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Chilhowie firefighters receive Lifesaving Medals for rescues, other awards
Chilhowie Fire & EMS presented Chief David Haynes a personalized firefighting heritage bucket for his 40 years of service to the department.
Chilhowie Fire & EMS Captain Logan Ashlin received a a Meritorious Service Award.
Captain Logan Ashlin and Engineer Austin Mason were presented a Gold Lifesaving Medal for a rescue they helped make during February 2025 flooding.
Chief Haynes awarded a Silver Lifesaving Medal to Deputy Chief Joshua L. Davidson, Deputy Chief Jenna Prater, Captain Tayler A. Hyatt, and Engineer Brendan P. Donnelly for their work in rescuing people.
These members received the Charles W. “Brother” Smith Ribbon, which is an award given to members who respond and operate at an active Urban Search & Rescue incident.
Since 2007, Lt. Jeanne Haynes has answered 5,414 calls. The Firefighter Attendance Ribbon will be renamed for her.
These members earned Educational Achievement Ribbons.
Chilhowie Fire & EMS celebrated the members who joined in 2024 and 2025.
Family members helped pin the insignias of rank on department members who were promoted.
As floodwater was rising on Feb. 16, 2025, a person was stranded about 150 feet from the Holston River’s shore in Saltville. The individual was clinging to a tree. Rescuers were able to save him.
According to Chilhowie Fire & EMS Chief David Haynes, Captain Logan Ashlin and Engineer Austin Mason were serving as “part of a boat team that worked under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions to affect the rescue.”
The victim was brought to safety and taken to the hospital suffering from mild hypothermia and exhaustion.
During a May 9 awards ceremony, Haynes said Ashlin’s and Mason’s actions “were consistent in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service. For their bravery and exceptional service,” Ashlin and Mason were awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
Ashlin and Assistant Chief Brandon Moore were also honored for their lifesaving work during Hurricane Helene, which struck Southwest Virginia on Sept. 27.
The storm, Chief Haynes remembered “brought sustained high winds, torrential rainfall, and significant flooding to our region, resulting in widespread hazards and multiple emergency incidents.”
Amid these calls, Haynes said Moore and Ashlin “responded to multiple calls for service under rapidly evolving and dangerous conditions. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to public safety, they played a critical role in coordinating and executing multiple rescue operations.”
“In one incident,” Haynes said, “Assistant Chief Moore and Captain Ashlin entered swift-moving floodwaters to rescue a trapped family, successfully removing them from a life-threatening situation despite strong currents and debris. In a separate incident, they traveled several miles on foot through flood-impacted terrain to reach a patient in urgent need of medical attention, ensuring appropriate care.”
Additionally, he said that Moore and Ashlin assisted in several other rescues involving residents and their pets.
“For their bravery and exceptional service,” Moore and Ashlin were awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
Also, during the day Helene struck and the days following, Chief Haynes said Deputy Chief Joshua L. Davidson, Deputy Chief Jenna Prater, Captain Tayler A. Hyatt, and Engineer Brendan P. Donnelly “responded continuously to numerous calls for service under rapidly evolving and high-risk conditions.”
Noting their leadership, judgment and commitment to public safety, Haynes said, “they played a critical role in coordinating and executing multiple rescue operations.”
Notably, he said they “assisted in the successful rescue of more than ten individuals, as well as several pets, from dangerous and life-threatening situations caused by rising floodwaters.”
They were awarded the Silver Lifesaving Medal.
Charles W. “Brother” Smith Award
The work surrounding Helene and the February 2025 flooding was also recognized during the presentation of The Charles W. “Brother” Smith Ribbon, which is an award given to members who respond and operate at an active Urban Search & Rescue incident.
Urban Search & Rescue incidents can include technical rescues from heights, trenches or confined spaces. They may also include natural disasters such as a tornado where there are collapsed structures with trapped occupants or a flood where people are trapped in flood water or cut off due to rising waters. Other incidents can include a search for a missing person where specialized training is necessary to complete the mission.
During 2024 and 2025, multiple members responded to recognized US&R incidents and were recognized.
They included:
Chief Charles D. Haynes for the February 2025 Flood Rescue on North Fork River Road in Saltville;
Assistant Chief Brandon A. Moore for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Deputy Chief Joshua L. Davidson for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Deputy Chief Jenna H. Prater for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Captain Tayler A. Hyatt for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Engineer Brendan P. Donnelly for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Engineer Austin N. Mason for the February 2025 Flood Rescue on North Fork River Road in Saltville;
Christopher N. Hawks for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Aaron R. Blevins for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response;
Curtis W. Crawford for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response Helene, and the February 2025 Flood Rescue on North Fork River Road in Saltville.
Captain Logan T. Ashlin for the September 2024 Hurricane Helene Flood Response, the February 2025 Flood Rescue on North Fork River Road in Saltville, and the devastating flooding in Texas during July 2025.
Meritorious Service Award
The work of one Chilhowie Fire & EMS captain has been recognized regionally as a best practices example.
Chief Haynes presented a Meritorious Service Award to Captain Logan Ashlin for “his leadership and dedication to the creation of the… Department Medication Program.”
The chief said that “Ashlin worked tirelessly to develop the policies, procedures, and protocols for the management of Department’s EMS medications program…. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your outstanding contribution to the operation of our Department. Your actions speak well of you personally and professionally, and of the caliber of service our Fire & EMS Department provides to the citizens and residents of the Town of Chilhowie and Smyth County.”
Haynes teased that Ashlin had contacted everyone on the East Coast seeking their expertise, adding, “Logan did an outstanding job.”
Dan W. Jackson Service Award
The Dan W. Jackson Service Ribbon is presented in honor of one of the longest serving members of the department, retired Chief Engineer Dan W. Jackson, who was a Chilhowie Fire & EMS member for 50 years. The recognition is presented to members who reach 20 years of service.
During 2024, Deputy Chief Joshua L. Davidson reached 20 years of service.
The J.E. Morphew Award
Deputy Chief Jenna Prater presented The J.E. Morphew Award, named after the late Captain Earl Morphew, which is given to a member when they complete 200 or more creditable training hours each year.
Prater said that Morphew was known throughout Virginia as a firefighter who loved to train and pushed others to train and strive to be better.
For 2024, the department honored three recipients: Chief Haynes with 334.75 hours, Captain Logan Ashlin with 282.00 hours, and Engineer Brendan P. Donnelly with 342 hours.
The awards marked Haynes fifth, Ashlin’s sixth, and Donnelly’s second.
Ashlin and Donnelly repeated their achievements for 2025 with Ashlin earning his seventh award with 285.75 hours and Donnelly getting his third award with 345 hours.
Answering the Call
When it comes to answering calls for help, one volunteer firefighter has stood out for years.
For both 2024 and 2025, the firefighter who responded to the most calls was Lieutenant Jeanne Haynes.
She received the Firefighter Attendance Ribbon, which is awarded annually to the volunteer member who responds to the most calls during the year.
Chief Haynes reflected, “This award represents a significant commitment of time to the department and the community.”
For 2024 and 2025, Lt. Haynes responded to 200 incidents.
These awards marked her 14th and 15th awards.
Since 2007, Chief Haynes said that Lt. Haynes has answered 5,414 calls.
In future years, the chief said The Firefighter Attendance Award will be renamed the Jeannie P. Haynes Award.
Educational Achievement
The department also recognized members who earned Educational Achievement Ribbons, which are given to members when they complete specified training requirements in a specific field.
Haynes said that most of these trainings “require a significant investment in classroom time as well as practical evolutions. Many require advanced classes lasting several months.”
For 2024 and 2025, the department awarded ribbons for Fire Service, EMS Service, Rescue Service, Instructor, Officer, Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Fire Inspector and Hazardous Materials.
Those honored included:
Deputy Chief Jenna H. Prater -- Fire Officer Educational Achievement Ribbon;
Captain Logan T. Ashlin -- Hazardous Materials Educational Achievement Ribbon and Fire Officer Educational Achievement Ribbon;
Captain Tayler A. Hyatt -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, Hazardous Materials Educational Achievement Ribbon, Instructor Educational Achievement Ribbon, Fire Officer Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Captain Kodie L. Hyatt -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, Hazardous Materials Educational Achievement Ribbon, Instructor Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Engineer James J. Brown -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Engineer Brendan Donnelly -- Smyth County Fire-Rescue Academy Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Advanced), Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Engineer Steven R. Vaughan -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Basic), Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Firefighter Jeffery O. Barrett Jr. -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Basic).
Firefighter Aaron Blevins -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Paramedic), Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Firefighter Curtis W. Crawford -- Fire Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, EMS Service Educational Achievement Ribbon (EMT-Paramedic), Rescue Service Educational Achievement Ribbon, Instructor Educational Achievement Ribbon, Fire Officer Educational Achievement Ribbon.
Promotions
The ceremony featured family members pinning on the office insignia of several newly promoted officers.
Those officers included Firefighter/EMT-B Steven R. Vaughan, who was promoted to engineer on Jan. 29; FF/EMT-A Brendan P. Donnelly, who was promoted to engineer on B-Shift on Jan. 1; Engineer Kodie L. Hyatt, who was promoted to captain on B-Shift on Jan. 29; Engineer Tayler A. Hyatt, who was promoted to captain on C-Shift on Jan. 1; Captain Jenna H. Prater, who was promoted to Deputy Chief on Jan. 1.
New Members
Chilhowie Fire & EMS also recognized the new employees who joined the department during 2024 and 2025. They were Captain Tayler A. Hyatt, Engineer Christopher N. Hawks, FF/EMT-Paramedic Aaron R. Blevins, Engineer Steven R. Vaughan, Captain Kodie L. Hyatt, Engineer James J. Brown who is assigned to B-Shift, FF/EMT-B Jeffery O. Barrett Jr., who is assigned to C-Shift, Firefighter/EMT Hayden C. Jackson, Firefighter/EMT Ryan T. Bunnell, and Firefighter/Paramedic Payton E. Lynch.
Leading the Way
At the ceremony’s end, an unscheduled presentation honored Chief Haynes, who, Prater said, has served as “a steady leader, trusted mentor, and a driving force in helping move this department forward.”
In 2025, Chief Haynes marked 40 years of service to Chilhowie Fire & EMS Department.
“Through his commitment, guidance, and dedication to serving our community,” Prater said, “he has made a lasting impact on this department and everyone who has had the privilege to serve alongside him.”
The department presented him with a personalized fire brigade bucket.
The bucket symbolized the heritage of firefighting. In the 18th and 19th centuries, such buckets were essential firefighting tools as people formed bucket brigades to pass water hand-to-hand to fight fires.
Earlier in the evening, Town Manager Brian Martin reflected that Chilhowie Fire & EMS sets the bar in this region. He gave a nod to those willing to face danger rather than run from it.
Martin challenged the first responders to never take lightly their responsibility to the community, but to also never forget the support they receive from the community.
At the meeting’s end, Haynes expressed his pride in the department’s members.
He also reflected on his gratitude to the responders’ “family members who have to endure their loved ones missing so many important family events because of the work we do. We wouldn’t be able to provide the services we do without your sacrifice….”
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Hard Rock Bristol sets single month casino gaming revenue record (copy) (copy)
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol recorded its highest single month of adjusted gaming revenue to date during April.
BRISTOL, Va. — The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol recorded its highest single month of adjusted gaming revenue to date during April, as casinos statewide reported combined AGR of nearly $99 million.
For the month, Hard Rock reported $23.37 million in adjusted gaming revenues — wagers minus winnings — an 11% increase compared to April 2025, according to a new report from the Virginia Lottery.
That represents a nearly 6% increase from the prior month and about $350,000 more than its previous record single-month total of $23.02 million recorded last May.
The total includes $18.41 million in play generated by its 1,336 slot machines and $4.96 million from its 73 table games. The table games AGR represents the second highest total from that category since opening in November 2024.
Hard Rock Bristol generated $4.2 million in total gaming tax revenue for the month, with $1.4 million going to the Regional Improvement Commission to be evenly divided between the host city and 13 other Southwest Virginia localities.
Since opening, April represents the fourth highest month of gaming tax generated and the fourth highest total of funds returned to the RIC.
Statewide, Virginia’s three permanent and two temporary casinos combined to record $98.92 million in adjusted gaming revenue, a 1.1% decrease compared to the $100.06 million recorded during March.
That includes $74.93 million from slots and $23.98 million from table games compared to $75.2 million and $24.85 million reported in March, respectively.
Combined gaming tax revenues from all facilities totaled $17.80 million compared to $18.01 million during the prior month.
Caesars Virginia reported $33.50 million in total AGR, including $26.02 million from play on 1,525 slots and $7.48 million from 88 table games. The Danville casino generated $6.03 million in total taxes with $2.01 million being returned to the host city.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported $27.26 million in total AGR, including $19.07 million from 1,419 slots and $8.19 million from its 84 table games. Rivers generated $4.9 million in tax revenues, with $1.63 million returned to the host city.
Live Virginia’s temporary gaming center reported $13.81 million in total gaming revenue including $10.47 million from its 926 slot machines and $3.34 million generated by its 32 table games. The facility generated $2.48 million in tax revenues with over $829,000 going to host city Petersburg.
Norfolk’s interim Gaming Hall reported $958,255 in total AGR with its 132 slot machines. That generated over $172,400 in taxes, with over $57,400 returned to the host city.
All of that play combined to generate $142,445 for the problem gambling treatment and support fund.
Lion Michael Dean with sponsor Lion Gary Kelly and Lion Sally Lamie with sponsor Carl Lamie.
Lion Michael Dean with sponsor Lion Gary Kelly and Lion Sally Lamie with sponsor Carl Lamie.
