LOCAL NEWS
Construction has begun on the new Microporous facility at the Berry Hill Megasite in Pittsylvania County, a billion-dollar project expected to bring more than 2,000 jobs with average salaries of $70,000. Officials called the development transformational for Southside Virginia. Microporous CEO John Reeves said site work is already underway. The plant will manufacture lithium-ion battery separators, with construction expected to take 14 months and full operations planned by 2028.
Despite concern about gas prices, Americans are taking to the skies and hitting the road to celebrate the unofficial start of Summer. ABC’s Andrew Dymburt
Martinsville and Henry County will be among 18 first-responder agencies in the region taking part in an Active Shooter and Mass Casualty training exercise at Chatham Hall in Pittsylvania County on Tuesday morning. Residents are urged not to be alarmed; the event at Hargrave Academy is only a training exercise.
The next generation of weight loss drugs could be available as soon as next year. Retatrutide (reh-TAT-tru-tide) is showing promising results. That’s according to new research published this week. ABC’s Youri Benadjaoud (Yoo-REE ben-ah-JAHD) from the ABC News Medical Unit.
A tornado in Alabama, a new thunderstorm watch across North Texas, and flood watches are in effect. ABC Meteorologist Lee Goldberg tells us where it’s a washout this Memorial Day weekend:
WEATHER
Due to a stalled front, repeated rounds of rain, sometimes heavy, are expected through the week. This will increase the risk of isolated flash flooding in flood-prone areas. Drizzle and fog this morning, and cloudy with afternoon, with a high of 71. Mostly cloudy with patchy fog and a 50% chance of rain tonight with a low of 64. Memorial Day will bring patchy fog in the morning, and an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon with a high of 79.
CALENDAR
Sunday
AA meetings: 9 a.m., Making the Connection Group, 97 Wards Farm Rd., Martinsville; 5 p.m., Zoom ID#6109351947, Passcode 12. (Every Sunday).
Special church service: 2:30 p.m., Progressive Prayer Temple Worship Center, in celebration of the 35th church anniversary, District Elder Antonio Hargrove Sr., pastor of Waterway Temple in Bassett, will speak.
Karaoke Night: 6:30-9:30 p.m., San Jose Mexican Restaurant. 730 E. Church St., Patrick Henry Mall. (Every Sunday).
Monday
AA meetings: 12 p.m., Peer Recovery Connection, 1100 Spruce St., Martinsville; 6 p.m., Any Lengths Group, First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 23 Starling Ave., Martinsville. (Every Monday).
Bingo: 5 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. games start. Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department (Every Monday).
Pub Run: 6 p.m., Meet at the Ground Floor and head out for a walk or run. Afterward, enjoy $1 off drinks back at Ground Floor. Sponsored by the YMCA. (Every Monday).
Tuesday
TOPS meeting: 9 a.m. weigh-in, 10 a.m. meeting at Chatham Heights Baptist Church, 1235 Chatham Heights Rd., Martinsville. (Every Tuesday).
Chair aerobics: 9 a.m. at Spencer-Penn Center with Judi Perrin. This 45-minute exercise builds strength and is fun. $5 fee. (Every Tuesday).
Bassett Food Distribution: 10 a.m. church service, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. food distribution, 24 A Governor Stanley Highway, Bassett. (4th Tuesday of every month).
Bingocize: 10 a.m. at Spencer-Penn Center. Play Bingo and prevent falls with simple exercises. This class is free. (Every Tuesday and Thursday).
Chix with Stix: 10:30 a.m., knitters meet at Piedmont Arts to work on individual projects on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The public is invited—$5.
Preschool story time: 11:15 a.m. at Collinsville Library. This program is for children ages 2-6. Stories, songs, games, crafts, and learning. (Every Tuesday).
Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting: 3 p.m., Henry County Administration Building; 6 p.m., public hearings.
Afterschool story time: 3:15 p.m. at Collinsville Library. This program is for children in K-2nd grade. Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts. (Every Tuesday).
Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors meeting: 5 p.m., Ippy’s Restaurant, North Main St., Rocky Mount.
Fellowship meal: 5:15 p.m. doors open, 5:30-6:30 p.m. meal is served. Starling Avenue Baptist Church, 932, Starling Ave., Martinsville. This occurs on the last Tuesday of each month.
Willis Gap Community Center Golden Oldies Rock and Roll Open Jam: 5:30 p.m. doors open, 6:30-9 p.m. dancing and music, 155 The Hollow Road, Ararat. Family-friendly. (Last Tuesday of each month).
Martinsville City Council meeting: 5:30 p.m., closed session; 7 p.m., regular session. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers in the Martinsville Municipal Building.
Patrick County Board of Supervisors work session: 6 p.m., Patrick County Administration Building.
AA meeting: 7 p.m., Zoom ID#6109351947, Passcode 12. (Every Tuesday)
Wednesday
Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District traveling staff office hours: 10-11:30 a.m., Summerlin Room, Henry County Administration Building; 12:30-2 p.m., Patrick County Administration Building Conference Room, 106 Rucker Street, Stuart.
Community Bible Study: 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, Bassett, in the fellowship hall. This is a gathering of Christians of various denominations for Bible study. (Every Wednesday).
AA meetings: 2 p.m., Afternooners, Broad Street Christian Church, 106 Broad Street, Martinsville; 7 p.m., Zoom ID#6109351947, Passcode 12. (Every Wednesday)
Nondenominational Bible Study: 3:30 p.m., Traditional Christian Church, 2630 Virginia Avenue, Collinsville. Attendees are encouraged to bring a Bible. (Every Wednesday).
Community meal: 5-6 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 311 E. Church St., Martinsville. A free sit-down dinner in the Undercroft. Takeouts will be available at the end of the meal if there are any leftovers. There are limited parking spaces behind the church for people with mobility issues. Enter through the glass doors at the back of the church. (Last Wednesday of each month).
Thursday
Men’s fellowship of prayer and singing meeting: 9 a.m., Martinsville Senior Center at the corner of Moss and Market Streets. (Every Thursday).
Crochet group: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Collinsville Library. (Every Thursday).
Takeout Community Meal: 5-6 p.m., Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, corner of John Redd Boulevard and Daniels Creek Road, Collinsville. This meal occurs on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from February through October. Call 276-647-8150 by 12 p.m. to reserve meals.
Yoga Flow with Ally Snead: 6-7:15 p.m., Reynolds Homestead. Beginners are welcome, and options will be offered to all levels. $15 per class paid to the instructor on the day of the class. Bring a yoga mat if able.
John “Papa” Gros: 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. concert, Piedmont Arts. $20 admission. Tickets may be purchased at piedmontarts.org.
AA meeting: 7 p.m., Zoom ID#6109351947, Passcode 12. (Every Thursday)
Singo Night: 7:30-9:30 p.m., Scuffle Hill Brewing. Join us for a fun night of music bingo with your host, Remy. (Every Thursday).
Boot Scootin’ and Groovin’: 8-11 p.m., Wild Mag’s. Line dancing and free lessons with DJ Taylor. (Every Wednesday).
Friday
Stuart Farmers’ Market: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 301 Chestnut Drive, Stuart. Featuring a variety of vendors offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, homemade baked goods, locally raised meats, eggs, plants, and crafts. Some vendors will accept Senior Nutrition vouchers. (Every Friday, May through October).
Friday fun: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Landmark Center, Stuart. Shop fresh seasonal produce, baked goods, and crafts. Also, create your own pressed-flower bookmark with the Reynolds Homestead (all materials provided), and get a free blood pressure check.
Rook, Music & More: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Bassett Ruritan Club, Philpott Dam Road. This is a fun, relaxing time for people to get together, play games, work on puzzles, create crafts, and play Rook. (Every Friday).
Book sale: 1-5 p.m., and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Blue Ridge Regional Library basement, 310 E. Church St., Martinsville. Lots of books are for sale, including hardback and paperback fiction, Agatha Christie books, children’s books, history, westerns, and puzzles.
AA meetings: 6 p.m., Any Lengths Group, First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 23 Starling Ave., Martinsville; 7 p.m., Zoom ID#6109351947, Passcode 12. (Every Friday).
Cascade School Community Center Music and Dance: 7-9:30 p.m., 3561 Huntington Trail, Cascade, with Remedy. $10.
Karaoke night: 8-11 p.m., Scuffle Hill Brewing. (Every Friday)
Karaoke night: 9-11:30 p.m., Wild Magnolia. Singers of all skill levels — good, bad, or somewhere in between — are invited to take the stage, or cheer on friends and fellow performers. (Every Friday).
Saturday
1st Annual Tractor Show and Swap Meet: 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Rangeley Ruritan Building, 134 Calloway Drive, Fieldale. Two hot dogs, chips, and a drink for $6. All tractors are welcome (old and new). A swap meet and flea market will be held for trading parts, equipment, and household goods. Set up on Friday, May 29, from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Reserve your swap meet space for $10 by calling 276-224-7394. This is a free event.
Uptown Farmers’ Market: 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: 65 West Main St., Martinsville. (Each Saturday, April-November).
AA meeting: 12 p.m., Any Lengths Group, First Baptist Church Fellowship, 23 Starling Ave., Martinsville. (Every Saturday).
