Unlike the days when at least one parent was home as the school bus made its rounds, many families cannot afford that luxury today.
  "You have so many kids who go home and nobody's home because mom and dad work," says Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School Assistant Principal Kathy Witt.
  To alleviate this growing problem, both TVE/MS and Council Elementary/Middle School have taken measures to provide a safe after-school program for hundreds of students in Buchanan County.
  After applying for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program multiple times, both schools received grant funding recently.
  Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School received $154,700 in grant funding and Council Elementary/Middle School received $191,005.
  Both schools received the amounts they requested.
  The 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program has become the new favorite program of many local teachers and parents, offering academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities to students during non-school hours.
  Not only does the three-year renewable grant program assist students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and mathematics, but it also provides students with opportunities for academic enrichment. Centers provide students with a broad array of other activities, such as drug and violence prevention, counseling, art, music, recreation, technology and character education programs.
  "We're so excited," Witt says. "This provides those children with a safe place to go, help with their homework and a healthy snack."
  On its first day at Twin Valley, the program brought in around 90 students and it's continually growing, reaching a high of 154 in attendance last week.
  They only expected between 70-75 students.
  Council also expected a low number of students to take advantage of the program but has maintained more than 100 students through its first week.
  "We've been totally amazed that we've been able to keep it up to 100," CE/MS Site Coordinator Maretta Lester says.
  Twin Valley started its program a week before Council's program, which Lester says has helped CE/MS correct some problems before they arise.
  For example, Lester says Council began preparing for a larger than expected attendance after watching as Twin Valley's program received such a warm welcome from the community. CE/MS had planned for three buses to take children home but increased that to four buses. The move proved to be the right one when 101 students showed up on the program's first day.
  But, the 21st Century Community Learning Grant Program isn't only utilizing the hard work of two county public schools. Other agencies throughout the area have coordinated efforts with the program to offer students additional enrichment opportunities.
  "It's a big community project," Lester says.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor  
  Additional increases in the electricity costs charged to customers of Appalachian Power Company, which have continued to increase the amount area residents pay for electric service drew the attention of members of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors Monday.
  Board members agreed unanimously to adopt a resolution asking that the Virginia State Corporation Commission deny a 22 percent rate increase the company applied to bills last October with the SCC's permission, pending a hearing on the increase this spring. They further agreed to ask for help from federal legislators in  the rate case.
  If the SCC denies the rate increase, the company will be required to refund to its customers -- with interest -- the increased costs disallowed.
  Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller alleged that in addition to the 22 percent rate increase now pending before the SCC, the company had also added 6 percent in December as an emissions charge and another 6 percent in January which he said the company attributed to the higher price of coal.
  "We passed a resolution last month to send to the governor and our legislators, but nothing has been done," Fuller said.
  Appalachian Power Company's Roanoke Office sent a letter to APCO customers in late February, informing its customers that winter had arrived in Virginia "with a vengeance, and with it comes higher heating costs."
  "However, even with the colder weather, your current electric bill from Appalachian Power may be higher than you expected," the letter read. "Indeed, our rates have recently increased significantly for the first time since 1993 for several reasons: the increased cost of coal; construction of pollution control equipment at several power generation plants; more tree trimming around power lines; and new energy delivery facilities to meet customers' growing power demands."
  The letter went on to note those investments by the company "will support reliable electric service well into the future." Further, it noted the $1.4 billion the company is investing in pollution controls will help meet clean air standards and allow the continued operation of what it referred to as "our low cost, coal-fired generation plants."
  The letter concluded by advising customers of several steps they could take to keep their electric bill as low as possible, including to make payment arrangements; or to learn about payment options such as an average monthly payment plan. Further, it advises customers to use energy wisely and suggests setting the thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter. Tips for lowering energy costs are also fund on the company website.
  Lastly, the letter suggests residents who are able to donate to the Neighbor to Neighbor program to help those in need of financial assistance. The company noted it annually contributes to the program in Virginia and this year, it said it has doubled its contribution.
  "We pledge to keep rates as low as possible while continuing to bring comfort to our customers, support business and commerce and build strong communities," APCO President and COO Dana Waldo wrote in the letter sent to APCO customers.
  In talking about the rate increases at Monday's meeting Fuller said while APCO has characterized the increases in lesser overall percentages, from the calls he has been receiving, the rates being paid are double what they have been.
  For those on fixed incomes, he said, it has resulted in some hard choices to make -- to pay the power bill, buy groceries, or purchase medication.
  "This is unthinkable these kinds of bills are coming in," Fuller said.
  He made a motion to send a resolution to Ninth Direct Rep. Rick Boucher and Sens. Jon Warner and Jim Webb asking for their assistance is putting a stop to the high rate increases Buchanan County and surrounding area residents have seen.
  North Grundy Supervisor Carroll Branham added the protest should also be sent to the State Corporation Commission.
  Prater Supervisor Eddie Lindsay seconded Fuller's motion and it was agreed to unanimously.
  Residents who wish to oppose or support the rate hike themselves may do so by calling the State Corporation Commission at 1-800-552-7945 from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and follow the automated instructions to talk about electric service and then record their comment.

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
  Area residents who have cell phones will soon find that when dialing 9-1-1, they will be connected with the Buchanan County 911 Call Center.
  Greg Clevinger, E-911 Coordinator for Buchanan County told members of the board of supervisors Monday that the office is getting ready to deploy its stage I wireless project which will make the office capable of tracking cell phone calls when they come into the office.  
  To do so, however, he said, another circuit card is needed and he received permission Monday to spend $1,275 out of the E-911 budget to make that purchase.
  Additionally, Clevinger noted that Verizon was the low bidder on equipment to update the number of phone lines in the E-911 office from 12 to 24 lines. The cost of the contract is $2,001.19.
  Board members approved the award of the contract.