Community Corner

🌱 Why the Amherst High “Amethyst” yearbook is drawing special recognition

Also, don't miss UCA Girls Varsity Basketball @ Temple Christian on the Amherst Patch calendar

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What's up Amherst! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why the Amherst High “Amethyst” yearbook is drawing special recognition
  • How firefighters battled the Brightwells Mill Road house fire
  • How a routine patrol uncovered a devastating Madison Heights house fire

Also on today's calendar: BStrong Coaching Open House (Maverick Strength and Conditioning).

Find out what's happening in Amherstfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Amherstfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., with a high of 51 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and windy, temps: high: 53, low: 26.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 50 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Amherst high school's 'Amethyst' yearbook honored for achievements (newsadvance.com) — Amherst County High School’s “ACHS Amethyst” yearbook was formally recognized at the Dec. 11 Amherst County School Board meeting for its recent achievements. The honor highlights the work of local students and staff and brings positive attention to the high school’s yearbook program for the wider Amherst community.
   

2. Amherst County home suffers major damage in fire (newsadvance.com) — A home on Brightwells Mill Road in Amherst County was destroyed by fire Monday, according to the Monelison Volunteer Fire Department. Crews worked to control the blaze and assess damage, and no wider community impacts beyond the loss of the residence were reported for Amherst residents.
   

3. Home declared total loss in Madison Heights fire, officials say (wset.com) — A Monday morning fire on Brightwells Mill Road in Madison Heights destroyed a home, with Amherst County fire officials estimating $250,000 in damage but still investigating the cause. An Amherst County sheriff’s sergeant first spotted the smoke, prompting a full county fire response from multiple departments; fortunately, no one was inside and no injuries were reported.
   

4. Man pleads guilty to credit card skimming at Virginia Walmarts (wset.com) — A man admitted in Lynchburg court to placing credit card skimmers at Virginia Walmarts and received a 10‑month jail sentence, with federal evidence delays shaping the plea deal. Amherst County residents should note he previously received no active jail time there, while Bedford and several other localities still have related or pending cases tied to the scheme.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Lead Shift Manager! in Amherst. Apply here.
  • Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member, Petsense in Madison Heights. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Amherst here.

Ok Amherst! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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