Ichabod
Ichabod
GiveLocalNRV raises $1M
Members of the CFNRV team celebrate as the Giving Day website passes the $1 million mark.
The Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) is ecstatic to announce that for the first time in its 13-year history, the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day surpassed $1 million raised for our community.
Event host, the CFNRV, invites nonprofits serving the New River Valley to participate in the Annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day in June. Each organization creates a unique webpage at givelocalnrv.org to share their story and raise money for their mission. With 2026’s record-breaking year, nonprofits have raised more than $6.15 million with GiveLocalNRV since 2014.
"This is a huge milestone for our community, made possible by the 3,386 donors who gave to 131 nonprofits this year," said Jessica Wirgau, CFNRV's Chief Executive Officer. "We are simply blown away by everyone’s generosity, and by the creativity and enthusiasm nonprofits bring to this event."
Fueling the excitement of each GiveLocalNRV Giving Day are incentive grants and prizes that the CFNRV awards through the generous support of corporate sponsors.
Flock cameras target lengthy citizens time
A flock of Floyd residents showed up at the June 23 Supervisors meeting to air their thoughts on Flock cameras in the county.
Their thoughts were uniform in opposition.
Produced by Flock Safety, Flock cameras are AI-powered automated license plate readers that can be used to track vehicle movement and deter crime.
Prior to citizens time on June 23, Board Chair Joe Turman told those gathered that the board has no control over the Flock cameras in Floyd, pointing out that they arrived via a grant from the Sheriff’s Office. Turman said that the board didn’t authorize them and can’t remove them. He noted that he had heard rumors that Sheriff Brian Craig was going to have them removed.
Supervisor Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch added that there were no county dollars going to the Flock cameras and urged those in attendance to share their comments with the sheriff.
Bryan Paczynski said that if the board didn’t know the cameras were going in, then that failure of oversight demands accountability.
Paczynski said the cameras appeared without consent of the county residents and without notice. He added that the board points to the sheriff while the sheriff points to the state police, while a private company is collecting an immense amount of data on residents of Floyd.
Anni Ellis said she was disheartened that the sheriff didn’t come to the meeting, adding that his presence would have been proper. Further, Ellis said she is worried about the potential of abuse, saying the data collected could lead to unlawful arrests, stalking and privacy violations.
The Flock system, according to Brandon Decker, scans and stores minute details of every object that passes, saying the system violates rights by removing the need for a warrant.
“This system is not freedom,” he said. “It is fear.”
Paczynski called the constant, warrantless tracking creepy and intrusive, and another resident pointed out that the Fourth Amendment does not grant the freedom from unreasonable search and surveillance, it acknowledges that fundamental, God-given right that already exists.
David Grimsley restated that residents should have been made aware that Flock cameras were being installed, re-asserting that their presence treads on the Fourth Amendment. Grimsley urged county leaders to fight back, noting that four Virginia counties have successfully removed Flock cameras. Other speakers pointed out that while the sheriff doesn’t answer to the Board of Supervisors, the board does have the power of the purse and should use that leverage.
Jacey Clay concurred that multiple counties are putting in ordinances to keep Flock cameras out.
“Free people shouldn’t have their movements tracked and stored,” Clay said.
She pointed out that no one would ever allow a police officer to follow an innocent person through their day, yet technology now allows this to happen. Clay also pushed back against Supervisors saying their couldn’t do anything.
“Are we willing to accept mass surveillance as the price for public safety?’ she asked.
A mailbox filled with garden tools and set in the garden for convenient access.
A mailbox filled with garden tools and set in the garden for convenient access.
Richland_clinch_valley
New state laws hit the books July 1 (copy) (copy) (copy)
While changes in firearms laws have garnered much of the attention, several other news laws hit the books in Virginia July 1.
Doctors, lawyers, nurses, counselors, social workers and other licensed health care professionals can no longer be bound by no-compete agreements. No compete agreements can only be enforced on employees fired without cause if they got severance pay, or other disclosed compensation up front.
Employers will be required to post a “good faith" salary or wage range on job listings and are barred from asking applicants what they made on previous jobs.
Local governments will now be allowed to use AI powered cameras at stop signs and crosswalks particularly in school zones. The criminal records and clean slate act will allow many misdemeanor offenses to be sealed from public view.
With the exception of violent, sex or firearm offenses, class five and six felonies may be sealed by petition. Landlords covered under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act must accept checks and money orders for rent and deposits, and they can't charge processing fees higher than what it actually costs to process the payment.
A new law also changes the amount of notice a landlord must give a14 day notice before filing to evict for nonpayment. Drivers caught going over 100 miles per hour will be required to have a speed limiting device installed in their car.
A Styrofoam ban originally passed in 2021 and phased in is now applicable to all food vendors. Unemployment compensation payments will increase by $48 per month for applications filed after July 5.
On the road, a new law make it legal to pass a stopped school bus on the opposite side of a divided highway, even if what’s dividing the highway isn’t a continuous median.
Several laws also impact firearms. A handgun left in an unlocked car or truck will now net a $250 fine, and those keeping firearms in a house where children live must keep them locked in a cabinet or face punishment of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Legislation passed last year, but took effect Wednesday, includes a law automatically sealing records for conviction for a variety of offenses, including shoplifting, trespassing and disorderly conduct, as well as cases when people can ask for the sealing of records of conviction on misdemeanor and less serious felonies.
Upcoming programs at Jessie Peterman Memorial Library
Happening now: Unearth a Story: Summer Reading Program for ALL AGES is happening now at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library. Read and complete activities to win BIG prizes! Sign up in Beanstack or pick up a reading log at the library! https://mfrl.beanstack.org/
July 2- Scrabble at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Thursday, July 2 at 1:30 pm. Enjoy a challenging and fun game of Scrabble with other word enthusiasts!
July 4-The Jessie Peterman Memorial Library will be closed on Saturday, July 4th. The library is closed on Sundays during the summer.
July 6- Meditation at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Monday, July 6th at 4 pm. Welcome to all: people who have never tried sitting meditation and people who have some experience in meditating and would like to share the experience and space with others. After a period of saying "hellos" and getting settled, we'll start a twenty-minute period of seated silence. After that, everyone is free to socialize and share if they wish. Chairs are available for folks who aren't comfortable sitting on the floor, but you're welcome to bring a yoga mat and/or cushion.
July 7- Ukulele Learning and Jamming at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 7th at 5 pm. Have a ukulele gathering dust at home? Now’s the perfect time to start playing! The first half hour will cover the basics or serve as a refresher. After that, enjoy a beginner-friendly jam session featuring classics from the ’60s through today’s pop favorites.
Floyd’s favorite ukulele instructor, Mim, will lead the program. No experience is necessary. Please bring your own instrument if you have one. A limited number of ukuleles will be available to borrow. Ages 13 and up are welcome.
July 8- All Ages Storytime at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 8th at 10:30 am. Share stories, rhymes, music, and movement, and a craft as a family. Develop early literacy skills and encourage a love of reading.
July 8- Big and Little Social Club at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 8th at 11:15 am. Hang out and socialize after our regular story time with other caregivers and the little ones in their care. We'll put out toys for the tots although adults are welcome to play too!
July 8- Bingo at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 8th at 2 pm.
July 9- Scrabble at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Thursday, July 9th at 1:30 pm. Enjoy a challenging and fun game of Scrabble with other word enthusiasts!
July 10- Dino Family Finger Prints at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Friday, July 10th at 11 am. Turn your family into dinosaurs in a fun art piece using your fingerprints.
July 11- Floyd Comic Fest at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library on Saturday, July 11th at 11 am. Don't miss this exciting family event! Featuring Tim Quinn, co-creator of Earth 33 1/3 at Marvel UK, writer, editor, and all-around great guy! Local artist and author of the kid's graphic novel, "Soulstar Hunters," C.H. Ayers will be here to talk about her work and sign copies of her book. Hacksburg Community Workshop will have a show and tell with their equipment and creations. We have a cosplay contest for all ages with some great prizes, cosplay demonstrations, a D&D One Shot session, raffles and free stuff, and loads of fun activities for the whole family.
