Sen. Mark Warner told farmers that he hopes he's wrong about the impact AI will have on the labor force.
Sen. Mark Warner told farmers that he hopes he's wrong about the impact AI will have on the labor force.
New technology cuts costs, creates opportunity and strengthens Mount Rogers' future (copy)
New cutting and spreading machines at Mount Rogers Community Services are helping the organization save money and build a stronger future. Mount Rogers uses the machines to make fabric products for the U.S. military.
The equipment also supports the mission of Mount Rogers Employment Support Services (ESS). The ESS helps people with disabilities find meaningful work and earn an income.
On July 8, Mount Rogers held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Lectra cutting and spreading machines at its manufacturing plant in Wytheville
Mount Rogers uses the machines to make advanced combat shirts, helmet covers, and other items for the U.S. Army. Mount Rogers assembles these products at plants in Wytheville, Atkins, and Hillsville. The new equipment is already helping the organization work faster, reduce waste, and save money.
SourceAmerica provided $420,000 in grants and shared its expertise to help make the project possible.
SourceAmerica is a national nonprofit that helps create jobs for people with significant disabilities. Dana Ferguson of SourceAmerica said the grant came from the organization's Technology Automation Enhancement Program, which helps nonprofits improve their operations.
Ferguson said the program helps organizations like Mount Rogers grow, stay competitive, and create more jobs for people with disabilities. Because of the new equipment, Mount Rogers can do more of its work in-house instead of sending it to outside companies.
During the ribbon cutting, Mount Rogers also honored former Director Frank Dowell for his role in starting the project. Dowell died in 2024, but his vision, along with the leadership of Chief Manufacturing Officer Richie Pack, helped bring the project to life.
Pack praised the manufacturing team for making the project a success.
"This is one of the best teams I've ever been on," he said. "They work so well together."
Mount Rogers Community Services CEO Sandy Bryant thanked SourceAmerica for its support and partnership.
"Their support helps us build a stronger future, improve our financial stability, maintain high quality standards, and continue supporting our military through our work," Bryant said.
Most importantly, Bryant said, the new equipment helps give employees a sense of purpose and pride. She said meaningful work plays a key role in their health, happiness, and well-being.
Bella Cooley poses with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on June 4.
Bella Cooley poses with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on June 4.
County presented with VACO awards
Wythe County was presented with two Virginia Association of Counties achievement awards at its June 30 meeting.
Joe Lerch, director of Local Government Policy for the Virginia Association of Counties, presented an award for the county’s emergency services for its hybrid staffing model, with volunteer and paid personnel, which serves as a model for rural departments. The county department improves the reliability and the consistency of emergency response, according to VACO.
Lerch also presented an award for the Reed Creek Blueway, which opened up access points along Reed Creek.
In other news, County Administrator Stephen Bear told the board the county was awarded $55,585 in Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority money to fund a substance abuse prevention specialist position at the schools.
 Bear also told Supervisors that the state has adopted a bill that would allow localities to implement a 1 percent local sales tax exclusively for new school construction. To implement the tax a referendum would need to be added to the upcoming general election, which would require a resolution by the board and a court order before July 21. Bear said around $70 million of projects in the works at the schools – including a new elementary school in Wytheville, renovations at Fort Chiswell High School and improvements to athletic fields – could be financed by the tax.
The board also sought lower rates and cost savings for planned upgrades to Ager Park’s courts. The county budgeted $175,000 for the project, and Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins said bids for the work came in at more than $400,000. Â
Chautauqua creative writing contest winners announced
The Wytheville Chautauqua Festival’s Creative Writing Day honored winners of the 2026 Creative Writing Contest on June 26th at The Millwald Theatre in Wytheville. The ceremony also featured Rae Garringer as guest speaker.Â
Rae Garringer (they/them) is a writer, oral historian, and audio producer who grew up on a sheep farm in southeastern West Virginia, and now lives a few counties away. Rae is the author and editor of Country Queers: A Love Letter(Haymarket Books, 2024) which received a 2025 Stonewall Honor Book Award from the American Library Association, and the editor of To Belong Here: A New Generation of Queer, Trans & Two Spirit Appalachian Writers(University Press of Kentucky, 2025).
The Chautauqua Writing Contest fosters creative writing in three age groups (middle school, high school, and adult) and three genres (nonfiction, fiction, and poetry). Cash prizes were awarded for the top three in each group. The winners were:Â
Adult nonfiction: First Place Tina Cunningham; second place Patty Williford; third place Charlotte Barkley            Â
Adult poetry: First place Sharon Waters; second place Patty Williford; third place Theresa Burris            Â
Adult fiction: First place Dayna Lafferty; second place Patty Williford; third place Don Martin.
9-12 grade nonfiction: First place Willow Delp; second place Desiree Rene Williams
9-12 grade poetry: First place Abigail Hillenberg; second place Payton Nester; third place Shannon Reeves
9-12 grade fiction: first place John Robert Williams; second place Reagan Borek; third place Loralei Witt
6-8 grade nonfiction: First place Montana Carpenter; second place Autumn Lefler
6-8 grade poetry: First place Journey Price; second place Layla French; third place Rylee Burcham
6-8 grade fiction: first place Ava Shi; second place Alyssa Kohns
This year, thanks to generous funding from Cary Street Partners, the Chautauqua Creative Writing Committee was able to give out three $500 scholarships to high school students to support their growth as writers. Students were chosen based on their entries to the contest as well as a personal statement about how they would use the scholarship funds to further their writing education. The scholarship winners were John Robert Williams, Payton Nester and Loralei Witt.
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