Graham's Ty Martin drives around Central's Shawn Collier during the VHSL Class 2 State Semifinals.
Graham's Ty Martin drives around Central's Shawn Collier during the VHSL Class 2 State Semifinals.
Richland_clinch_valley
Safe streets plan approved
Tazewell Va. – Improvements to roads in Tazewell County could result from a recently completed study.
County Engineer Ken Dunford presented the Safe Streets for Everyone report at the March 3 board of supervisors meeting. “They looked at crash data, economic data, and transportation modes.
With all this data they looked at roads that had the most crashes and compiled a high injury network. They listed the top 30 and prioritized them,’ Dunford said. The county received a federal grant and money from the coal roads fund to pay for the study.
They also worked with 911, VDOT and other agencies to complete the study. The study showed crashes in the county increased from 2017 to 2022 despite there being less traffic.
The data showed 5,248 crashes in the county between 2017 and 2024. There were 50 fatalities and 300 severe injuries because of those crashes.
The highest number of crashes occurred between October and December, but the more severe injuries and fatalities occurred between May and July.
Fixed object/offroad crashes accounted for 33 percent of the crashes with deer or other animal collisions, second at 19 percent. 19 north and south bound and 460 east and west bound had the highest number of crashes and fatalities.
North bound 16 and north bound 102 had the highest number of crashes among rural roads. Motorcycle crashes in switchbacks on route 16 with non-collisions and fixed object collisions ranking the highest.
County Administrator Eric Young said the report recommended several repairs or fixes that could be easily done. Deficient pavement markings, overgrown vegetation, centerline and edgeline rumble strips were among the recommendations.
“I thought they would say straighten out the curves. Things like painting lines and putting down rumble strips are doable,’ Young said. Large variability in curves and limited sight distance were also listed as problems.
Speeding, impairment and distraction were listed as the major causes of crashes. Not wearing seat belts was also a factor in the crashes involving injuries.
Dunford said the plan will be updated yearly, enabling county leaders to monitor progress and to add new issues. “This is meant to be a living document,’ he said.
In addition to the rural and four lane roads the study also looked at the streets in the five towns in the county. The complete report may be found on the county website.
VCEDA 2025 Board Members, from left, (front) were Andy Hrovatic, Sonny Ciampanella, Roger Rife, Chris Hall, Shanna Plaster, Gerald Lawson, Barbara Altizer and Duane Miller; with (back) VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher; and board members, Scotty Wampler, Tim Stuller, Matthew Hill, Troy Nichols, Brian Hess, Greg Edwards, J.P. Richardson and Sim Ewing.
VCEDA 2025 Board Members, from left, (front) were Andy Hrovatic, Sonny Ciampanella, Roger Rife, Chris Hall, Shanna Plaster, Gerald Lawson, Barbara Altizer and Duane Miller; with (back) VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher; and board members, Scotty Wampler, Tim Stuller, Matthew Hill, Troy Nichols, Brian Hess, Greg Edwards, J.P. Richardson and Sim Ewing.
Richland_clinch_valley
Final decision on bonds comes March 16
Tazewell County Supervisors will choose the best method of refinancing bonds and obtaining new funds during a recessed meeting March 16.
The board voted at its Feb. 03 meeting to borrow $4 million and refinance $2.7 million to pay for several projects. Another leachate tank and a tire shredder at the landfill, redoing the Cedar Bluff Transfer Station, the new county fire department on Riverside Drive and a new fire station at Springville are among the items to be paid for with the money.
During the March 3 meeting David Rose of Davenport Financial presented the bids received and discussed options. Rose said the good news is that the financing would provide financial relief as well as a lower interest rate.
Rose told the board that his firm looked at banks and the Virginia Resource Authority as potential financing sources. Five different proposals were received.
“The financial marketplace feels good about Tazewell County, or we don’t get five bids,’ Rose said. He said the low bid was a 20-year loan at a fixed rate of 4.12 percent. He said the bid was contingent on getting the audit in a few days and the potential for the lender to step away due to the war.
County Administrator Eric Young said both the bank rate and the VRA would be lower than the current rate the county is paying.
Rose advised the board to meet again in two weeks and see if they have the audit and approval from bond counsel and be able to see what effect the war is having on the financial market.
He outlined the steps the county needs to take to be able to close the loan by mid-April. He said the annual debt payment would be reduced with either the private bank or the VRA.
[In other action the board:]
*Held a public hearing where no one spoke and then voted 4-1 to keep the real estate tax rate where it is.
*Held a public hearing at which no one spoke and voted 5-0 to rename Community College Road as Charles R. King Road.
*Held a public hearing at which no one spoke and voted 5-0 to declare Tazewell County a second amendment sanctuary.
*Heard from Dunford that he is reviewing the plans for the Cedar Bluff Transfer Station and once that is complete the project will go out for bid.
*Approved a request to VDOT for children playing signs on each end of Thru Drive. The county will pay $600 from western district funds for the signs.
*Heard from Dunford that residents of Buckhorn Road are asking for drainage repairs. Dunford. Young and Supervisor John Rhudy will look at the road.
*Received a report from Dunford that Russell County has completed all requirements to begin construction on the access road for Pure Salmon.
*Held a public hearing at which no one spoke and voted to approve an ordinance making it a class one misdemeanor to go through and remove items from trash receptacles.
*Voted to approve a resolution opposing the congressional redistricting plan.
*Recessed until March 16 at 4 pm.
Richland_clinch_valley
Early voting underway for redistricting amendment
Tazewell Va. – The State Supreme Court ruled last week that early voting on Virginia’s redistricting plan can proceed in all localities.
The ruling cleared the way for Tazewell County voters to start casting their ballots along with the rest of the Commonwealth Mar. 6. Votes may be cast in person Monday thru Friday at the registrar’s office in Tazewell.
The deadline to register to vote and cast a regular ballot is April 14. Afterward, voters can register and vote through same-day registration and cast a provisional ballot. Same-day registration must take place in person either at an early voting location for the locality in which the voter resides or at their designated polling location (based on their residence) on Election Day.
Curbside voting is also available for those with disabilities and those over 65 who wish to vote in person. Voters are encouraged to contact their general registrar’s office for more information regarding voting hours, additional locations and ballot drop boxes.
While dealing with early voting for the constitutional amendment on redistricting, the registrar’s office is also preparing for primary elections now scheduled for Aug. 4 and the regular election in November.
In addition to the US Senate seat held by Mark Warner and all 11 congressional seats, that election will have three constitutional amendments. There will also be local elections in Richlands, Tazewell, Cedar Bluff and Bluefield.
