The 2026 RHS volleyball team.
The 2026 RHS volleyball team.
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Tazewell council tables discussion of cameras
Tazewell Va. – Tazewell does not have flock cameras and council has not taken any action on getting them.
Council discussed the possibility of Automated License Plate Readers during its July and August meetings. They learned that the police department had missed the deadline to apply for a grant for three cameras this year.
They also learned that the cameras are not allowed on VDOT right of way and would have to be placed on private property. Council Member Zach Cline said he saw uses for the cameras but felt council should have to approve use of the cameras.
He said that would allow the town residents the opportunity to have input on the issue. He asked if council needed to act saying the cameras could not be used without council permission.
Council agreed to table the matter until more information could be obtained.
[In other action council:]
*Received a request for sponsorship for Kasey Adair, a local martial arts instructor as she and team Oh Do Kwo competes in a national event.  Council voted to donate $300 to her effort.
*Received a request from the Waylon Foundation for sponsorship and voted to donate $300.
*Received a request from House of Taylor to be a sponsor of their event starting Aug. 29. Council took no action on the matter.
*Received an update on Planning Commission activities.
*Received an update from Nate Thomas on the activities of Tazewell Today. Thomas estimated 1,000 people attended family night. He did not have an official count for Saturday but said Main Street was packed all day.
*Received an update on I/EDA activities from Town Manager Leeanne Regon.
*Received a recommendation from the auditor to create an investment or savings account as a capital improvement funding option.
*Heard from Regon concerning the position of economic/administrative assistant. It would be 40 hours per week split between economic development and the administration office.
*Ratified a vote to approve the grant application for Iron Thrones.
*Learned that the town was not eligible to participate in the PFAS litigation settlement.
Scoutmaster Jerry Buchanan and Assistant Scoutmaster Charles Bland flank Luke Watson, Preston Hymes and Clay Yearians after presenting them the rank of Eagle Scout.
Scoutmaster Jerry Buchanan and Assistant Scoutmaster Charles Bland flank Luke Watson, Preston Hymes and Clay Yearians after presenting them the rank of Eagle Scout.
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Flood issues addressed at Richlands council meeting
Richlands Va. – Recent heavy rains brought flooding issues to the attention of the Richlands Town Council.
Debbie Justice and Crystal Ramirez spoke to council about flooding on Franklin and Augusta Streets. Justice said water pools in her yard and enters her home every time it rains heavily. She blamed the issues on the town’s drainage system.
She asked the town to make the drains larger and take other steps to solve the problem. Mayor Rod Cury asked her to work with Town Manager Don Marr to address the issues.
Ramirez, who owns the neighboring property echoed Justice’s concerns. Ramirez said gutters from a nearby building drain onto their property and there appear to be problems with drainage because there is standing water on her land. She said crawdad holes have to be removed before she can mow. Marr said the problem is that the town has an 18-inch drain pipe routing water into the river. He said the 150 feet of 18-inch pipe needs to be repalced with 48-inch pipe. Marr said the town would need to get a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality, as well as permission from Norfolk Southern Railroad and private property owners before the work started.
He said the town would have to find money in a budget already facing a deficit to pay for the work. Randall Sutherland of Mason Street also spoke on the issue of flooding as well as the need for paving. He said the street is elevated wrong and all of the water from Mason Street and Purcell Road goes onto his property.
Sutherland said the paving is so bad it comes up when road crews attempt to plow snow.Â
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STRUCTURAL REPAIRS FOR TAZEWELL HIGH SCHOOL ARE UNDERWAY
Tazewell County School Board members got some unexpected bad news at the Aug. 10 board meeting.
Prior to the meeting a press release was issued about repair work at Tazewell High School indicating the school’s cafeteria would be open for the start of school. During the meeting, Pam Young, project manager for Thompson and Litton Engineering told them that was not the case. Young said the cafeteria would be finished no later than the end of the month.
Young said there were differences in what was shown on drawings and what was in place. She said they are pushing to get the work completed sooner and the safety of the students is the top priority.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chris Stacy said meals will be prepared at the middle school and shipped to THS and they will be served in the foyer. The auditorium and other spaces will be available for the students to eat.Â
Building Specialists, Inc., the project's general contractor, along with engineers, architects, and surveyors from Thompson & Litton, Inc., began demolition work last month. The project focused on repairing and reinforcing existing concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls in the gymnasium, kitchen, and cafeteria to reduce cracking and strengthen the building's overall structural performance.
The gymnasium will remain closed during construction and is anticipated to reopen in early spring 2027. Young said a change in project superintendents would not delay the project.
"This project is an important investment in the long-term safety and integrity of Tazewell High School," said Chuck Presley, Chairman of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors. "The Board of Supervisors is committed to working with the School Board to address critical facility needs and ensure repairs are completed properly."
Erik Robinson, Chairman of the School Board, echoed those sentiments. "Ensuring our schools remain safe, functional, and well-maintained is a responsibility we take seriously," Robinson said. "With many of our facilities aging, these repairs represent an important improvement at Tazewell High School and address a significant need within the building. Families should have confidence that we are continuing to identify facility concerns, act on them responsibly, and invest in the schools our students depend on each day."
Michael Bennett, Vice President and Senior Project Manager for Building Specialists, Inc., said crews are excited to complete this project.
"Our team has started work on site, and we are proud to play a role in strengthening Tazewell High School, a building that has served as a cornerstone of the community for generations," Bennett said. "These improvements will reinforce the existing facilities and help ensure they continue serving Tazewell County students for many years to come."
