Top 10 Botetourt stories of 2020

Ah, 2020. It began as a year of hope and by mid March took a turn unlike any other. Here is our Op Ed piece for 2020 in Botetourt County.

Ordinary begininning, too. A new Sheriff, three new school board members and a huge 250th Anniversary planned for through out the year.

Here are our Top 10 stories for the year for Botetourt.

1. Covid -19 . Like it or not, the Coronavirus affected ever section of Botetourt County. It is by far the biggest story in the whole world, not just our county. Covid -19 closed schools, closed businesses, sat us at home for months. The County website provided Covid-19 updates and videos by BOS Chairman Billy Martin. The grocery store pick up and delivery methods became part of the norm for many of us. Masks, social distance, crowd size limits and lack there of, have been a catalyst between citizens. The sad side of the pandemic: outbreaks in long term care units, outbreaks in businesses, no sports, no indoor church, but parking lot church and virtual church all around. The list goes on. The pandemic shut down began on March 13 by Gov. Northam edict. From there a run on toilet paper, sanitizers and sometimes meat, occured. Current cumulative total of cases is around 1300 but has gained large numbers since mid October. There were 43 cases on June the 9th and 453 cases since Dec. 1st.

2. Virtual School. For the first time in over one hundred years an in person teacher in front of an in person grade level classroom became a virtual school, virtual meetings and parents fighting to get students back into the classroom for Fall Semester.

3. Broadband. Nothing like Virtual School to put emphasis on a county that had lagged behind in internet accessibility. The Cares Act money has helped, but Northern county and rural areas of the county still suffer. The second part of broadband access is affordability, which is the final frontier.

4. Dr. Lisa Chen left the School Division in less than one year, an interim superintendent and the arrival of Dr. Jonathan Russ added a bit of chaos in the middle of the Covid-19 planning, but calm heads have prevailed lead by the School Board. For the three new members, McCaleb, Davidick and East, the year has been a quick learning curve and a Baptism in brimstone from time to time from parents.

5. The cancellation of the 250th Anniversary Celebration. One event took place in February. A smaller celebration of films, books and music took place at The Buchanan Theatre in early fall, but many were not comfortable with indoor activity and unceratainty about mask wearing, prevented huge crowds.

6. The forming of a Militia called the Botetourt Citizen’s Defense Group. They have participated in numerous training events and have offered help and assistance to non profits. They have flexed a certain right leaning political muscle as well.

7.The Resignation of Buchanan Supervisor Ray Sloan. He resigned to spend more time with the Fire Department as a volunteer. He has been replaced by Amy White by the Board of Supervisors to complete his term.

8. The relocation of most county offices from Fincastle to the Greenfield Center (GTEC) and the site has been renamed Botetourt County Administration Center.

9. Masks and the community division over wearing them. The grand discussions on our FB page about Covid-19 numbers certainly led to the summation there was a divide in the population on whether or not this disease is a hoax or serious. Botetourt even has citizens separated on how serious Covid-19 is to the members of the general population. The matter really comes down to political beliefs.

10. Restaurants. Eating out became carry out driven in 2020. The closing of Pizza Hut and Country Cookin’ and apparently Shoneys, at the Exit 150 area exemplify the plight of the food industry in Botetourt. These three eateries were iconic of Botetourt past and present. Thanks to the pandemic and closing for several months, regaining clients became a death nell especially for the buffet style dining experience. A number of restaurants had to close for Covid positives among the employees, adding stress to the industry. CARES Act money and PPP through government programs have helped, but the struggle is real.

= Cathy Benson with Anita Firebaugh, photo icon from RCAHD