Patrick Henry High School on the VHSL Class 1 State Championship 4-1 over Rappahannock.
Patrick Henry High School on the VHSL Class 1 State Championship 4-1 over Rappahannock.
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Smyth County deputy saves man's life
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors celebrates the work of Virginia State Police First Sergeant Jeff Jones, who was honored by Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins recognized the lifesaving work of Smyth County Sheriff's Deputy Dane Keene.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins honored the work of now retired Marion Police Sergeant April Morgan. Deputy Adam Bordwine was recognized for his work in the same case, but he was unable to attend the presentation.
A Chilhowie man is alive today thanks to the actions of a Smyth County deputy.
Last Thursday, Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins honored multiple law enforcement officers for extraordinary acts of service by presenting them with Certificates of Commendation for Meritorious Service. He called them all heroes.
Blevins said Deputy Dane Keene saved the Chilhowie man’s life when on May 24 he answered a call for a man who had cut his arm.
Blevins said that Keene found the man bleeding heavily from two severe lacerations to his left arm.
Keene immediately applied a specially designed tourniquet that’s long been used by the military and stopped the bleeding as the man was going in and out of consciousness.
Blevins said, “Deputy Keene remained calm under pressure and was able to keep the subject awake and communicating until EMS personnel assumed care.”
Keene’s accomplishments “are a reminder that his job as a deputy sheriff is about much more than enforcing the laws. His heroic actions on May 24… are a testament to Deputy Keene’s oath of protecting and serving, reflecting great credit upon himself, the Sheriff, and all of Smyth County.”
Vehicle Data Analysis
Blevins also honored Virginia State Police First Sergeant Jeff Jones, who is recognized as a “statewide subject matter expert in interpreting and analyzing event data recordings, otherwise known as vehicle black boxes, and preparing accident reconstruction reports.”
At the time, Jones, a Smyth County native, was assigned as an Area Commander in Emporia.
Blevins asked Jones “to review and interpret an event data recorder from a vehicle crash that occurred on August 29, 2024. Through his professional expertise, First Sergeant Jones produced a thorough analysis of the vehicle’s data and crash scene findings, which significantly strengthened the investigation and contributed to the successful prosecution and conviction of an at-fault driver for involuntary manslaughter…. His diligence, integrity, and commitment to justice served the victim, his surviving family, and the Commonwealth with distinction.”
Careful & Professional Attention
For their careful and informed work, Blevins also recognized Deputy Adam Bordwine and Marion Police Sergeant April Morgan, who is now retired.
According to Blevins, on Jan. 26, 2024, Bordwine arrested Andrea Renee Barr for possession of methamphetamine and transported her for processing. “Bordwine remained alert, observant, and attentive to the possibility that additional contraband had been concealed” on Barr’s body.
“Acting with sound judgment, professionalism, and the highest standards of integrity,” Bordwine requested assistance from Morgan, who subsequently recovered a plastic storage bag containing more than 40 grams of methamphetamine concealed inside Barr’s vagina.
Blevins said, “Deputy Bordwine’s vigilance and careful attention to detail directly contributed to the recovery of a substantial quantity of dangerous narcotics. His actions preserved critical evidence, protected the safety and security of the processing facility, and ensured that Barr was held fully accountable for the seriousness of her conduct.”
Of Morgan, Blevins said, “Her decisive actions prevented a substantial quantity of dangerous narcotics from entering the community or the correctional setting, preserved vital evidence, and directly contributed to a successful felony prosecution.”
Blevins said that Barr was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and sentenced to serve 10 years in prison. Upon her release, Barr will serve five years of active supervised probation, “with an additional 10 years of suspended penitentiary time available as a powerful incentive for her continued lawful conduct.”
Caden Burchett and Brady White of Marion won the 2026 VHSL Class 1/2 boys doubles title.
Caden Burchett and Brady White of Marion won the 2026 VHSL Class 1/2 boys doubles title.
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Smyth commissioner hosts drive-through high-mileage recording event
Commissioner of the Revenue Bradley Powers and his staff recorded vehicles' mileage Saturday during a special outreach event.
Owners of high-mileage vehicles began coming into Chilhowie Elementary School 45 minutes before a drive-through taxpayer event Saturday morning eager to try to reduce their personal property taxes.
During the event that ran from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Commissioner of the Revenue Bradley Powers and his staff recorded the mileage of more than 100 vehicles.
Due to multiple issues with software changes, Powers anticipates that this may be the only high-mileage recording occasion for this year. However, in the future, he’d like to host events in different areas of the county.
For this one he believed CES offered the best traffic flow in case vehicles backed up.
Vehicle milage can be a factor in assessing a taxpayer's personal property tax. The commissioner’s office can consider mileage within JD Power Pricing Guidelines. Proof of mileage by visual confirmation, inspection report, or maintenance documentation is needed. An adjustment for high mileage requires documentation and must be adjusted annually.
Individuals who didn’t make it to Saturday’s event may begin the process with a form available on the commissioner’s website under the Personal Property section.
Under new software that is coming to the Commissioner’s office, the process should be able to be initiated online next year.
For Saturday’s event, Powers believed “this will help a lot of people.”
For his staff, it also helps to get the assessment records accurate before the bills go out rather than being asked to change them afterward.
With his various outreach events, Powers said, he wants to make his office’s services as accessible as possible. “This is extremely important,” he said.
At one point during the morning, staff members said they were getting good feedback. “The taxpayers are pleased,” they said.
