Three members of the THS boys' team that placed third in the district.
Three members of the THS boys' team that placed third in the district.
Mia Lawson and Travis Wilson were named Homecoming Queen ad King at RHS.
Mia Lawson and Travis Wilson were named Homecoming Queen ad King at RHS.
Bruce and Virginia "Ginny' Russell served as grand marshals for the 2026 RHS homecoming parade.
Bruce and Virginia "Ginny' Russell served as grand marshals for the 2026 RHS homecoming parade.
Richland_clinch_valley
Work continuing on school drainage project
Work is nearing completion on the pond at Richlands Elementary.
County Engineer Ken Dunford updated the board of supervisors at their Oct. 6 meeting on the drainage work at the school. He said the contractor had waited about a month to get the structure for the pond made.
Dunford said the contractor was anticipating having the pond finished by mid- October. He told the board he is meeting with school officials to discuss other projects that will reduce the flooding at the school.
The county has been collaborating with the school system and the town of Richlands to improve drainage on the school property. Richlands Elementary flooded during Hurricane Helene and the entire school complex has had issues with water in the past.
[In other action the board:]
*Received an update from Dunford on problems with several county roads.
*Approved support agreements for the PSA’s Pocahontas and Falls Mills water system improvement projects and a wastewater treatment improvement project.
*Adopted a grievance procedure and a discrimination policy.
*Approved $62,700 for the purchase of a fire apparatus for Tazewell County Fire Company. The apparatus will be housed at Baptist Valley Station and will replace an apparatus that was damaged.
*Approved $3,000 for insurance for the building for the new Tazewell County Fire Company.
*Approved up to $25,000 to connect the Fairgrounds to the town of Tazewell’s sewer system.
*Adjourned until Nov. 5 at four pm.
: Kandi Sigmon turned her long-time passion for baking into a full-fledged business in Tazewell County, opening Kandi Kakes, LLC, a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
: Kandi Sigmon turned her long-time passion for baking into a full-fledged business in Tazewell County, opening Kandi Kakes, LLC, a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Richland_clinch_valley
New county fire department debuts Oct. 15
Tazewell Va.- With over one hundred members on its roster, Tazewell County’s new fire company debuts Oct. 15
At its Oct. 6 meeting the board of supervisors approved the roster, allowing the company to move forward with operations. The plan had been in the works over a year and is a complete restructuring of the county’s fire program.
The new structure was developed in response to challenges facing local fire departments, including recruitment and retention, funding, training, an aging volunteer base, equipment maintenance, and the need for greater consistency in operations.
“Our volunteer firefighters provide an essential service to the people of Tazewell County, and it is important that we give them the support and resources they need to continue that work,” board chairman Chuck Presley said.
The fire company will operate under the direction of Fire Chief Russell Stowers, who will serve in a part-time capacity, along with three part-time Battalion Chiefs assigned to the Northern, Central and Southern areas of the county. Brian Lowe will serve as Northern Battalion Chief and will spearhead recruitment and retention efforts countywide. George Pilkins will serve as Central Battalion Chief and will lead training initiatives, while Mike Bennett, Southern Battalion Chief, will oversee apparatus maintenance and testing. The new model will provide opportunities for shared resources, increased purchasing power, coordinated training and recruitment, a uniform rank structure and greater access to state and federal grant opportunities. “This gives us a more organized and efficient way to support fire protection throughout Tazewell County,” said County Administrator Eric Young. “By coordinating resources and addressing needs on a countywide basis, we can provide our departments with additional support while improving the long-term sustainability of these services.” Funding for the fire company will come from a combination of state and local sources, including the county’s meals tax, Casino Tax Revenue Sharing Program, and funding through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
The towns of Richlands, Bluefield and Tazewell maintain their own fire departments and territories under the plan.
Richland_clinch_valley
Elswick only nominee for school board seat
Freddie Elswick will likely be the new school board member from the northwestern district.
The Sept. 28 deadline to apply to fill the vacancy created by Donna Culbertson’s resignation passed with Elswick as the only applicant. The next step took place at the Oct. 12 school board meeting when the board held a public hearing on the matter.
State law requires the board to wait at least seven days after the public hearing before making the appointment official. If approved, Elswick will serve the final year of Culbertson’s term. The northwestern district seat will be on the ballot in November of 2027 for a full four-year term.
Culbertson announced her resignation at the board’s Sept. 14 meeting and said it was effective immediately.
