🌱 Sweet Briar College's 114th Graduation + New Mother-Baby Care Unit

Good morning, friends. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Lynchburg Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partial sunshine. High: 81 Low: 52.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and not as warm. High: 72 Low: 48.

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Here are the top four stories in Lynchburg today:

1. Over the weekend, Sweet Briar College celebrated its 114th commencement with 88 graduates. President Meredith Woo praised the graduates' resilience and highlighted the contributions of the faculty, staff, and alumni. Sita Moses, a student speaker, emphasized the importance of community and gratitude for the support system at Sweet Briar College. The Honorable Verda Colvin, a Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, urged the graduates to embrace their responsibility as women in leadership roles and to make a positive impact in the world. (Subscription: Lynchburg News and Advance)
2. Law enforcement agencies in Lynchburg, and around the world, are coming together to honor the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during National Police Week. Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema organized a gathering at Monument Terrace to pay tribute to Chief Joe Carey, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 16, 2022. Chief Zuidema emphasized the need for the community to remember and appreciate the sacrifices made by law enforcement professionals. He also highlighted the mental health struggles faced by officers and the importance of providing support for their well-being. National Police Week concludes on Saturday. (WSET)
3. Centra has unveiled plans for a new five-story care tower at Lynchburg General Hospital, which will house a new mother-baby care unit. The services are projected to commence in the fall of 2027. The project is still in its early planning stages and is part of a $500 million investment to modernize and expand Centra facilities. (WSLS 10)
4. A chemical spill at Cathcart Rail in Lynchburg has caused a strong odor in the area but poses no threat to public health, according to the Lynchburg Fire Marshal's Office. The spill involves ethyl acrylate, a flammable liquid used in the production of resins, plastics, and rubber materials. The leak is contained to the immediate area, and cleanup efforts are expected to begin this week with the involvement of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. (Subscription: Lynchburg News and Advance)

Today and tomorrow in Lynchburg:

Wednesday, May 17

• Buried Deep: The Lynchburg Pools At Riverside Park (6:30 PM)
• The Committments At Riverviews Artspace (7:00 PM)

Thursday, May 18

• Evening Rose Tour At Old City Cemetery Museums And Arboretum (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Still looking for a new home in the Lynchburg area? Some of the newly listed homes on the market include a six-bed, five-bath property in Forest priced at $639,000 and a three-bed, two-bath home in Lynchburg priced at $209,000. Open houses are scheduled for these properties and others in the coming weeks. (Lynchburg Patch)
• Two new farmers markets have opened in Campbell County. The Candlers Mountain Farmers Market and Rustburg Farmers Market provide opportunities for local residents to access fresh produce and other agricultural products. (Lynchburg News and Advance)
• The Lynchburg City Council has decided to continue its public hearing on appointments to the school board. Interested residents are encouraged to apply online or submit a printable version of the application, and the public hearing will be held on May 23 to receive nominations for the three school board positions. (WSET)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with a new update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.