Featured Stories

WOMEN URGE COUNCIL TO TAKE ACTION Blackstone officials are being asked to adopt a year-round no tethering law to more easily prevent dogs from being tiedup outside during harsh winter weather such as that of the past two weeks. Kathy Cole of Pleasant Drive appeared before Town Council on Jan. 26th and said she’s observed several dogs tied to trees […]

A musician who grewup in Blackstone is bringing home a Grammy Award — an accomplishment believed to be a first for Nottoway County. Matthew Alexander Bagley, who performs as “Alexander Mack,” was nominated in the category of Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Bagley produced “Words for Days, Vol. 1,” by artist Mad Skills. The album prevailed Sunday, Feb. 1st over […]

Blackstone’s Mayor says he’d like Council to consider establishing an office for the holder of the Town’s highest elected position. Lafayette Dickens made the request during the “Mayor’s Minute” near the end of of Town Council’s three-hour meeting on Jan. 26th. “I’m always available to you,” Dickens told members of Council. “If you have any concerns or questions — or […]

BULLET GOES THRU BEDROOM WINDOW Blackstone police have charged a 16-year-old male of Luke Street in a barrage of gunfire that resulted in one bullet piercing the window of a bedroom where an elderly woman was sleeping inside. Authorities say the 94-yearold woman is lucky to have escaped injury and that they have recovered “at least 10 shell casings” and […]

EDITOR’s NOTE: This article is re-formatted from our Aug. 14, 1969 edition. A Blackstone woman who has taught in the public schools for 45 years has retired and was recently honored at an appreciation service held at Kenbridge Graded School, where she was principal for 25 years. Mrs. Margaret Collier won’t be driving to Kenbridge early every morning this fall […]

BOARD BAILS ON BOWLING ALLEY LEASE Nottoway Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Collins said, “We’re gonna be real quick.” Last Thursday night’s special meeting of the Board lasted only 47 seconds. As nine citizens held protest signs in the Emergency Operations Center, the Board quickly voted 5-0 to vacate the County’s signed agreement with a registered sex offender to lease […]

This was the scene downtown — facing north from Blackstone Baptist Church — shortly before 12 Noon Sunday, Jan. 25th, as freezing drizzle was beginning to fall on top of two inches of snow and sleet. The temperature was 15 degrees, and area residents were bracing for a potential major ice storm, perhaps reminiscent of the Feb. 13-14, 2021 disaster […]

JUDGE HITS ‘MUTE’ ON DEFENDANT A New York City man, who’s charged with making threats and harassing various employees of Blackstone-based Citizens Bank & Trust Company, has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. The ruling on the status of 55-year-old Kenneth Woodson was made Friday, Jan. 16th by Judge Kenneth Blalock in Nottoway General District Court. Woodson remained incarcerated at […]

A Blackstone resident who was wanted here to face drug charges filed last year has been apprehended in Pennsyvlania. Lt. Tony Mayton said that 44-year- Derrick Jermaine Lawrence of Nottoway Avenue was arrested last Friday, Jan. 23rd, after being stopped by Pennsyvlania State Police. “He is currently being held on charges by them and, after that, the process of extradition […]

Nottoway County’s Teacher of the Year is a 2016 Nottoway High graduate who says she’s surprised and honored by the award. Madeline Duffy, who’s taught Special Ed at the high school for seven years, was chosen by the division’s leadership team. She’s Teacher of the Year at the high school and prevailed in the field that included Teachers of the […]