The Battleground

05/30/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At approximately 9:26 p.m., the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a request from a family member to conduct a welfare check at 13658 Fancy Gap Highway.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the residence. Upon arrival, two deputies made contact with a male subject identified as Michael Puckett. During the encounter, Puckett opened fire on the responding deputies. Deputies returned fire.

Both deputies were struck by gunfire. One deputy sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and is currently receiving medical evaluation and is reported to be in stable condition.

Michael Puckett fled the scene and remains at large. A coordinated law enforcement search is currently underway.

Puckett should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone who sees him or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to immediately call 911.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Sheriff Kevin A. Kemp

05/23/2026

Free Grant 101 Workshop

Workshop Details:
• June 4th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• June 5th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Hampton Inn Hillsville
90 Farmers Market Drive
Hillsville, VA 24343

Please note that both workshop sessions will cover the same material. Multiple dates are simply being offered to provide additional flexibility and participation opportunities across the region.

This workshop is designed for:
• Government Agencies
• Non-Profit and Community Organizations
• Small Businesses

Topics will include:
• Grant Types & Finding Opportunities
• Writing Competitive Proposals
• Grant Readiness, Capacity & Management

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Jose Alcaine of the VCU Wilder School & School of Education.

There is no cost to attend, and all workshop materials plus breakfast or lunch will be provided.

Participants are asked to RSVP by Friday, May 29th using the following link:
https://forms.gle/299pG1xY7htcgh297

05/21/2026

05/14/2026

THE BATTLEGROUND OUTREACH
We are celebrating our 15th year anniversary!! 🎉
Leave us a comment below on a memory you have with us - we’ll try to find a pic of that memory or share a favorite pic you have! 😃
Let’s reminisce together! 🖤🤍

05/03/2026

It’s time to say THANK YOU!
We have so many kind and generous individuals, churches, and businesses in our community! We want to say thank you to all who chose to support our CCHS prom dinner event.
✨ We are already excited about planning our now annual dinner event for next year. ✨

🖤 Jericho Coffee & Company
🩶 Beyond Catering SWVA
🤍 Mama Best Bakery
🖤 The Cheesecake Fella
🩶 Carroll County High School Cavaliers
🤍 OMEGA Office Supply & Printing
🖤 Sky View Missionary Baptist Church
🩶 The Mason Jar at Claytor Lake Hillsville
🤍 Ideal Florist
🖤 The Banner Boutique
🩶 Fiddler's Restaurant of Hillsville
🤍 The Barn Café
🖤 Food Lion
🩶 Brady’s Produce
🤍 Food City
🖤 Horton’s Produce Market
🩶 Walmart
🤍 And these lovely volunteers!

05/02/2026

Scam Alert – Fraudulent Court Notice Text Messages

We have recently been made aware of text messages being sent to citizens claiming to be a “Final Enforcement Notice” from a Virginia court involving unpaid traffic violations. These messages are not legitimate.

The document attached to these messages is fake and is being used to pressure individuals into making payments or providing personal information. Courts in Virginia do not conduct business or demand payment in this manner through unsolicited text messages.

If you receive one of these messages, do not respond to it. Do not click on any links or scan any QR codes included in the message, and do not provide any personal or financial information. The safest course of action is to delete the message.

If you have any concern about a possible legitimate court matter, take the time to contact the court directly using a trusted phone number or official website, not any contact information provided in the message.

Scammers depend on urgency and fear to get people to act quickly. Taking a moment to confirm the legitimacy through official channels can prevent you from becoming a victim.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this information with others.

05/01/2026

💙🩶CCHS Prom Dinner Event🩶💙
With some cancellations and last minute changes seating is still available; we will accept WALK-INS until seating is full! Parents, family and friends may also join. All are welcomed!! Doors open at 4pm for appetizers and pictures with dinner meal served at 6pm.
Please feel free to DM, Comment, text or call 276-266-8098 to get your reservation!
We’re so excited about this excellent event!