CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors tackled ongoing public utility challenges and authorized new performance-based incentives for local emergency medical technicians during its recent April meeting.

The meeting was highlighted by a public comment from Nathan Edwards, who represented 10 families residing on Crooked Branch struggling with severely low-to-nonexistent water pressure. Edwards stated that the issue has worsened since October, leaving residents unable to perform basic household tasks.

According to Edwards, the county Public Service Authority indicated that a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) holds back pressure to protect the main pipeline at Sandlick, which operates at a Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure of 250 psig. While installing an additional PRV further down the line could safely increase pressure for Crooked Branch residents, the PSA previously estimated the project could cost up to $95,000 — funds the authority currently lacks.

Local officials and engineers discussed pursuing financial assistance through the Coalfield Water and Wastewater Fund via the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission. The proposed grant would fund a comprehensive hydraulic system model to identify structural deficiencies and pave the way for capital improvement funds to install the necessary equipment. The board agreed to coordinate with PSA Director Dennis Baker to expedite a grant application.

In other action, the board approved a revised funding structure for local rescue squad personnel seeking EMT certification.

To address recruiting shortages across the county’s volunteer agencies — including Haysi, Clintwood, and Sandy Ridge — the board agreed to cover the $750 tuition for a local EMT class starting May 9. However, citing a historically low pass rate for the rigorous exam, the board instituted strict performance requirements. The county will reimburse the rescue agencies for up to two candidates per squad only after the individuals successfully pass the certification exam. Additionally, the newly certified EMTs must sign an agreement to serve a local agency for a minimum of 24 hours per month for one full year.

Other Business:

• Septic Regulations: Board members voiced frustration over strict state regulations regarding septic system installations. Officials noted that the health department currently has only 26 open applications, arguing that Richmond-based topography rules are disproportionately expensive and restrictive for rural development in Southwest Virginia.
• Litter Control: The county’s litter control program reported a highly active month, collecting 581 bags of trash across local roadways.
• Audit Engagement: The board unanimously approved the 2026 audit engagement letter with Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates to perform the annual audit for the county, school board, Department of Social Services, behavioral health, and the PSA.

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CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Dickenson County School Board moved to reward district employees and celebrate student achievement during its April monthly meeting on Wednesday April 22, unanimously approving one-time stipends for all staff and recognizing the high school’s top academic performer.

The board approved a $1,000 bonus for full-time employees and $500 for part-time staff. To be eligible, staff must have been employed by the district on or before Jan. 6, 2026. The move impacts 273 full-time and 75 part-time workers, funded through an amendment to the FY26 state budget.

The meeting began with a special recognition of LaKendra Vitatoe who serves as the student representative on the board, as the valedictorian for Ridgeview High School. Board members also extended congratulations to former student representative Koen Powers, who was named salutatorian.

Compliance Director Karen Martin reviewed the March enrollment report, which showed a slight increase of 10 students over the previous month, bringing the district’s total to 1,701.

While year-to-date attendance remains at 91.51 percent, officials noted that a late-season flu outbreak in March dropped the monthly average to 88.38 percent. Chronic absenteeism remains a point of concern, particularly at the high school level, where the raw rate rose to 29 percent. However, officials noted these figures do not yet account for students in homebound instruction or alternative credit programs.

The district’s financial outlook remains tied to state-level decisions. While the FY27 budget was adopted in March, the Virginia General Assembly has yet to pass a final state budget. A special session to address the matter is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 23, in Richmond.

In other financial action, the board approved the 2026-27 Special Education and Career and Technical Education (Perkins) plans. The special education budget includes over $547,000 in Section 611 funding for personnel and services. The Perkins allocation of $73,450 will focus on equipment and capital outlay, with the district planning to pursue additional grants to supplement these funds.

The board granted a request from the Dickenson County Fair Committee and committee chair Billy Branham to release students early on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, for “Kids Day.” The fair will feature the return of singer-songwriter Celeste Kellogg for a special Friday night performance, along with the return of Gospel Night on Wednesday and Carson Peters and Iron Mountain on Thursday along with new activities.

Policy updates were also a focus, with 16 revised policies approved. These include an update to weapons policy to reflect legal prohibitions while allowing limited superintendent discretion as authorized by law. There were new requirements for staff training to identify and respond to gang behavior and an early update to improve district-wide wellness initiatives.

Board member Jason Hicks highlighted the success of the district’s nursing program, noting positive feedback from the community while board member Damon Rasnick pointed to high levels of student engagement, reporting that approximately 750 students — nearly half the student body — are active in extracurricular activities.

The board concluded the meeting following a closed session to discuss personnel recommendations and legal consultations regarding school construction investments.

The next monthly meeting is scheduled for May, where the board expects to provide a finalized update on the state budget’s impact on local school funding.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, of Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District, announced a $779,421 investment for Virginia students through the Secure Rural Schools program.

The announcement follows the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to provide $248 million to U.S. communities through the program.

The funds are meant to supplement payments in lieu of taxes. Here’s a breakdown of some of the funding where the funds will go locally:

• $12,862 to Dickenson County
• $55,200 to Wise County

“It is not right for rural communities to miss out on property tax revenue from public lands that could be used for local schools and roads,” Griffith said in a statement released to the media. “I am glad that the ‘Secure Rural Schools’ program provides some relief to localities that contain tracts of federally owned national forests.”

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CLINCHCO, Va. — On April 30, Appalachian Voices is hosting a community tree planting event at Quarry Drive, a former mine site near Clinchco in Dickenson County, Va.

Appalachian Voices purchased the site earlier this year as part of its Mineland ReLeaf program, which seeks to restore native trees and wildlife to poorly reclaimed mineland. Quarry Drive was overgrown with invasive autumn olive trees, which have been removed. The soil — heavily compacted by mining and reclamation activity — has been prepared for native tree plantings.

On April 30 at 5:15 p.m., residents interested in helping with the reforestation effort can meet beside the Clinchco Town Hall for shuttles to Quarry Drive. In addition to the tree-planting, there will be a cookout, and participants are encouraged to bring an item to include in a time capsule to be buried on site.

Participants are asked to wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear and rugged clothes. Bug spray is also recommended. This activity is open to all ages and abilities. Appalachian Voices will provide food, water, seedlings and tools. To help organize carpools to the site and ensure enough food, participants are asked to register for the event.

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by RODERICK MULLINS

DICKENSON COUNTY, Va. – Health officials have issued a fish consumption advisory for the John W. Flannagan Reservoir in Southwest Virginia following the discovery of elevated chemical levels in several species.

The Virginia Department of Health announced the advisory after tests revealed high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in walleye, channel catfish and largemouth bass.

The advisory covers specific sections of the reservoir, including:

The Cranesnest River arm: Extending upstream to the Highway 83 Bridge.

The Pound River arm: Extending upstream to the Lower Georges Fork Hollow (Route 621) Bridge.

Under the new guidelines, officials recommend that consumers eat no more than two meals per month of channel catfish or largemouth bass caught from these areas. VDH has issued a stricter warning for walleye, advising the public not to eat the species at all if caught within the advisory limits.

State health officials define a single meal as 8 ounces of fish

PCBs are man-made organic chemicals that were used in industrial and commercial applications until they were banned in 1979. They are known to persist in the environment and can accumulate in the fatty tissue of fish over time.

For more information regarding fish consumption safety, residents can visit the Virginia Department of Health website.

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by RODERICK MULLINS

CLINTWOOD, Va. — On March 28, downtown Clintwood was full of energy as local businesses came together for the community’s first-ever Chocolate Crawl.

Participants purchased a “passport” and made their way through downtown, stopping at participating businesses to enjoy a variety of unique chocolate treats at each location. Those who completed their passport by visiting all participating businesses were entered into a prize drawing, adding an extra layer of fun and incentive to explore. Participating businesses included:

• The Well on Main
• M&K Floral, Gifts & More
• Revibe Resale Boutique
• Modern Hardware & Furniture
• Three Gen Boutique and Salon
• Bise Ridge Sweet & Savory
• Brooke’s Homestead Heaven
• The Jettie Baker Center
• Jonnie B. Deel Memorial Library
• Gift Baskets Instead

The event brought people into town, supported small businesses, and highlighted what real community development looks like. Businesses got creative, offered treats, and worked together to create an experience that benefited everyone involved.

Support for the event came from across the community. Local businesses donated prizes, including a car detailing from Johnson Chevrolet and items from Solid Rock Craft Corner. Proceeds from passport sales were reinvested into prizes, and many participants contributed additional support through donations and supplies.

“Everyone just pitched in and helped however they could,” said one organizer.

Events like the Chocolate Crawl show that progress isn’t always about large projects or major investments. Sometimes, it’s people showing up, working together, and creating something meaningful for their community.

According to organizers, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many already asking for another event this summer.

Dickenson County Economic Development is proud to support the businesses and individuals who continue to invest in our community and make events like this possible.

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HARDY, Ky. — A man was arrested Wednesday on drug charges in Pike County, as well as an outstanding warrant for drug charges in Dickenson County.

A state trooper had pulled over a car for expired tags on Toler Road just after 8:30 Wednesday night. One of the passengers in the vehicle identified himself as Shane Bowman, but another trooper recognized that name as an alias used by William Bowman, 48, of Hardy, who was wanted on a number of warrants.

Bowman was asked to get out of the car, at which time he was spotted putting something in his pocket.
When asked about it, he said it was “dope.” Police then found a bag of about 12 or 13 grams fentanyl in his pocket, as well as two other bags of a powder which he also called “dope,” and another bag, which he identified as cocaine.

Bowman was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking and cocaine possession. He is also being held on a Virginia extradition warrant, due to being wanted for delivery of drugs to an inmate and possession of a controlled substance in Dickenson County.

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by RODERICK MULLINS

CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors moved forward Tuesday with a federal grant agreement to clean up local waterways and voted to maintain current tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year.

In a series of public hearings and special meetings, the board addressed lingering concerns over a USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) grant. The funding is earmarked for debris removal and restoration at five specific sites in the county following previous flooding events.

County Administrator Larry Barton informed the board that while some members previously questioned the selection of the five sites, a meeting with USDA officials clarified that the locations were chosen to “plug the gaps” in areas not already covered by FEMA or the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).

“FEMA and VDEM were taking first and second due on the response,” Barton said. “They were trying to plug the gaps… that’s how they came up with the five areas that they had identified.”

The board approved the agreement contingent upon written confirmation from the USDA regarding cost overruns and site flexibility. The grant provides 100 percent funding for engineering and technical costs, totaling approximately $28,500, while the county will be responsible for a 25 percent cost share on the work itself, which totals $241,061.25. Barton noted the county hopes to meet that share through in-kind services or in-house labor.

Supervisor Shelbie Willis expressed relief that the work would proceed, stating, “A little bit of cleanup, I guess, is better than none.”

Following the grant discussion, the board held a public hearing for the fiscal year 2026-2027 tax levies. For the sixth consecutive year, the board proposed no increases to tax rates.

The approved rates include:

• Real Estate: 52 cents per $100 of assessed value.
• Personal Property: $1.85 per $100.
• Machinery and Tools: $1.85 per $100.
• Merchants Capital: $10.50 per $100 (assessed at 10% of reported value).

Barton highlighted that the county’s real estate rate remains significantly lower than the state average, which he noted is currently above $1.00.

The meeting was conducted with Supervisor Richard Thacker participating remotely due to illness, following the adoption of a resolution allowing electronic attendance under a medical exemption.

The board adjourned shortly after the tax levy vote, with the next phase of the budget process expected to continue in the coming weeks.

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by RODERICK MULLINS

HAYSI, Va. – Dickenson County Court Clerk Josh Evans announced his candidacy for Commonwealth’s Attorney late Tuesday, following a judicial reshuffling that has triggered a special election for the county’s top prosecutor post.

Evans, a Republican, made the video announcement on his “Josh Evans – Circuit Court Clerk” Facebook page from the Haysi Riverfront Riverwalk just one day after Circuit Court judge Brian Patton officially ordered the special election for Nov. 3.

The vacancy was created after former Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Newberry was appointed by the General Assembly to a General District Court judgeship. That seat opened following the death of a local judge late last year.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in prayer, a lot of time with my wife, and a lot of time with my family,” Evans said. “I just feel like in my heart that I can do more for Dickenson County. I want to be on my feet. I want to be in court. I want to be fighting for victims.”

Evans, who previously served on the Board of Supervisors and as an attorney for the Department of Social Services, leaned heavily on his background as a trial lawyer and guardian ad litem. He pledged a “shoulder-to-shoulder” partnership with law enforcement, citing his past record of funding police raises and school resource officers while on the board.

The candidate identified school safety and the drug epidemic as his primary targets, specifically promising “the stiffest and most severe penalties” for the distribution of methamphetamine and other narcotics.

“How you fix [addiction] is you take the drug dealers off the streets,” Evans said. “I intend to be as aggressive as I possibly can.”

Evans also proposed a more visible role for the prosecutor’s office, stating that he and his deputies would participate in “road work” with sheriff’s deputies and maintain a presence at crime scenes. He emphasized a desire to move the office beyond the desk and into schools for crime prevention and drug education.

Though Evans currently serves as the Clerk of Court—a position he described as a “job that I love”—he said the unexpected nature of the vacancy prompted his decision to run.

“This is not something that was planned or expected,” Evans said. “This was totally out of the blue.”

Evans confirmed he has already secured the Republican nomination for the seat. The special election will coincide with the general election on Nov. 3.

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by RODERICK MULLINS

A report released by the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen identifies 10 Virginia hospitals at risk of closure, including two in southwestern Virginia, following recent federal funding adjustments.

The report links the financial strain to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a legislative package supported by Republican Reps. John McGuire (5th District), Ben Cline (6th District), and Morgan Griffith (9th District). According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, the legislation is projected to reduce federal spending on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program by $911 billion over the next decade.

The two local facilities identified in the report include Buchanan General Hospital, in Grundy, and Dickenson Community Hospital, in Clintwood.

Virginia Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner criticized the legislation in a joint statement, arguing the cuts prioritize tax breaks for high-income earners over rural health care stability.

“Hospitals across the Commonwealth are now at risk of closure because of this bill,” the senators said. “This latest report shows the impact on reliable access to affordable, quality care.”

The financial impact is already being felt in some regions. Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville recently ended labor, delivery, and OB-GYN surgical services. Hospital officials stated the facility must adapt to “significant financial and operational challenges, including recently enacted reductions in federal healthcare funding.”

The legislative shift comes as redistricting changes loom for Virginia’s congressional map. Rep. Griffith is set to represent a portion of Augusta County pending the results of an April 21 referendum.

For more information about the potential closures, click here to see the complete article and charts on Public Citizen

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