90 Years Ago
Bob Keys Will Get Hearing This Week
Any hope of obtaining additional information regarding the Bryant murder case other than what has been revealed by Ivan and Tom Wren and Raymond Edwards was abandoned this morning it was learned that Bob Keys, alleged leader of the gang that brutally murdered the aged man in Selma last week, has sealed his lips and refuses to talk.
It was announced yesterday that Attorney Tom Wilson has been retained to represent Keys.
Mr. Wilson told The Virginian yesterday that he intended to call for a preliminary hearing soon and this was reaffirmed this morning.
This preliminary hearing, which may be called before the week is out, is expected to clear up the case as to just what each man is accused of and how strong the evidence is against each.
At present, all three of the principals in the murder implicate each other strongly in the case, so that, apparently, all three are equally responsible.
Raymond Edwards has openly admitted both to officers and reporters that he had a hand in the crime and also openly accused Keys and Ivan Wren.
75 Years Ago
Robert Evans Gets Service Promotion
Robert L. Evans, of Covington, who is now serving aboard a 52,000-ton battleship of the Iowa class, has been promoted to Seaman First Class, USNR, by the Commanding Officer for outstanding initiative and ability in his assigned duty.
His mother, Mrs. Julie Ann Evans, resides at Star Route, Covington.
The Covington man was a participant in the recent pre-invasion warship bombardment of Muroran, Japan, where the mighty 16-inch guns of the “Big W” pounded into dust and rubble one of the enemy’s key war industries.
For his part in this historic naval bombardment, Evans received commendation at a Captain’s “Meritorious Mast.”
This is now a part of his official war record.
He was won the right to wear the following campaign ribbons: American Area Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon with three stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
50 Years Ago
Vocational School Need Studied By Bath County
Bath County and Highland County officials are scheduled to decide by December 7 whether they will continue efforts to build a vocational high school which would cost an estimated $568,000.
A committee from Bath County met with the Highland County supervisors Tuesday to discuss the project, which had been supported by the Highland County School Board.
Russell L. Thomas, Bath County school superintendent, told the Highland supervisors: “We believe there is a dire need to serve the vocational interests of the students of Bath and Highland counties.”
Thomas noted that October 15 is the deadline for organization of a joint board and definite plans have to be agreed on by December 15.
By June 30, 1971, funds must be ready to start construction.
25 Years Ago
Funding Approved For Study Of I-66 Through Highlands
Congressman Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, has announced that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives has approved funding authorization for a study to determine the feasibility of a route for the East-West Transamerica Corridor (I-66) from Beckley, W.Va., into Virginia near Covington.
The route would then go through the Alleghany Highlands to serve Roanoke and continue to Lynchburg.
From there, the route would go across Virginia to the Tidewater area.
“This is a key step to linking the Alleghany Highlands to the Roanoke Valley and points south into North Carolina,” Goodlatte said. “It is also important because of the possibility of bringing the first interstate to Lynchburg which needs and deserves a modern transportation link.”
10 Years Ago
Concerned Christian Baptist To Honor Grandparent’s Day
Concerned Christian Baptist Church, 329 E. Cherry Street, Covington, will observe National Grandparents Day Sunday with a special service.
The speaker will be the Rev. Roslyn C. Thomas, interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Clifton Forge.
Thomas was ordained as a minister April 5, 2009, by the Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Simmons, pastor of Pine Street Baptist Church in Covington.
She became the first female to be licensed as a minister by First Baptist Church in Clifton Forge on July 13, 2008.
Thomas has been licensed as an evangelist missionary since August 2000.
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