Many would be-tacklers have had trouble keeping Northwood's Brody Waddle out of the end zone.
Many would be-tacklers have had trouble keeping Northwood's Brody Waddle out of the end zone.
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Remembering, living: Smyth Recovery Court vigil features stories of hope
Smyth County Commonwealth's Attorney Phillip "Bucky" Blevins addresses those who gathered at the Recovery Court's annual vigil.
During the vigil, the courthouse was bathed in purple light. Purple is the color of recovery.
Lives lost were remembered, while lives saved were celebrated at last week’s Smyth County Recovery Court candlelight vigil.
The courthouse steps ceremony opened with Pastor Mark Fields sharing his testimony of recovery and faith in Jesus after 25 years as an alcoholic and meth and opiate addict.
“There is hope out there,” Fields assured the gathering. He cautioned people that they can’t do it on their own.
He also described addiction as a disease just as much as an illness that puts one in a hospital bed.
Before offering prayer, Fields reiterated, “There is hope.”
Phillip “Bucky” Blevins said that as Commonwealth’s Attorney there are many hard days in the courtroom, including when people must go to prison. Families lose a member, the community loses a member, he said.
However, occasions when a Recovery Court graduation is held make good days, said Blevins. “It is awesome to see someone get their life back,” he said.
Michelle Ward, the Recovery Court’s founding director, told the group that they gather to show hope, to show strength and support.
John Hess is one of Recovery Court’s most recent graduates.
Hess shared his journey from addiction to a person in recovery, saying that he took chances extreme enough that he shouldn’t be here.
If asked during those days, Hess reflected that he would have said that hope was the leading cause of disappointment.
After 20 years of such living, Hess got into trouble. Rather than jail, he was given an option to attend Recovery Court.
Hess’ new life began on July 26, 2024. During his time with the Recovery Court, he said that his biggest challenge was learning to trust, even himself.
He’s now marking more than two years of sobriety.
At 44, Hess told the gathering that he sees what life can be like. “I love it,” he declared.
Throughout his time with the court, Hess said that Jennie Bostic, a peer recovery specialist, was his rock.
Brett Wolfe also shared his story. For him, his true sobriety date came after his Recovery Court graduation.
Wolfe said he graduated from the program in November 2021, having done everything right throughout the process. However, 30 days after graduation, Wolfe said he did everything wrong and relapsed.
Then, he got into criminal trouble again and found himself facing more serious charges.
Wolfe said he found a place in Richmond, The Healing Place. It was basically a homeless shelter with a recovery program, he said.
Wolfe took part in that program for seven months before he had to return to face his criminal charges in court and pay his debt to society. He said he decided that he needed to go to jail.
“Where’s my bottom?” he asked himself.
Wolfe said he’d already lost so much, including two marriages, getting to see his son, a business, and his dignity and respect in the community.
Change can come, he said, when a person gets tired of suffering and is willing to do whatever it takes to end it. Change also requires accepting “the fact of what you are.”
Wolfe added that for recovery to take place a person must be honest with themselves and others.
“None of us ask to be drug addicts,” Wolfe observed.
However, he said, addicts only think of themselves.
“I’d been selfish for a long time,” Wolfe acknowledged.
Along the way, Wolfe said he met someone else and he truly saw her.
“We made each other better,” he said.
The couple fell in love and got married.
Then, she was diagnosed with cancer and had to go to Knoxville for treatments.
Throughout that time, Wolfe said they looked out for each other. He realized he’d found true love.
This past August, she died.
Before she passed away, Wolfe said she asked two things of him: to watch out for her daughter and to not do drugs.
At the vigil, Wolfe said he now wants to help other people. He hopes one day to sponsor other addicts. “I’m here to make her proud,” he said.
In a time of remembrance during the vigil, people would call out the name of an individual lost to overdose. The group responded, “We remember.” They did so over and over again.
Bostic, who was leading the ceremony, reminded those gathered, “We are here…. We are here to help fight another day.”
She also declared, “Your voices matter.”
Tom and Kyra Bishop receive the Community Champion Award from Virginia Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith.
Tom and Kyra Bishop receive the Community Champion Award from Virginia Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith.
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Chilhowie, Marion, Saltville office seekers speak at candidates' forum
People gathered at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion to hear from candidates seeking seats on the Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville town councils.
A Wednesday evening candidates’ forum brought out some of those seeking a seat on one of Smyth County’s three town councils.
The forum, which allowed each candidate five minutes to address the audience, was hosted by the Smyth County Chamber of Commerce. At the outset, Sarah Gillespie, the chamber’s executive director, urged the candidates to focus on the belief that they’re all united by wanting the best for the community and a passion to serve. She admonished them to be respectful.
The forum was moderated by Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins.
Chilhowie
First up was Dr. Paige Wright, who is challenging incumbent mayor Gary Heninger.
Wright said her campaign is about placing the community first and her desire to be a relentless advocate for the town.
She promised to honor Chilhowie’s heritage while building a bridge to the future. Wright said she’d bring “a clear modern vision” for the town.
Wright highlighted her experience as an educator and working with public budgets. She also noted her hands-on community service as a leader of the Chilhowie Apple Festival committee.
It’s time for new generation of leadership, she said.
Wright talked of prioritizing work to bring back the town’s youth who leave for more prosperous communities, building tourism, and making sure every citizen is heard.
Heninger did not attend the forum.
Three seats on the Chilhowie council are up for election this November.
Becca Wilkinson-Smith, who is campaigning for one of those seats, noted that she’s a lifelong resident of Chilhowie.
She also spoke about preserving heritage while moving the community forward.
Wilkinson-Smith proposed establishing an Economic Initiative Team made up of industry and business leaders, citizens, and government representatives to help build growth in the town.
She also emphasized clear and effective communication and developing ways for citizens to share ideas with the council while enhancing dialogue.
Candidate Jeff Jones noted that people are experiencing hard times now and they see national and local government adding to debt.
For him, Jones said that he believes government should help people.
Working for the Virginia Department of Transportation for 40 years, Jones said he saw how bureaucracy can be cumbersome as well as how work can be accomplished. Yet, he said, local government is the place where every citizen still has a voice, adding that he wants to listen.
“It’s about people,” Jones said, saying that he wants to leave Chilhowie stronger for the next generation.
Robert “Bob” Jeter holds a seat on the council and is seeking re-election.
Jeter said he’s been encouraged by helping the council undertake work to foster growth in Chilhowie and he wants to continue working to make the town stronger.
Incumbent Brent Foster and candidates J. David Gary and Lewis W. Shortt Jr. did not participate in the forum.
Marion
In Marion, the mayor’s post is not up for election, but four council seats are.
Jim Barker, who previously served on the Marion Town Council and stepped down from his seat, is seeking a seat again.
Barker alleged that a former town manager falsely accused him of helping make allegations to the Commonwealth’s Attorney and then, during a closed session, other council members verbally attacked him. Barker said it became clear to him that the purpose of the closed session was to control him. He also alleged that the council is trying to do the same to the current mayor.
Barker said he was concerned about nepotism, favoritism, and conflicts of interest occurring within the town leadership.
If elected, Barker said he would pursue improved oversight. He also said he would help enforce the public status of records and ensure that all contracts comply with the law.
Barker said he would also push for the late Mayor David Helms to be memorialized in the town.
Greg Taylor, a newcomer to town elections, noted that he is a Marion native and served in the military being deployed to Iraq three times. Currently, he serves as a school counselor at Fort Chiswell High School.
Taylor emphasized a need for greater transparency. Citizens, he said, need to be informed, be able to ask questions, and get answers.
During a recent public hearing, Taylor alleged that some council members were texting one another to decide how to handle a matter. Such decisions, he said, need to be made after citizens speak.
Taylor said he’d vote the way people want him to.
He urged citizens to vote, saying it’s the only way to create change.
Also, a newcomer to local politics, Mavis Williams said she learned from her older brother, Harold Slemp, that if you have something to contribute, you should. She said she’s felt him nudging her to become more active in the community.
Williams said she’s learned that the town council does far more than she ever imagined.
A Marion native, Williams said she worked for Family Physicians of Marion for 37 years with 30 of those as the office manager. That experience, she said, taught her about the importance of fulfilling responsibilities and being professional while helping people whether it was patients or physicians.
Williams also said that she believes every citizen deserves a chance to be heard. She also said she would push for complete fairness.
Regularly attending council meetings, Williams said she’s learned that there aren’t many black-and-white issues; most are gray. She vowed to be transparent and dependable.
Incumbent Larry Carter is seeking re-election. He noted that he grew up in Rich Valley, moved to Marion in 1973, and served more than 40 years with Virginia’s Department of Taxation.
Carter said that he’d like to continue working on projects to move Marion forward.
Among recent successful endeavors, Carter cited the creation of the Henderson School of Appalachian Arts from a dilapidated building that he wasn’t sure could be saved.
He also pointed to the Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences, which he said is one of the biggest and best things to happen to Marion. He noted that it now offers multiple programs in a state-of-the-art setting.
Carter also cited buying the former quarry property, improving it over time and now working to create a park and recreation facility there as a positive step forward. Eventually, he said that the Callan Drive facility will produce revenue for the town.
He lauded Ken Heath, the town’s community and economic development director, and the success he’s had with training entrepreneurs and revitalizing the downtown.
Incumbent Susie Jennings is also running to maintain her seat. Serving on the council for 20 years, she said she’s worked on most of the town’s committees and helped with numerous projects. Jennings said she’s done so with integrity, respect, and genuine concern.
Jennings also said she is available to and listens to citizens.
She also expressed her pride in the coming Callan Drive park and recreation project.
Jennings cited the town’s work with the Marion Economic Development Authority to revitalize 66 properties in Marion.
She pointed to the ongoing program to upgrade the town’s water and sewer infrastructure.
Jennings noted her experience helping establish Smyth County’s first community foundation as well as a school-to-work program, serving as the chair of the committee that built the Lifetime Wellness Center, and being the first woman to chair the Board of Supervisors.
Jennings said she wants to continue to work for progress in Marion.
Tricia Spencer, also an incumbent seeking re-election, said she also wants to continue to serve.
Spencer cited her experience owning and operating businesses in Marion for more than 40 years. Doing so, she said she’s bussed tables, served people, and balanced books, and she’s brought that experience to the council along with her deep love of Marion.
Spencer said she’s learned that problems don’t disappear because a committee talks about them but must be addressed head on.
She emphasized the impact of town-controlled features that affect people’s daily lives such as roads, water and sewer services, and public safety.
Spencer said it’s important for the town council to remember they’re spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money and to plan for the future, while keeping taxes reasonable and fair.
Marion’s strength has always been its people, Spencer said.
She also noted the work to upgrade water and sewer services, amazing growth from E&H’s presence, and improving the waterpark and playgrounds.
Spencer lauded the town employees for their work and service.
Incumbent Debra Hayes is also seeking re-election but did not take part in the forum.
Saltville
In Saltville, two current council members, Suzanne Carter Abramson and R. Eugene Call, are vying to fill the mayor’s seat. Three council seats are set to be filled by voters.
Incumbents Ryan Comer and Cary Sauls are running for re-election. Call holds the third seat. The incumbents are being challenged by Stephen Hennegar and Tracy Stephenson Prater.
Only Cary Sauls chose to participate in the forum.
He said his love of Saltville is his motivation to run for re-election.
During his tenure on the council, Sauls said he’s learned not to make promises because council members must work with one another on projects and challenges.
Among his priorities, Sauls noted that Saltville’s aging water lines are a problem that needs attention.
Sauls also said he’d like to focus more on recreation to keep youth active.
In Conclusion
Blevins lauded the chamber of commerce and the Lincoln Theatre for hosting the forum.
Gillespie thanked the candidates for their participation and for their hearts to serve.
She urged audience members to vote.
Former captain used Sugar Grove Lifesaving Crew funds to buy pickup, heating oil
A law enforcement photo of David Matthew Lineberry.
A man, who bought a 2005 Ford F-250 pickup using Sugar Grove Life Saving crew funds while registering the vehicle in his name, has been convicted of embezzlement and credit card fraud in Smyth County Circuit Court.
David Matthew Lineberry, 34, of Sugar Grove, was convicted on the charges this week.
Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins reported the case results, noting that Lineberry formerly served as captain of the Sugar Grove Life Saving Crew. A form for determining bail also noted that Lineberry was working for Smyth County Fire & Rescue at the time of his arrest.
A grand jury directly indicted Lineberry in March 2025. Those indictments said the charges were based on incidents that occurred over the course of a year from November 2023 to November 2024.
Blevins noted that Lineberry also had Todd’s Fuel deliver heating oil to his home and paid the bill, which was more than $1,400, with Life Saving Crew funds.
Evidence offered in court established that Lineberry, while in a position of trust, used a credit card belonging to the Life Saving Crew to make purchases for his own personal benefit, said Blevins, who noted that Lineberry has been ordered to pay $14,843.28 to Life Saving Crew.
In a news release, Blevins noted that the Sugar Grove Life Saving Crew is a volunteer organization that serves the community and relies heavily upon donations and public support to carry out its mission.
“White-collar crime is serious, and it affects all of us,” Blevins said. “That is especially true when the victim is a volunteer organization like the Sugar Grove Life Saving Crew. Its members selflessly give their time to serve their neighbors.”
“Stealing from a volunteer rescue organization is not a victimless financial crime,” Blevins said. “Every dollar taken is a dollar that cannot be used for equipment, training, fuel, or responding when someone calls for help. My office will continue to take financial crimes seriously and hold accountable those who abuse positions of trust.”
The case was investigated by the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, whose investigation uncovered the financial misconduct and helped bring Lineberry to justice.
Lineberry’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16. The court ordered a presentence report to be prepared. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years of incarceration.
