Smyth County school officials anticipated a development that the Virginia Department of Education has confirmed. The division is among the 95 percent of school districts across the state to be accredited by the Virginia Board of Education on the basis of 2007-08 assessments in English, mathematics, history and science.

While the nation and world watch and wait for the effects of Wall Street’s recent financial crisis on ordinary people and their jobs, Smyth County’s unemployment rate has crept up by fractions of a percentage point every month since April.

A big, flat square of what look like reddish and off-white bricks took shape in Saltville’s well fields Wednesday and Thursday. On closer examination, the bricks at the Helen Williams Barbrow Interpretive Trail head are seen to be pavers, brick-like but thicker, capable of withstanding the weight of vehicles driving over and sitting on them.

Who knew blood donation could be not only a painless and noble activity, but a fun event as well?

Teresa Hash spent her lunch break one day last week in a grocery store, checking out with a cart filled with party foods. The current county and now regional teacher of the year was planning for a big event at Marion Intermediate School that evening, a community literacy evening aimed at encouraging a new generation of readers.

Smyth County and town of Marion officials gathered over deli sandwiches Monday to talk about the state of affairs surrounding the fate of the 1908 school building on Strother Street.

Virginia State Police Trooper Kris Chapman continues to recover from injuries he sustained when a drunk driver struck his vehicle on the side of Interstate 81 at Seven Mile Ford last winter. That incident made him the first of eight troopers hit this year alone as they worked on the sides of the commonwealth’s highways.

A Smyth County sheriff’s deputy and a second driver escaped injury when their cars collided outside Chilhowie Monday afternoon.

If you are not a registered voter and are eligible to become one, you have six days to join the ranks of those participating in arguably the most historic election in U.S. history. Monday, Oct. 6, is the deadline for registering to vote.

The water is gone from the upper reaches of the lake in Hungry Mother State Park, leaving a lonely, bleak and muddy landscape where reflections of Walker Mountain rippled earlier this summer.