Kenny Peeples Jr. and Brandon Umberger, both of Rural Retreat, have spent the last several weeks splitting wins, and along with Phil Gann of Mayodan, N.C., are the only repeat winners this season at Wythe Raceway.

Elizabethton stayed in solid control of the West Division of the Appalachian League on Monday, July 9 with an 18-0 thumping of Greeneville. The win put the Twins, with just two losses on the season, 7 1/2 games ahead of Kingsport in the division. In other Appy League baseball games Monday, Bluefield out-slugged Johnson City 11-9, Burlington bullied Kingsport 18-3 and Bristol bumped off Princeton 5-3.

The Bland County Bears Dixie Youth participated in the 2007 Dixie Youth Baseball League District Minors tournament held beginning July 7 in Independence.
The Bland County team was eliminated from competition after losses to Galax and Carroll County, but the coach praised his team’s effort.

Deep beneath his woolly coat, the University of North Carolina’s ram mascot hides a secret.
He can’t bleed Tar Heel blue.

The fourth annual Big Walker Century Ride was held on July 7 with bike riders traveling five different courses over Wythe and Bland counties.
Riders had a choice of traveling 25, 40, 50, 62 or 100 miles.

Shane Peery of Shanaki Martial Arts Studios recently won his debut in full contact, mixed martial arts cage fight at “Ruckus in the Cage.”

Brandon Umberger and Kenny Peeples Jr., both of Rural Retreat, have been dominant this season in the Exit 54 Exxon Late Models Division at Wythe Raceway.
But as of late Umberger has been getting the advantage on the track and now in the points standings and Saturday night was no different on the high banked half mile dirt super speedway, as he took the win and Peeples finished second.

Black bear sightings have flooded Southwest Virginia lately.
But few have noticed that the area can claim the world’s only Maroon Bear.
Like any good wrestler, Alex Church has the cool nickname. Church just graduated from Rocky Gap High School this spring. Although he wore the uniform of the Bland County Bears for his football, baseball and basketball exploits, his sport of choice is wrestling. And with no school wrestling team offered in the county, this Bear had to take on some color.

More than 100 bike riders took part in the fourth annual Big Walker Century Ride held Saturday in Wythe and Bland counties.
Riders had a choice of five different routes: 25 miles, 40 miles, 50 miles, 62 miles or 100 miles. The ride helps raise money to support the HOPE Ministry Center, which is a project to help overcome poverty.

The son of Kerry Earnhardt and grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt has a developmental deal with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., a growing fan base and a diverse resume.