INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – A $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is set to begin. Starting in February and continuing into the early summer, work will be performed on the inside and outside shoulders along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. The shoulders will be built up before barrier wall can be installed for road crews to work behind. Barrier wall will be installed along the shoulders in the spring and summer. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction will remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed. Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming impacts on northbound and southbound I-81:

The old saying “Actions speak louder than words” has much meaning, especially in small communities such as Craig County, where people rely on one another. On Wednesday, June 21, the “United Way Day of Action” will take place, initiated by the United Way of Roanoke Valley and a group of Craig County community stakeholders.

A CPMT meeting at CPMT – Department of Social Services will be at 1 p.m. The Craig County Board of Supervisors will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. in the Craig County Courthouse. July 17. The New Castle Town Council will meet from 7-8 p.m. at the New...

Vacation Bible school continued in Craig County as over 70 kids attended the week-long event at the Fairgrounds by the New Castle Baptist Church, enjoying Bible study, skits, games and even getting watered by the local fire department truck. Squeals and laughter permeated the air. Courtesy photo. The penny war...

The Second Annual Craig County Independence Day Parade will be Tuesday morning, July 4, rain or shine. The parade will leave the Craig County Fairgrounds at 10 a.m. and conclude at Craig County Courthouse. Community organizations, businesses and families are encouraged to participate with a patriotic theme featuring “Red, White...

The Craig County boys 540 Hotshots 9U travel team was excited to take 2nd place in its first tournament. Five boys on the team are from New Castle. Happy faces showed their excitement and they wished to thank the Field of Dreams for allowing them to play there. Pictured are: (bottom row) Dalton Brogan, Jonah Keith, Ryder Peck, Cylas May and Luka Keith. (second row) Parker Pruett, Brantley, Wyrick, Blake Fridley, Landon Wilson, Drew Webb and Ethan Peck. (coaches) Cody Pruett, Dwayne Wyrick, Matt Wilson and Josh Peck.

It is an unusual sound to hear students already at school at 7 a.m., starting their weight program for sports. Coaches Jimmy Fisher, Jayke Dowdy and Roland Donithan are excited that their football players are pushing themselves to be better athletes, which also requires discipline to arise early every morning for their workouts.

There is nothing more humbling than to see a veteran with limbs missing, or in wheelchairs, yet smiling and sharing that they “served their country and would do it again.” These men and women are called, “The Greatest Generation,” and deservingly so. On D-day, June 6,...

Richard Brown was known by many as “his love of all things with an engine,” and also as a hard worker. In honor of him, a car show celebration of his life was recently held. Photo by Pam Dudding. The beauty of old vehicles was an attraction to...