Jake Ratliff and the tennis team opened the season as well.
Jake Ratliff and the tennis team opened the season as well.
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Road named for retired college president
Visionaries see a road to the future and Southwest Virginia Community College named a road for its visionary March 24.
During a ceremony held at Dellinger Hall, the roadway encircling the SWCC campus was officially designated Dr. Charles R. King Road, following the adoption of a resolution by the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors. The resolution commemorates Dr. King’s unparalleled service to the college, the Virginia Community College System, and the citizens of Southwest Virginia.
Dr. King served as the first president of Southwest Virginia Community College from its founding until his retirement on Jan. 1, 2007, after four decades of service. He remains the longest-serving president in the history of SWCC and across the Virginia Community College System.
“When you think about what it takes to build something that lasts it comes down to vision, persistence and a deep believe that thing can become something special. Dr. King embodied that. He understood that vision alone is not enough, you must bring people along.
Dr. King’s leadership shaped not only this institution, but the educational and economic landscape of Southwest Virginia. said Dr. Clint Hayes, president of Southwest Virginia Community College. “Naming this road in his honor ensures that his vision, commitment, and belief in students will remain a visible and permanent part of our campus,’ Dr. Clint Hayes, current president of SWCC said.
State Sen. Travis Hackworth said King was a “Legend before I was ever born."
The General Assembly honored King three times, including naming him President Emeritus of the school.
“Many successful people have walked the halls of this school, and Dr. King, it started with you," Hackworth said.
County Supervisor Curt Breeding, a long-time faculty member at the college, read the resolution and shared his memories of collaborating with King.
The resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors at its March meeting, recognizes Dr. King’s role in establishing high-quality educational programs, expanding access to higher education, and championing the belief that there should be “no student left behind.” A legacy of that commitment is the Dr. Charles and Mary King Scholarship, established in his honor.
Dr. King came to Tazewell County in 1967 after working at a community college in North Carolina. A former athlete and coach, he is remembered for his strong, steady leadership, deep affection for students, faculty, and staff, and unwavering dedication to the mission of community colleges.
The designation of Dr. Charles R. King Road stands as a lasting tribute to a leader whose influence continues to guide Southwest Virginia Community College and the communities it serves.
King was also instrumental in establishing an educational foundation at the school and having Cumberland Mountain Community Services and Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens headquartered adjacent to the campus.
King shared memories of working to get the school built and getting the leaders of Buchanan, Tazewell, Russell, and Dickenson Counties to send students.
Ross Sutherland, Krista Sutherland, Brittney Miller and Justin Miller started 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc. in Honaker, VA to provide area residents with dependable construction support. 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc., was recently awarded a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Ross Sutherland, Krista Sutherland, Brittney Miller and Justin Miller started 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc. in Honaker, VA to provide area residents with dependable construction support. 4U8 Construction & Services, Inc., was recently awarded a VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
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Appalachian Agency receives Meals on Wheels America grant to expand services for local seniors Funding supports efforts to ‘End the Wait’ for Older Adults
AASC is the recipient of a $149,000 grant for Meals on wheels.
Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens has received $149,000 in grant funding from Meals on Wheels America through the national organization’s 2026 Meeting Unmet Need initiative, which supports local providers working to address senior hunger and isolation.
The funding is part of $6 million in grants distributed by Meals on Wheels America to community-based providers nationwide, helping programs expand services and reach more older adults in need.
“This grant will make a meaningful difference for seniors in our community,” said AASC CEO Brian Beck. “With this support, we will be able to eliminate all 55 individuals currently on our waiting list for home-delivered meals, as well as making sure additional older adults receive the nutritious meals and connection they need to live safely and independently.”
AASC serves homebound older adults in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties with home-delivered meals, but demand for Meals on Wheels services continues to grow as more older adults face food insecurity and social isolation.
Through the Meeting Unmet Need initiative, Meals on Wheels America awarded $6 million in grants to 22 local providers nationwide, helping expand meal delivery, increase program capacity and reduce waitlists in communities across the country.
“Across the country, Meals on Wheels providers are working tirelessly to meet the growing needs of older adults in their communities,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Through our Meeting Unmet Need initiative, we are investing in local programs so they can expand their reach and ensure more seniors receive the nutritious meals, human connection and support they need to live safely and independently.”
The grants are expected to help local providers deliver meals and services to an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 additional seniors nationwide.
Meals on Wheels America’s Meeting Unmet Need initiative is part of the organization’s broader effort to End the Wait™, a national campaign aimed at ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels services can receive them.
To learn more about Appalachian Agency and how you can help support local seniors, call 276-964-4915 or visit aasc.org.
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Richlands and Graham win reading bee
The 4th grade champions.
Tazewell County Public Schools hosted the 24th Annual Tom Colley Reading Bee on March 26 at Tazewell Middle School.
During the event, fourth- and fifth-grade student teams from Abbs Valley-Boissevain Elementary School, Cedar Bluff Elementary School, Tazewell Intermediate School, Richlands Elementary School and Graham Intermediate School competed in the following categories: spelling, comprehension, vocabulary, editing, and impromptu, where the students dramatized an impromptu question from a book they read.
The overall winners in the fourth-grade event were the students from Richlands Elementary, coached by Lucas Wright. The students on that winning team were Kya Dales, Ava Foland, Aabish Noor, and Caliope Owens.
The runner-up team from fourth grade was Cedar Bluff Elementary School, coached by McKena Clark. The students on that team were Jenna Gilbert, Nolan Griffith, Elle Altizer, and Colton Jennelle.
The fifth-grade overall winners were the team of students from Graham Intermediate School, coached by Sarah Jones. The team members were Laney Holman, Harper Mitchem, Neveah Shrader and Kylie Sparks.
The runner-up team for fifth grade was Tazewell Intermediate School, coached by Heather Barnett. The team members were Virginia Cox, Bradleigh Littlejohn, Peyton McDaniel and Noah Mullins.
In the fourth-grade spelling competition, Richlands Elementary School placed first, Cedar Bluff Elementary School, Graham Intermediate School, and Tazewell Intermediate all tied for second place and Abbs Valley-Boissevain Elementary School placed third.
