A family of four escaped harm after their home on Kingswood Road was destroyed by an early morning fire Tuesday. Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department chief Johnny Shriver said the owner of the home, whom he did not identify, believes the blaze may have started as a result of charcoal left outside on the deck following a cookout. The fire spread from the deck to the side exterior and completely consumed the large two-story, wood-frame dwelling. Clarksville firefighters, assisted by crews from Boydton, Chase City, Midway and Virgilina, responded to the scene around 1:15 a.m. and required four hours to bring the blaze under control, before finally departing around 6:30 a.m. The property is located about six miles from Clarksville off Cow Road. Shriver thanked the firefighters who assisted at the scene and reminded people not to leave embers smoldering in fireplaces and grills. Along with the occupants of the home, pets also found their way to safety. (Photo by Dave Williams)

Clarksville Regional Museum celebrated Black History Month with a lecture on collecting African-American dolls and folk art by Dr. Regenia Perry, the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in Art History from a college or university in the United States. She received hers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Today she is a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University.