The Recorder

02/09/2025

Way to go, Cougars!

The Alleghany wrestlers won their fourth straight Three Rivers District team championship Saturday at Radford High School. (Photo courtesy Alleghany wrestling) High School Wrestling: Alleghany wins Three Rivers District championship. The Cougars put nine wrestlers in the championship finals and won....

02/08/2025

Last night in hoops action ...

Kayden Jack, left, battles for a loose ball. (Recorder photo by Gavin Dressler) High School Girls’ Basketball: Alleghany 55, Glenvar 33. The Cougars celebrated senior night with a Three Rivers District home win over the Highlanders. Senior Bryce Leitch led Alleghany (8-0 TRD, 13-5 overall) with 33...

02/07/2025

In last night's action ...

High School Girls’ Basketball: Grace Christian 39, Alleghany 34. The Cougars dropped a non-district decision to the Warriors Thursday night in Staunton. Grace Christian, led by Aubrey Greenmum, trailed 26-22 after three quarters, but outscored Alleghany 17-8 in the final eight minutes. Greenmum sc...

02/07/2025

Highland schools will operate on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 7. Still a lot of crud, trees down, on the roads.

02/06/2025

Update on bus that got hit by a tree this morning ...

COVINGTON — At about 9:25 a.m. this morning, an Alleghany Highlands Public Schools bus traveling to Callaghan Elementary was hit by a large branch from a falling tree. This occurred at the intersection of Natural Well Road and East Morris Hill Road.
There were students on the bus; however, no injuries were reported. The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and there was minimal damage to the bus. The bus is safe for use.
The incident was reported immediately, and all protocols of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools were properly followed. AHPS staff responded immediately following these protocols. As is also the practice of AHPS, families were notified.

02/06/2025

Important information regarding the Covington Middle School virtual learning plan from the superintendent:

Dear Parents and Students,
Due to an ongoing environmental study at Covington Middle School, instruction will transition to virtual learning beginning Monday, Feb. 10. This change will last a minimum of two weeks, with possible additional week extensions.

Key information for families
•Chromebook Pickup: Parents and students must pick up Chromebooks on Friday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the designated pick-up area outside CMS (on the gym side).
• Parent signature required: A parent/guardian must sign the agreement form before receiving a Chromebook. Parents can only pick up Chromebooks for their own children.
• Attendance Requirement: Students who do not log into their Canvas courses on Monday, Feb. 10, will be marked absent.
• Virtual Instruction: Students must log in to Canvas daily, each period, and complete assignments. Teachers will be online during regular class times to provide instruction.
o 8:23-9:23 am First Period
o 9:27-10:27 am Second Period
o 10:31-11:31 am Third Period
o 11:35 am-1:05 pm Fourth Period (Class hour of time might be adjust by teacher because class time is normally based on lunch schedule)
o 1:09-2:09 pm Fifth Period
o 2:13-3:13 pm Sixth Period
• Internet Access Support: Students experiencing connectivity issues need to call CMS administration for assistance at 540-965-1410. At this time, CMS administration can provide next steps.
• Special Education Services: Students with IEPs requiring in-person accommodations may attend Jeter Watson Elementary School for continuation of their services.
•No Alternative Learning Option After Reopening: Once Covington Middle School has been cleared, the expectation is for all staff and students to return to the normal school schedule.
• Meal Services: Grab-and-go meal distribution will be available at Clifton Academy on designated dates.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this transition. If you have any questions, please contact CMS Administration at Clifton Academy.
Sincerely,
Kim Halterman,
Superintendent
Alleghany Highland Public Schools

Important information regarding the Covington Middle School virtual learning plan from the superintendent:

Dear Parents and Students,
Due to an ongoing environmental study at Covington Middle School, instruction will transition to virtual learning beginning Monday, Feb. 10. This change will last a minimum of two weeks, with possible additional week extensions.

Key information for families
•Chromebook Pickup: Parents and students must pick up Chromebooks on Friday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the designated pick-up area outside CMS (on the gym side).
• Parent signature required: A parent/guardian must sign the agreement form before receiving a Chromebook. Parents can only pick up chromebooks for their own children.
• Attendance Requirement: Students who do not log into their Canvas courses on Monday, Feb. 10, will be marked absent.
• Virtual Instruction: Students must log in to Canvas daily, each period, and complete assignments. Teachers will be online during regular class times to provide instruction.
o 8:23-9:23 am First Period
o 9:27-10:27 am Second Period
o 10:31-11:31 am Third Period
o 11:35 am-1:05 pm Fourth Period (Class hour of time might be adjust by teacher because class time is normally based on lunch schedule)
o 1:09-2:09 pm Fifth Period
o 2:13-3:13 pm Sixth Period
• Internet Access Support: Students experiencing connectivity issues need to call CMS administration for assistance at 540-965-1410. At this time, CMS administration can provide next steps.
• Special Education Services: Students with IEPs requiring in-person accommodations may attend Jeter Watson Elementary School for continuation of their services.
•No Alternative Learning Option After Reopening: Once Covington Middle School has been cleared, the expectation is for all staff and students to return to the normal school schedule.
• Meal Services: Grab-and-go meal distribution will be available at Clifton Academy on designated dates.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this transition. If you have any questions, please contact CMS Administration at Clifton Academy.
Sincerely,
Kim Halterman,
Superintendent
Alleghany Highland Public Schools

02/06/2025

It's nasty out there ... hats off to the VDOT and power crews! Here's the latest from Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative ...

Co-op Crews Responding to Outages Across Service Territory
Following Thursday morning’s icy weather, SVEC crews and contractors are out in full force to restore power. Members should be prepared for outage restoration efforts to last beyond Thursday.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, more than 5,800 members are out of service. The breakdown, by counties with the highest totals, is as follows:
• Rockingham: 4,371
• Shenandoah: 463
• Augusta: 460
• Highland: 445
• Page: 150
In major storms, outage numbers can fluctuate as new issues arise and some locations are powered on. To get information in real time, including estimated times of restoration when made available, please check www.svec.coop/outage.
The major issue causing outages are fallen trees into power lines, in many cases outside of the cooperative’s right-of-way that it maintains throughout the year. Trees blocking roads further causes delays in restoration. The Virginia Department of Transportation is assisting with clearing roads to enable co-op bucket trucks access to damaged electrical infrastructure.
SVEC has routed crews from other districts to areas most affected, mostly western Rockingham County. Additional contractors are also part of restoration efforts.
In times of major outages, it’s important to remember SVEC seeks to respond to incidents affecting the most members, working backward from a substation to the end of the line. Crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible. Please remember to never go near or touch downed power lines, and report those immediately to SVEC by calling 1-800-234-7832.
To report outages, members should also call 1-800-234-7832, use the MySVEC app or go to www.svec.coop/outage.

02/06/2025

In yesterday's action ...

Alleghany's Emily Peters swims in the girls 200-yard medley relay. (Recorder photo by Gavin Dressler) High School Boys’ Basketball: Highland 40, Bath County 28. The Rams outscored the Chargers 29-14 in the middle two quarters in Hot Springs Wednesday night, winning a Pioneer District matchup. Eli ...

02/06/2025

Highland County schools are now closed today, Thursday, Feb. 6.

02/06/2025

From Alleghany Highlands Public Schools this morning:
“The National Weather Service has alerted us of an ice storm that may affect road conditions this morning. We have decided to be cautious and schedule a 2-hour delay for Thursday, February 6th. Please monitor AHPS communications for any further updates.”

02/06/2025

Highland County schools operate on a two-hour delay today. Icy out there. Stay safe.

02/05/2025

Covington Middle School will be on virtual learning for a while. Here's a note from the superintendent, with links to resources:

Dear Families and Staff,
We are writing to provide you with the latest update regarding the situation at Covington Middle School. We are providing you with regular updates to make sure everyone has accurate information.
We have worked tirelessly to address the situation at CMS since it was first brought to our attention on Friday, Jan. 31. The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division now plans to implement virtual learning for CMS students so that a thorough assessment of potential safety concerns at the school can continue. No other school is affected.
As you know, the school has been closed since a concern was reported to administrators on Jan. 31. It was later discovered that an oven in the cafeteria kitchen and an exhaust system were not functioning properly, causing carbon monoxide to be released.
While the school has been closed, AHPS administrators have been in discussions about the safety of students and staff while also meeting their instructional needs. As a result, virtual learning will be implemented for a short period, beginning Monday, Feb. 10.
Chromebooks will be distributed to students for online learning, and AHPS instructional leaders are planning for the continuation of learning. More information on Chromebooks will be released soon. AHPS is also making arrangements for CMS students to pick up meals. Information on meals can be found here: AHPS CMS Meal Pick-Up Schedule
In the meantime, AHPS is bringing in contractors to assess the CMS building. A primary focus will be an environmental study, along with inspections of the mechanical and engineering systems.
The natural gas oven has been removed from the building and a gas line has been capped. Our investigation found that the ventilation hood system that would normally exhaust fumes to the outside was not operating properly, causing carbon monoxide to be released and detected in the kitchen and cafeteria. Even though an extensive investigation occurred at CMS on Jan. 31, this was not detected until the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 2.
Those responding to the situation included the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Covington and Alleghany County emergency managers and their teams, an independent vendor, the gas utility company, and numerous AHPS staff members.
Crews have remained at the school this week to continue with the assessment. VDEM and local first responders have declared CMS free of carbon monoxide and natural gas. However, AHPS wants to take every step possible to ensure the safety of students and staff before they are welcomed back to the building. We will not resume in-person learning until we are 100 percent sure the building is safe.
As a reminder, several resources are available on the AHPS website, at https://ahps.k12.va.us. These include the [email protected] email account that is being used to assist with related questions and to collect information individuals may wish to share with the division. It is the function of the Virginia Department of Health to assess public health situations, and the agency is in contact with LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany Alleghany and AHPS leaders. Division leadership initiated contact with VDH and is very grateful for the agency’s support.
We will continue to provide updates on this situation at https://ahps.k12.va.us. Please note that the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page is updated routinely, and we have added information from Johns Hopkins University to support you in locating health information.
Thank you for your continued attention and support. As always, we want our students to receive a quality educational experience in a safe and welcoming learning environment.
Sincerely,
Kimberly K. Halterman
Superintendent

02/05/2025

Coming up in this week’s The Recorder… It’s been tough going for students, staff, and families at Covington Middle School, who have not been able to attend classes so far this week. A Department of Homeland Security search in Bolar was assisted by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and led to an arrest. Bath Community Hospital held the first of several meetings to assess health care needs in the community. Covington’s city manager gave kudos to his staff and updated city council. Two area residents discuss their fears and concerns over the president’s call to remove equality rights. Alleghany YMCA held a fun Winter Bash. The owners of Lindsay’s Roost in Bath are preparing to close the iconic restaurant. Deputies located missing children in Alleghany. All that and more, online tonight and at newsstands in the morning. Thanks for reading your hometown newspaper!

02/05/2025

Another victory for the Rams last night!

John Wagner takes a shot against East Mont last night. He landed 23 points and had 11 rebounds in the game. (Recorder photo by David Cockerham) High School Boys’ Basketball: Highland 61, Eastern Montgomery 49. The Rams extended their win streak to seven games, leading from start to finish in a Pio...

02/04/2025

The Bath girls got a big win last night ...

High School Girls’ Basketball: Bath County 50, Roanoke Valley Christian 16. The Charger girls threw a first-half shutout and overwhelmed the Eagles in Roanoke Monday evening. Bath County jumped to a 27-0 lead at the half and led 37-11 after three quarters. Trinity Forbes led BCHS (7-4) with 17 poi...

02/03/2025

Covington Middle School will be closed again tomorrow; Alleghany Highlands Public Schools explain:

Dear AHPS Family,
We are continuing to address a safety concern at Covington Middle School, and we want to provide you with the most up-to-date information we have.
Covington Middle School will remain closed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, as the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division continues to address a safety concern in the kitchen area of the cafeteria.
As you know, CMS was closed on Monday, Feb. 3, after a thorough investigation of the building revealed that a natural gas oven and a ventilation system were not working properly, causing carbon monoxide to be released.
AHPS is working to resolve the issue, and the school will be reopened as soon as possible. The school will not open until AHPS is 100 percent sure the issue has been resolved and students and staff will be safe when they return to school. AHPS takes student and staff safety seriously.
Previously released information about this situation is available on the AHPS website. The available information includes two news releases, a letter from the superintendent to students’ families and staff, and a fact sheet that is being updated regularly.
AHPS launched its investigation after it received concerns about an odor at the school on Friday, Jan. 31. School administrators, under advice from the Covington Department of Public Works, promptly evacuated the school as these professionals directed.
AHPS’ thorough investigation was assisted by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Roanoke Valley Regional Hazardous Materials Team. AHPS has also been in close communication with the Virginia Department of Health.
AHPS will continue to provide updates on this situation on the AHPS website, at https://ahps.k12.va.us. AHPS is encouraging the public to keep checking the site. It is being updated to provide accurate information and answers to frequently asked questions that are posted there.
Persons with questions or helpful information may email [email protected]. We are working as hard as possible to communicate quickly and accurately as we manage this situation.

02/03/2025

Odor identified at Covington Middle School — school closed tomorrow. Here's the letter sent out to students, families and staff from the superintendent:

Dear Families and Staff,

We are writing to update you on the ongoing situation that has affected Covington Middle School over the past several days. As we communicated earlier, an odor was detected in the building on Friday, Jan. 31. The Covington Department of Public Works advised that the school be evacuated as a safety precaution. Following the evacuation, local and state emergency management began to conduct a variety of building system checks.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Roanoke Valley Regional Hazardous Materials Team have investigated the air quality concern and have identified the source of difficulty. The team determined that a natural gas-fueled oven in the kitchen was the source of difficulty. The oven was not burning the natural gas efficiently causing carbon monoxide to be released. The ventilation hood system that would normally exhaust any fumes to the outside was not operating properly causing the carbon monoxide to be released and detected in the kitchen and cafeteria of the school. This was not detected sooner despite extensive investigation by local responders, state responders, and a vendor because no food was being cooked over the weekend. We have no indication this was a long-standing defect.
The Jan. 31 incident clarified for us the unfortunate fact that, despite prior internal communications, carbon monoxide detectors had not been installed. Before any school is reopened tomorrow morning, we will have corrected this oversight which should permit us to diagnose these sorts of concerns far sooner in the future.
AHPS is working to get crews onsite to address the issue starting Monday. As a result, classes at CMS have been canceled for Monday, Feb. 3. All other schools will be open. We anticipate providing additional updates through official AHPS communication channels as soon as information is available. We are considering a variety of solutions, which may include delivering food to the school.
We do not yet know when the school will reopen. We will update our families and staff by 3 p.m. on Monday regarding our plans for the following day. We hope that crews can resolve the issue and we can resume classes as soon as possible. In the meantime, AHPS administrators are developing a continuity of learning plan and services with staff. Staff are encouraged to monitor their work email for ongoing updates and directions for reporting to work. Other schools are not affected.
We will continue to provide updates on this situation on the AHPS website, at https://ahps.k12.va.us. We encourage you to keep checking the site, as we are continually updating the information and answers to frequently asked questions posted there. We are
working as hard as possible to communicate quickly and accurately as we manage this situation.
We know we are a family in our community and help each other in many challenging times. AHPS and the community benefit from your help in sharing any pertinent information directly and promptly with AHPS and we thank you.
As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by emailing [email protected]. This is to assist in prioritizing related emails. Thank you for your attention to this important update.

Sincerely,
Kimberly K. Halterman
Superintendent

02/02/2025

Statements on the situation at CMS from the school system, and the City of Covington have been released; the investigation continues ...

COVINGTON — Alleghany Highlands Public Schools is continuing to investigate possible concerns at Covington Middle School that led to a precautionary evacuation of students and staff on Friday, Jan. 31.
AHPS administrators, maintenance staff, local law enforcement, local emergency management and state emergency management worked throughout the night to thoroughly inspect the building.
CMS was evacuated at approximately 2:20 p.m. after an odor was detected in a portion of the building. Students and staff were evacuated to the nearby Covington Recreation Center.
At the time of the evacuation, the Covington Fire Department, Covington Rescue Squad, Smurfit WestRock Rescue Squad, the Covington Division of Police, the Covington Emergency Manager, and the Alleghany County Emergency Manager provided immediate expert assistance. Covington Parks and Recreation assisted with necessary facilities at the Covington Recreation Center where AHPS staff supervised students.
Following the evacuation, a variety of checks of building systems were promptly conducted, including HVAC systems, by both AHPS personnel and staff from a regional provider of HVAC services. The Virginia Department of Health was also contacted for assistance.
“It was amazing to see the efforts of our team at CMS even well late at night. Everyone was so committed, and we are appreciative,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS.
As of late Friday night, the source of the odor had not been identified. There were no indications of a natural gas leak. Several checks were completed with the assistance of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Roanoke Valley Regional Hazardous Materials Team. There were no concerns with the boiler system, and no concerns with sewer backup. Appropriate follow-up investigations will continue through the weekend. AHPS staff will continue to check the building with the assistance of appropriate authorities.
Similarly, it was widely speculated that there was a gas leak at CMS on Thursday, Jan. 16. There was no gas leak. An odor was noticed in a broad area of the Highlands and it originated from an industrial source.
There was a gas leak near but not inside of CMS on Jan. 14 caused by utility work. This information was shared widely through AHPS communications.
Throughout the Jan. 31 event, all available AHPS staff provided assistance at various locations.
“There was a tremendous and effective response from our bus drivers and maintenance staff to support CMS,” shared Halterman and Snead-Johnson. “The full central office staff, including all administrative assistants, assisted in answering calls, supporting each AHPS school with dismissal changes, and directing overall operations and communications.”
“We continue to appreciate the cooperation of all AHPS families, staff, and students with a special thanks to CMS.”
Any pertinent updates on the current situation at CMS will be shared via AHPS communications including on the AHPS website.