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Smyth commissioner's office expands its community outreach
SPorter
Commissioner of the Revenue Bradley Powers recently held
educational seminars in Smyth's three towns to help
constituents with business personal property filings.
SPorter / Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Smyth County’s Commissioner of the Revenue is taking his office on the road.
Last week, Bradley Powers held educational sessions in Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville on reporting business personal property and the 762 Business Personal Property form.
In May, he plans to conduct sessions in each town to track high-mileage vehicles, perhaps in a drive-through format where people can pull up and provide their mileage and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
In the summer, Powers wants to again do outreach sessions on the county’s tax relief program.
When it comes to taxes, Powers said, understanding the needed information makes them more bearable.
“Ensuring the most information possible [for citizens] is our goal,” Powers said of the commissioner’s office, saying that his office works under the motto of “service to community, by working together.”
In addition to trying to help Smyth citizens, Powers was also striving to assist his peers. He designed last week’s presentation so that it can be adapted and used by about 85% of the Commonwealth’s commissioners for their communities.
Man accused of escaping custody in Marion now faces felony charge
SPorter
Richard Wilson Garrett
SPorter / Submitted photo
The man who is accused of escaping from custody last week in Marion is now facing a charge in the incident.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins announced Wednesday that Richard Wilson Garrett, 51, has been charged with a felony after escaping lawful custody while under involuntary commitment at a state mental health facility.
“The rule of law does not pause because a person is housed in a hospital, a jail, or a prison,” said Blevins, who authorized the charge. “When an individual escapes from lawful confinement, my office will act decisively and hold that person accountable.”
Garrett is a Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute patient with previous assault and escape charges.
According to media reports, in 2021, Garrett escaped custody when receiving care at Central State Hospital. He apparently ran from hospital staff when being taken between buildings.
In 2012, a separate media report says he escaped when several prisoners were being moved from lockup for court appearances. In that case, Garrett was accused of driving away in a truck and then trying to strike a court officer. Then, in a pursuit, he hit two sheriff’s deputy patrol cars. According to online Carroll County Circuit Court records, guilty pleas were entered for an array of charges, including attempted capital murder of a police officer, three counts of malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, escape by a felony offender and others.
However, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The records show a psychiatric evaluation in late 2013 and regular orders continuing until 2027 for mental health examinations.
In Marion, Garrett is accused of escaping custody while receiving dental care.
Marion Police officers and other law enforcement agencies responded, and Garrett was taken back into custody in about an hour’s time.
Blevins emphasized that employees working in correctional institutions, jails, and behavioral health facilities perform difficult and often dangerous public service every day.
“The men and women tasked with supervising committed individuals work in challenging environments that most citizens never see. They deserve the full backing of the justice system when the law is violated. Whether someone is committed to the Department of Corrections or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, the expectation is the same: lawful orders will be obeyed.”
The Commonwealth’s Attorney further said that his office will continue to prosecute escape offenses and other threats to institutional safety without hesitation.
“We will unapologetically enforce the law, protect the public, and stand with the professionals who carry out these demanding responsibilities every day,” Blevins said.
These are criminal allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Garret was arraigned Thursday in Smyth County General District Court.
Marion to celebrate Arbor Day with middle school students
SPorter
A Virginia Department of Forestry representative presents Mark
Archibald last year's Tree City USA recognition.
SPorter / File photo
Trees help reduce energy consumption.
Trees increase property value.
Trees make neighborhoods cooler in the summer.
Trees bolster mental and physical health.
Trees help offset the effects of climate change.
Those were just a few of the reasons that Mark Archibald gave the Marion Town Council as he explained the value of the community’s tree canopy.
Archibald, a leader of the town’s Tree Commission, is helping develop a master plan to ensure that the community’s tree canopy remains strong.
The work is being funded by a Virginia Department of Forestry grant. Work has been underway since last October, Archibald said.
The commission’s goal is to develop a realistic, feasible plan, he said, noting that one of the goals will be to increase the tree canopy from 34% to 35% over the next decade.
The plan, Archibald said, will also establish a tree planting program and strengthen the visibility of the commission.
Public comments on the plan will be collected at the annual Wellness Fair at Hungry Mother State Park, which is set for June 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Arbor Day
Per its tradition, the tree commission is also celebrating Arbor Day with a tree planting at Marion Middle School Monday, April 27, at 1 p.m.
Working with the students, Archibald said they will strive to affirm the value of trees in the community. Kevin Sigman will present a program on the value of trees and help the students plant a tree on the school campus.
Many of the activities are required to maintain Marion’s status as a Tree City USA. That membership, Archibald said, “is a rich tradition.” The town should receive its 24th Tree City emblem this year.
The national Arbor Day celebration took place on Friday, April 24.
Submitted photo
Sugar Grove Elementary's Kindness Committee made cards that
fifth-graders took to local nursing homes.
Page A1
Submitted photo
Sugar Grove Elementary's Kindness Committee made cards that
fifth-graders took to local nursing homes.
Emily Ball
Patrick Henry's Carter Brown celebrates with teammates after
his home run hit against Honaker. Home-plate umpire Cecil Coleman
looks on.
Page A1
Emily Ball
Patrick Henry's Carter Brown celebrates with teammates after
his home run hit against Honaker. Home-plate umpire Cecil Coleman
looks on.
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