🌱 Update On US 501/221 Project + First Lynchburg Peacemakers Event

Hello, neighbors! I'm back with your new edition of the Lynchburg Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Very warm with clouds and sun. High: 83 Low: 66.

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Here are the top three stories today in Lynchburg:

1. Plans to improve a congested US 501 (Lynchburg Expressway) and US 221 (Lakeside Drive) remain underway. While the city recently announced it terminated its design services contract with T.Y. Lin, Gaynelle Hart, director of Public Works, said the city is still going to carry out this project with what is called a "One Way Pair." The idea would be to build a new northbound lane of 501 and convert the existing north and south lanes of the Old Forest Road section of 501 to southbound only. Hart said they plan to meet with their procurement professionals and the Virginia Department of Transportation, to see how they can get this project moving forward again. The construction schedule remains unknown. (WSET)
2. Parts of Commerce Street in Lynchburg will be closed for two to three months. While through traffic and on-street parking will not be allowed in any of the closed portions, there will still be access to local businesses and most parking lots, authorities say. The closure will be between Fifth Street and Ninth Street. For a full breakdown of road closures, visit the link. (WSLS 10)
3. Lynchburg Peacemakers held its first of many neighborhood canvassing events on Sunday in an effort to help curb gun violence in the community. The anti-violence group went to the area of 16th Street and Taylor Street, where a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed while driving about two weeks ago. Founder and president of the Peacemakers, Shawn Hunter, said the point of the door-to-door neighborhood walks is to find out what residents in high-crime areas need. Lynchburg Peacemakers plan to visit different neighborhoods in Lynchburg every Sunday. (WSET)

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Today in Lynchburg:

• Veggie Box CSA Pick-Up At Lynchburg Grows (8:00 AM)
• Gravestone Repair Workshop At Old City Cemetery Museums And Arboretum (9:00 AM)
• Writing Your Short Screenplay At Academy Of The Arts, Lippard Room (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Lynchburg local and business owner Kelsey Hairston is using social media to elevate her bakery business. Hairston started "Cakes by Kelsey" 15 years ago and she now has an e-book called “The Social Media Maven: How to Turn Your Social Media Reach into Revenue.” To learn more about her story, visit the link. (WDBJ)
• The average temperature of 47.3 from January through March was the warmest on record for Lynchburg and two other cities! Find out how Lynchburg scored over the years at the link. (NWS Blacksburg via Twitter)
• E.C. Glass Athletics recently welcomed Mackenzie Ewing as the new head volleyball coach. Congratulations Coach Ewing! (E.C. Glass Athletics via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all soon for another 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.