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Jim Talbert
A $4,000.00 from the Community Foundation of
the Virginia's will enable Richlands Fire and
Rescue topurchasea Dell Desktop Computer system and 2-Surface
Pro Tablets for PPCR Call sheet
submissions.
Matt Whited, EMS Director- Chief, accepted the check from
Rebekah Ritter and Josh Cline, Community Foundation of the
Virginia's staff.
Page A3
Jim Talbert
A $4,000.00 from the Community Foundation of
the Virginia's will enable Richlands Fire and
Rescue topurchasea Dell Desktop Computer system and 2-Surface
Pro Tablets for PPCR Call sheet
submissions.
Matt Whited, EMS Director- Chief, accepted the check from
Rebekah Ritter and Josh Cline, Community Foundation of the
Virginia's staff.
Richland_clinch_valley
Solar group funds 15 projects
Jim Talbert
Fifteen community facilities are receiving technical support and grant funding through the Southwest Virginia Building Upgrade Program in 2026. The pilot program is improving buildings to address health and safety concerns, increase energy efficiency and reduce energy bills for community-serving organizations across Southwest Virginia.
Awardees include local government facilities, small businesses, nonprofits and healthcare facilities providing meaningful services to their community. These community facilities are crucial resources for rural people throughout the year. Building UP is serving facilities that provide healthcare, food access, meeting spaces and other services available to community members.
“Energy cost is one of the main things that you consider when you are looking at places to either rent or own,” said Stephanie Strouth, founder of Anchoring Hope Counseling, whose business received $15,000 for air-sealing and heat pump upgrades during the pilot. “It's one of the more major expenses you might run into. It's really going to help our community. When people come here for therapy, they don't want to freeze to death, and they also don't want to burn up. So we'll be able to regulate temperature more easily and not have to have as much back and forth.”
“Our facility's energy cost is astronomical. We would love to do what we can to cut it down and do what we can to make it reasonable,” said Tony Lawson, manager of Lee Theatre in Pennington Gap.
The pilot program identified and is funding multiple energy-saving measures for the theater, including plugging holes in heating and cooling ducts, reducing air leakage around doors and managing humidity levels for better air quality.
A Dec. 18 preliminary hearing is set for the man accused in the armed robbery of a Richlands store.
Hunter Brian Gill, 28, faces charges of armed robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, first offense and brandishing a firearm. Jim Short was appointed as Gill’s attorney. Gill is charged in connection with an Oct. 26 armed robbery at Big Lots in Richlands.
Officers with the Richlands Police Department responded to a 911 call around 3:50 pm and learned that the suspect fled the scene.
A press release from the Richlands Police Department said their investigation revealed that the suspect approached the checkout register, produced a firearm and demanded money before fleeing on foot. Officers secured and processed the scene and conducted investigative follow-up throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
As a result of the investigation, officers identified Gill as a suspect and made an arrest. The department thanked the sheriff’s office, commonwealth’s attorney’s office and the public for their assistance in the investigation.
“An incident involving a firearm in a local business is a serious concern for our entire community. Our residents and business owners deserve to feel safe in their daily activities, and incidents like this will be met with a thorough and determined response.
"I am proud of the dedication and professionalism our officers demonstrated throughout this investigation. They worked diligently to follow up on leads, identify a suspect, and make an arrest in a short period of time. I also want to thank our law enforcement partners and the members of the public who provided assistance. This case demonstrates the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and the community in helping keep Richlands safe," Police Chief Adam Crouse said.
A search of the court records did not show a prior criminal history for Gill. He was taken to the Southwest Regional Jail here he is being held without bail.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY OFFERS NEW ROUND OF FREE RIPARIAN BUFFER INSTALLATIONS
Jim Talbert
The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is offering Virginia landowners free riparian forest buffer installations — plus a year of maintenance — through its Riparian Forests for Landowners (RFFL) program. Riparian forest buffers are specialized plantings that protect rivers, lakes, creeks, and other water features from harmful runoff by capturing sediment and pollutants in the soil before they reach the water.
Now entering its third year, RFFL is possible through partnerships with Friends of the Rappahannock, James River Association, Watershed Restore LLC, and York River Steward. Since the program began in 2024, RFFL has installed approximately 350 acres of buffers. Funding is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) Act, with $700,000 available for the 2026-2028 contract period.
DOF recently released the second-quarter report for riparian buffer establishment. The agency has surpassed its 2026 riparian buffer goal, with 825 acres established against the statewide target of 597 acres. RFFL contributed 149 of those acres, with the majority of these projects assisting landowners who did not qualify for agricultural cost-share programs. Funded entirely through WQIF, RFFL supports landowners such as these who do not qualify for agricultural cost-share, including urban buffers and non-agricultural producers.
“Landowners and municipalities used more than a dozen different financial incentive programs to complete these riparian planting projects,” said Watershed Program Coordinator Patti Nylander. “This accomplishment highlights the dedication of DOF’s field staff, who work tirelessly to promote these funding opportunities and provide landowners and land managers with the technical assistance needed to implement projects across a diverse array of programs.”
“We encourage all Virginia private property owners to consider applying for Riparian Forests for Landowners funding, including homeowner associations and civic leagues in rural, urban and suburban areas,” said RFFL Program Coordinator Deya Ramsden. “You don’t need to live along a river to apply; properties with, or near, a range of water features, from canals to wetlands, can qualify. This turnkey program covers planning, site preparation and planting of riparian forest buffers, plus a whole year of maintenance. DOF is looking forward to another successful program cycle and helping landowners and managers get more trees in the ground.”
Get Started With Your Riparian Buffer Today
To get started, complete this survey-styleLandowner Interest Form, and a DOF forester or partner organization representative will contact you. DOF is accepting continuous sign-ups for this program until funding is depleted. Eligible projects will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis with planned buffer establishment from fall 2026 to spring 2027, with follow-up maintenance support through 2028.
Riparian forests improve quality of life for all Virginians by supporting clean air and water, reducing erosion and flooding, and replenishing underground aquifers. Learn more about RFFL onDOF’s website.
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