Riner Community News

07/27/2026

📚 How can local history transform the way we teach American history?

Join Christiansburg Institute, Inc. for Schools That Built Us: Desegregation and the Legacy of Rural Black Education, a free professional development workshop designed for K–12 educators, instructional coaches, museum professionals, preservice teachers, and anyone passionate about preserving and teaching local history.

Through primary sources, place based learning, and meaningful conversations, we'll explore the history of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute and the broader story of rural Black education, school desegregation, and community legacy in Southwest Virginia. Participants will leave with classroom ready resources, practical teaching strategies, and a deeper understanding of how local stories can enrich student learning.

Your registration includes:
📖 An interactive professional development workshop
🏫 A guided tour of the Christiansburg Institute Museum & Archives and Historic Hill School
🍽️ Complimentary lunch provided by Bricks 1819
📜 Professional development certificate
📚 Classroom ready resources and primary source materials
📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Hill School Community Center | Christiansburg, Virginia

Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckYbBhHgn9kg0hgS7Mcao9-5y_C_0sLUzJkF6CGlg2zHl5XA/viewform?usp=header

This workshop is offered at no cost, but registration is required and space is limited.

Please consider sharing this post with educators, school divisions, museums, libraries, community organizations, and anyone interested in African American history, local history, or innovative approaches to teaching with primary sources.

Every share helps us reach more educators and helps bring these important stories into classrooms across Virginia and beyond.

We hope you'll join us for a day of learning, reflection, and community!

Christiansburg Institute, Inc.

07/25/2026

Missing the Riner Community Cannery . . .

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Wythe County Cannery will reopen for canning operations on Monday, July 27, after crews successfully installed a new boiler, restoring full service at the community facility just in time for the busy harvest season.

The reopening completes a project approved by the Board of Supervisors earlier this year to replace the cannery’s failed boiler and get operations back up and running ahead of the late summer and fall harvest.

Canning operations were suspended in October 2025 after the previous boiler failed beyond repair, though the facility remained open for meat processing while replacement efforts were underway. In February, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase and installation of a new boiler with support from a $50,000 Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant awarded through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"The reopening of the Wythe County Cannery is welcome news for the many families, farmers, and community organizations who rely on this valuable resource each year," said James D. Smith, chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. "We appreciate the partnership at the state and local level that made this project possible and are pleased to restore this important service to our community in time for the harvest season."

The cannery will operate by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 276-228-3421. If staff are unavailable, callers may leave a voicemail, and calls will be returned as soon as possible.

During July, the cannery will be open:
• Mondays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

From August through November, operating days will expand to:
• Mondays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fridays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Appointment times, pickup times, operating days, and hours remain subject to change based on seasonal demand.

"The cannery has been an important part of Wythe County's agricultural heritage for generations," said Dr. Russell Street, Wythe County Public Schools superintendent. "We're excited to welcome the community back and remain committed to ensuring the facility continues serving local families and producers while we evaluate long-term opportunities for its future."

For additional information about the Wythe County Cannery, visit https://wctc.wythe.k12.va.us/

07/06/2026

06/25/2026

05/29/2026

Additional items are now accepted in single-stream recycling at County consolidated sites and Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority:

- Clam shell containers #1, #2, #5
- #5 PP containers
- Gable-top cartons
- Aseptic cartons

Learn more at montva.com/recycle or mrswa.com. ♻️

04/17/2026

Please make sure you have notified of us of your attendance if you are joining us for the Veterans Dinner!

Our veterans dinner will be held on April 23rd from 6-8 at Selah Springs. This dinner is free for ALL veterans and their families. We ask that you RSVP so that we can have enough food and swag bags for our veterans. RSVP by April 17th using one of the following methods:

1. Call 540-382-5160
2. Email [email protected]
3. Fill out the Google Form: https://forms.gle/8AHyrsXjimhKApPt6

Our theme this year is Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom! Our program will be given by April Danner from the Wilderness Road Regional Museum on the Revolution in Southwest Virginia