It’s safe to say no member of the University of Virginia’s 2013 graduating class took a path to commencement quite like the one taken by Ridgeway native Jeff O’Dell.

Fortunately, doing things no one else has done is the business O’Dell has in mind.

Two local officials said they support a recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board that Virginia and all other states lower the drunken driving threshold.

Only a handful of candidates have filed for local offices in Henry and Patrick counties, according to registrars in both localities.

This rhododendron towers over Virginia “Phoebe” Leach of Martinsville. She planted it 30 years ago, a Mother’s Day gift from her daughter. She said she doesn’t do anything special to care for it; it just seems to like the spot. She does admit that she has been a lifelong gardener. Her gardens not are a riot of spring colors. (Bulletin photo by Holly Kozelsky)