Albert Newberry performs two albums' worth of original new material at his Aug. 9 St. Paul Episcopal Church concert in Wytheville.
Albert Newberry performs two albums' worth of original new material at his Aug. 9 St. Paul Episcopal Church concert in Wytheville.
The Wytheville Branch of the American Association of University Women ushered in its new program year with a social held at the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum.
The Wytheville Branch of the American Association of University Women ushered in its new program year with a warm and engaging Welcome Social held at the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum on Main Street at the end of August. The event was organized and led by AAUW Wytheville Branch Vice President of Membership Alma Watson and coordinated in partnership with Farron Smith, Founder of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum.
Guests were treated to a special program presented by “Mrs. Wilson” herself, portrayed by Betsy Ely, who brought the former First Lady’s legacy to life through storytelling and historical interpretation. Attendees enjoyed fellowship, refreshments, and the opportunity to learn more about AAUW’s mission and community impact. New and prospective members were invited to join the organization.
Founded in 1971, the Wytheville Branch remains an active force in the region, championing educational and economic opportunities for women and girls. Each spring, the branch sponsors a STEM workshop for middle school girls in Wythe and Bland Counties, encouraging early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The branch also supports the Family Resource Center through donations of household items and gift cards, helping families in crisis rebuild stability.
In addition, AAUW Wytheville awards an annual scholarship to a Wytheville Community College graduate who plans to continue their education at a four‑year institution—an investment in the next generation of women leaders.
AAUW’s mission is to empower women and girls through advocacy, education, and community engagement. For more information about membership or upcoming programs, contact Anita Aymer, Co-President or Alma Watson Vice President of Membership at aauw.wythe@gmail.com.
From left to right, Natasha Puckett and Jennifer Nunley, WCC faculty, welcome students.
From left to right, Natasha Puckett and Jennifer Nunley, WCC faculty, welcome students.
Summer has taken its toll on leadership at the Joint Industrial Development Authority.
In June, former JIDA director David Manley left the role to serve as executive director of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.
Manley, a Wythe County native, became executive director in 2014. During his tenure, the county’s economic output grew from $1.379 billion to $1.891 billion, and businesses located in the county went from 786 to 923.
After Maney’s departure, John Matthews, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech graduate who had joined the JIDA in 2015 as associate director took the reins as interim executive director.
County Administrator Stephen Bear on Aug. 25 informed Supervisors that Matthews has accepted a position with the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The agency lists Matthews as senior destination development manager.
In other news, Treasurer Lori Guynn said her office is working on real estate taxes, saying bills should be mailed in early October.
The board also approved using $150,000 from photo speed enforcement proceeds to complete work at the Ager Park courts.
Last September, the county received a grant for the third phase of park refurbishing. Plans then called for an aging Ager Park tennis court to be converted to a multi-purpose court. The work carried a $364,000 price tag.
The first phase of the project, which was completed in 2023, focused on updating playground equipment. The second phase, completed in 2024, also updated playground equipment for younger children. The playground work includes ADA accessibility.
Several Supervisors spoke Aug. 25 about a recent trip to Henrico County, where they visited more than a dozen data centers.
During Supervisors time, Jesse Burnett said he had raised questions and concerns about the centers that had been voiced by Wythe County residents, including water and electric use and noise.
Burnett said that data centers have been in Henrico since the late 1990s and is halfway to what promises to be 30 centers. During tours to the outside of 14 facilities, Burnett said they were all clean and aesthetically pleasing, reporting that the Henrico facilities account for about 2 percent of the county’s water use. He also noted that Henrico officials shared that zoning is important for controlling impacts.
Supervisor Bradley Martin echoed Burnett’s experience. Martin said the data centers he saw didn’t meet expectations of a large, unattractive building, adding that he too found them to be well-designed.
Vice Chair Dicky Morgan added that the facilities toured were neat and orderly and quiet. He noted that outside the gate, you cannot hear any noise from the facility.
Burnett said the board had met with the company planning a thousand-acre data center project near the Pulaski County line, adding that the company wants to meet with residents and discuss the project and has expressed a willingness to pay for infrastructure.
In other data center news, the board approved an amendment to the Progress Park performance agreement, updating the name from Solix Arx to Fluidstack and revising the date for a certificate of occupancy.
