🌱 How a “halfback” migration wave could reshape Norton’s economic future

Hello Norton! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a “halfback” migration wave could reshape Norton’s economic future

Also on today's calendar: Fit Farmer 12K Trail Run and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 67 and low of 40 degrees.
• Thursday: Cool with partial sunshine, temps: high: 57, low: 41.
• Friday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 67 and low of 56 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• One mountain over: Could a halfback wave save the Appalachian coalfields? (newsfromthestates.com) — Norton is highlighted as one of several Appalachian coalfield hubs that could benefit if even a small share of Florida-to-mountains “halfback” migrants were steered toward this region. The piece explains how affordable housing, better highways, stronger hospitals, and targeted marketing could attract retirees and remote workers, potentially slowing population loss in Norton and neighboring coal communities.
   

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📸 Around Norton

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Norton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday May 22

• Hills of Home Festival →
  Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival, 4235 State Rte 654, Coeburn
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Friday May 15

• May 15th - Real Estate Taxes Due →
  Norton, VA Calendar, 618 Virginia Avenue, NW, Norton
  8:30 am

Monday May 18

• Oil Painting Class →
  Norton, VA Calendar, 201 Park Avenue NE, Norton
  10:00 am

Saturday May 23

• Fit Farmer 12K Trail Run →
  City of Norton Parks and Recreation Department, 201 Park Ave NE, Norton
  9:00 am
• Gathering in the Gap Music Festival →
  Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, 10 W 1st St N, Big Stone Gap
  11:00 am

Tuesday June 2

• Town Council Workshop Meeting →
  TOWN HALL, 505 E 5th St S, Big Stone Gap
  6:30 pm
• Norton Friends and Farmers Market 2026 Season →
  115 8th St SW, Norton
  8:00 pm

Tuesday June 9

• Town Council Regular Meeting →
  TOWN HALL, 505 E 5th St S, Big Stone Gap
  6:30 pm

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📣 Norton Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday May 13

• Effective Supervisor Level I →
  UVA Wise Oxbow Center, 16620 E Riverside Dr, St Paul
  9:00 am

Thursday May 14

• Classic Lit Book Club
  C. Bascom Slemp Memorial Library, 11 Proctor Street N, Big Stone Gap

Friday May 15

• Fact or Fiction Adult Book Club
  Coeburn Community Library 111 3rd Street Northwest, Coeburn, VA 24230
• Lays Friday Nights Live Music →
  Lay's Hardware Center for the Arts, 409 Front St E, Coeburn
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Dollar Tree Family Dollar - Dollar Tree, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in Norton. Apply here.
• GPM Investments posted a job opening for Cashier/Sales Associate - All Shifts in Norton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Norton here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Wise

• Wise County School Board approves FY 2026-27 budget (wcyb.com)

Big Stone Gap

• Regina (Connell) Hogue, 85 (3bmedianews.com)

Bristol

• Woman charged after dogs found in deplorable conditions, Bristol authorities say (wcyb.com)
• Wytheville man builds model of Bristol Motor Speedway out of popsicle sticks (wcyb.com)
• Miss Gatlinburg talks about new children's book (wcyb.com)

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Ok Norton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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