Like many communities, Elkins Branch has its share of speeding traffic and petty crimes.
   But, it took a fatal car accident and some burglaries before the community began to stand up and take notice.
   Crime is nothing new to most people these days. For several, it's something they often discuss among themselves, but typically do not feel they have much control over.
   That's exactly how Donald Shortridge felt.
   More than a year ago, he says he was one of the many Elkins Branch citizens watching helplessly as small crimes in their community finally became too much.
    It was after a woman from Lester's Fork was allegedly killed on a sharp curve when her vehicle collided with a pumper truck that Shortridge says he began to wonder if there was something he could do to prevent other tragedies from happening on that curve.
    With no signs posted, indicating how dangerous the curve is, he explains that he and his neighbors often spoke about their concerns for the safety of motorists traveling on the road.
    It wasn't long before other problems began to arise.
    First, a lawn mower went missing.
    Then, another.
    Shortridge recalls discussing the matter with his wife, Anna, time and time again, until she finally asked him why they weren't doing more than just talking about it.
    "My wife said, 'Well, why don't we start us a Neighborhood Watch?'" he says.
    Shortridge had retired from the coal mines after 35 years a short time before and with his interests already focused on the well-being of his neighborhood, he decided she was right.
   In June 2005, the Elkins Branch Neighborhood Watch was created. And, it was the first in Buchanan County to get tax exemption status.

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
  With gas prices still hovering at more than $2.50 per gallon. members of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors agreed to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for employees using their personal vehicles in the course of conducting county business from 32.5 cents per mile to 44.5 cents per mile.
   Additionally, board members agreed to adopt a resolution governing the personal use of county-owned vehicles, however, due to some miswording in that resolution related to the method by which an IRS commuting rule is applied, County Administrator W.J. Caudill said it is likely that policy will be revisited by the board in October.
   The new mileage reimbursement rate agreed to by the board is the same as the  state now pays as mileage reimbursement.
   Treasurer Bill Keene appeared before the board to request the change in the mileage reimbursement rate.
    The motion to approve it was 4-2 with Hurricane Supervisor William P. Harris and Knox Supervisor Pat Justus both voting "no."
    Harris noted that the price of fuel had come down some in recent weeks and he asked where the board would get the money from to pay the increased rate.

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
   Investigation is continuing into the cause of a wreck in Russell County Monday evening which claimed the life of a Rosedale woman and seriously injured a Buchanan County woman.
    Virginia State Police Sgt. Michael Conroy said Tuesday that Glenda Daugherty Combs, 37, of Rosedale, died in the 6:05 p.m. accident which occurred on Rt. 80, 1.5 miles south of Rt. 19.
    Conroy said Combs was operating a 1997 Honda Civic, traveling westbound on Rt. 80 when her vehicle apparently crossed the centerline and struck a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina being operated by Loretta Lynn Peck, 48, of Honaker.
    Peck was transported to Bristol Regional Medical Center via Virginia State Police Med-Flight and Tuesday morning remained in the intensive care unit at the hospital.
    Peck is an insurance clerk and employee in the Buchanan County Administrator's Office.
    Conroy noted Combs, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene of the accident. Peck, he added, was wearing her seat belt.
    Conroy noted the cause of the wreck remains under investigation by Trooper C.D. Vance.