The first step toward construction of what officials say will be a marketplace for Pittsylvania County and regional agriculture took place Thursday.

State and local officials broke ground on the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex during a ceremony Thursday at its future location between Chatham and Gretna. 

“It will be the headquarters for agricultural development for decades to come,” said Donnie Moore, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Agricultural Development Board, during the ceremony. About 200 people attended the event on a warm and sunny afternoon.

The $5.2 million complex, which will be located at 19783 U.S. 29 South at the former Billy’s Restaurant location, has been in the works for more than two years.

District still waiting on final budget from state

A construction company is suing the Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority for racial discrimination and breach of contract in its work on a construction project for the housing authority

Joshua Leo Conner is in jail on $250,000 bond

The incident took place when an after-hours birthday party was shut down

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that more Virginia crime information can be found online, a finding that holds true locally as well.

Vandals hit about 16 cars in Martinsville last weekend, according to a news release from the Martinsville Police Department.

For Thursday, the White trial concludes and new details emerge in the slain Virginia Tech student case.

Parents of children who compete in Pittsylvania County Youth Sports are afraid the vital program will end this year.

The Pittsylvania County School Board faces a possible $5.5 million shortfall in its upcoming 2010-11 budget and is considering a money-saving change in school policy which could possibly restrict use of school facilities for after-school activities not affiliated with the school system.  That one budget line item — which would save about $150,000 for the school division — is one of more than 50 the school board has listed for possible cost cuts

The Danville Regional Foundation has narrowed its search for an organization to conduct a study to determine the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining and milling in the Dan River Region.

Karl Stauber, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer, said three entities will submit proposals to the foundation by June 15.

“They’re going to propose to us how to do the study,” Stauber said Wednesday

Stuart Lee White Jr., 28, stood rigid, expressionless, relieved and upset after the clerk read two not guilty verdicts Wednesday in a Danville circuit courtroom.

For minutes, White didn’t move.

Some of White’s family cried. Some hugged and thanked White’s attorney. They supported White from the front rows of the gallery throughout the trial.

“We think it’s a just verdict,” said defense attorney Jim Reynolds. “But it doesn’t change it. He didn’t do anything that he didn’t have to.”

White was on trial for second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the fatal shooting of Alex Richard Totherow, White’s neighbor who had broken into his apartment shortly before the shooting

Ruby Archie, who has served on Danville City Council since 1994, said her decision not to run for re-election was based on a few issues — but the most important one is a 5-year-old grandson.

“I’ve neglected him and want more time with him,” Archie said. “After a while, he won’t want to spend time with me, and I want to enjoy him while I can.”

About 100 people paraded around Comfort Inn & Suites and Back to Bogies Wednesday night to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, trying to pick up the $500 prize for the best entry

To reinvent the city, Danville needs to unleash the creativity of its people

Gov. Bob McDonnell will be on hand in Dinwiddie as Virginia continues to reopen rest areas closed during the Kaine administration.

The White trial continues and a Pittsylvania County woman again appeals her capital murder conviction.

NRCC calls Perriello’s stance ‘shocking’

Pittsylvania County property owners will pay a lower tax rate for their real estate in the 2010-11 fiscal year

Danville City Council voted Tuesday to spend $700,000 to buy land for a new downtown fire station — but its preferred site remains a secret

Employability skills and money management programs are taught in Reidsville

“Gypsy” will be performed this weekend at the school

A federal loan might be necessary

Construction of Reidsville’s new Family Dollar store could wrap up by mid-April

City residents haven’t seen an increase in 12 years

Special permission from the city would be required

The veteran children’s singer performed in Reidsville on Monday

A grant of $125,000 from Danville Regional Foundation will help creativity and innovation in education

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli stopped in Danville Tuesday to meet with locals and learn about his constituents’ hospital — Danville Regional Medical Center

A Danville jury found Stuart Lee White Jr. not guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The jury deliberated for more than three hours.

Spring is quickly approaching and with it the March 30 deadline for college students to apply for summer internships through the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research