Rural Retreat's Brody Allen breaks through a tackle by Holston's Desmond Mickens in Oct. 2025.
Rural Retreat's Brody Allen breaks through a tackle by Holston's Desmond Mickens in Oct. 2025.
Bland County Fair celebrates a century of memories, creates new ones
Kids shrieked with laughter. The smell of tasty treats permeated the air. A big stuffed tiger lured more than one person to try their hand at winning it. Musicians entertained in a shady venue that lured many older adults. Sweet summer memories were made. The Bland County Fair celebrated its 100th anniversary last week. To celebrate the milestone, free admission helped even more folks enjoy the four-day event. Here’s to another 100!
Removal of the wire basket around a tree’s root ball prior to planting.
Removal of the wire basket around a tree’s root ball prior to planting.
Autumn Blaze Festival on tap
Wythe County is kicking off fall with the inaugural Autumn Blaze Festival, a free two-day community celebration at Rural Retreat Lake on Oct. 2-3, featuring live music, food, family activities and a special focus on fire prevention.
The festival gets underway on Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. with live music from Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillen. Craft vendors and food trucks will also be set up at the lake, giving visitors a chance to grab dinner, shop and enjoy an evening by the lake to start the weekend.
Saturday brings a full day of festivities starting at 11 a.m. Kids and families can explore fire trucks, emergency vehicles, heavy equipment and more during Touch-a-Truck, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A "Truck or Treat" event is also planned, with timing to be announced.
October 3 will also feature family-friendly entertainment, food trucks, craft vendors and live music throughout the day. The musical lineup includes Wylee and the Coyotes, 21 Blackbirds, and Al G and Friends, with festivities continuing into the evening.
Autumn Blaze also marks the launch of Fire Prevention Week, bringing local first responders together with the community to share vital fire safety information.
Admission to the festival is free. Food and other items will be available for purchase from participating vendors.
Vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities are open now for businesses and organizations who want to be part of the festival. Fire departments and emergency services agencies interested in Touch-a-Truck are encouraged to RSVP.
Vendor registration, sponsorship inquiries, Touch-a-Truck RSVPs and additional festival information are available at wytheco.org/autumnblaze. Additional festival details, including the "Truck or Treat" time, will be announced as the event approaches.
NC man charged in I-77 shooting
Virginia State Police has charged a Charlotte, North Carolina, man with malicious shooting into an occupied vehicle, shooting from a vehicle, maliciously causing bodily harm to another with intent to maim and use of a firearm while committing a felony in connection with an Aug. 22 incident on Interstate 77.
Virginia State Police on Saturday morning, around 8:50 a.m., investigated a reported road rage incident that led to a shooting along I-77 northbound at the three-mile marker.
After the shooting, the suspect vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz, left the scene.  Law enforcement later stopped the vehicle on Interstate 77 at Exit 19.  There Richard T. Ariviello, 61, of Charlotte was arrested and taken into custody.
A 12-year-old girl and 20-year-old woman who were passengers in a northbound Jeep were taken to a North Carolina hospital, suffering from non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting. Police said each was shot in the leg.
The 12- and 20-year-old sister were passengers in the Jeep. The driver of the Jeep was charged with reckless driving.
The incident remains under investigation.
