Notewothy

In the National News

Covid numbers are rising and are high in 26 states.

The WNBA All Stars team beat Team USA in a fast-moving and high-scoring game of women's basketball on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

An outage on Friday, July 19, left airports, hospitals, and businesses stranded when the Internet went down.

President Joe Biden decided on Sunday, July 21, 2024, to drop out of the presidential race due to health issues and concerns about his age, making him a one-term president. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run for the office. He gave a speech about his resignation on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, 2024 following the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024.

An explosion of hot water and rocks in Wyoming shocked visitors and forced the temporary closure of an area of the Yellowstone National Park. No one was injured.

A major fire in California near Chico has forced evacuations as over 70,000 acres burn. Called the Park Fire, it is believed to have been intentionally set.

Celebrity Deaths

British blues and rock musician John Mayall died at the age of 90.

Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the last surviving member of the Four Tops, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024.

Local News

Botetourt County Board of Supervisors at its 7/23/2024 meeting approved a change (4-1) to ordinances that allow for civil fines for grass height and inoperable vehicles. The changes move these nuisance ordinances away from the sheriff's office and into the community development office under the authority of the county administrator, though the issue could still be taken to the courts if landowners do not cooperate with the locality. According to comments at the supervisors meeting, the sheriff had said he did not have the staff to enforce the ordinances.

The county supervisors declared a state of drought for the county.

The Botetourt County Historical Society won a grant of $6,500 to use for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation.

Noteworthy

Celebrity deaths in the news recently:

• Shelley Duvall: The talented actress known for her role in The Shining passed away in her sleep at the age of 75 at her home in Blanco, Texas.
• Dr. Ruth Westheimer: The legendary celebrity sex therapist, who fearlessly discussed matters of intimacy and relationships, died at the age of 96 in her New York City home. Her legacy includes a weekly radio show called “Sexually Speaking” and over 40 books, including the iconic “Sex for Dummies.”
• Richard Simmons: The effervescent fitness guru, known for his energetic workouts and colorful personality, was found dead in his Los Angeles home. He had just celebrated his 76th birthday one day before his passing. Richard Simmons inspired countless people to get moving and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
• Shannan Doherty: The talented actress, who graced our screens in shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, fought a courageous battle against breast cancer. She passed away last weekend, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and strength.
• Jacoby Jones: In the world of sports, retired NFL star Jacoby Jones was found dead in his Houston, Texas home.
• Bob Newhart, the beloved comedian and actor known for his deadpan humor and iconic roles in sitcoms like The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, passed away on July 18, 2024, at the age of 94. His career spanned over six decades, and he was celebrated for his unique comedic style and contributions to television and comedy.

In the News

President Joe Biden has Covid-19 and is in seclusion while he recovers.

A global Internet outage shut down airports, banks, and many businesses. At the time of this writing, the outage is being blamed on a software glitch.

The Republicans last night elected their nominee to run for the offices of president and vice president of the U.S.