The Central Virginian

01/10/2026

To increase access to primary and specialty care for Central Virginia residents, an expanded UVA Medical Park Zion Crossroads has opened, bringing an estimated 50,000 additional appointment slots annually.

“We want to ensure patients can receive the highest-quality care at a time and place that is convenient for them,” said Mitchell Rosner, MD, chief executive officer for UVA Health and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Virginia. “This additional space at Zion Crossroads will enable us to serve significantly more patients in a welcoming environment.”

Almost 12,000 square feet on the second floor of the medical park was built out to add 30 exam and consult rooms, along with a laboratory suite for blood testing. Along with expanding access to existing services, the space enables UVA Health to add adult allergy and inflammatory bowel disease care.

“A key component of our 10-year strategic plan is easy access to care for the patients we serve across Virginia and beyond,” said Jason Lineen, MBA, UVA Health’s chief strategy officer. “This expansion at Zion Crossroads is an important step in achieving that goal.”

Care at Zion Crossroads

UVA Medical Park Zion Crossroads is located at 1015 Spring Creek Parkway just off exit 136 on Interstate 64, with ample, free parking available right outside. Along with the newly added adult allergy and inflammatory bowel disease care, services at Zion Crossroads include imaging, pharmacy, labs. Primary and speciality care include dermatology, endocrinology, nutrition, nephrology, pediatric allergy, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pulmonary and respiratory care, urology, women’s health, and wound care.

“We’re excited to bring more patient-care services and more access to Zion Crossroads,” said John Bennett, MPA, UVA Health’s chief ambulatory officer. “Our dedicated, world-class team is looking forward to serving even more Central Virginia residents in the years to come.”

To make an appointment, call 434.243.9466.

Read more about gow the facility has enhanced its diagnostic imaging services by clickimg below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/expanded-uva-medical-park-open-at-zion-crossroads/article_33f284a6-85fc-4b75-9f12-a4779e0d6f2c.html

01/08/2026

A donation of $8,040.05 from the Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services (FLAES) will be used toward the purchase of brush truck equipment. A brush truck is a specialized fire engine designed to reach places like forests and hilly terrain that standard engines can’t get to. The pass-through appropriation was approved by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors (BoS) at their first board meeting of the year on Jan. 5.

President of FLAES Patrick Gallagher addressed the board and cited the continued support of the Lake Anna community, who were listed on the check.

$3,000 of the check is from the Charlottesville Area Community Fund BAMA Works, which “aims to make a positive difference” in the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Nelson, Orange, and Louisa according to https://cacfonline.org/bama-works-dmb/.

Click the link below to continue reading about the next big ticket item that is reportedly of “immense importance” due to recent low lake levels at Lake Anna:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/flaes-donates-toward-brush-truck/article_62a6f1ba-7c90-40cf-9f46-4f680922ae2c.html

01/08/2026

“I’m prepared to stand behind that, move forward, and if necessary, burn or expend as much political capital as I need to … we’ve probably almost lost the county.” — Supervisor R.T. “Toni” Williams, Jr. on protecting rural land in Louisa

Efforts to preserve rural land have been an ongoing discussion at recent Louisa County Board of Supervisors (BoS) meetings; Jackson District Supervisor R.T. “Toni” Williams Jr. shared his perspective during “supervisor comments,” a newly added section to the agenda of the Jan. 5 meeting.

“The county is undergoing some tremendous change right now. We’ve already undergone a lot,” Williams said.

The county has been ramping up community engagement ahead of its required five-year update of the Comprehensive Plan. The 54 multiple-choice question public survey is currently underway and will continue until the end of January. The survey covers land use, growth, schools, public safety, business development, and quality of life among other areas.

The first open house, an opportunity for Louisa residents to engage directly with county department leaders in an in formal setting, was held at Moss-Nuckols Elementary School in December; four more open houses are planned throughout the month of January before the survey expires on January 30.

Williams encouraged residents to attend one of the open houses and provide input through the survey. He noted that his district, the Jackson District, is the only one that does not have a growth area — but that hasn’t stopped development.

“I would venture to bet you that we have probably the most residential new construction that’s happened county wide. That’s not educated. That’s just a guess — but there are so many new houses there,” Williams said.

Jim Riddell, a fifth-generation farmer in Louisa County and Chairman of the agricultural/forestal and rural preservation committee, addressed the Louisa County Board of Supervisors last year on May 5 with an update on strategies and actions that would protect farms and forestland in the county. Williams also serves on the committee as the board representative.

During that meeting, Riddell outlined the current situation; increasingly large amounts of commercial and residential development, and Louisa County (according to the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service) being the third-fastest growing locality in Virginia. Also, he observed that the county has converted some 6,000 acres to non-agricultural development since 2020.

Riddell shared several ways the county could combat this. Hiring an ag/natural resource development professional was one of the strategies that Riddell deemed “the most important one.”

“We need a professional who understands this…we’ve done a lot of big things with economic development officers who advocate, go out, and make deals — we need someone in that role to do the ag and forestry protection,” Riddell said. “I think you do need a [person in this] position.”

Continue reading and learn more about a suggestion to potentially scale back the Technology Overlay District by clicking the link below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/living/agriculture/bos-ramps-up-rhetoric-on-protecting-rural-land/article_bb8bf349-0331-4629-87e3-1143ba497a29.html

01/07/2026

From data center development, county government news, sports highlights, and updates on major school projects, 2025 was a busy year for Louisa.

With winter break now in the rearview, take a look back at some of our most popular stories published in 2025 that received the most engagement on Facebook and our website.

We look forward to all of the great stories to be shared in this new year, and we thank you for the ongoing support.

Your people, your page, your news.

01/06/2026

Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS) held a ceremony to unveil the middle school addition - 36 new classrooms that will be able to accommodate 500 more students.

Louisa County Middle School (LCMS) teachers shared their enthusiasm about this new space to educate their students. Read more in this week's edition of The Central Virginian.

Left to right: Lisa Wagner (Coordinator of Alternative Education for LCPS), Greg Strickland (Louisa County School Board Chairman), Stephen Harris (Louisa County School Board Member), Dr. Amanda Harper (LCMS Principal), and Duane Adams (Louisa County Board of Supervisors Chairman).

Photo courtesy of Andrew Woolfolk

01/04/2026

01/03/2026

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/obituaries/

12/31/2025

Louisa resident Wanda Edwards was struggling to secure reliable transportation to get her mother, Doris Edwards, to necessary medical appointments in Charlottesville. It’s one of the reasons why she had to retire early.

Helping Hands Community Car was born out of her distressing situation. It’s a nonprofit that provides transportation to those in need in Louisa County. Edwards advertises that it’s not necessarily a free ride, as donations are requested to cover gas and car maintenance, but donations are based on what the customer is able to provide. Helping Hands received their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in August.

Edwards has worked with special needs and at-risk kids for the last 20 years; on top of providing private care for an autistic child and caring for her 82-year-old mother, she has become accustomed to recognizing needs of the community.

“The transportation issue, especially in rural communities, is horrible,” Edwards said. “The majority of the ones that do get service — these services are coming out of Charlottesville and Richmond. I am ok with saying at least 80% of them are not being able to get these people to their appointments that they are being called for because they can’t get them there on time.”

Learn more about this faith inspired service by clicking below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/living/helping-hands-community-car/article_f72bca76-8ff1-452c-bd1a-a5b1a2b3981f.html

12/30/2025

12/27/2025

At just nine years old, Ayden Houchens is already building a résumé that mirrors athletes far beyond his years.

A Mineral resident, Houchens has spent the last four seasons immersed in football, with the most recent coming as a member of the Virginia Gators 9U Young Shiners in the United Youth Football League (UYFL). In that single season, the team’s journey culminated in a rare trifecta—a conference championship, a state championship, and ultimately a national championship—earned during a trip to Florida last week.

The title run was the latest chapter in what has been a year of steady growth for Houchens, who lines up at multiple positions in the trenches. He plays nose guard and defensive tackle on defense, while also contributing at guard and tackle along the offensive line. His impact has often come in unglamorous but essential moments, anchoring the interior and setting the tone physically.

Away from the field, Houchens is an honor roll student, a balance his family credits in part to the structure the sport provides. His father, Andre, emphasized the qualities that have guided Ayden’s development.

“Ayden has a good IQ for the game and he’s very disciplined,” Andre stated. “Watching him develop has been amazing and working with the right coaches and trainers...the game has also strengthened our bond as Father and Son.”

The path to a national championship was not without challenges. Along the way, Ayden faced adversity that tested both his resolve and preparation, ultimately rewarding his dedication as the season progressed.

On the field, Houchens attributes his consistency to fundamentals drilled daily in practice, particularly proper tackling techniques that have become second nature through repetition. One defining moment came during a matchup with Powerhouse Elite, when he stepped up to deliver a decisive hit on a running back with sound ex*****on, shifting the momentum in a high-intensity situation.

The season has opened many doors and eyes beyond Virginia, and travel has become a regular part of his football life, something Ayden embraces. He continuously referred to the bond with his teammates as a motivating factor, making life long friendships that will extend beyond the gridiron.

That camaraderie was on full display when the championship ring was finally placed on his hand after defeating some of the top youth teams in the country.

“It was very exciting as all my hard work and teammates' hard work paid off,” Ayden stated. “We accomplished our mission. We finished the drill: earned not given.”

Click the link below to read more about Houchens’ athletic journey ahead, along with his appreciation for the coaches and trainers who have helped sustain his success:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/sports/shining-in-the-trenches/article_bf11073e-1b9c-4a29-895b-8231bc44f51e.html

12/26/2025

Write In Louisa, the writers group founded in Nov. 2024, will host a panel discussion on book publishing options and approaches at its next monthly gathering on Jan. 7, 2026. The group will also celebrate its one-year anniversary by publishing its first anthology, “Right at Home: A Write In Louisa Anthology,” featuring works by more than a dozen local authors affiliated with the group.

Katherine Gotthardt, the founder of the group, said she is eager to launch the new year with both opportunities which are designed to help local writers get published.

The Jan. 7 panelists come with a range of experience, including traditional, independent, and self-publishing. Harry Heckel, a Mechanicsville-based writer and game designer whose career spans speculative fiction, humor, and tabletop role-playing, is one of them. Heckel is known as one-half of the duo Jack Heckel, creators of “The Charming Tales” and “The Mysterium Trilogy,” published by HarperCollins. He currently serves as 1st vice president of the Virginia Writers Club and, when not writing, is a devoted caretaker of two cats and a Yorkipoo.

Joining him will be Louisa County resident Larry Kavanagh. Kavanagh, who grew up in New Orleans, attended Notre Dame, earned a Ph.D. in Space Physics from Rice University, and worked at NASA Headquarters before settling in Louisa, Virginia. There, Kavanagh operated a cattle farm, taught astronomy at UVA, developed the Tanyard subdivision, raised six children, and ran the Juggling Club while teaching at Louisa County High School. Kavanagh writes lighthearted books, with six titles already published through Amazon.

Susan Schwartz, RN, MSN, MSHA, will add her expertise as well. A writer for more than 20 years, Schwartz has authored freelance articles, edited manuscripts, and proofed medical competencies. She has had three short stories and over nine books published, several through Arcadia Publishing. Her works include Haunted Charlottesville and Surrounding Counties (2019) and Haunted Inns and Hotels of Virginia (2023). Schwartz is a member of the Horror Writers Association, the Non-Fiction Writers Association and the Virginia Writers Club, where she serves as first vice-president of the state organization.

Award-winning writer Pat Garber will help round out the panel. Garber has published more than a dozen books through traditional and regional presses. She has been writing for newspapers and magazines in North Carolina, Arizona and Colorado since 1990, and has had work featured internationally. Her first book, “Ocracoke Wild,” was published in 1995, and she has since written on a variety of subjects and settings. “My Shining Palace” describes her first year on Ocracoke and the last, in which she and the island struggled to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. She also has several children’s books, all illustrated with her own home-spun drawings and watercolors.

The panel will be facilitated by Gotthardt. Her 14 books, published through small presses and independently, include a Silver Award winner from the Nonfiction Authors Association, an Amazon bestseller, a BookFest First Place award winner, and a Library of Virginia 2024 Literary Awards nominated collection. Since the early 1990s, her poetry and prose have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, and her work has been recognized by the Poetry Society of Virginia, the Virginia Writers Club, the Loudoun County Library Foundation, the Prince William County Arts Council, and many others. Gotthardt’s poem, “Now Entering Manassas,” was included in a time capsule commemorating the City of Manassas’ 150th anniversary.

Gotthardt said when she moved to Louisa County in 2024, one of the first things she did was seek out other writers. Write In Louisa was established with the goal of welcoming writers aged 18 and up, from all backgrounds and levels of experience. The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted) at the Purcell Gallery, with a $5 suggested donation supporting the Louisa Arts Center, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering community engagement with the arts.

Part of fostering the arts includes publishing works by participating local writers.

“I am thrilled to help publish ‘Right at Home,’ an anthology that showcases the creativity and passion of our talented local writers and celebrates the first year of our existence as a group,” Gotthardt said. “Because of our members and guests, Write In Louisa has become a warm and welcoming haven for writers, both experienced and aspiring, from Louisa County and other areas of Virginia.”

Continue reading by clicking below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/entertainment/art/getting-that-next-book-published/article_1ec7819e-b594-4f77-9100-bebe54e8263c.html