Fort Chiswell guard Owen Jackson (2) fights Patrick Henry forward Jay Barfield (41) for a rebound.
Fort Chiswell guard Owen Jackson (2) fights Patrick Henry forward Jay Barfield (41) for a rebound.
Grant helps Bland add fire truck
An AEP Foundation grant helped Bland score a new fire truck for a volunteer department.
Wythe County officials delivered a new firetruck to Bland County recently.
Bland County welcomed a new fire pumper truck for the Hollybrook-Mechanicsburg Volunteer Fire Department thanks to a grant from the AEP Foundation.
Wythe County Emergency Services officials delivered the 2004 International Pierce pumper.
"It’s imperative that we continually work to improve our fleet of emergency services vehicles. Our volunteer firefighters need dependable, updated equipment to ensure their safety and the safety of our communities,” Bland County Administrator Cameron Burton said.
This was the second truck delivered from Wythe to Bland in recent months.
Last October, a pumper tanker from Speedwell was sent to the Ceres Volunteer Fire Department in Bland. That vehicle was provided at a reduced cost, helping offset county expenses while ensuring the apparatus could remain in active service.
“Supporting our neighbors benefits everyone,” said Chuck Parnell, director of Wythe County Emergency Services. “When a piece of equipment no longer meets Wythe County’s operational needs, we’re happy to see it continue serving nearby communities and protecting citizens across the region.”
Hollybrook-Mechanicsburg Volunteer Fire Department Chief Everett Rose expressed appreciation for the county’s continued support.
"We’re very thankful to the Bland County Board of Supervisors for their continued support of all our fire departments. Volunteer Fire Departments are an important part of every community. We’re proud of this organization,” Rose said.
George Wythe's Avery Cline drives to the basket around Dobyns-Bennett's Carlee Cradic.
George Wythe's Avery Cline drives to the basket around Dobyns-Bennett's Carlee Cradic.
County kicks off land use meetings
Wythe County will host the first in a series of informal community meetings on Monday, March 30, at 6 p.m. at Fort Chiswell High School to discuss a proposed Land Use Classification Ordinance. The meeting is open to all residents and designed to encourage public dialogue about the draft ordinance and a preliminary zoning map, both of which are available at wytheco.org/zoning.
The proposed ordinance aims to guide future development in Wythe County while respecting private property rights and preserving the county’s rural character. The Wythe County Board of Supervisors asked staff to develop a land use framework consistent with the county’s strong commitment to property rights and its need to address future development challenges.
Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins has spent nearly three years drafting the proposed ordinance in collaboration with the Planning Commission and in accordance with state requirements and best practices. The conversation surrounding zoning in Wythe County has intensified in recent years following the development of large-scale solar projects and broader concerns about future industrial growth.
Under Virginia law, localities cannot adopt zoning regulations that address a single issue or one specific land use. Any zoning framework must be a general ordinance that applies countywide, rather than selectively targeting development types.
“We have already had a lot of discussion about zoning, and we want to make sure residents have clear, accurate information about what this draft would and would not do,” said Hankins. “Our goal has always been to develop a light-touch ordinance that strongly respects property rights while giving the county a practical tool to guide future growth. We encourage citizens to review the draft, ask questions and help ensure it reflects the values of our community.”
The March 30 session will be informal in format. County staff will make a short presentation then engage directly with residents, answer questions, address concerns and gather feedback. Citizens will have the opportunity to provide input verbally at the meeting or submit written comments for consideration. Members of the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission will be in attendance, but the meeting will not be a formal meeting of either body.
Residents are encouraged to submit questions and feedback through the county’s website in advance of the meeting so that staff may prepare thorough responses to specific concerns. The website includes the full draft ordinance, a preliminary zoning map, and frequently asked questions, available at wytheco.org/zoning.
Additional community meetings are anticipated this spring, with dates and locations to be announced. Details will be advertised once they are confirmed.
The March 30 community meeting will be held in the Fort Chiswell High School gymnasium. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and discussion will begin at 6 p.m. with a short presentation. All residents are encouraged to attend, review the materials in advance and take part in the conversation as Wythe County considers next steps.
Early voting begins
Early in-person voting for the April 21 constitutional amendment referendum special election began Friday, March 6, and will continue through Saturday, April 18.
All localities offer early in-person voting. To vote early in person, registered voters should go to a designated early voting location for the locality in which they are registered, present their ID, and cast a ballot. Voters are only allowed to vote early in the locality in which they are registered. Early voting hours of operation vary by locality, and some localities offer early in-person voting at additional satellite locations throughout the early voting period.
The deadline to register to vote and cast a regular ballot is April 14. Afterward, voters can register and vote through same-day registration and cast a provisional ballot. Same-day registration must take place in person either at an early voting location for the locality in which the voter resides or at their designated polling location (based on their residence) on Election Day.
Curbside voting is also available for those with disabilities and those over 65 who wish to vote in person. Voters are encouraged to contact their general registrar’s office for more information regarding voting hours, additional locations and ballot drop boxes.
A list of acceptable forms of voter identification can be found online.
Requested absentee ballots begin being mailed no later than March 6, including ballots to registered military and overseas voters.
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot either in person, by mail, online or by contacting their general registrar’s office. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is April 10. Voters do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot.
Absentee ballots can be dropped off at the general registrar’s office or designated drop box location during the early voting period or at polling locations on Election Day. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than April 21 and received by noon April 24.
Anyone with visual or manual dexterity impairment has the option to vote an absentee ballot using an electronic marking tool.
Voters with questions about absentee or early in-person voting can call their general registrar’s office or the Department of Elections at 1-800-552-9745 or email info@elections.virginia.gov.
The text of the ballot question and explanation of the referendum as passed by the General Assembly can be found online. Proposed Amendment for April 2026 Special Election
Important dates for the April 21 election cycle:
• March 6 – Early voting begins.
• April 10 – Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail or online.
• April 14 – Deadline to register to vote and cast a regular ballot.
• April 15 – Same-day registration begins. Anyone registering and voting at the same time will have to cast a provisional ballot.
• April 18 – Last day of early voting.
• April 21 – ELECTION DAY
• April 24 – All mailed ballots must be received by the general registrar’s office by noon.
