Upcoming storytelling workshops are expected to provide an opportunity to help artisans strengthen their voices.
Upcoming storytelling workshops are expected to provide an opportunity to help artisans strengthen their voices.
Reenactors fired the cannon when the American Flag was raised at Crab Orchard Museum July 4th.
Reenactors fired the cannon when the American Flag was raised at Crab Orchard Museum July 4th.
Harvest broccoli when the flowerhead is full size but before the buds open for the best flavor.
Harvest broccoli when the flowerhead is full size but before the buds open for the best flavor.
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Two graduate from Recovery Court
Recovery Court graduates and staff members.
Recovery Court offers participants a second chance, and two participants reached that goal June 30.
Cynthia Garland and Jonathan Stevenson received their diplomas during a ceremony in the circuit court room. Judge Jack Hurley, who presented the diplomas, said Stevenson’s main goal was to get his family back.
 “He either went to Tennessee, or they came here every weekend for a visit,’ Hurley said. Stevenson’s son and daughter were in the court room and the judge had them come forward and sit with their father.
Garland was a few minutes late for the ceremony prompting the judge to smile and say, “You were in the program two years and never late, but you show up late for graduation.’ Garland was a leader by example during her time in the program.
Kevin Lambert, who spoke on behalf of the alumni of the program encouraged participants to “take every class, get every certificate you can.’ Lambert said he was at the lowest point of his life when he came to recovery court and it helped him turn his life around.
Keynote Speaker Jennifer Bourne, director of Family Crisis Services at Clinch Valley Community Action, talked about the work her agency has done since becoming involved in drug court in 2018.
“When we started the women’s shelter, we had almost no participation in the recovery program but now it is a large part of what we do,’ she said. Bourne said she could spend hours talking and listening with the group during counseling sessions.
Recovery Court is an alternative sentencing program that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment for individuals struggling with substance abuse or addiction. Defendants are usually referred to Recovery Court by a judge, prosecutor, or defense attorney. They must meet specific criteria, such as having a substance abuse issue or mental health condition.
They undergo intensive treatment, including counseling, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment. They also attend regular court hearings, submit to random drug tests, and meet with a case manager.
Participants are held accountable for their actions and progress. If they fail to comply with program requirements, they may face sanctions, such as community service or short-term jail stays.
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Work continuing on Richlands school drainage project
Work will start soon in the second phase of flood control work at the Richlands School complex.
During its June 25 meeting the board of supervisors voted to allow County Engineer Ken Dunford permission to proceed with the project. Dunford told the board he wanted to get a drainage line in before school started.
He said the line would take a week or so to install but the board does not meet in July and school starts in August. They also voted to allow bids to be taken and a contract awarded.
Dunford, County Administrator Eric Young and County Attorney Aaron Gillespie will review the bids and award a contract provided the low bid is in line with the amount budgeted for the work.
In other action the board:
*Held a public hearing and approved Tax-Exempt status for the Tazewell Community Foundation MOB.
*Held a public hearing and approved changes to the transient occupancy tax.
*Voted to delay implementation of the fire protection restructuring ordinance until Sept. 15.
*Voted to endorse the town of Tazewell’s application for a grant to replace façades on buildings in North Tazewell. This would include the new county fire station.
*Voted to renew the contract with Merchant McIntire for another year.
*Approved a $500 donation, (one hundred), from each district to TRIAD.
*Re-appointed Missy Joyce to the animal shelter board.
*Re-appointed Darrel Addison to the Industrial Development Authority.
*Approved $19,150 in additional funds for monitoring wells at the landfill.
*Approved paying the annual debt payment of $282,498 on the leachate line from the landfill to the town of Tazewell.
*Approved $75,000 to VDOT for drain repairs and paving.
*Approved adding Surface Drive and Central Avenue to the paving list. Â Board Member Curt Breeding said the paving was not to help the town but due to the heavy volume of traffic on those streets from county employees or people coming to the courthouse.
*Approved paving contracts totaling $481,242.75.
*Heard from Michele Gravely of Amonate about abandoned property and the need to have it brought up to code.
*Appointed Beth Clemons, Jeff Dissibio, Jennfer Wright, and Rod Cury to the tourism development committee.
*Appointed Randi Ann Davis to the Wireless Service Authority.
*Approved $349 for taxes for Legacy Hospice.
*Approved $2,500 from western and $2,500 from Northwestern district funds for Blackberry Winter to assist with Rock the Clinch.
 *Approved $3,000 from the northern district funds for the Pocy Paws spay and neuter program.
*Approved $4,000 from southern district capital funds to Tannersville Fire Department for fireworks.
*Approved $2,000 from southern district capital funds to Burke’s Garden Fire Department for fireworks.
*Heard that the E&S plan has been approved and the meat processing plant will go out to bid in July.
*Adjourned until Aug. 4 at 4 p.m.
