2024 ‘Good News’ Year in Review
1- The Appomattox County Board of Supervisors honored Tim Tolley (left), Van Burke (center) and Rachael Gillaland (not present) for their heroic efforts during an Oct. 13 fire that helped save the life of a bed-ridden man on James River Road. Appomattox Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jonathan Garrett (right) also honored the rescuers with a “Citizen Heroism Award” plaque. (Charles Conrad/Times Virginian)

You’ve heard the old phrase “No news is good news.” You’ve also heard complaints — or may have complained yourself — that media outlets report too much bad news and too little good news.

Instead of focusing on the bad stuff that comes our way, this edition’s “Year in Review” is dedicated to the “good news” that occurred in Appomattox County during the year 2024. Some of the top heartwarming or positive achievement stories reported in the Times Virginian during 2024 have been selected.

Citizens honored for heroically saving bed-ridden man from house fire

Three individuals were honored at an Appomattox County Board of Supervisors meeting for their heroic actions taken to save the life of a bed-ridden man trapped in a residential fire that occurred Oct. 13 in the Bent Creek community. An official Resolution in Honor of Heroes Van Burke, Tim Tolley and Rachael Gillaland was unanimously approved by the board for risking their own lives and well-being in the rescue effort. Burke and Tolley were present for the meeting. Gillaland was unable to attend.

AVAIO Digital to build $3 billion data center in county

The Appomattox Center for Business and Commerce industrial park site, flush with rolling hills, will be changing its landscape in the near future due to the addition of a new resident. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, AVAIO Digital Partners (AVAIO Digital), based in Stamford, Connecticut, announced it has signed an agreement with the Appomattox County Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the purchase of 452 acres to construct a $3 billion data center campus with “substantial onsite green power.“

Abandoned puppies find temporary foster home

Four abandoned newborn puppies who were discovered at a construction site in Appomattox County have found a temporary foster home. The day-old puppies were discovered by a worker at a construction site on Liberty Chapel Road. They had previously been placed in a Valu Pak dog food bag and put into a dumpster at the site.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.

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