Latest Good News
Letter From the Editor: The Impact of ‘Shop Local’
THE ECONOMIC Policy Institute reports that for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 68 cents of it stays in the local economy. Compare this to 32 cents staying in a local community when...
The Duffle Bag Project Shoulders a Burden for Children in Foster Care and People Without Housing.
WHAT IF you were moving out of your home and had to pack all of your belongings — your most important possessions — into one giant trash bag? You would probably feel embarrassed at the least and...
A Passion for Indoor Greenery Spawns a New Lynchburg Business.
WHAT IS it like when a family legacy causes an accounting major to open an indoor plant shop? Just ask Latia “Tia” Hancock. Tia, as her family and friends call her, opened her store, P.R.E.A.M...
Spearman Artisanry Brings the Global Village to Lynchburg
JANNETT SPEARMAN came to Lynchburg from a great distance — a literal distance, as well as a figurative one. Originally from Nicaragua and trained as an electronics engineer, Spearman discovered that...
Make Time for Memories: Recipes
THE FIRST dogwood blooms unfurl while other trees wake up from their long winter nap. Images of spring break and picnics flood our feeds and keep us daydreaming of the warmer days ahead. Whether...
Papá Gallo Cocina Mexicana: Lynchburg’s Intersection Between Tradition and Innovation
PAPÁ GALLO Cocina Mexicana is located inside River Ridge Mall but should not be mistaken for an aspect of the food court. This restaurant is well-designed, has a classic and vibrant aesthetic, and...
Shay’s Unique Gifts: Love for People, Conversations, and Life
DRIVING DOWN Commerce Street, one will see plenty of businesses — restaurants, an investment service, an attorney’s office, a coffee house, a massage place, and more. However, if one is fortunate...
The Anything & More Store: Kristyn Goodman Uses Her Business to Support Nonprofits
ENTREPRENEURS MAY start their own businesses for many reasons, such as to be their own boss, to make more money, or to have a more flexible career. When Kristyn Goodman decided to start her...
Kaya Health: Empowering Patients and Providers
WE ALL know the routine. You have an appointment at 10 a.m. to see your doctor for a six-month checkup, so you arrive 15 minutes early to update paperwork, and then you wait. An hour later, a nurse...
Letter From the Editor: The Learning Curve
THE METAL beams tick, tick, tick with every inch the cart climbs to the top of the hill. The experienced thrill-seekers in the front cart raise their hands as the coaster inches toward the climax of...
Refurbished Parking Meters Collect Coins to Support Local Nonprofits
"A LITTLE CHANGE goes a long way" is the motto of the fundraising organization Change for Change Caring Meters, and the saying has proven true. Since September 2020, 10 lime green parking meters...
Turning Trash Into Treasure and Heartache Into Hope
“I NEVER KNEW you did so much,” is a statement Jeane Smiley-Mason hears often as president and chief operating officer of Gleaning for the World. Founded in 1998 in Concord, Gleaning for the World...
Edison2 and the Very Light Car
RECORD-BREAKING INVENTIONS are not common, and Lynchburg is proud to be home to one such invention: the Edison2 Very Light Car. Nearly 15 years ago, Lynchburg found itself on the national stage...
Recipes: Fuel for Focus
RISE AND shine to breakfasts that fuel minds and bodies alike! Celebrate the power of wholesome, delicious meals to kickstart learning and energize young students. We’ll dish up recipes packed with...
Brews and Bites at Corduroy Coffee + Kitchen
LOCATED INSIDE Givens Books and Little Dickens, Lynchburg’s oldest bookstore, is a little coffee shop with a surprisingly large menu. After shopping around for books and board games, we made our way...
Ava Rupert’s Legacy of Inspiration at Boonsboro Elementary School
AVA RUPERT stands as a stable figure in the corridors of Boonsboro Elementary School. Her presence is a testament to a lifelong dedication to education. With nine years of service at Boonsboro...
Randolph College Professor’s Quest to Help Writers See Beyond the Obvious
NATURE IS no stranger to poetry. Writers for centuries have used poems to picture the flora and fauna around us, often expressing it in near-romantic terms. For Professor Laura-Gray Street, surface...
A Local Teacher Brings Students Together Through Creative Interaction.
TAKE A moment to reflect. Can you pinpoint one person who made such a significant impact on you that it molded the trajectory of your future? For Sarah Davis, that person was her sixth-grade...
The Lighthouse Community Center: A Beacon of Hope for Thousands
FRESH OFF the heels of the American Civil War, 1869 was a tumultuous time for our nation. For Maurice Moore, a tycoon in the tobacco industry, it was time to inhabit his newly constructed mansion...
Recipes: Nourishing Communities, One Casserole at a Time
THE ACT of preparing a homemade meal transcends the boundaries of sustenance; it becomes a gesture of empathy, a tangible expression of care that resonates deeply with those facing adversity. Amidst...
Isabella’s Italian Trattoria: A Culinary Journey Through the Heart of Flavor
ISABELLA’S ITALIAN Trattoria was the perfect place to visit in Lynchburg on a Saturday night. The family-owned and operated restaurant contained couples enjoying a date night and families laughing...
Tania Conner’s Journey With Freedom 4/24
AS TANIA Conner stands among fellow parents at her child’s athletic event in Lynchburg, she spends a moment collecting her thoughts. Like those around her, her mind rotates between ordinary...
A Local Organization, Love Heals, Offers Help Through Hard Times.
BELOVED CHILDREN’S television host Mister Rogers was known for doing good for others. For nearly four decades, he visited homes via the television with his half-hour-long program, “Mister Rogers’...
When Disaster Strikes, Miriam’s House Helps Lynchburg Families Find Their Feet.
WHEN DISASTER strikes, causing families to experience homelessness, Miriam’s House is there to help them get back on their feet. The nonprofit was founded in 1994 to provide housing for women and...
Letter From the Editor: Charity Spotlight
IN THE quiet corners around us, away from negativity, thrive the true heartbeats of our community — the local charities and the selfless individuals who support them. It’s in these spaces, often...
Hitting Home Runs and Lending Helping Hands
HAGEN ALLRED, originally from Staunton, entered Liberty University’s sports management program with a dream. The program required an internship with 400 hours of work experience. Lynchburg’s minor...
Foster Fuels Has Been Spreading Warmth for Over 100 Years
IN 1919, WWI Veteran L.H. Foster began delivering flour, ice, and five-gallon cans of lamp oil using an ox-drawn cart to provide for the needs of his neighbors. Over 100 years later, his business,...
Letter From the Editor: From the Heart
IT’S HOLDING the door open for the person behind you. It’s sending a sweet text when they cross your mind. It’s stopping by to say “hi” when they’ve had a bad day. Showing up and showing love is...
Pops and His Good Humor Ice Cream Trucks
IN THE heart of Lynchburg, a retired real estate broker, affectionately known as "Pops," orchestrates a sweet revolution, one ice cream bar at a time. Armed with two iconic Good Humor ice cream...
Herbert & Carole Maynard’ Enduring Love Story
IN A world where the winds of change often test relationships, Herbert and Carole Maynard’s relationship is a testament to enduring love and unwavering commitment. Sixty-five years of marriage is no...
Brittany Kate Hoover: A Selfless Soul Saves Four Lives.
"BRITTANY KATE Hoover saved four lives through organ donation, and she gave sight to two others through the gift of her corneas,” said her mom, Vivian. “I want everyone to know what a hero she is...
Faith: Unleashing the Champion Within
IN THE vast arena of life, there is a paramount lesson that champions across all disciplines have learned: the significance of believing in oneself and casting aside the weight of others’ opinions....
Recipes: Savor the Sweetness of Love
IT’S TIME for embracing warmth, love, and the joy of sharing delicious meals with those closest to our hearts. As we endure the lingering winter days, here’s a selection of recipes filled with...
The Heart of ‘Lynchburg’s Living Room’
MYKE BARRON moved from Texas to Lynchburg around five years ago and is part of the collaborative team that runs the White Hart coffeehouse and eatery.The inviting space has earned the name...
Dream Forge Offers a Cooperative Space and a Helping Hand.
SAMANTHA SIMMONS was forced to provide the bulk of the family income when her husband became ill. She now runs a successful bookkeeping business. Ashley Beesley, the owner of Sweet Indulgence...
A University of Lynchburg Student’s Journey From Taliban Oppression to Higher Education
NELSON MANDELA famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The story of University of Lynchburg student Shukria Rezayi (not her real name, for...
Letter From the Editor: Hometown Healing
THE FIRST sounds of life are screams and cries of joy. Oxygen fills little lungs for the first time. The lights above are bright. And the beeping machines from every corner of the room can be...
Youth Baseball League President Makes Multi-Generational Memories
IN THE heart of Timberlake Township, hundreds of young athletes and their parents eagerly await February, when registration for Timberlake Dixie Youth Baseball League opens. They’re preparing to...
Transforming Mental Health Care
NESTLED IN the heart of Virginia, Horizon Behavioral Health is orchestrating a quiet revolution in mental health care. A plan for a new crisis receiving center (CRC) has garnered support on a local...
A Retired Teacher’s Mission to Help Today’s Teens
IN AN age where the fast-paced digital world often overshadows real-life connections and heightens mental health crises, Dora Purvis, a retired teacher with over 30 years of experience, has set out...
Recipes: Savor the Flavor of Well-Being
AS WE step into the new year, explore the tastes of hometown healing through recipes built around healthy ingredients. A soup loaded with healthy vegetables flavored with your favorite herbs hits...
Faith: Unleashing the Power of Endurance
STAR OLYMPIAN Usain Bolt is known as the fastest man in the world, and his reputation was cemented when he won the gold medal in the 100-meter race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London...
Ryleigh Tatum Builds Confidence Beyond Books.
TEACHERS ARE the backbone of any community, and a shining example of Lynchburg City Schools’ hard-working staff is kindergarten teacher Ryleigh Tatum. Tatum is in her third year at Robert S. Payne...
Fellow Hokie Gives Kidney and Fulfills Her Lifelong Dream.
LITTLE GIRLS often dream of becoming famous actresses, veterinarians, or fairy princesses. But Annie Chalmers-Williams dreamt of giving someone her kidney. “Growing up, I had a friend who...
Dr. Dana Woody Embodies the Essence of Community Nursing.
DR. DANA Woody of Liberty University is a professor of nursing with a doctor of nursing practice concentrated in executive leadership. Her background is in community nursing. It is a mission she has...
Tim King Jr. – A Passion for Serving
WHILE HE may be an Offix Regional Manager during work hours, Tim King Jr. spends much of his free time serving charity after charity around Lynchburg. In the nearly nine years since he first moved...
Letter From the Editor: Experience the Good This Holiday Season
LIKE THE cozy warmth of a heated blanket, Good News and the holidays are in the air once again. The season of festive lights, crackling fireplaces, and familiar carols is upon us, inviting a sense...
Scottie Booker and Divine Fog Serves Are Changing Lives One Home at a Time.
SCOTTIE BOOKER is the founder and CEO of Divine Fog Realty, based in Lynchburg but with a presence in Raleigh, North Carolina, and San Diego, California. There is, though, another side to Divine Fog...
Local Couple Strives to Make a Difference With Meals on Wheels.
PAIN, LONELINESS, house maintenance, and health issues — these are only a few of the problems shouldered by those who are homebound. However, some also face the struggle of obtaining a proper...
Thomas Road Baptist Church Takes You Back in Time.
DR JERRY Falwell founded Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) in 1956 when he was merely 22 years old. Originally located at 701 Thomas Rd., his congregation began with just 35 members. That young...
Rekindle the Flavors of Food and Family This Holiday Season.
ALONG WITH December’s hustle and bustle, our kitchens come alive with the spirit of the holidays. As friends and families gather, delightful treats take center stage, each dish a connection to...
Karin Truitte’s Commitment to Underserved Patients
WHEN FAMILIES come home for the holidays, they should be both happy and healthy. There are members of every community who avoid healthcare visits due to climbing expenses. But thanks to local...
Riverviews Artspace Brings the Lynchburg Community Together Through Art.
AMAZON WISH lists can go on and on forever. Search, search again, and search again... yet still, the question keeps ringing: What do I get them for Christmas? When your family comes home for...
Letter From the Editor: Selfless
THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines the word selfless as “someone who has no concern for self, or unselfish.” As the world keeps turning, it may feel like selfless people are few and far between....
A Taste of South India With a Side of Generosity
WHILE THE food at Annie’s Indian Kitchen is authentic and exceptional, it isn’t the only good thing about the restaurant or its owners, Dr. Prince Arvind and his wife, Annie. Since the restaurant’s...
Lynchburg Newcomers’ Club – Still Making New Friends at 66 Years Young
CHILDREN MAKE friends instantly. After just a few minutes on the swing, a brief word of introduction, or chasing each other around the slide, they share the title of best friends. If only friendship...
Faith: Just as You Are
FOR OVER 30 years, children’s television host Mister Rogers came into the homes of millions via our television sets and told us something we should never forget. “I like you just the way you...
Forget the Scales. Get Ready to Plan Your Holiday Parties and Dinners.
THANKSGIVING AND Christmas are getting closer, and it’s time to plan for parties and get-togethers. Old standards served alongside new recipes on family buffets with family china, and finger foods...
Branden Gard – The Road to Recovery
THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Branden Gard is in a happy, loving marriage, and his wife has a baby on the way in February. He was full of emotion as he admitted that 15 years ago, he never would have...
Larry Bassett – A Contribution to Lynchburg’s Cultural Scene
“ANY VACANT wall is an opportunity to put up art,” collector Larry Bassett said. And while his home’s walls are full of paintings, he has not stopped there. The results of his work can be seen...
Gary Witt – Establishing a Purple Heart Community
MANY VETERANS call Lynchburg home, partly due to the tremendous support they can find in the community. With an active Veterans Council, an active Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), and...
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