Battle's Alivia Irvin crosses the bag as Irelyn Osborne takes the throw. Michele Ball
Battle's Alivia Irvin crosses the bag as Irelyn Osborne takes the throw. Michele Ball
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Freedom 250 truck stops in Bluefield
The Father of our Country.
Visitors to the Mountain Festival in Bluefield got a chance to see unique parts of American History.
“This is about the next generation learning about how our country was conceived. The principles of liberty, freedom and equality that were visionary 250 years ago," Sen. Shelly Moore Capito said at a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the truck’s three day stop at the Mountain Festival.
Capito said history is fascinating to young people and they need to hear it and see it, she said.Â
“This is designed to bring American History to where Americans live," said Richard Manning, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.Â
The truck that stopped in Bluefield is one of six Freedom 250 Mobile Museums.
"This is designed for rural America. Grandparents, parents and children need to come and sign the Declaration of Independence," Manning said.
Among the displays on the truck is a kiosk that allows visitors the opportunity to digitally sign the founding document.
 The nationally traveling interactive exhibit commemorates America’s 250th anniversary and offers visitors an engaging look at the nation’s history through immersive displays and educational experiences.
The visit to Bluefield was a partnership between the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias, Visit Tazewell County, The White House, Department of Education, Department of Transportation and others.
The stop at the Mountain Festival was the first in the area and officials expressed the hope it would not be the last. The trucks will be traveling the country throughout year and the schedule may be found online at prageru.com.
Lifepoint Health's Mercy Award recognizes one employee annually who best exemplifies the spirit and values upon which the company was founded. Named after Scott Mercy, founding Chairman and first CEO, the Mercy Award is the highest honor a LifePoint Health employee can receive.
This year, Debbie Roberts was nominated by her peers and has won the recognition of Clinch Valley Health’s 2026 Mercy Award winner, the highest honor bestowed upon LifePoint Health employees! She has had a profound impact on the lives of so many of our patients. Thank you Debbie, for all you do for our community!
Also nominated by their peers: Melonie Gilbert, Natasha Ramey, Denorah Street, and Tanner Wimmer. Contributed photo
Lifepoint Health's Mercy Award recognizes one employee annually who best exemplifies the spirit and values upon which the company was founded. Named after Scott Mercy, founding Chairman and first CEO, the Mercy Award is the highest honor a LifePoint Health employee can receive.
This year, Debbie Roberts was nominated by her peers and has won the recognition of Clinch Valley Health’s 2026 Mercy Award winner, the highest honor bestowed upon LifePoint Health employees! She has had a profound impact on the lives of so many of our patients. Thank you Debbie, for all you do for our community!
Also nominated by their peers: Melonie Gilbert, Natasha Ramey, Denorah Street, and Tanner Wimmer. Contributed photo
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Richlands Town Council honors Model GA team
The RHS Model General Assembly Team.
Richlands Va. – Richlands Town Council joined the Tazewell County School Board in honoring the Model General Assembly Team from Richlands High.
Amanda Queen, who guided the team, told both the school board and town council of the team’s accomplishments. She said ten students out of 320 participating were recognized as distinguished delegates for their efforts and Richlands, with 16total participants, had three of those.
 Cooper Hurst, Wynnter Boyd and Lillianna Stacy achieved those honors. Hurst and Boyd are seniors and will be invited to participate on the collegiate level in model general assembly.
Stacy, a sophomore, took on a bill abandoned by a student who could not attend and carried it to success. Eliza Culbertson and Rhianna Addison carried a bill Queen composed to success.
The bill sought assistance for people who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries. Queen’s husband suffered a brain bleed, which left him unable to work. She told council the students worked with her and several attorneys from the area and outside it to craft the bill and she testified before the actual General Assembly about it.
It passed both houses of the legislature and is awaiting Governor Spanberger’s signature. She expressed hope the legislation will keep other victims of brain injuries from having to deal with the problems her family has.
Mayor Rod Cury, who has taught at RHS for many years, made the trip to Richmond for the event. Cury said sitting in a packed St. John’s Church and seeing three RHDS students recognized made him proud.
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Localities preparing for new budget year
Tazewell Va. – It is budget time for state and local government.
While the house and senate and the governor are still haggling over the state budget for the next two-year cycle, localities are working to meet the requirement to have a budget in place for the new fiscal year by July 1.
Tazewell County’s board of supervisors held a public hearing June 2 on its proposed fiscal 2026-22027 budget June 2.  The board will reconvene June 25 to take ultimate action on the $178 million budget.
The proposed budget does not contain any tax or fee increases. The school board held a public hearing earlier this year on its proposed budget and will take a final vote on it June 8. The supervisors approved $18.1 million as the local share of the school budget at a meeting earlier this year. That is the mandatory minimum local match required by the state.
County Administrator Eric Young said the county’s share of the school budget is $2.1 million higher than the current year. Young said the amount takes all the real estate taxes collected by the county plus additional money.
Gary Matney, director of finance for the school system, said they expect to receive $57.9 million from the state.
The town of Tazewell held a public hearing on its proposed budget at its May 12 meeting. The budget has a general fund of $7,634,650, sewer fund of $1,744,079 and $2,118,04.37 in the water fund.
Council will consider the budget for final approval at its June 9 meeting.  Richlands approved its budget May 27. The budget, which includes rate increases for water, sewer and electricity passed by a vote of 5-1 with Laura Mollo casting the lone dissenting vote.
Mollo listed several reasons for her no vote in a post on Facebook. She said the fact the budget was unbalanced was the primary reason.
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