Linemen ready to get at each other.
Linemen ready to get at each other.
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Carilion Family Medicine cuts ribbon on new facility
Tazewell Va. – While the doors have been open since June 24, local dignitaries gathered Aug. 4 to cut a ribbon and welcome Carilion Community Family Medicine to Tazewell.
Chris Wearmouth with the Community Foundation outlined the history of the clinic’s development and services. The facility is located at 282 Market Street in Tazewell next door to Food Lion and across from CVS.
Lindsey Collins, vice president for family and community medicine with Carilion said the practice represents improved quality of patient care. “When patients are able to seek preventative care on a schedule it leads to a healthier community and allows patients to be engaged with their care and overall health,’ she said.
Dr. Grant Greenberg, who teaches at Virginia Tech’s Carilion School of Medicine and serves as the Chair of Family and Community Medicine for Carilion Clinic said the hospital plays a huge role in the health of the community. He said the goal is to help people live happy, healthy, and fruitful lives.
“If someone comes in the door and they have an acute need and don’t have a family doctor they are going to be cared for by our clinicians,’ he said. Tazewell Community Foundation announced plans for the 11,773 square-foot facility and held a groundbreaking in April of 2025.
The building includes sixteen exam rooms, four procedure rooms, and on-site Phlebotomy and Lab services. “Our new Tazewell Family and Community Medicine practice continues Carilion’s commitment to provide quality care for the Tazewell community and help our patients connect seamlessly to family and specialty healthcare services,”
Dr. Junetta Knuckles-Bowen, a Richlands native is already on site and Doctor Jordan Saunders staff the clinic along with and three advanced practice professionals, who are taking new patients.
Polly Gillespie, a Tazewell native and resident, manages the site. Funding for the clinic came from several sources including the county, town of Tazewell, National Bank and the Tobacco Region Revitalization Committee, the Thompson Foundation, and others.
The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Body & Sole Wellness and massage therapy held their Grand Opening July 27. They are located at 11082 Gov. G. C. Peery Highway in Cedar Bluff.
Body & Sole Wellness and massage therapy held their Grand Opening July 27. They are located at 11082 Gov. G. C. Peery Highway in Cedar Bluff.
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ATV ordinance approved on 3-2 vote
Tazewell Va. – By a 3-2 vote the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance regulating the use of all terrain vehicles and utility vehicles on the roads in the southern district.
The board heard from two dozen speakers in a meeting that was recessed from the county administration building to the auditorium at Tazewell Middle School to accommodate the crowd. The ordinance covers all of the southern magisterial district except the town of Tazewell.
John Rhudy, Curtis Breeding and Chuck Presley voted in favor of the ordinance with Shana Plaster and Kyle Cruey casting the dissenting votes. The issue had been debated heavily on social media in the weeks leading up to the Aug. 4 board meeting.
The action amended a policy the board of supervisors adopted in 2013 governing operation of vehicles on public highways in the county. The ordinance said there was substantial impact as to the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Tazewell County as it relates to the operation of ATV’s and UTV’s on certain roadways.
The ordinance expanded one adopted on November of 2025 which covered Burke’s Garden to include the coverage areas of the Cove, Clear Fork, Thompson Valley, Tazewell County, Cove and Tannersville Fire Departments.
The ordinance does not affect areas of the county where the Spearhead trail operates. It allows the county’s recreation development authority to issue permits for area they designate for recreational travel.
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Work progressing on drainage issues at Richlands School complex
Tazewell Va. – Another phase of the drainage project at the Richlands School project is complete.
County Engineer Ken Dunford told the board of supervisors at its Aug. 4 meeting that the drainage work is complete and the next step is ready to go. Dunford said the work was finished before the school year opened, which was the goal when it started.
The board also approved the use of emergency procurement policy to approve the bid of $80,000 by Phoenix to do the work on the pond.
In other action the board:
*Heard from Andy Hrovatic about the open house planned at the Tazewell County Airport.
*Heard from representatives of Merchant McIntyre, who serve as the county’s grant and financial advisors.
*Ratified a poll vote to serve as the fiscal agent for Plum Creek Quilters’ grant from the Thompson Foundation.
*Reappointed Tim Danielson as the county’s representative to the ninth district finance committee.
*Approved the Doran Flood mitigation grant agreement. The county will contract with RES Engineering Services to design the work. County Administrator Eric Young said the county may use cash and in-kind services to match the grant.
*Approved waiving taxes on Cumberland Plateau’s Indian Princess Apartments for 2025 and 2026. The taxes were $9,720 per year.
*Approved distributing $2,400 to the Casey-Short VFW post in a lump sum rather than quarterly payments.
*Approved amendments to the bylaws of the Tazewell County Fire Company. The amendment will allow battalion chiefs to reside within the county rather than in their district.
*Approved an agreement to allow the fire company to use equipment belonging to the county.
*Heard from the county attorney about the procedures the sheriff’s office to dispose of unclaimed property.
*Approved the lease agreement with Barnes Kidd for use of the Baptist Valley Convenience area. The agreement is for $580 per month rental for three years.
*Appointed Nadja Brodesser to the tourism development committee.
*Recessed to Tazewell Middle School for a public hearing.
