Total adjusted gaming revenues for Bristol Hard Rock exceeded $262 million during the period from July 2025 through June 2026, according to the Virginia Lottery.
Total adjusted gaming revenues for Bristol Hard Rock exceeded $262 million during the period from July 2025 through June 2026, according to the Virginia Lottery.
The annual 100 Mile "Take a Break from the Interstate" Road Market returns to Historic U.S. Route 21 this weekend, bringing thousands of bargain hunters, vendors and visitors through Wythe County. County officials are reminding both travelers and local residents to use extra caution while traveling U.S. 21 during the event.
Since 2014, the event—commonly known as the 100 Mile Yard Sale—has been held on the last full weekend in July through a partnership between tourism organizations in Virginia and North Carolina. The multistate market spans more than 100 miles along Historic U.S. Route 21, stretching from Wytheville, Virginia, to Harmony, North Carolina. This year's event will take place July 24-26, 2026.
"The Road Market continues to be a great opportunity for local residents, businesses and community organizations to welcome visitors to Wythe County," said Allyson Williams, Wythe County public information officer. "Whether you're shopping, selling or simply traveling through the area, we encourage everyone to plan ahead and make safety a priority."
Residents who would like to participate by hosting a yard sale or setting up as a vendor may do so at no cost. Many property owners along the route also offer vendor spaces for a nominal fee.
In recent years, the event has brought more than 15,000 vehicles through Wythe County over the three-day weekend. Motorists should expect increased traffic, frequent stops, and pedestrians crossing or walking near the roadway throughout the event.
"If you're traveling U.S. 21 this weekend, please slow down, stay alert and watch for pedestrians," Williams said. "A little extra patience goes a long way in helping everyone enjoy the weekend safely."
Motorists stopping to shop are reminded to pull completely off the roadway, avoid blocking traffic lanes or shoulders where possible, and carefully check for oncoming traffic before reentering the highway.
Visitors are also encouraged to explore Wythe County's local shops, restaurants, attractions, and events throughout the weekend.
One of the weekend's signature events is Rural Retreat Heritage Day, taking place Saturday, July 25, at the Pepper Stage, 210 E. Railroad Ave., in downtown Rural Retreat. The free event begins at 1 p.m. with children's activities and vendors, followed by a Conway Twitty tribute at 5 p.m., local favorite Deadman's Hand at 6:30 p.m., and country music hitmakers Diamond Rio at 8:15 p.m. Food vendors will be on site throughout the day.
For more information about the 100 Mile "Take a Break from the Interstate" Road Market, visit takeabreakfromtheinterstate.org or follow Take a Break from the Interstate on social media.
Top row-Danielle Simmerman, WCC Nursing Instructor; Juliana Nichols, WCC Nursing Instructor; Karla Yates, WCC Associate Professor, Program Head; April Lineville, Associate Professor of Nursing; and Alicia Roberts, Associate Professor of Nursing/Simulation Coordinator; and 2026 WCC Nursing graduates.
Top row-Danielle Simmerman, WCC Nursing Instructor; Juliana Nichols, WCC Nursing Instructor; Karla Yates, WCC Associate Professor, Program Head; April Lineville, Associate Professor of Nursing; and Alicia Roberts, Associate Professor of Nursing/Simulation Coordinator; and 2026 WCC Nursing graduates.
A national Christian movement known as the Jesus Tent Revival is coming to Wytheville for a three-day event at the church’s future home at 100 Edgemont Road, the former Edgemont Center.
A national Christian movement known as the Jesus Tent Revival is making its way to Wytheville this summer. Pastor Richie Johnson and the congregation of First Church will host the three-day event at the church’s future home at 100 Edgemont Road, the former Edgemont Center.
Johnson said the revival movement was launched by Dr. Brandon Anderson and gained national attention through a feature-length program that aired on the Christian Broadcasting Network.
“Under the tent, it is not about what church you go to or what walk of life you come from,” Johnson explained. “It is simply about meeting Jesus.”
For Johnson, the symbolism of the tent perfectly reflects the mission of the event and the broader goals of First Church.
The revival will begin on Friday, July 31, and continue through Sunday, Aug. 2, with nightly services starting at 7:30 p.m. Each evening will feature music, worship, prayer, and messages centered on faith and salvation.
“One of the most important things about these tent revivals is that hundreds and thousands of people are baptized,” Johnson said. “We expect many souls to be saved during these events. We want to share Jesus with the entire town of Wytheville and beyond.”
Featured evangelist C.J. Bird will serve as the guest speaker throughout the revival.
“He is a phenomenal speaker, preacher and man of God,” Johnson said. “He will be perfect for our three-day event coming up at the end of July.”
Johnson emphasized that the revival is free and open to the public, regardless of church affiliation or religious background.
“We have partnered with several churches across the region who will be helping with our music and ministry efforts,” he said. “We will be partnering with churches from Radford, Bland, Galax and Wytheville. We want to reach Wytheville, but we want to reach beyond it as well.”
Although church leaders had originally hoped to have renovations at the Edgemont property completed before the revival, Johnson said weather and construction delays slowed the process.
“A rough winter prevented us from having the property renovated and open in time,” he explained.
While Johnson remains optimistic that First Church will officially open at the Edgemont location by the end of the year, he acknowledged that no firm timeline has been established.
“It is a very big building and requires a lot of coordination with contractors and many other professionals to be executed successfully,” he said. “Scheduling conflicts and weather problems have prevented us from getting these things done as quickly as we would like.”
Long-term plans for the property extend beyond worship services. Through a partnership with Mount Rogers, First Church hopes to renovate the center’s two residential wings into private residential housing for women.
Despite the delays, Johnson believes the revival offers an unparalleled opportunity for spiritual renewal throughout the region.
“The Jesus Tent Revival is one of the greatest opportunities available to make something like that happen,” he said. “This is not a church event; this is a Jesus event. Our only goal is to get people in our community and surrounding areas to meet Jesus.”
For individuals who are unable or uncomfortable attending church in person, First Church continues to provide outreach opportunities, including in-home Bible studies for shut-ins, prayer services, devotionals and worship opportunities that can be experienced from home.
Johnson founded First Church in January 2013 in his grandmother’s living room. As the congregation grew, the church moved into the former Morning Star building on Franklin Street in Wytheville. Now, with the purchase of the Edgemont Center, church leaders hope to expand both their ministry and their outreach efforts within the community.
“We are very excited to have this opportunity, and we just want to reach as many people as we can to ensure that they know Jesus is their Lord and Savior,” Johnson said. “That is our only goal—that we lead people to receive Jesus and be filled with His Holy Spirit.”
On Wednesday, Rep. Morgan Griffith announced that $1,750,000 is coming to Southwest Virginia to help address substance abuse and provide mental health services.
A million dollars of that money is going to a program that helps people and communities build strength after stressful or traumatic experiences.
Mount Rogers Community Services is the recipient of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant, which will support a program called Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) that has a focus on prevention and wellness.
According to Mount Rogers Community Services, the ReCAST program also promotes care that understands how trauma can affect people's lives.
Examples of Mount Rogers programs the funding supports include Creating Connections, Recovery, and Wellness in Nature.
“We are excited to continue our efforts in the direction of wellness and prevention for all our individuals in the Mount Rogers catchment area,” said Mount Rogers Community Services CEO Sandy Bryant.
Among the features of the ReCast project are:
• Building partnerships and awareness around issues facing youth and families.
• Expanding trauma-informed behavioral health services that support youth and their families, including peer family support partners.
• Increasing the number of people, community members, and MRCS staff receiving training and resources around mental health, trauma, resiliency, and wellness.
Mount Rogers also said it will increase services and support around the region’s growing population of people over the age of 65.
More highlights of the ReCAST project that the agency noted are:
• The funding will help Mount Rogers serve more than 1,000 people during the year.
• Mount Rogers has 22 community partners.
• More than 5,000 people will receive a mental health awareness message.
The ReCAST contract runs from Sept. 30, 2026, to Sept. 29, 2027.
The program serves people in the Mount Rogers region of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, and Wythe counties, as well as the City of Galax.
“Mount Rogers Community Services leads specialized programs for those impacted by mental health struggles and substance use disorders,” said Griffith.
Additionally, Griffith said that HHS has awarded a $750,000 grant to Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, which is based in Saltville. The funding supports local opioid response programs.
“SVCHS operates numerous New Day Recovery facilities and community health centers. “As someone who has visited its Saltville location, I understand the impacts of the synthetic opioid crisis on rural communities,” said Griffith.
New Day Recovery offices operate in the City of Bristol and the towns of Saltville and Tazewell.
