April 21, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Anyone following the news over the past few months has had their fears stoked in one way or another. It’s apparent to me that one’s source(s) of news also shapes one’s world view; and how functional or dysfunctional various events and people are within our government. As we take in the news, it’s important for us to remember that our news providers are in the business of making money; and that they increase their profits by creating a level of fear that keeps you anxious and coming back for more. This fear may or may not be based on reality, but it’s definitely enhanced by a 24- hour news cycle that bombards and overwhelms us into News Zombies who can easily forget about the love and humanity that exists in our daily world outside of the national news cycle.
It’s in this vein that I want to share a great level of appreciation for some local folks who made a big difference in my family’s world this past week. I had a huge maple tree fall over during the hail and wind storm last Monday evening. The tree was lying across the main road in front of my house and it was almost dark. I called the sheriff’s department, and within a half hour the women and men from the Kerrs Creek fire department were there with chainsaws cutting and removing branches. A little while later the VDOT folks showed up with another chainsaw and more help. They worked until 11 that evening getting the road cleared and let me know that they had four more trees down in other parts of the county to work on that night. VDOT also came back first thing the next morning to do additional clearing work.
I want to say thank you to all of those folks and to everyone else in our community who continue to make this such a great place to live! TIM WELSH Rockbridge County
