The American Pirates released their debut album, What A Friend, March 20.
The American Pirates released their debut album, What A Friend, March 20.
Law enforcement rescues driver
A Virginia State trooper and Wythe County deputy on March 18 saved a Texas man from a burning vehicle along Interstate 81.
According to the Virginia State Police, a trooper and deputy responded to a burning vehicle after a crash at the 70 mile marker on southbound I-81 at 4:51 p.m.
Police said a commercial motor vehicle was travelling southbound and slowing for traffic in the left lane when it was struck in the rear by a 2023 Ram 3500 van. The impact caused the van tocatch fire.
Virginia State Trooper D. Marshall and a Wythe County deputy on sceneassisted in pulling the driver of the van away from the burning vehicle and to safety.
The driver, Felipe Baez, 42, of Midland, Texas, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with reckless driving.
The driver of the tractor-trailer suffered minor injuries.
Patrick Henry's Carter Lester slides into third base as Rural Retreat's Trevor Shelton leaps up for the catch in the Region 1D semifinals game at UVA-Wise last season.
Patrick Henry's Carter Lester slides into third base as Rural Retreat's Trevor Shelton leaps up for the catch in the Region 1D semifinals game at UVA-Wise last season.
Data center meeting still not set
Board Chair Jamie Smith on March 10 asked that the county speed up the timeline for getting the CEO for the proposed data center to come for a public meeting.
During citizen’s time, Tony Floyd asked for an update on when the Solis Arx meeting might happen. County Administrator Stephen Bear said nothing had been scheduled yet.
Late last year, Wythe County officials announced plans to build a data center on 99 acres in Progress Park.
Solis Arx CEO Robert Noll in December 2025 addressed some concerns, pointing out that the data center’s design uses a closed-loop, air-cooled chiller system, recirculating water with no discharge. He said then that the facility would use minimal water, similar to what a restaurant might use. Noll also said the center would employ buffers, fans and other materials to ensure the center doesn’t violate noise standards.
"We are building a next generation AI Factory that is designed to meet federal, state and local standards and respect the surrounding community,” Noll said. “Our team works closely with the county and utility partners to ensure this project brings economic strength, technical excellence, and long term stability to Wythe County."
The county reported in January that it was working with Noll to set up a public meeting.
In other news, Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins informed Supervisors of two funding requests in to U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith’s office.
The first request was for $5 million to complete construction on the Lot’s Gap Water Tank. The second, for $2 million, would relocate and modernize the county cannery, co-locating it with a new Cooperative Extension office.
Hankins warned Supervisors that the odds for the requests being funded are long.
Hankins also reminded county leaders of the first land use community meeting set for March 30 at 6 p.m. in the Fort Chiswell High School gym. The ordinance, the county’s first crack at zoning, would help guide future development. Hankins and others have worked on ordinance for nearly three years.
