Hunter Trivette believes in pursuing excellence, but, as he’s matured, his idea of what that means has changed.

The stretch of U.S. 11 that goes by Chilhowie High and Middle schools carries about 6,500 vehicles a day. Each school day, more than 100 students cross that road. During this school year, officials hope that those students and community members will be safer.

Early this week, the search continued for a Virginia Beach man facing multiple charges in Marion after a Friday incident.

As the Appalachian Center for Hope begins accepting patient applications and prepares to open its door to provide addiction treatment, those behind the institution aren’t pausing their work to help Southwest Virginia. The center’s executive director said, “We see this as the first step.”

In 2019, the critical need for in-patient substance use treatment became starkly apparent to Smyth County leaders as the opioid crisis mounted. This month, the center they envisioned and brought into reality despite numerous challenges is beginning to accept patient applications.