Wythe County officials announced plans to host a free severe weather course, aimed at providing the general public with the necessary knowledge to spot severe weather patterns early.

The class is slated to be held at the Wytheville Community College (Grayson – 219) on December 2, 2013, and has been scheduled to last from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Students attending this National Weather Service (NWS) sanctioned course will be trained in understanding the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure, identifying potential severe weather and basic severe weather safety.

The program was first developed in the 1970s and has been credited with enabling NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

“In recent years, severe weather has become a greater concern for communities throughout the nation. By offering this course to the public, we’re hoping to give people the knowledge they need to remain proactive in staying safe,” said Ikey Davidson, Wythe County’s emergency manager.

The county is requesting that all individuals interested in attending this event register by calling Wythe County’s Emergency Management Office 276-223-4521.

In January 2011 Wythe County was certified by the National Weather Service as a StormReady Community. The final step in the county’s re-certification effort will be to hold this class.

In addition to local citizens who are being encouraged to attend this event, Wythe County emergency and information officials will also be receiving training in order to serve as NWS local weather spotters. The work of these spotters help keep local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

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Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

1. Wear a costume that fits so you don’t trip over it.
2. Make sure your costume lets you see and hear well.  If possible, wear face paint instead of a mask.
3. Choose a costume that is light in color or put “glow in the dark” patches on it so you are easily seen.
4. Carry a flashlight to help you see in the dark and to help others see you.
5. Cross the street at corners, and never between parked cars.
6. Go trick-or-treating with a trusted grown-up.
7. Visit only people you know, such as friends, neighbors, and relatives.
8. Let a trusted grown-up check all treats before you eat them.

 

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Saturday, October 19^th @ George Wythe High School

10:00am – GAME #11 – Junior Varsity –  Rural Retreat Indians White vs Wytheville Maroons Silver

11:15am – GAME #12 – Max Meadows Pioneers vs Sheffey Wildcats

12:30pm – GAME #13 – Sheffey Wildcats vs Wytheville Maroons

2:00pm – GAME #14 – Wytheville Maroons White vs Jackson Eagles

 

Saturday, October 26^th @ Fort Chiswell High School

9:30am – Junior Varsity Cheer Mania

10:45am – Varsity Cheer Mania

 

SUPER BOWL XVIII

12:30PM – Junior Varsity – GAME #11 winner vs. GAME #12 winner

2:00pm – Varsity – GAME #13 winner vs. GAME #14 winner

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Wythe County’s Department of Animal Control has teamed up with local businesses in an effort to offer free dog adoptions throughout the month of October.

Sponsored by Bob Huff Chevrolet – Buick – GMC and Huff Ford – Subaru, the program is part of a national movement, known as “Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month.”

Throughout the month, the two car dealerships will alternate paying the shelter’s $20 adoption fee per new pet owner.

In addition to having the adoption fee covered by the Wytheville dealerships, new adoptive pet owners will be given a “goodie bag” containing several coupons and discount cards to local businesses; including, one free grooming session to A Dog’s World Pet Spa, a Petco treat bag, and one free consultation to Shine Dog Training.

“We’re excited to be partnering with local businesses for the second year in a row. We would like to thank the many great organizations and sponsors who have helped make this event possible,” says Tabitha Jackson, a Wythe County Animal Control Department employee.

Those interested in adopting a dog are encouraged to contact the county’s animal control office by calling (276) 228-6003.

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This coming February, the National Football League will be celebrating the forty-eighth edition of the Super Bowl. On a local level, Wythe County’s Department of Parks and Recreation will be celebrating a milestone of its own – youth football’s Super Bowl XVIII.

For the eighteenth straight year, junior varsity and varsity teams from the Town of Wytheville, as well as Wythe and Bland counties will compete in youth football’s regional championship, referred to as the Youth Football Super Bowl.

Winning teams will have their name affixed to the Kirk Heldreth Memorial Trophy, named in honor of the late Kirk Heldreth, a Rural Retreat resident and youth sports volunteer.

Tournament games begin October 8 and continue throughout the month, until festivities culminate on Saturday, October 26, 2013, at the Fort Chiswell High School, as the multi-county youth league celebrates Super Bowl XVIII.

Super Bowl IIXX festivities include two cheer manias, as well as the JV Super Bowl, set to begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the varsity Super Bowl IIXX, slated to begin at 2 p.m.

The 32-minute games have proven to be both exciting and entertaining for viewers, as the two county’s showcase the football stars of tomorrow.

Scotty Vaught, Wythe County’s youth sports coordinator, says one of his favorite things about the Youth Football Super Bowl is seeing the improvements teams undergo between August and October.

“We have a great group of coaches, who have made this an enjoyable year for the players. They’re there for all the right reasons and it shows through when you watch the kids play,” says Vaught.

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Tuesday, October 8^th @ Scott Mem:

6:00pm – GAME #1 – Junior Varsity – Wytheville Maroons vs. Jackson Eagles

7:15pm – GAME #2 – Varsity – Max Meadows Pioneers vs. Rural Retreat Indians Orange

 

Saturday, October 12^th @ RRHS

9:00am – GAME #3 – Junior Varsity – Rural Retreat Indians White vs. GAME #1 winner

10:15pm – GAME #4 – Junior Varsity – Wytheville Maroons Silver vs. Bland Co. Bears

11:30am – GAME #5 – Junior Varsity – Max Meadows Pioneers vs. RR Indians Orange

1:00pm – GAME #6 – Junior Varsity – Rural Retreat Indians Black vs. Sheffey Wildcats

2:15pm – GAME #7 – Varsity – Sheffey Wildcats vs. Bland Co. Bears

3:30pm – GAME #8 – Varsity – Wytheville Maroons vs. Rural Retreat Indians White

 

Tuesday, October 15^th @ Scott Mem:

6:00pm – GAME #9 – Varsity – Wytheville Maroons White vs. Wytheville Maroons Silver

7:15pm – GAME #10 – Varsity – Jackson Eagles vs. GAME #2 winner

 

Saturday, October 19^th @ George Wythe High School

10:00am – GAME #11 – Junior Varsity – GAME #3 winner vs. GAME #4 winner

11:15am – GAME #12 – Junior Varsity – GAME #5 winner vs. GAME #6 winner

12:30pm – GAME #13 – Varsity – GAME #7 winner vs. GAME #8 winner

2:00pm – GAME #14 – Varsity – GAME #9 winner vs. GAME #10 winner

 

Saturday, October 26^th @ Fort Chiswell High School

9:30am – Junior Varsity Cheer Mania

10:45am – Varsity Cheer Mania

 

SUPER BOWL XVIII

12:30PM – Junior Varsity – GAME #11 winner vs. GAME #12 winner

2:00pm – Varsity – GAME #13 winner vs. GAME #14 winner

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Wythe County’s fire departments have a busy week planned, as they are set to participate in several Fire Prevention Week parades and events throughout our region.

In addition to sending trucks to participate in the fire prevention parades of neighboring localities, including Galax and Pulaski, local fire departments will be fielding trucks to showcase their department’s resources in Wytheville’s fire prevention parade, slated for Saturday, October 12, 2013.

The Wytheville Fire Prevention Parade will begin at 7 p.m., inside the Kmart parking lot and will continue westward down E. Main Street, before turning onto Fourth Street and concluding at Spiller Elementary School.

Local firefighters will also be playing an active role in local schools throughout the coming week, as they will be speaking to students regarding fire safety.

“This week provides us an opportunity to remind people of the importance of fire safety.  Our fire departments and volunteers will be actively working to reach people with our message,” says Ikey Davidson, Wythe County Emergency Manager.

National Fire Prevention Week is an international observance, first instituted in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge.  This year’s message is aimed at preventing kitchen fires – as more fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home.  For more information regarding fire safety, readers are encouraged to visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website: NFPA.org.

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