furniture. 

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred at 7:35 p.m. Tuesday.

The space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station are about to make a dramatic sweep over Central Virginia, according to an astronomy professor at the University of Virginia.

“Virginia is for Lovers” has hit middle
age but it’s still going strong.

NEW YORK (AP)—U.S. stocks looked to extend their losses at the open Thursday as investors found little relief from worries about the fate of Detroit’s three automakers and broader fears about the struggling economy.

It only took one big “boom!” and about 10 seconds for most of the former Dan River Inc. Dye House to disappear.

The Prizery in South Boston is busy this week preparing for a gallery reception in the lower level of the building on Friday.

More than 40 citizens and officials from Eden and Rockingham County traveled to Taylorsville on Wednesday to tour Alexander Correctional Institution – a closed custody state facility housing 1,000 inmates. 

Resident contends board of supervisors deliberately concealed public hearing

Pittsylvania County emergency service responders will be put to the test Saturday as part of a disaster weather training exercise.

The Eden City Council adopted an ordinance allowing the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on public property at its Tuesday night meeting. 

A investigation into the improper release of a prisoner at the jail has been completed, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office said. Leon Oxendine Jr. was mistakenly released Nov. 6.

The domestic assault and battery charges against Danville Police Sgt. Jerry Pace were dismissed Wednesday in Pittsylvania County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

General Tobacco Co. of Mayodan is cutting 31 jobs, bringing its workforce down to 95 full-time employees. The plant is not closing. Incorrect information appeared on the front page of the Nov. 19 Messenger.

Danville Circuit Court Judge David Melesco found Kavion Desean Bennett guilty Wednesday on all counts relating to the April 12 shooting death of Ivory Law and wounding of Anthony Ferrell at White Rock Park.

Pittsylvania County’s government offices must cut their upcoming 2009-10 budgets by 5 percent, the Board of Supervisors decided unanimously Tuesday night.

Pittsylvania County’s government offices must cut their upcoming 2009-10 budgets by 5 percent, the Board of Supervisors decided unanimously Tuesday night.

Dixie Bags & More has added a new eatery with specialty coffees, homemade soups and sandwiches that have a touch of gourmet seasonings.

Danville City Councilman Larry Campbell is proposing a 1 percent raise on the city’s lodging tax to provide extra funds for utility bill relief for the poor and/or elderly.

Planning on smoking when you go out to lunch today? Leave your cigarettes at home if you’re going to one of several restaurants participating in Smoke Free Dining Day. Smoke Free Dining Day coincides with the annual Great American Smoke-Out, which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.