Graham's Bailey Goodson was the SWD Golfer of the Yer for the second straight year.
Graham's Bailey Goodson was the SWD Golfer of the Yer for the second straight year.
Richland_clinch_valley
Special Field Day lights up Richlands
After a year's absence and despite a threat of rain, Special Field Day returned Sept. 24.
For more than 20 years the Clinch River Kiwanis Club and the RHS Key Club have joined forces to host a day of fun and games for special needs students from across the county.
The Lions Club, Burger King, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens and Clinch Valley Medical Center and volunteers from Richlands Methodist Church helped make the day possible.
RHS Principal Rickie Vencill and Key Club Sponsors Chase Mead Patton, Beth Smith and Mac Osborne made sure the field and track were ready and were on hand throughout the day to handle problems and help with the games.
"Once again the Kiwanis Club outdid themselves hosting field day. The kiddos had a wonderful time, the games were perfect and despite the weather, I believe it may be my favorite field day ever,' Patton said in a Facebook post.
The Key Club students led games and played them. They also ran errands and served lunches.
Jamie Capshaw hands off to TJ Lawson.
Jamie Capshaw hands off to TJ Lawson.
Richland_clinch_valley
New daycare center for county among projects funded by federal grant
Childcare in Tazewell County got a boost from the the federal and state government on Sept. 25.
A $2.5 million grant to construct a new approximately 10,000-square-foot childcare center in Tazewell County was among the list of grants announced by Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office. The project represents a total investment of approximately $5.8 million and will create an estimated 25 new jobs.
Tazewell County leaders have been working on the project for over a year.
Upon completion, the center will have licensed capacity to serve approximately 148 children. Project partners and investors include Endless Opportunities, (EO) Virginia Department of Education, Tazewell County, and the Thompson Charitable Foundation.
The project was one of three announced by the governor’s office as party of a $7.2 million federal disaster-recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Our future depends on our ability to support working families and prepare the next generation for success,” said Spanberger. “These investments will expand access to high-quality childcare in communities experiencing both workforce growth and childcare shortages — particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I am grateful to EO Companies and our local partners for their commitment to ensuring these investments are used as effectively as possible to meet the needs of families. Together, we will strengthen Virginia’s economy, support parents, and create new opportunities for childcare across the Commonwealth.’
Washington County received $615,000 for the expansion of EO’s Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub. The expansion will add new outdoor recreational space and interior classroom facilities to establish a comprehensive after-school and summer enrichment program serving children ages 5 to 12. The program will have licensed capacity to serve approximately 100 students, providing critical after-school care, summer programming, and workforce support services for working families throughout the region.
Virginia applied for and received the federal disaster-recovery grant through the American Relief Act — which Governor Spanberger voted to pass while serving as a Member of Congress following Hurricane Helene. Collectively, the projects represent an approximately $18 million investment, with $7.2 million coming from the HHS grant and the remainder generated through local partnerships.
$1.2 million will support project coordination and workforce development across the three childcare projects. Funding will help recruit, train, and prepare the workforce needed to staff the new and expanded childcare centers.
Richland_clinch_valley
Claypool Hill roadwork nearing completion
October should bring an end to most of the traffic restrictions at the 19/460 intersection at Claypool Hill.
Michelle Earl of VDOT’s Bristol office said Sept. 25 that the roadway portion of the work is anticipated to be finished in October, with signal work remaining.
When the roadway work is completed in October, everything will be striped and opened to traffic except for a left turn from Lowe's toward Lebanon. That will need to remain restricted until the signal work is completed.
She said the materials needed for the signal work are to be delivered in November. There will be lane closures when the signal work is performed.
The $3.7 million project began in March 2026 and had an anticipated completion date of December of 2026.
