Washington County

Expo to feature healthcare education, games and prizes

The sound of bagpipes rang out across King’s campus on Saturday, May 11, as the spring Class of 2013 walked for one final time around the Oval. Their class is the last to be awarded degrees from King College. Graduating students will be awarded degrees from King University beginning fall 2013. On June 1, 2013, King will begin operating as King University.

Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, rested in Federal control as Major General William T. Sherman’s forces occupied the town. With the threat of massing troops under General Joe Johnston minimized in the area, Major General U.S. Grant turned toward Vicksburg. On May 16, the blue and gray forces clashed at Champion Hill, a battle, which proved the largest of the entire Vicksburg Campaign. The bulk of Grant’s army moved into position during the mid-morning hours, and Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton acted quickly to form his line of battle. Major General John Bowen’s Southern troops fought gallantly, and incurred heavy casualties as they occupied the hottest position on the field. Pemberton ordered Major General William Loring to redeploy his forces to aid Bowen, a command Loring opted to refuse. As the battle waged, Pemberton’s men eventually had to retire from the area around the “Hill of Death.” Loring’s division, separated from the rest of Pemberton’s army, effected an escape to join Johnston’s force outside Jackson. The following day, Pemberton established a new defensive position along the Big Black River; left in the wake at Champion Hill – over 2,400 Federal casualties and 4,300 Confederates killed, wounded, or missing.

From 1974 to 1991, the Wolf Hills Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Virginia excavated a prehistoric site in Washington County that has proven unparalleled in the state.

The Ten Commandments could soon hang on a wall at the county government building, after a unanimous Washington County Board of Supervisors vote Tuesday night.

The brother and sister team or Abby and Eli Worth-Jones, recently competed at the Virginia State 4-H Horse Presentation contest in Lexington, Va. They are the children of Roscoe and Becky Worth-Jones of Abingdon.

YWCA Bristol, in partnership with The Crisis Center Inc. and the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, will host a free R.A.D. self defense course for ladies 13 and older at the YWCA, 106 State St.. The course format features four sessions that will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 21, 28 and June 4 from 6 - 9 p.m. Participants should commit for all four sessions.

Emory United Methodist Church will host a walkathon Sunday, May 19, with a goal of raising $20,000 for the “Imagine No Malaria” campaign, an effort of the United Methodist Church.

Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder, New Spring Valley Boys and the Loose Strings Band are a few of the region’s outstanding young artists that will perform at the Crooked Road Youth Music Festival at Heartwood on Saturday, May 11.

The Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office C.C. Porter Animal Shelter recently received dog and cat food, bleach, kitty litter and animal toys from area schools’ annual PAWS (Providing Animals With Support) Campaign that was held March 18 – April 12.

Though you can’t tell it by the weather, we’re deep into cap-and-gown season.

What happens when Rhonda Russell’s husband of the past 17-and-a-half years calls her from out of the blue and says he’s moved out? Something no one could have predicted, that’s what.

The Crooked Road region is well known for its musical history, but the future looks just as bright. The second Crooked Road Youth Music Festival at Heartwood on Saturday, May 11will present some of the most talented young performers in the region. Fifteen bands will be featured in performances on two stages throughout the day.

Tango originated in the 1890s along the border between Argentina and Uruguay, but by the early years of the 20th century it had spread to the rest of the world. The first European Tango craze took place in Paris, soon followed by London, Berlin, and other capitals, hitting New York towards the end of 1913.

The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail presents a concert by Tyler Hughes on Thursday, May 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway in Abingdon. The concert is part of The Crooked Road’s Youth Music Performance Series.

Mike Anderson of Abingdon is a new member of the American Angus Association, reports Bryce Schumann, chief executive officer of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph, Mo.

Abingdon makes Top 10 list on ranking website

Staff reports

On the last Saturday of the month, the parking lot at Tractor Supply Co. is not unlike a barnyard, full of hens, roosters, ducks, dogs and even pigeons that perform aerial maneuvers.

The annual Sunday with Friends literary series continues Sunday, May 5, with a presentation by Matt Bondurant.

The annual walk benefits the American Cancer Society.

The Animal Defense League of Washington County will host the 12th annual Animal Chase races on the Creeper Trail on Saturday, May 4. This event, which is sanctioned by the State of Franklin Track Club, includes a 5K, 10K and 1 Mile kid’s run. Each participant receives a t-shirt and trophies are awarded for the top three finishers in each age group. Cash prizes are awarded for first place 10K male and female and first place 5K male and female.

Staff reports

Leadership Washington County participants graduated with a luncheon on April 15. Four class participants, Kristie Helms, Doug Kersey, Lauren Musick and Jason Woodby, received special recognition for perfect attendance for all of the 16 sessions during the 2012-2013 program.