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Renee Brown named 2025 Communications Officer of the Year (copy) (copy)
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) operates a round-the-clock communications center tasked with dispatching DWR Conservation Police Officers (CPO), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Law Enforcement Rangers, and DWR Biologists. In addition, the Communications Center often functions as a bridge between DWR CPOs and numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, first responders, and natural resource agencies.
“In 2025, dispatchers handled more than 83,000 calls for service, an increase of more than 16,000 calls from 2024,” said Communications Manager Nancy L. Morey. “This dynamic team of public safety professionals is always there to answer the call and serve the residents of the Commonwealth and protect Virginia’s natural resources.”
In 2025, Renee Brown was there to answer the call, 5,680 of them to be exact. At the annual Virginia Conservation Police Awards ceremony held in March, Brown was named 2025 Communications Officer of the Year in honor of her integrity, dedication, dependability, and impeccable work ethic.
“Communications Officer Brown continually goes above and beyond in service to the Commonwealth, never missing or arriving late for a shift, volunteering to cover open shifts and ensuring the call center is ready for any situation,” said DWR Law Enforcement Chief, Colonel John Cobb. “Her keen attention to detail has directly led to enhanced officer safety in the field and her outstanding customer service helps constituents feel heard and understood.”
“The DCR and DWR Communications Officers are professionals and vital partners with DCR's Law Enforcement Rangers in protecting DCR's employees, over 8 million guests, and the important natural resources we protect every day,” said Chief Scott Vantrease, DCR’s Office of Public Safety & Law Enforcement. “They handle thousands of calls a year and we are honored to have such an exceptional Communications Officer on our team and congratulate Renee Brown on this well-deserved recognition.”
Brown has been with DWR since 2024 and previously served with the King and Queen County Sherrif’s Office as a dispatcher. She is the Continuity of Operations Coordinator for the Communications Center, assists in training new dispatches, and received three formal commendations in 2025.
Jim Talbert
Cami Spencer slides into third base in Richlands win over
Graham. Michele Ball
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Jim Talbert
Cami Spencer slides into third base in Richlands win over
Graham. Michele Ball
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Sports Menu
Sports schedule for week of April 22-28
Jim Talbert
The complete schedule of athletic events for the three county high schools for the week of April 22-28 is listed below. For postponements or other changes check southwestdistrictva.org.
Graham
April 22– The varsity baseball team hosts Bluefield. The boys’ soccer team hosts Oak Hill at East River Soccer Complex.
April 23 – The girls tennis team hosts Virginia High.
April 24 - The varsity softball team goes to Council. The girls’ tennis team plays at Narrows.
April 27 - The girls’ tennis team hosts Grundy. The varsity softball team goes to Bluefield.
April 28 - The coed junior varsity, and boys’ and Girls’ varsity soccer teams host Tazewell atEast River Soccer Complex. The varsity softball team hosts Tazewell and the baseball team goes to Tazewell.
Richlands
April 21 - The track teams run at Va. High. The coed junior varsity and the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams host Tazewell. The tennis teams play Tazewell with the boys at home and the girls on the road. The junior varsity and varsity baseball teams go to Tazewell.
April 22 – The boys’ and girls’ track teams go to Grundy. The boys’ tennis team goes to Bland.
April 23 – The middle school rack teams run at Tazewell. The coed junior varsity and the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams go to Marion. The varsity and junior varsity softball teams go to Marion. The tennis teams play Marion with the boys at home and the girls at Marion.
April 24 – The varsity baseball and softball teams host Grundy. The coed junior varsity and the girls varsity soccer teams go to Fort Chiswell.
April 27 – The junior varsity softball team goes to Ridgeview for a double header. The junior varsity baseball team hosts Lebanon.
Tazewell
April 23 - The boys and girls tennis teams host Lebanon. The junior varsity and varsity baseball teams go to Lebanon. The coed junior varsity and the boys and girls varsity soccer teams host Lebanon.
April 24– The varsity softball team is in Knoxville for a tournament. The tennis teams play at Bland. The junior varsity and varsity baseball teams go to Tennessee High.
April 25 - The varsity softball team continues to play in the tournament in Knoxville.
April 27 – The tennis teams play at Rural Retreat.
April 28 - The coed junior varsity, and boys’ and Girls’ varsity soccer teams go to Graham. The varsity softball team hosts Graham and the varsity baseball team hosts Graham.
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