Gullett
Gullett
Seniors beat the heat in Withers
Area seniors on Thursday gathered at Withers Park for the annual Senior Citizens Appreciation Day.
With more than 50 booths spread across the park, seniors were able to network, gather information concerning community resources, listen to music on the loudspeaker and possibly walk away with one of several door prizes.
ATMOS Energy provided a complimentary lunch.
Wytheville Police Department sponsored the 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. gathering.
Here are some photos from the event.
Addison Myers is congratulated by her teammates after winning her No. 2 singles match, giving Bland County the team victory over Rappahannock in the Class 2 girls tennis state championship Thursday at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
Addison Myers is congratulated by her teammates after winning her No. 2 singles match, giving Bland County the team victory over Rappahannock in the Class 2 girls tennis state championship Thursday at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
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Communities rally to support officer injured in the line of duty (copy)
Smyth County Commonwealth's Attorney Phillip "Bucky" Blevins honored Saltville Police Officer Michael Dean in April.
Officer Michael Dean
Communities in Smyth and Wythe counties are working to support one of their own who was injured in the line of duty.
Michael Dean was shot and injured when his fellow deputy Logan Utt was killed in a May 29 line of duty incident in Carroll County.
Dean is a Fort Chiswell High School graduate and Saltville Police Officer.
Wednesday, Saltville Police Chief Bryan Lynch said that Dean had been working part-time with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office a few months when the shooting occurred.
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office said that Utt and Dean responded to a welfare check at a Cana residence when 55-year-old Michael Timothy Puckett opened fire on the deputies. Utt died from his injuries. Dean was struck in his ballistic vest and was hospitalized.
After an intensive manhunt, Puckett was arrested the following Sunday night.
At Tuesday night’s Saltville Town Council meeting, Councilman Eugene Call said he’d like someone from the town to reach out to Dean. “He’s one of our own,” Call said.
Lynch told the council that he’d spoken with Dean earlier in the day. He noted that the Carroll County deputies are receiving support from a specialized Billy Graham Rapid Response Team designed to help law enforcement officers in traumatic situations.
Noting that Utt’s funeral was June 5, Lynch said that the coming weeks will be when the trauma and loss hit the hardest.
Lynch noted that a GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money to support Dean, his wife, and their three children in the weeks to come. The account can be found at gofundme.com/f/support-officer-deans-recovery-journey.
Dean, a football player at Fort Chiswell, graduated from the Wythe County school in 2006.
A friend who had known him since elementary school shared on the alumni Facebook page a GiveInKind program to provide the Dean family with meals so they can focus on recovery and healing in the time ahead. The program encourages participants to prepare a meal, order food, or get a restaurant gift card for the family.
To learn more, visit www.giveinkind.com and search for “Supporting Carroll County Wounded Officer”.
In April, Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins lauded Dean’s work in the arrest and conviction of a suspect charged with multiple firearms and drug counts, saying, “Officer Dean’s diligent case preparation, attention to detail, and coordination with the Commonwealth’s Attorney directly contributed to a significant verdict in this case…. The distinctive accomplishments of Officer Michael Dean reflect great credit upon himself, the Saltville Police Department, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Supervisors OK $117.3 million budget
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors adopted the county's Fiscal Year 2027 budget during its June 9 meeting, approving a balanced spending plan totaling $117,299,717 with no increase to county tax rates.
The budget takes effect July 1, 2026, and funds a wide range of county services, including public safety, education, infrastructure, economic development, recreation and general government operations. The adopted budget also includes appropriations for the Wythe County School Board.
"Our goal was simple: adopt a budget that keeps core county services strong without asking taxpayers to pay more," said James D. Smith, chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. "This budget allows us to continue supporting public safety, education, and other important services while being mindful of the challenges many families and businesses are facing."
The FY2027 budget was developed using the best available state funding estimates at the time of preparation. Because the Virginia General Assembly has not yet adopted a final state budget, some revenue and expenditure projections are based on draft state budget figures. Once the Commonwealth adopts its final budget, Wythe County will review any impacts to local funding and make budget amendments if necessary.
The Board's adoption of the FY2027 budget continues the county's commitment to providing essential services without increasing the tax burden on residents and businesses. Tax rates will remain unchanged at $0.51 per $100 of assessed value for real estate, $2.22 per $100 of assessed value for personal property, $1.50 per $100 of assessed value for machinery and tools, and $0.56 per $100 of assessed value for merchant's capital.
The Board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-13 adopting the FY2027 budget following public hearing and consideration. The budget will remain in effect through June 30, 2027.
Additional information about the FY2027 budget is available through the Wythe County Administration Office and on the county website.
