Learning from our past

2008: Last month’s devastating wildfires that struck portions of western and central Virginia have both state and local officials strongly urging residents to do their part in minimizing the potential danger of fires to their homes and properties.
In a recent pres release, Gov. Tom Kaine stressed the importance of Virginia's "4 pm. Burning law," which prohibits outdoor burning before 4pm each day through April 30. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Closer to home, the Virginia Department of Forestry has installed two dry fire hydrants within Dogwood Valley, located in the County's woodsy, western portion.

2004: Clean floors, shiny cages and meticulously organized storage room grace the recently opened addition to the Greene County Animal Shelter. The new four room concrete section, built to cater to county cats, is spacious, arguably cheery and has so far avoided the typical shelter smell. But all except one of the brand spanking new cages sit empty. And a feline has never been brought in through the back door earmarked for cats. Only one cat is in residence, and he moved in before the shelter expansion was completed. The phenomenon mystifies the shelters director Glen Collier, as well as local developer Ted Kostich, who along with his wife, Sandy, put up money to fund the project.

1999: WMHS junior Rachael Shaw has been dancing since she was five, and this month are residents will have a chance to see her display her talents as the "Dream Laurie" character in Four County Players' production of Oklahoma!
Shaw, daughter of Bill and Mary Beth Shaw of Barboursville, has been dancing most of her life, but it was not until three years ago that she began to study the serious stuff at the Ballet Met School in Columbus Ohio. When she and her family moved here in August, she began to study at Ballet School in Charlottesville.

1984: The first official step torward converting the county's old jail building into a museum was taken last Wednesday when the Greene County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution of intent to enter into a lease agreement with the Greene County Historical Society. The action, taken unanimously at the board's regular monthly meeting, approved in part the historical society's request to take over the two-story brick facility. The annual least charge will be $1. However, only the buildings vacant second story in included in the supervisor's resolution.

1949: The State Department of Education now is receiving numerous requests for eligible lists, as the 111 school divisions of Virginia prepare to elect division superintendents for four year terms. Dowell J. Howard State Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction, noted last week that Mar. 3 was the first day on which division school superintendents may be chosen within the 60 day period prior to May 1. this makes April 30 the deadline for such elections.
In cases where a local school board fails to elect a superintendent, the state board of education will make the choice. However, Howard said such instances were rare, but some times occurred when there was local disagreements to the choice of a superintendent.