Chilhowie's Bryce Robinson dives back to first base as Patrick Henry's Carter Brown attempts to tag.
Chilhowie's Bryce Robinson dives back to first base as Patrick Henry's Carter Brown attempts to tag.
News
Centerpiece Top Story
Oak Point teacher honored in Richmond ceremony
After being named Smyth County's Teacher of the Year, Hunter Trivette quickly returned to his class.
Hunter Trivette, the Region 7 Teacher of the Year, is recognized by Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Virginia education leaders.
Tuesday, Hunter Trivette was honored as one of Virginia’s Regional Teachers of the Year as the Commonwealth named its Teacher of the Year from among those finalists.
While the top honor went to Madeline Duffy, a Nottoway High School special education teacher, Trivette’s work as an Oak Point Elementary school physical education teacher was celebrated during the ceremony.
Introducing him, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway said, Trivette “is known for creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all students regardless of ability can thrive.”
Conway also noted that Trivette builds connections between other curriculum subjects and PE to reinforce learning. She spoke about his ability to build strong relationships and ensure that “every student feels valued and empowered.”
Trivette’s dedication to students and community, Conway said, has made a lasting impact.
In a news release following the ceremony, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said, “Teachers work tirelessly to create safe learning environments, uplift students, and prepare every member of our next generation for success. When parents are stuck at work or sidetracked by an emergency, it is Virginia’s educators who step up.”
Spanberger continued, “Every parent deserves to know their kids are receiving a high-quality education….” She expressed her commitment to continuing to bolster education.
“Across Virginia, educators are shaping the future of our Commonwealth through their work in classrooms each day,” said Conway.
“Virginia’s educators are the foundation of our students’ success and the strength of our communities,” said Secretary of Education Jeffery O. Smith.
The award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and leadership in the education community.
Trivette was named Smyth County’s Teacher of the Year in December 2025 and the Region 7 Teacher of the Year in March.
News
Centerpiece Top Story
Former SCCH doctor indicted by federal grand jury on 7 charges
Michael Kevin Patrick
On April 29, a one-time doctor at Smyth County Community Hospital was arraigned on seven federal indictments related to an alleged sexual relationship he had with an underage female co-worker.
Michael Kevin Patrick, 68, of Sugar Grove was arrested in early February on Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). On April 21, a federal grand jury of the U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia indicted Patrick on seven charges.
The charges focus on Patrick’s relationship with an underage girl.
According to a criminal complaint filed on Jan. 30, Patrick met the young woman, who is referred to in court documents as JV1, in the SCCH elevator. JV1 told Patrick she was in high school and interested in the medical field. The two began talking regularly at work. At a lunch, JV1 told Patrick her birthdate and he “incorrectly surmised” that she was 17. JV1, who was 16, didn’t correct Patrick.
In late 2024, JV1 and Patrick started eating lunch together and communicating regularly via text messages and phone calls. Eventually, Patrick and JV1 engaged in sexual conversations with one another and exchanged nude pictures of themselves via text message.
In addition, Patrick started having a physical relationship with JV1 at his home and at work. During that span of time, JV1 was 16 years old. Patrick told JV1 that he was “looking forward to” her birthday, that the relationship had to be “secret,” and that he “needed” her. After JV1 turned 17, and after Patrick believed she had turned 18, Patrick had sexual intercourse with JV1.
The criminal complaint details some of the text exchanges, which were sexually explicit. The complaint says that “prior to what Patrick believed to be JV1’s 18th birthday… JV1 and Patrick exchanged nude images via text messages.”
The court document says that with Patrick’s encouragement, JV1 sent explicit photos and videos. The complaint said that “Patrick always responded positively toward the images and videos of JV1 and sometimes reciprocated with images of his erect penis.”
The complaint reports that Patrick cautioned JV1 about the need for discretion several times.
While six of the charges focus on the exchange and transmission of the images of a minor engaging in sexual conduct, the seventh indictment states that once the relationship became known, Patrick knowingly attempted to destroy records, documents and tangible objects with the intent of interfering with the investigation.
In a text exchange reported in the complaint, Patrick tells JV1 that he had been suspended from SCCH and would likely be fired.
JV1 asks: “What did you tell them?”
Patrick responds: “You approached me. You ate dinner with me once. We only saw each other briefly while we worked. No outside visits but phone calls and texts. You told me you were 18 yo or else I would have never interacted with you. I’ve deleted everything we texted each other. We should not talk.”
A forensic extraction of Patrick’s electronic devices recovered many of the texts. Documents say that Patrick and JV1 exchanged more than 19,000 text messages with one another.
According to the complaint, the situation came to authorities’ attention after rumors started circulating at SCCH about JV1 and Patrick’s relationship. A relative of JV1 who also worked at the hospital confronted JV1, who admitted to the relationship. The relative and JV1 then went to the Marion Police Department.
The case was investigated by the MPD and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case. Indictments do not mean a person is guilty but that enough evidence exists to take the matter to trial.
Marion's Scott to serve 21 years for trafficking meth, fentanyl
Anthony Charles Scott
A Marion man arrested during an undercover drug operation will now spend 21 years in prison.
In Smyth County Circuit Court this week, Anthony Charles Scott, 38, of Cleghorn Valley in Marion, was sentenced on seven drug-related charges: four counts of distribution of drugs, two counts of trafficking methamphetamine into the Commonwealth, and one count of distribution of fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism.
When arrested, Scott faced 15 charges, according to online court records.
Regarding the number of charges prosecuted, Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins explained that lab results revealed that Scott on several occasions sold a substance that was not meth or a controlled substance. For those incidents, the charges weren’t prosecuted. Blevins said he only seeks “a conviction on cases that had a certificate of analysis for controlled substances.”
Blevins also explained that he carefully selects “charges so the court would impose a mandatory, day for day sentence and one that is not affected by the earned sentencing legislation,” which would result in the defendant serving0 65% of his time.
The 21-year sentence, he said, is “all day for day.”
The charges stemmed from undercover operation led by the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office.
In July 2025, a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office news release said, undercover narcotics agents conducted four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Scott over a two-week period, seizing more than 180 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 6 grams of fentanyl.
Upon release from prison, the release said, Scott will face an additional 189 years of suspended prison time, conditioned upon strict compliance with supervised probation, payment of a $5,000 fine, and $2,550 in restitution to the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins said, “We are in a war against drugs in Smyth County. Methamphetamine and fentanyl are destroying lives, tearing apart families, and fueling violent crime. Those who choose to traffic this poison will be met with relentless prosecution. Today’s conviction is a direct result of the partnership between my office and the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office. Together, we are dismantling drug dealers one by one.”
In addition to the sentence handed down today, the Court ordered the seizure of $2,328 in cash tied to Scott’s drug trafficking.
