Good morning, Lynchburg.

Downtown merchants will celebrate Downtown Dolly Day on Sept.

25 with Dolly-inspired food, cocktails, and crafts and special discounts. Organized by the Downtown Lynchburg Association, the event encourages local business collaboration and aims to become an annual tradition.

Local officials announced Operation United Resolve as a new initiative to boost community readiness in Lynchburg starting today.

They said the effort will coordinate local resources to support residents in the coming days.

Shoemakers American Grille in downtown Lynchburg will close next month after 18 years serving customers.

Its final dinner is on Oct. 3 and the event center at the Craddock Terry Hotel will close on Oct. 31 to allow space for 22 new guest rooms.

New numbers from AAA show diesel in Lynchburg reached a record high of $6.28 per gallon and gas climbed to $4.16 by Friday, Sept.

4. Diesel statewide averages $6.39 — a sign of rising fuel costs nationally.

Bedford County Schools held its second town hall Monday night at Forest Middle School to discuss a redistricting plan that includes closing Stewartsville Elementary and evaluating shifts at Bedford Primary, Big Island, and Otter River Elementary.

The board scheduled meetings for Sept. 28, Sept. 29, Oct. 3, and Oct. 6.

Jubilee Family held a groundbreaking at 1512 Florida Avenue to expand the Astronaut Leland Melvin STEM Center with five classrooms, a hydroponics lab, and a media center (partnership with community groups).

The $1 million project will boost STEM and workforce programs and is slated for completion by summer 2027.

Boeing awarded Liberty University a grant to build a DC-8 Overlook pavilion that will serve as an aviation STEM education and workforce hub at Lynchburg Regional Airport.

The city is set to restart its $7.9 million downtown renewal project (which will replace century-old water lines and sidewalks) along Court Street and nearby streets beginning in spring 2027.

Residents will experience temporary street parking restrictions as nearby parking lots remain open.