Bronwyn Owen opened Big Blue Art in Bluefield, VA, seeking to make the arts accessible for everyone. Big Blue Art is a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Bronwyn Owen opened Big Blue Art in Bluefield, VA, seeking to make the arts accessible for everyone. Big Blue Art is a recent recipient of a $10,000 VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Sam Goff is the new recreation supervisor for Wythe County Parks and Recreation.
Wythe County Parks and Recreation has welcomed Sam Goff as its new recreation supervisor.
In his position, Goff will help oversee the department’s recreational community programs, activities and facilities, including day-to-day operations and programming at Rural Retreat Lake Park & Campground and Pool. He will also provide leadership to recreation staff, coordinate programs and special activities, build community partnerships and help ensure recreational opportunities continue to meet the needs of residents of all ages and abilities.
Goff brings more than a decade of experience in recreation, athletics and program coordination, including work with the Town of Apex, North Carolina, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, the YMCA and several collegiate and youth athletic programs including baseball and cheer. He holds a master’s degree in public health education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University.
“Recreation has the ability to bring people together, strengthen communities and create experiences that stay with people throughout their lives,” Goff said. “I look forward to building relationships throughout Wythe County, supporting our staff and programs, and helping to create opportunities where people of all ages and abilities feel welcomed, connected and excited to participate.”
“We’re excited to welcome Sam to the Parks and Recreation team,” Parks and Recreation Director Alicia Sides said. “His experience in recreation, athletics and program development, along with his commitment to creating positive experiences for participants, will be a great asset to our department and the community.”
For more information about Wythe County Parks and Recreation programs and facilities, visit www.wytheco.org/parksandrec
Wytheville Farmers Market’s new manager, Katlyn Jackson, introduced herself to council members on Aug. 24, and asked the town to consider assisting the market in coming up with $3,500 for a new grease trap.
Jackson, who noted she has only been helming the market for three months and has big aspirations, told council that she would like to have the back room at the market turned into a commercial kitchen, which could be rented out.
The market provides a space for vendors and for customers to source locally grown and produced goods, running every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon from May through October, and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from January to April, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Holiday markets are held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 14 and Dec. 5 and 19.
In addition to managing the market, Jackson teaches at Bland County High School.
Jackson also reminded council that Harvest Feast tickets are available for the Sept. 26 event in conjunction with The Millwald Theatre.
The feast is planned as a fundraiser for 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 26, at the Farmers Market Pavilion and Millwald loading dock. Attendees will have a chance to shop the market and enjoy live music before settling in for a family-style harvest dinner. Proceeds will benefit the Millwald and the market.
On Oct. 3, the market will host a cider day, and has breakfast with Santa on the schedule as well.
Brandi Quinn and her son Braylin Quinn, great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson of Raymond Byrd, stand at the marker located at the site of Wythe County Jail during a service commemorating the centennial of Byrd's lynching. On Aug. 15, 1926, Byrd was beaten, shot and dragged from the jail to Rural Retreat where he was lynched. The ceremony continued on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Wytheville Training Center.
Brandi Quinn and her son Braylin Quinn, great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson of Raymond Byrd, stand at the marker located at the site of Wythe County Jail during a service commemorating the centennial of Byrd's lynching. On Aug. 15, 1926, Byrd was beaten, shot and dragged from the jail to Rural Retreat where he was lynched. The ceremony continued on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Wytheville Training Center.
A driver in an Aug. 18 incident on Old Stage Road is facing new charges, according to the Wytheville Police Department.
Last month, first responders responded to multiple calls reporting a person falling from a moving vehicle. Wytheville Fire and Rescue stabilized 36-year-old Annalisa Pennington of Wytheville on-scene. Pennington, who suffered multiple lacerations and suspected fractures, was then taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
At the time of the incident, the driver, 48-year-old Stanley Jason Smith, was arrested on unrelated weapons charges. Further investigation by Sgt. Kody Thomas ended with more charges, including aggravated malicious wounding and abduction, for Smith, of Wytheville. Thomas also obtained an emergency protective order against Smith on behalf of the victim. With his bond revoked, Smith is being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.
According to court documents, Smith has a preliminary hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations court on Oct. 13 on charges of assault – aggravated malicious wounding and abduction by force/intimidation.
Smith has a preliminary hearing in General District Court on Oct. 22 on the weapons charge.
Smith also has an Oct. 13 hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in connection with a June 23 arrest on an assault and battery of a family member charge.
Court records show that 2025 charges of malicious wounding, abduction and assault and battery were nolle prossed.
