“I was only 17 at the time that Esequiel Hernández was killed, but even people
older than me, people of my parents' generation, didn't know about his story...
and I started wondering why it was that his story had vanished."
— Kieran Fitzgerald, filmmaker
 
In 1997, U.S. Marines patrolling the Texas-Mexican border as part of the war on drugs
shot and killed Esequiel Hernández Jr. Mistaken for a drug runner, the 18 year old was,
in fact, a U.S. citizen tending his family's goats with a .22 rifle. He became the first
American killed by U.S. military forces on native soil since the 1970 Kent State shootings.
The Ballad of Esequiel Hernández, narrated by Tommy Lee Jones, explores Hernández's

HOW FARMERS CAN SELL LOCALLY GROWN MEATS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

A NINTH DISTRICT AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE

Congressman Rick Boucher invites all of his constituents in the Ninth District to a local food conference to be held in Abingdon on Monday, July 28 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.  There will be no charge for attendance.  A number of speakers, including growers and retail buyers, will speak on the retail climate for local products, expanding opportunities for marketing, new trends in the marketplace, and other important issues.  To register for this conference, or for more information, call Rep. Boucher's Abingdon office at (276) 628-1145.  Cosponsors of this event include Grayson LandCare and Appalachian Sustainable Development.

Cliffview Church of God, Fries Rd., Galax, VA

Tremayne Blair shares a spiritual message through music

By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

LINDSBORG -- The first time Tremayne Blair touched a set of piano keys, he had the scare of his life.

Blair, who was born and raised in Galax, Va., was given a small keyboard at age 6 by his godmother. One day, the boy was watching well-known gospel singer Kirk Franklin perform a song on television.

Without thinking much about it, Blair began picking out the song note by note on his keyboard. His mother, Beverlee Trotter, stopped and watched him, awestricken. Then she began to cry.