The Richlands 11-12 all star baseball team heads to state July 17.
The Richlands 11-12 all star baseball team heads to state July 17.
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Three achieve rank of Eagle Scout
Three young Tazewell men reached the top rank of scouting on July 5.
Troop 92 of the Boy Scouts of America held a Court of honor at Tazwell Moose Lodge. Scoutmaster Jerry Buchanan and Assistant Scoutmaster Charles Bland bestowed the rank of Eagle on Clay Yearians, Preston Hymes and Luke Watson.
All three started in scouting as Tigers at the age of seven and progressed through the ranks to earn the Eagle status. They put more than a year’s work into earning the rank which includes a community service project.
Yearians planned, organized and raised funds for a free vaccination clinic at the Tazewell County Animal Shelter. Hymes put together a clothing drive to assist Harper’s Home, a regional shelter for abused children.
Watson obtained metal flags and placed them on fire hydrants from the YMCA to the Bland County line. The flags will enable snow plow operators to see and avoid the hydrants.
Hymes and Yearians are 2026 graduates of THS and will be heading off to college in the fall. Watson is a member of the class of 2027 at THS.
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Main Street ready for its big moment
Tazewell Va. – Two days of fun will hit Tazewell on July 24-25.
Main Street Moments continues its tradition of summertime fun. July 24 will be children’s night with activities starting at six pm. Magician Joseph Young will take to the Altizer Stage to open the evening,
A foam party starts at 7 p.m. and there will be inflatables, music and games throughout the evening.
Action starts at 10 a.m. on July 25 and will continue throughout the day with vendors, including the Tazewell Farmer’s Markert until 3 p.m.
Oh Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do opens the stage performances at 11:30 a.m. with the Jubalaires at 12:30 p.m. Justin Baldwin fills the 1:30 p.m. slot. The Pubknockers are the 3 p.m. show and The American Legion Building will host a cakewalk fundraiser for the Burton from 2 until 4 p.m. The second annual Jackie Adkins Cruise In arrives on Main Street at 5:30 p.m.
Mckenzie Phipps hits the stage to close the evening at 7 p.m.
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Review ordered in 2020 murder case
Tazewell Va. – A Broadford woman could get a new trial, depending on the outcome of an evidentiary hearing.
The Supreme Court of Virginia has ordered the Tazewell County Circuit Court to hold an evidentiary hearing and issue a ruling in connection with a motion filed by Marticia Mathias.
In October 2023, Mathias was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy. Mathias filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus - a move often used to challenge the constitutionality of a conviction - on July 29.
The Supreme Court on July 1 directed the Tazewell court to schedule and conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine if Mathias unequivocally and timely instructed her attorney to note an appeal and whether she was denied an appeal she otherwise would have taken due to ineffective assistance of counsel.
The court was also ordered to appoint counsel for Mathias and to hold the hearing within 90 days of the order. On July 2, Catherine O’Brien was appointed to represent Mathias.
Within 60 days of the conclusion of the hearing, the court must report its findings to the Supreme Court. Those findings will include a record of the proceeding,s including any transcripts.
The Supreme Court is holding Mathias’ petition until it has the results of the evidentiary hearing. Mathias was charged, along with Gabriel “Goob" Peery and John Austin Fields, in the death of 63-year-old Douglas French of Tannersville and the malicious wounding of Ronald Allison of Thompson Valley.
Peery pleaded guilty to first degree murder and malicious wounding in March 2024, and was subsequently sentenced to a total of 40 years with 15 suspended.
Mathias was convicted of first degree murder and two counts of conspiracy.
Fields pleaded guilty to malicious wounding and accessory after the fact to murder. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years and one month with six years suspended. Fields, who had been held in jail since his arrest, was given credit for time served when he was sentenced in June 2024.
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Arrest made in death local photographer
The July 9 death of a man at a residence on Indian Creek is being investigated as a homicide.
A release from the Tazewell County Sheriff’s office said deputies and EMS responded to a 911 call to a residence on Indian Creek. They found David Edward Boyd, 64, deceased.
The release said through the initial investigation from the Sheriff’s Office, and the Medical Examiners preliminary results, his death is being viewed as a homicide. They have charged Brandon James Deel, 35 of Indian Creek with aggravated malicious wounding.
Deeel, who is currently being held without bond in the Southwest Virgina Regional Jail has prior felony convictions for possession of schedule I/II narcotics and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
“We want to convey our condolences to the family of Mr. Boyd for having lost their loved one in this way. Our Detectives, Deputies, and our Commonwealth’s Attorney are working diligently to uncover all the events that occurred leading up to his death”.
The Sheriff’s Office is also asking if anyone has any information that would help in this investigation to contact Detective Sergeant Justin McCulley at 276-988-1166.
