Phase II of Bland County’s plan to bring faster Internet service across the locality is nearly ready for its full unveiling.
The county’s BCNet wireless Internet service provided by Trificient Broadband Technologies will start at a cost of $27.95 per month (minimum 12-month contract) for a 512k speed connection, said Trificient owner Jim Ingram.

On Sept. 15, Melvin Chadwick Compton sat in a Wythe County courtroom awaiting his fate on two criminal convictions stemming from a 2007 alcohol-related crash that killed his cousin.
The sentencing hearing was postponed, however, and six days later – one day past the fatal wreck anniversary – the 38-year-old Bland resident was arrested again in Bland County on suspicion of driving under the influence – the third or subsequent offense in 10 years.

A Pumpkin Cookin’ Competition, Checkers Challenge, child safety programs and Extension office demonstrations will debut at this year’s Bland County Festival of Leaves. These new events will be included in the two-day festival set for Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Bland Fairgrounds.

Showtime
What: “Animal Farm,” a Summit Stage II production
Where: Bluefield (W. Va.) Area Arts Center
When: Saturday and Oct. 11, Dinner Theatre, 6 p.m., Sunday and Oct. 12, Matinee, 2 p.m.
Reservations/More Info: (304) 325-8000 or http://www.summitplayers.com

Local women create ‘safe’ online community

What weighs as much as a female elephant and lurks in Bland County and Wythe County homes?
It’s e-waste, and Saturday you can help safely haul the beast away.

Sept. 17, 2008

Brent Smith is aware of the pressures surrounding today’s young people. As youth pastor of the Bastian Church of God, he is using his understanding to teach them responsibility and accountability.

To anyone who finds science dull, meet the electroshocker.
Two Bland County students got to spend part of their summer zapping thousands of fish with the high-tech gadget – all in the name of science.

Radford University Officer James H. Belcher II was patrolling the campus around 2 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, on routine duty. A few minutes later the former Bland County Animal Control Officer was viciously attacked by a pit bull.