Month: March 2015

WYTHE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HONORS WRESTLING CHAMPIONS

by wytheGovernment

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – The Wythe County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to honor state wrestling champions from Rural Retreat High School as well as George Wythe High School during their most recently scheduled meeting.

The Board’s first resolution recognized the George Wythe Maroons for completing “a very successful 2014-2015 season.”

This year, George Wythe High School’s wrestling team placed second in the Virginia High School League’s (VHSL) Group 1A State Championship, scoring 68 total tournament points.

Specifically mentioned in the resolution was Austin Tolbert who defeated the competition to become the 132-pound weight class’ individual VHSL State Wrestling Champion.

Tim Reeves - Austin TolbertThe Board of Supervisors then voted on Wythe County Resolution 2015-06, “A Resolution Honoring the Rural Retreat High School Wrestling Team.”

Rural Retreat High School’s resolution made mention of the team’s perfect 20-0 record in dual meets as well as recognized the school for “winning an unprecedented back to back overall title, earning the designation as Virginia High School League 1A State Wrestling champions for the second year… [scoring] an astounding 176.5 total tournament points and [earning] six individual wrestling weight class titles…”

Individual state champions from Rural Retreat were wrestlers Trey Boyd (106 lb. weight class), Ty Boyd (126 lb. weight class), Josh Penuel (138 lb. weight class), Caleb Snider (145 weight class), Jacob Wynn (120 lb. weight class) and Josh Wynn (113 lb. weight class).

The following wrestlers were a member of this year’s state championship wrestling team for the Rural Retreat Indians: Trey Boyd, Ty Boyd, Westin Coley, Logan Deel, Jacob Glenn, Devon Meredith, Harley Mitchell, Trent O’Neil, Josh Penuel, Leighton Powell, Cade Rouse, Caleb Snider, Marshall Taylor, Jacob Wynn and Josh Wynn. Rick Boyd served as the team’s head coach.

“The county is very proud of these young men from both schools. Their hard work, sportsmanship and outstanding dedication embody the spirit of Wythe County,” stated Tim Reeves, Wythe County Board of Supervisors Chairman.

Click LIKE to share this article with your friends on Facebook!

17th Annual Cliff Dicker Memorial Scholarship Golf Classic

by wytheCommunity

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting the seventeenth annual Cliff Dicker Memorial Scholarship Golf Classic on Friday, May 15, 2015, at the Wytheville Golf Club. Wythe County Sheriff’s Deputy Cliff Dicker was brutally murdered in a line of duty shooting on December 6, 1994.

The proceeds of the event will be used to fund the Cliff Dicker Memorial Scholarship Fund, a sheriff’s office initiative which awards a scholarship to two seniors from Fort Chiswell High School, George Wythe High School and Rural Retreat High School, each year.

Individuals or teams interested in participating in the four-person team captain’s choice tournament are encouraged to call the county’s sheriff’s office at 276-223-6005.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. and tee off is slated for 1 p.m. Price for participation is $260.00 per team (4-person captain’s choice) or $65.00 per individual. The entry fee covers lunch, cart & green fees, red tees and mulligans.

Organizers of the event say $5,000.00 cash prize will be awarded for a hole-in-one on the sixth hole.

This year’s golf classic will be held on Peace Officers Memorial Day, a national day of remembrance first established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy.

The purpose of the day is to, “pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime.”

Dicker is the only Wythe County deputy to ever lose his life in the line of duty.

Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan said Deputy Dicker led a life of public service.

“Cliff was a husband, father, friend and co-worker. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of the tragic day he was murdered.”

In addition to the 14-years of service to Wythe County as a deputy, Dicker was a 20-year veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

Over $75,000 in scholarships have been awarded in an effort to keep the memory of Dicker’s sacrifice alive – sheriff’s office officials say the Cliff Dicker Memorial Golf Classic is the major fund raiser for the scholarships.

Click LIKE to share this article with your friends on Facebook!

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY EVENT SCHEDULED FOR RURAL RETREAT

by wytheCommunity

RURAL RETREAT, Va. – Over 35 venders have already registered to participate in Rural Retreat’s “Springtime Small Business Day,” which is slated to be held this Saturday in downtown Rural Retreat.

Organizers of the event say they hope to showcase the products of home-based businesses, including handcrafted wood furniture, jewelry, crafts and dozens of other items which aren’t sold in stores.

Wythe County resident John O’Quinn, a wood craftsman and creator of the event, said it is his goal to give local residents the ability to share their products with potential buyers. “We have a lot of talented people living in this area and ‘Springtime in Rural Retreat Small Business Day’ will provide these individuals the opportunity to share their products with the general public.”

Michael James, Rural Retreat’s town manager, said community leaders are happy the event is being held in Rural Retreat and that he is excited to see the many products local artisans and craftsmen plan to exhibit.

“We’re always thrilled to showcase our town and are happy to see local businesses succeeding,” said James.

Saturday’s exhibition is the second small business event held within the town limits of Rural Retreat in under a year – a similar sale was held last November and many venders reported record sales.

Dr. Gary M. Houseman, Rural Retreat’s representative on the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, stated that small businesses are the backbone of America and anything a community can do to enhance their presence is a good thing.

“It’s good to see a community making a conscientious effort to celebrate and promote local entrepreneurs,” said Houseman.

The sale, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. this Saturday, will be held inside the Rural Retreat Community Center located on Catron St. and is slated to last until 3 p.m.

Individuals wishing to make last-minute reservations are encouraged to contact John O’Quinn: 276-389-8972 / [email protected]. Limited vender space is available at the price of $25. According to O’Quinn, the vender fee serves to cover the costs associated with promoting the event.

Rural Retreat is a historic Virginia community which predates the establishment of Wythe County. The town’s most notable resident was Dr. Charles T. Pepper, inspiration for the name of the soft drink, “Dr. Pepper.”

Wythe County Tourism Director Jeremy T.K. Farley said he’s optimistic that the event will draw people into Wythe County.

“Last November’s small business day was a huge success and Saturday’s event seems to have even greater participation. The community is very fortunate to have so many local citizens taking initiative and actively promoting small and home-based businesses,” said Farley.

Click LIKE to share this article with your friends on Facebook!

SLEET MAKING ROADS IN WYTHE COUNTY HAZARDOUS

by wytheGovernment

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Emergency officials in Wythe County are urging drivers to take extraordinary precautions this afternoon, as heavy sleet is creating hazardous driving conditions on roadways throughout the region.

According to the county’s E-911 dispatch center, multiple accidents have been reported on Interstate – 81 over the past hour and officials with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are advising residents to avoid “unnecessary travel.”

All of Southwest Virginia remains under a winter weather advisory, as meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) are forecasting freezing rain, sleet and snow throughout the remainder of the day.

Snow and sleet accumulation totals are expected to reach anywhere between one to four inches.

According to a statement from NWS, “Periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties.” The federal meteorological service has asked drivers to “be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities… use caution while driving.”

In a statement released this morning from VDOT, officials cautioned motorists: “With snow, rain and sleet falling in many areas of southwestern Virginia this morning and continuing today, motorists are advised to know conditions before traveling and postpone unnecessary travel.”

In addition to creating unsafe driving conditions, today’s ice storm has left more than 500 customers in Wythe County without electricity, according to Appalachian Power.

As is always the case throughout the winter months, local households are urged to ensure secondary, non-electric sources of heat are in place, should the event of a power outage leave residents without electricity.

County residents are also encouraged to proactively check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and handicapped, during times when power outages are most possible.

Individuals with specific emergency needs should dial 911.

Click LIKE to share this article with your friends on Facebook!