Nearly 17 months after he was charged with his brother’s murder and sent to a juvenile detention facility, Rodney Joyce was freed on Wednesday.

Joyce, who was 14 when he was charged with the first-degree murder of Robin “Rollie” Joyce Jr., was found not guilty Wednesday afternoon on three counts related to the slaying. Jurors deliberated for about two hours and 20 minutes before reaching the verdict.

Summer classes offer continued learning — and not just for students. At Patrick Henry Elementary School, Lori Gongora is learning how to lead a school through a “principal intern” program.

Gongora, who teaches second grade at Patrick Henry during the school year, just finished her master’s degree and is serving as principal during the summer session. Until the end of July, she will be overseeing six teachers and 53 students from kindergarten through fourth grade.

With four home games left in the 2008 baseball season, the Martinsville Mustangs have already brought in more money than last year, according to city officials.

Martinsville Mayor Kathy Lawson made the announcement at Tuesday’s city council meeting, and Mustangs General Manager Doug Gibson confirmed Wednesday that the college-league team’s revenue from home games has increased by nearly $7,000.

Hands-on learning is the best way for children to learn, said Steve Keyser, outreach educator for the New College Institute (NCI). With that in mind, the institute created Camp Idea, an entrepreneurship camp for youth held July 14 through July 18.

Nine area middle school-aged students participated in the camp, which was designed “in the hopes of retaining and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit that has existed in our region for generations,” Keyser explained.