LOCAL NEWS
31-year-old Jorge Enrique Garcia Rodriguez has been arrested in Franklin County on sex charges involving a child under 13. Police determined Rodriguez was in the county illegally after following up on a complaint on Thursday involving the sexual abuse of a minor. Rodriguez is in jail without bond.
Bobby Nathaniel Courtney was sentenced Tuesday in Henry County Circuit Court to 90 years in prison with 75 years suspended. The case was tied to a large-scale drug investigation in Franklin County involving fentanyl. The sentence comes months after a separate case in Franklin County.
Five people were arrested after a drug busts in Reidsville on Wednesday. The Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Main and Morehead streets. Edward Ebo, Anitra Michelle Hooper, Nevaeh Womack, Jiheem Dionta Hooper, and Orek Hooper were all charged with various drug charges, mostly involving cocaine.
More than three million bottles of eye drops are under a voluntary recall. The FDA notice calls it a lack of assurance of sterility. The recalled eye drops were produced by KC Pharmaceuticals and sold under brand names including Best Choice, CVS, Discount Drug Mart, Gericare, Kroger, and Walgreens. ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Alok Patel
Above-normal temperatures again today, with afternoon thunderstorms possible, but mainly to our west across the mountains. A pattern of dry weather will be in place as temperatures cool back to normal by late Sunday, and then the potential for frost and freezing conditions through the middle of next week. Mostly sunny and breezy today with gusts up to 21 mph and a high of 81. Mostly cloudy and breezy tonight with gusts up to 22 mph and a low of 60. There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the early morning hours. On Sunday, winds will gust to 25 mph with a 100% chance of showers and thunderstorms by the afternoon and a high of 69.
The Dan River Basin Association is hosting its monthly First Saturday Outing today, with participants hiking from the Smith River Sports Complex, roughly 3.5 miles out-and-back along the Paw Path and the Dick & Willie Passage Trail. The outing begins at 10 a.m. and is free to the public.
CALENDAR
Saturday
April First Saturday Outing (FSO): 10 a.m., Paw Path and the Dick & Willie Passage Trail starting from the river access at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton. This hike is a moderate 3.5-mile out-and-back. Open to the public and without charge by the Dan River Basin Association.
Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch: 10 a.m. brunch specials by the Clubhouse Grill, 11 a.m. egg hunt, Forest Park Country Club.
Storytime!: 10 a.m., Hylton Library, Spencer Penn Center. This monthly program includes special readers, crafts, and other fun activities. Free and fit for all ages—no registration needed.
White Chapel Baptist Church: 12 p.m., 6221 Horsepasture Price Rd., Ridgeway. Hot dog lunch with side dishes, desserts, and beverages. Good food and good fellowship. (Every first Saturday of the month).
Smoked pork butt sale: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Ridgeway Ruritan Club, 111 Magnolia Street, Ridgeway. Preorder by March 23 at 276-340-5228. $35.
Sunday
Karaoke Night: 6:30-9:30 p.m., San Jose Mexican Restaurant. 730 E. Church St., Patrick Henry Mall. (Every Sunday).
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 Centre with Judi Perrin. This 45-minute exercise builds strength and is fun. $5 fee. (Every Tuesday).
Virginia Foothills Quilters Guild meeting: 9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday and third Friday of each month, and at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Piedmont Arts.
Bingocize: 10 a.m. at Spencer-Penn Centre. Play Bingo and prevent falls with simple exercises. This class is free. (Every Tuesday and Thursday).
Bassett Historical Center program: Where the Land Remembers – Firestone and Edgewood, 10:30 a.m., Susan L. Adkins Memorial Meeting Room of the Bassett Historical Center. Historian Andy Doss will talk about two forgotten villages that once stood along the old Norfolk and Western line: Edgewood and Firestone.
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).
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).
Henry County Board of Supervisors budget work session: 5 p.m., in the 4th Floor Conference Room, Henry County Administration Building.
Wednesday
Job Fair: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Stone Hall Gymnasium, Patrick & Henry Community College, 645 Patriot Ave., Martinsville. This event is free and open to the public.
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).
Nondenominational Bible Study: 3:30 p.m., Traditional Christian Church, 2630 Virginia Avenue, Collinsville. Attendees are encouraged to bring a Bible. (Every Wednesday).
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.
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).
How to photograph butterflies class: 1-3 p.m., IDEA Center, 26 Fayette St., Martinsville, with instructor and professional photographer Rick Dawson. Pre-registration is required at ph.augusoft.net or 276-656-5461. $30.
Game night: 5-11 p.m., Scuffle Hill Brewing Company, 2620 Virginia Ave., Collinsville. Card, board, and video games. (Every Thursday).
Comedy night: 8-11 p.m., Scuffle Hill Brewing in Collinsville. Showcasing local comics. This occurs on the second Thursday of the month.
Friday
Fido’s Big Basement Sale: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 119 East Main Street, Uptown Martinsville. All proceeds benefit the SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County.
Music Night: 5 p.m., gates open; 6:30 p.m., music starts; Alumni Hall, Spencer Penn Center. Travis Frye and Blue Mountain will perform. Admission is a $5 cash donation. Enjoy mountain music and dancing. Concessions, including the Spencer Penn hot dogs, will be sold.
Opening reception in honor of new exhibits: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Piedmont Arts. A gallery talk will be held at 6:15 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP by April 8 to 276-632-3221, or online at PiedmontArts.org.
Cascade School Community Center Music and Dance: 7-9:30 p.m., 3561 Huntington Trail, Cascade, with Jimmy Shirley and the Footlights. $10.
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).
