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Articles by Grace Mamon
Firefighter pay-per-call, personal tax reductions being used in region to entice volunteers
Come December, volunteer firefighters in Montgomery County will have a little extra money in their pockets for holiday shopping. As it becomes harder to find volunteers — and hang on to the ones you’ve got — Montgomery County is one of several localities in Southwest and Southside that is trying out financial incentives for firefighter and EMS volunteers. This summer, the county introduced a 60% reduction on personal property taxes for active volunteers at its fire departments.
Danville’s River District momentum spreads to north end of the city
On Danville’s North Main Hill, new additions are complementing familiar features. The historic North Theatre, which opened in 1947, still stands tall on North Main Street, but its marquee is changing more often, with new shows coming to the area on a more regular basis. A dilapidated building across the street still has its recognizable light yellow paint, but now there are construction workers, wearing a brighter yellow, moving throughout the building and across the roof.
Danville activist says she will open Poppy’s Place, an alternative to the city’s embattled animal shelter
Danville residents should soon have two options for animal shelters, for the first time in the city’s history. After years speaking out against the city’s embattled municipal shelter, resident Tanya Martin decided to open another facility in a South Main Street building, saying she wants to “do things better.” Martin is in the process of opening Poppy’s Place, which will be a private, nonprofit and open-admission shelter named after her Boston terrier.
Danville City Council candidates talk about data centers and housing demand
Danville’s busy council race, with nine candidates for four seats and two more in a special election, is coming to a close. One, if not the last, forum before the Nov. 3 election was held Oct. 16. Three incumbents and three challengers shared their thoughts on the top issues the city is facing during the event at Bible Way Cathedral.
Pittsylvania County’s Stack data center project to include 21 buildings, use up to 3,000 megawatts of power and 7 million gallons a day of water
Pittsylvania County’s Berry Hill megasite will eventually have 21 data center buildings, built in phases over 15 years, according to permits filed by Stack Infrastructure. The project, an AI data center campus, “represents the largest private single-investment commitment” on record with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, according to permit information. When formally approved, the project will also be the largest economic development deal in Southside Virginia’s history.
Native Roots Farm plans to grow agritourism with planned opening in Pittsylvania County
Even when she lived near an urban area, Toniekia Poole said, she grew vegetables, had backyard chickens, made her own soap and lived a holistic and minimalist lifestyle. Now that she’s relocated to the Danville-Pittsylvania area, she sees more opportunities to be a good steward of the earth — and share that experience with the community. Poole and her husband, Tim, are in the process of building a family-owned regenerative farm and agritourism business in the Dry Fork area of Pittsylvania County.
Native Roots Farm plans to grow agritourism with planned opening in Pittsylvania County
Even when she lived near an urban area, Toniekia Poole said, she grew vegetables, had backyard chickens, made her own soap and lived a holistic and minimalist lifestyle. Now that she’s relocated to the Danville-Pittsylvania area, she sees more opportunities to be a good steward of the earth — and share that experience with the community. Poole and her husband, Tim, are in the process of building a family-owned regenerative farm and agritourism business in the Dry Fork area of Pittsylvania County.
Jobs to be created by large data center and battery manufacturer upping Danville region’s housing needs
Danville has added more than 100 housing units to its market since 2023, with over 200 more in construction. In Pittsylvania, a master-planned community will soon add more than 1,800 units to the county’s housing stock. It’s still not enough, local officials say. Danville and Pittsylvania County are experiencing unprecedented levels of growth, for which the housing market wasn’t prepared.
Caesars casino visitor center opens in Danville with goal to increase local business customers
Caesars Virginia sees about two million guests a year, and a new visitor center inside the casino is meant to drive those guests to Danville businesses and attractions. The 600-square-foot space down a corridor that leads to the Caesars spa, pool and fitness center opened this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Caesars casino visitor center opens in Danville with goal to increase local business customers
Caesars Virginia sees about two million guests a year, and a new visitor center inside the casino is meant to drive those guests to Danville businesses and attractions. The 600-square-foot space down a corridor that leads to the Caesars spa, pool and fitness center opened this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Danville’s animal welfare issue to be subject of election forum
With election season approaching, it’s important for residents to know where Danville City Council candidates stand when it comes to the city’s animal welfare, said Sue Bell, executive director of Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. At a candidate forum Wednesday, voters will get that opportunity. “Going into an election year, it’s really important to hear what candidates have to say about what has become one of the most important issues in Danville,” Bell said.
Avio CEO at Hurt groundbreaking: ‘We chose Virginia because of this area’
A large American flag suspended between two excavators was the backdrop for a Tuesday groundbreaking celebration welcoming Italian rocket manufacturer Avio — and its more than $600 million investment — to Pittsylvania County. The company announced its decision to locate in Pittsylvania in February, also promising 1,500 jobs, making it one of the largest economic development deals in Southside Virginia’s history.
In Danville, Spanberger announces new outdoor recreation position and establishes related statewide process
A forester and arborist from Chesterfield County is the state’s first director of outdoor recreation. Gov. Abigail Spanberger introduced Heather Barrar at a Tuesday event in Danville, where the governor spent her day at numerous events. The position is focused on growing Virginia’s outdoor recreation economy, Spanberger said at the event at Riverfront Park, which opened in May. “We are fortunate as a commonwealth to have incredible outdoor spaces,” she said.
Danville city manager: Caesars acquisition will not change local casino agreement
A local revenue agreement between the city of Danville and Caesars Virginia will not change in the wake of the company’s acquisition, said City Manager Ken Larking. Fertitta Entertainment, a Houston-based conglomerate, acquired Caesars in a $17.6 billion all-cash transaction. The deal, first announced in May and finalized last week, includes Fertitta taking on Caesar’s outstanding $11.9 billion debt.
‘The River’s Radiance’ mural unveiled in downtown Danville
Bella Cook grinned back at herself across Danville’s Memorial Drive on a sunny morning Friday. It’s not weird to see her face, airbrushed in paint, on the side of the concrete wall. Actually, “it’s pretty cool,” said the 14-year-old. A new mural, called “The River’s Radiance,” depicts Bella with her arm stretched out, reaching toward dragonflies and river reeds, with a blue heron flying behind her.
Danville concert season to start with Kruger Brothers
For 73 years, the Danville Concert Association has organized musical and performing arts events in the city to increase local access to the arts, which is becoming more important for Danville’s future, its president said. The association’s upcoming season starts Saturday with the award-winning Kruger Brothers, followed by an October stop by the Ailey II dance group and an April appearance by the Dallas String Quartet.
The Danville animal shelter implemented some recommendations made in a 2021 assessment, and declined others
A previous assessment of the Danville animal shelter made a host of recommendations to make improvements and reduce the euthanasia numbers. Some were implemented, and some were not, according to Paulette Dean, the shelter director. Danville is planning to conduct a new and more comprehensive assessment of local animal services, including the shelter, which has been embroiled in controversy for years.
A Catholic school was the first to integrate in Danville. A new plaque will commemorate its history
A new plaque at Averett University will commemorate the history of a different Danville school. Sacred Heart Catholic School — the first school in the city to accept Black students — opened in 1953 in a small Victorian carriage house, a building that is now part of Averett University. A dedication ceremony Wednesday will unveil a plaque honoring the history of the school. Though the 1954 Brown v.
Longtime controversy surrounding Danville’s animal shelter often comes back to its director
For years, Paulette Dean prayed that she would never have to see an injured animal. That prayer was answered “for a long time,” she said, until one night 43 years ago. She was driving down a back road at night in 1983 when she noticed a beagle that had been hit by a car. Before cellphones, the only thing she could think to do was go to the nearest house and ask to use the phone to call the number on the beagle’s tag. Dean said she stayed with the beagle until it died from its injuries.
Danville Field Notes: Almagro neighborhood to be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places
Hello, and welcome back to my weekly column, Danville Field Notes, where I compile news odds and ends from the Southside region. This week, we’ve got an exciting opportunity for Almagro neighborhood residents to participate in the process to nominate the historically Black area to the National Register of Historic Places.
Dean pleads guilty to fraudulently altering public records in her role as Danville’s humane investigator
Paulette Dean, director of Danville’s municipal animal shelter, pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor charge of fraudulently altering or destroying public records in her role as the city’s humane investigator. Judge James Reynolds found that there was sufficient evidence to convict Dean. The maximum sentence possible is a year in jail and a fine of $2,500, but Reynolds deferred the sentence for six months, meaning there will be no immediate conviction.
Danville Field Notes: Solar facility guidelines in Pittsylvania are now in line with new state regulations
Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a rundown of recent news in Danville and Pittsylvania County. In this week’s column, I’m including an overview of a comprehensive plan amendment in Pittsylvania County, which moves siting guidelines for solar facilities from the zoning ordinance to the comprehensive plan. This was prompted by new regulations at the state level.
‘The Black Belt of Virginia’ details untold African American history
Danville native Jeff Bennett grew up hearing stories about his ancestry from his parents. His mother told him that he got his height — Bennett stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall — from his oldest known ancestor, Flem Adams Sr., who was born into slavery in Pittsylvania in 1830 and died a free man in 1916. Adams stood 7 feet tall, wore a size 22 shoe, had to duck through doorways and wore people’s used jeans as cutoff shorts, Bennett’s mother told him.
Danville plans comprehensive assessment of animal services as shelter controversy continues
Danville will conduct an assessment of animal services in the city, prompted by community interest in local animal welfare, as controversy continues to surround the local animal shelter. The plan for an assessment comes two months after a state hearing found recordkeeping inaccuracies at the shelter, and a month after the shelter director resigned from her investigator position with the city.
The 150-year-old Danville Elks Lodge is “waking up and coming alive” with renovation project
The words “Elks Lodge” might conjure images of cigar smoke wafting through the air, bourbon over ice around a poker table and groups of older men wearing regalia and jewels. Jim Ray is working to make it mean more than that. Ray, a trustee of the Danville lodge, wants to bring the local chapter back to life after decades of relative inactivity. He wants to increase diversity in membership, revive philanthropic work and see the historic building on Main Street used for community events.
Danville Field Notes: Historic marker recognizes first Black theater in Danville
Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a weekly column of small news items from around the Southside area. This week, I’ve included two exciting announcements in Danville — the unveiling of a historic marker and the opening of a new campus for students with autism, learning disabilities and other special needs. There’s also information about a road resurfacing project on North Main Street in Danville that begins Monday.
Danville Field Notes: Averett University’s new president talks about financial recovery
Hello again and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a weekly column that compiles news tidbits from around the Danville-Pittsylvania County region. This column runs every Monday with information about recent, ongoing and upcoming news items. Today, I’ve included information about a news conference with Averett University’s new president, surveys for residents to share input on Pittsylvania’s comprehensive plan rewrite, and a new public microchip scanner for animals in Danville.
RFK Jr., during Monday trip to Danville, says AI will transform rural healthcare
Rural healthcare will be transformed by artificial intelligence, said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of health and human services, during a visit to Danville on Monday. Kennedy’s trip included two stops in Southside: a substance use disorder rehabilitation facility in Chatham and the Virginia Tech controlled environment agriculture research center in Danville. Rep. John McGuire, the Republican congressman who represents the 5th District, hosted Kennedy on a tour of the district.
Danville Field Notes: As food costs rise, a local food pantry is shredding papers in exchange for donations
Good morning and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a weekly column that compiles news odds and ends from the Danville-Pittsylvania region. Today’s column includes news about an upcoming event at Danville’s food pantry, the city’s revised future priorities and a call for artists for a public sculpture exhibition. Don’t worry, even though today’s column is Danville-heavy, I haven’t forgotten about all the news going on in Pittsylvania County.
Danville’s Black history center is ‘without walls’ for now, but it will soon welcome visitors and researchers
Ressie Luck-Brimmer has been doing genealogy work in the Danville area for decades. She gets requests from residents who want to learn about their lineage, from city officials who are writing grants, from school groups, documentarians and scholars, all wanting to know more about the area’s Black history. She’s researched the city’s civil rights movement, Black churches, segregated schools and countless family histories.
Equipment donations from Northern Virginia are making a difference at Southwest fire departments
When mechanical issues on a 1985 tanker truck became too severe to repair, the Stickleyville Volunteer Fire Department had to take it out of service. This left the department unable to carry large loads of water through Lee County’s mountainous terrain, said Chief Bryan Sage. Buying a new tanker truck was out of the question. This equipment can cost between $600,000 and $1.2 million, and the Stickleyville department’s annual budget is only $17,000, Sage said.
Danville Field Notes: Gilbert’s Restaurant in Chatham, once a safe haven for Black travelers, is receiving a historic marker
Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a short list of recent and upcoming news in Southside. There’s a lot going on this upcoming weekend, from historic marker unveilings to school supplies giveaway events as Danville and Pittsylvania anticipate the start of the school year. Also, Homeward Trails Danville, an animal welfare nonprofit, recently shared an update on their work after two years in the city.
Danville Field Notes: Gilbert’s Restaurant in Chatham, once a safe haven for Black travelers, is receiving a historic marker
Business 4 hours ago How to Protect Your Small Business and Your Family’s Income brunswicktimes-gazette.com • 4h (StatePoint) For many small business owners, contractors, and freelancers, owning a business is a rewarding step toward independence that offers … Danville (Va.) 11 hours ago Stolen SNAP Benefits Leave Danville Families Short — and the State Says It Can’t Replace the Money theroanokestar.com - Stephanie Harper • 11h Families in Danville have spent the past three weeks discovering...
Residents share data center concerns with state senators during listening tour stop in Danville
Most Danville and Pittsylvania residents spoke against data centers at a Thursday evening event that was part of a listening tour hosted by state Sens. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke. The Democratic lawmakers have been traveling around the state to gather local perspectives on data centers. This was the first stop on the tour outside of Virginia’s urban crescent.
Danville Field Notes: Construction begins on Masonic Temple hotel project
Welcome back to Danville Field Notes, where I report on news bits and bobs around Southside Virginia. You can look for this column every Monday to read about what’s going on, what’s coming up and what just happened in the region. Today, we’ve got the kickoff of a revitalization project in the River District that’s temporarily changing traffic patterns, an opportunity for small local businesses to earn state certifications and an upcoming vote on funding for a new substation.
Longtime Danville animal shelter director accused of falsifying records in her role as the city’s humane investigator
Paulette Dean, longtime director of the Danville Area Humane Society, is accused of falsifying records in her role as the city’s humane investigator, according to a motion filed Wednesday in Danville Circuit Court. The court document seeks to remove Dean from this position. Dean said Thursday afternoon that she resigned from the position after the motion was filed, but she will remain director of the animal shelter.
Inspection of Danville animal shelter found incorrect drug dosages, lack of veterinary care, contaminated food
A November inspection of the Danville Area Humane Society found that the shelter did not get veterinary care for some animals that needed it, used incorrect dosages for sedation and euthanasia drugs, and had pest infestations near pet food. The Virginia Department of Animal and Consumer Services, which conducts inspections of the state’s animal shelters, found seven violations of state code, two of which were repeat offenses.
Unprecedented growth shapes Pittsylvania County’s long-range planning efforts
Never-before-seen levels of growth are forcing Pittsylvania County to make decisions over its planning documents, including some that haven’t seen a thorough revision in decades. The county aims to finish its comprehensive plan update by early 2027, alongside two other economic development plans. The county’s zoning ordinance update process is on hold until the comprehensive plan is done.
Averett University announces new president as Powell returns to retirement
Averett University named Tatia Daniels Granger as the university’s 17th president in a Monday news release. Granger will take over the position in August, and current president Thomas Powell will retire after 15 months at the Danville university. Tatia Granger. Courtesy of William & Mary. Granger comes to Averett from the College of William & Mary’s Raymond A. School of Business, where she has been an associate professor in organizational behavior since 2017.
Danville Field Notes: BWXT employees earn data science certifications through Danville workforce development program
Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, where I give you a snapshot of some smaller news items in the Southside Region every Monday. Read below to learn about two pilot programs, one for data science and one for downtown music; a new fund to make improvements at a local relief center; and a decision by the county planning commission for an under-construction micro-resort.
Morotock Lofts breaks ground, adding apartments to the River District
Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a weekly column where I report on recent and upcoming news items in Southside. This week, the heat wave rolling through much of Cardinal country did not stop groundbreakings, unveilings and regular city business in Danville. Folks practically sweated through their clothes at a noon groundbreaking for the Morotock Lofts on Wednesday, when the temperature reached a high of 98.
Stack Infrastructure says it’s moving forward with AI data center in Pittsylvania
Stack Infrastructure says its AI data center project in Pittsylvania will move forward, after the General Assembly finalized a budget Monday that kept state tax exemptions in place for the industry. The tax exemptions were the main hold-up in approving a budget. Ending the exemptions early would have jeopardized the Stack project, which would be the largest economic development announcement in Southside history in terms of investment and jobs.
Danville Field Notes: Amthor International expands in Gretna
Good morning and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a weekly roundup of news bits and bobs from Southside Virginia. This week, exciting news out of Gretna in Pittsylvania County as North America’s largest tank-truck manufacturer expands its operations. It feels like I’m writing about an economic development announcement here in Southside nearly every week — a testament to the continuing growth of the region.
Man convicted of attack on Danville City Council member will spend 40 years in prison
Shotsie Buck-Hayes, who was convicted of setting Danville city councilmember Lee Vogler on fire last summer, will spend 40 years in prison, a judge ruled Thursday. The hearing lasted over three hours, with emotional testimony from the Vogler family and Buck-Hayes’ family. Thirty-year-old Buck-Hayes took the stand for the first time, talking about a decline in his mental health before the attack, primarily due to his divorce, expressing remorse and apologizing to the Vogler family.
State pharmacy board penalizes Danville animal shelter over euthanasia records
A Virginia Board of Pharmacy committee decided on Wednesday to fine the Danville Area Humane Society $500 for violating state code in its euthanasia recordkeeping. The animal shelter, the only one in Danville, will also be required to undergo a random inspection within the next 12 months, and then once every three years. The shelter must also pay for the inspections.
Virginia’s technical workforce faces uncertainty as funding runs out for middle school program
Whitney Rigney was in sixth grade at Chatham Middle School when she fell in love with welding. Though she used a welding simulator, rather than real equipment, Rigney said she was fascinated by the detailed, hands-on work. The welding simulator is just one piece of equipment in a larger lab at Chatham Middle. The lab also has computer numerical controlled machinery, robotics equipment, a 3D printer and more.
Danville Field Notes: Solar observation event being held Saturday by Pittsylvania County Schools
Hello and welcome back to Danville Field Notes, where I report news tidbits from the Southside area every Monday. It’s officially summer, which means school is out and summer programming for kids is up and running, but of course, the news doesn’t stop.
Danville Field Notes: Local ministers remember city’s civil rights movement on its 63rd anniversary
On June 10, 1963, civil rights protesters were met with violence by police officers and deputized municipal workers in an effort to tamp down local demonstrations. Now called Bloody Monday, it was the first clash of the summer, during which peaceful protests would continue to be met with violence.
Danville Field Notes: U.S. Navy shipbuilding program expands in Danville
Welcome back to Danville Field Notes, a new column where I round up news tidbits from the Danville-Pittsylvania area. If you missed my first column last week, you can find it here. And stay tuned for future editions of this column every Monday. Early June feels like the heat of the summer so far here in Danville — something attendees at the Maritime Training Center ribbon-cutting last week understood all too well.
Danville animal shelter says it will pay a fine to resolve state complaint over euthanasia records
The Danville Area Humane Society says it will pay a fine to resolve a state Board of Pharmacy investigation into recordkeeping violations, heading off a hearing planned for later this month. According to a notice from the board, the Danville shelter failed to maintain euthanasia records as required by the state for more than 1,800 animals in 2023.
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