George Wythe's Emma Faulkner won the 2025 VHSL Class 1 girls cross country individual crown.
George Wythe's Emma Faulkner won the 2025 VHSL Class 1 girls cross country individual crown.
Out and about
Zach Cooley (front) poses with Saturday Night Live veteran Tim Meadows (back center), wife Emily (back left) and daughter Bella after Meadows's May 23rd sold-out comedy show at the Millwald Theatre in Wytheville.
Zach Cooley (front) poses with Saturday Night Live veteran Tim Meadows (back center), wife Emily (back left) and daughter Bella after Meadows's May 23rd sold-out comedy show at the Millwald Theatre in Wytheville.
Town updated on financial picture
Town Treasurer Angela Pennington delivered mixed news to council on May 26.
Compared to April 2025, Pennington reported that revenues had increased by $1.2 million; however, expenditures rose by about $1.6 million.
The town overall was $429,000 below last year’s projections but maintained a positive balance of $623,000, she said.
Meals and lodging taxes were behind projections but each showed year-over-year increases. Pennington said meals taxes increased in the first quarter by $40,773 and lodging taxes were up $53,555. She also noted that reimbursements and grants from FEMA, the state and other sources were expected to bolster revenues.
In other news, council gave the OK for an Oct. 10 street closure for the annual fire prevention parade and authorized the Fire and Rescue Department to spend around $22,000 for Lifepak 15 cardiac monitors, using what remained of the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus project funds.
The council also unanimously approved referring a rezoning application for property located at 170 South 16th Street from B1 Business with conditions to B1 Business zoning district without conditions.
Council members also pushed back discussion on suggested amendments to rules governing citizens period. Concerns were raised earlier over language that seems to restrict citizens period comments to “any matter that is not an agenda item.” Several on and off council have worried the phrasing creates confusion and could restrict participation.
Early giving open
The CFNRV team celebrates with Buzz4Good and the Lyric Theatre team members during the 2025 Giving Day.
This June, thousands of people are expected to participate in the New River Valley’s (NRV) 13th annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day. Hosted by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV), this year’s 24-hour fundraising event will kick off at noon on Wednesday, June 24, and end at noon on Thursday, June 25. The early giving period for the event begins on June 1, enabling participants to fundraise for their work in the weeks leading up to the Giving Day.
This year, 130-plus charitable organizations that serve the NRV are participating in the event. These organizations use the GiveLocalNRV website (givelocalnrv.org) for free to raise funds and awareness for their missions. Additionally, these organizations are competing for the $25,000+ in grants and prizes that the CFNRV gives away during the event. These awards are won either by meeting certain fundraising milestones or by random chance.
"The GiveLocalNRV Giving Day is about spotlighting the essential work of our region's nonprofits and how donations fuel their work," said Lindsey Gleason-Reed, the CFNRV's assistant director. "Every gift of $5 or more, combined with other gifts, helps participants ensure they can fulfill their missions each day."
The grants and prizes range from $250 to $1,500 and are provided by the CFNRV as well as generous corporate sponsors. This year, there are 40+ different awards available for participating organizations to win, which means that every donation can help an organization win extra funds.
Organizations in six localities across the NRV are participating, including 18 organizations in Floyd, seven in Giles, 70 Montgomery County organizations, 16 in Pulaski and eight in each of Radford and Wythe County. An additional 11 organizations headquartered outside of our region who provide services in the NRV are participating.
Since 2014, thousands of donors have raised $5.15 million through this event. To learn more, visit www.givelocalnrv.org. A donation of $5 or more can be made online. Participating organizations can also accept gifts of checks or cash as well as wire transfers over $1,000 for the event.
Organization in Wythe taking part include the Bland Ministry Center, Brock Hughes Medical Center, Millwald Theatre, Presbyterian Children's Home of the Highlands, Rural Retreat Depot Foundation, Wythe County Breast Cancer Coalition, Wythe County Historical Society and Wytheville Training School Cultural Center.
Organizations outside the New River Valley that serve the region include Brain Injury Solutions, Cardinal News, Carilion Clinic Hospice New River Valley, Depaul Community Resources, Feeding Southwest Virginia, Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, People Incorporated of Virginia, Roanoke Higher Education Center Foundation, Ronald McDonald House of SW VA, Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center and Virginia Hunters Who Care.
