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White continues play at Muhlenberg
A graduate of Fort Chiswell High School, Boston White of Wytheville, has been named an offensive lineman on the NCAA Division III football team at Muhlenberg College for fall 2026, while studying at the college.
More than a third of Muhlenberg students participate in the college's 23-sport intercollegiate athletics program. The red and grey Muhls are part of the NCAA Division III, Centennial Conference. The college's athletic programs are designed to motivate and empower students to develop leadership, well-being, sportsmanship and interpersonal skills while nurturing a sense of civic responsibility.
FEMA launches new option to buy National Flood Insurance Program coverage (copy)
It is now easier for Virginia residents to prepare for the devastating financial consequences of flooding.
This week FEMA launched a new tool to purchase a National Flood Insurance Program policy completely online through Floodsmart.gov. The tool is accessible nationwide, with the online purchase option available to anyone living in one of the almost 22,700 participating NFIP communities.
“I’ve seen firsthand how floodwaters devastate American communities,” said FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton. “We are making it easier for people to reduce their financial risk and protect what they’ve spent their lives building. With this new digital tool, you can get a quote and buy a flood insurance policy in a matter of minutes. This innovation demonstrates how FEMA is working to cut bureaucracy and deliver results to the American people.”
Through the National Flood Insurance Program’s new self-service digital purchase option, FEMA is reducing barriers and making flood insurance more accessible to people nationwide. Individuals can get a quote on Floodsmart.gov after providing basic information about the building. With the quote, people will have the option to purchase a policy online or through an insurance agent. Those who choose to purchase online can do so on Floodsmart.gov in just a few minutes. Those who choose to purchase through a local or national carrier can share the quote details with an insurance agent, or Floodsmart.gov will offer the contact information of three licensed state insurance agents.
The new self-service tool is consistent with the insurance industry’s shift toward digital engagement and aims to make it easier for more Americans to access flood coverage.
Floods are the most common and costliest natural disaster in the United States. Flood insurance provides financial protection against the unexpected to help Americans be better prepared, self-sufficient and confident in their ability to safeguard their future.
Commonwealth Transportation Board raises maximum grant amount for Rail Industrial Access Program (copy)
Last week, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved an increase in the maximum amount of state funding available for future Rail Industrial Access (RIA) projects. The program incentivizes private business to make siting and expansion decisions based on moving goods by rail. The maximum grant amount for individual applicants will rise from $750,000 to $1,000,000.
The RIA program mitigates traffic on local roads, highways and interstates by supporting businesses to shift the movement of their goods from trucks onto railcars. Funds can be used to build new rail spurs or rehabilitate existing rail infrastructure to connect businesses to Virginia’s extensive freight rail network.
“According to CNBC, Virginia is the #2 state for infrastructure and the #3 top state for business in the country,” shared DRPT Director Mariia Zimmerman. “Innovative partnerships like those fostered through the Rail Industrial Access program allow the state and private firms to achieve more than either could alone and make Virginia a competitive state for transportation and industry. Raising the maximum grant amount for this program helps improve our rail infrastructure and the Virginia businesses that move their goods across it.”
Between 2018 and 2026, the RIA grant program has resulted in over $38 million in combined state and private investment. A modest public contribution of about 3% of total project costs has delivered $1.55 billion in private capital investment to Virginia through the RIA program helping to move goods affordably and diverting over 150,000 truckloads to improve safety, mitigate traffic and reduce carbon emissions in rural and urban communities across the Commonwealth.
Each project represents an investment by Virginia in job growth, reduced congestion, and economic development. The increased grant amount helps to lower barriers in access to our state’s robust rail network for agricultural, manufacturing and other businesses.
RIA applications are accepting on a rolling basis all year. For more information on the Rail Industrial Access grant program and how to apply, visit Rail Industrial Access (RIA) – DRPT (virginia.gov).
Indians claim win over Cavs
Brody Allen passed for 191 yards and Jake Rollyson gained 158 yards on the ground as the Rural Retreat Indians earned a 53-29 Hogoheegee District victory over visiting Holston.
Rural Retreat (3-6) closed the game with 25 unanswered points as the Indians played themselves into the Region 1D playoff picture. A win at Honaker (2-7) on Nov. 6 and some help could possibly allow Rural Retreat to make the eight-team field.
The Indians snapped a six-game losing streak.
“Much-needed,” said Rural Retreat coach Quinton Hensley. “Happy for our kids who have worked really hard all year. We just need to continue to focus on getting better. Need to have a great effort next week against a very good Honaker team.”
Holston (5-4) took a 29-28 lead with 8:49 remaining in the third quarter on a Maddox Buchanan touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion by Desmond Mickens.
Rollyson gave Rural Retreat the lead for good via his 4-yard touchdown run with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter.
Rollyson rushed for four scores.
Allen threw one touchdown and two interceptions, while rushing for 76 yards on 10 carries with four scores. Allen also played a key role in Rural Retreat’s 12-7 win over Holston last season.
Eli Atwell and Maddox Owens also scored touchdowns for Rural Retreat.
Holston was led by Mickens (16 carries, 114 yards, one touchdown) and Eli Tweed (19 carries, 107 yards, two TDs) in what was a second straight loss for the Cavaliers.
Rural Retreat 14 14 12 13—53
Holston 7 14 8 0—29
Scoring Summary
RR – Allen 3 run (Davis kick)
H – Tweed 8 run (Sanchez-Medina kick)
RR – Allen 15 run (Davis kick)
H – Mickens 18 run (Sanchez-Medina kick)
RR – Atwell 25 pass from Allen (Davis kick)
H – Tweed 63 run (Sanchez-Medina kick)
RR – Allen 2 run (Davis kick)
H – Buchanan 16 run (Mickens run)
RR – Rollyson 4 run (run failed)
RR – Allen 1 run (kick failed)
RR – Owens fumble recovery in end zone (run failed)
RR – Rollyson 5 run (Davis kick)
Team Stats
First Downs: RR 24, H 14; Rushes-Yards: RR 39-233, H 46-313; Passing Yards: RR 191, H 39; Comp.-Att.-Int.: RR 12-15-2, H 2-8-1; Fumbles-Lost: RR 1-0, H 1-1; Penalties-Yards: RR 5-45, H 7-90; Punts-Average: RR 1-31, H 2-26
Panthers cut down Indians
Emma Burress slammed down 19 kills and served three aces as the Northwood Panthers topped Rural Retreat 25-22, 25-23, 25-22 in the third-place match.
Channing Waldie (seven kills, four blocks), Lexi Feeny (12 digs, two aces), Khloe Salyer (six kills, four digs), Pyper Chapman (16 digs) and Aubree Kegley (34 assists, seven digs) also had performances worth noting for the squad from Saltville.
Rural Retreat was led by Emery Sage’s 18 assists and 11 digs. Grace Watkins (six kills), Addison Umberger (17 digs) and Alice Martin (three aces) also played well.
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