Month: August 2015

WYTHE COUNTY TO HOST ‘SOCIAL SATURDAY’ AT SHEFFEY THIS WEEKEND

by wytheCommunity

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Wythe County Department of Parks & Recreation will be hosting “Social Saturday” at the Sheffey Community Gymnasium this Saturday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The two-hour expo will showcase the many different artisans and hobbies available to residents throughout the county. These exhibits will range from genealogy to a jam session with Jim Lloyd (musicians wishing to participate in the jam session are encouraged to bring their instrument and join in the fun).

Other activities will include displays from Wythe Yarn Gift Shop, located in downtown Wytheville, the Wythe County Health Department and several other community organizations, crafters and artisans.

“The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the work of many of the county’s most talented artisans, as well as allow an chance for us to listen to the citizens in determining what types of parks & recreation events the citizens wish to see made available to the residents of the county,” said Kevin Williams, Director of Wythe County Parks & Recreation.

In addition to this coming weekend’s “Social Saturday” event, the department will also be sponsoring two Bob Ross Painting Classes, one in September at the Max Meadows Ruritan Building and a second one in October at the Rural Retreat Community Center.

Other activities will include one more Dive-In at the Rural Retreat Lake, showing the movie, Paddington, on September 5 (Sponsored by Blue Ridge Chiropractic), as well as a Pumpkin Carving Workshop on October 3 at Williams Orchard, sponsored by the orchard.

Individuals desiring more information about any of these events are encouraged to contact Kevin Williams at 276-223-4519.

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WYTHE COUNTY HIRING E-911 DISPATCHERS

by wytheGovernment

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Wythe County Consolidated E-911 Dispatch Center, a joint-partnership between the County of Wythe and the towns of Rural Retreat and Wytheville, is accepting applications for full-time E-911 dispatchers.

Emergency communications operators are responsible for answering E-911 calls, as well as for dispatching fire, rescue and law enforcement personnel to locations of need.

“Out of all the services Wythe County provides to the citizens, E-911 ranks among one of the most important,” said James Copeland, Director of Wythe County Emergency Communications.

Copeland’s statements have been echoed by Virginia’s Governor, Terry McAuliffe, who, earlier this year, stated, “The availability of 9-1-1 assistance is integral to the peace of mind of each individual and the security of all communities.”

McAuliffe went on to state, “[E-911 dispatchers] are the vital link between the citizen or victim and the public safety provider.”

County officials say that they are seeking candidates who hold a high school diploma or GED, possess good keyboarding skills, the ability to obtain VCIN Operator and state mandated dispatcher certifications, have the ability to communicate professionally and efficiently via telephone and radio, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Applicants for the full-time positions may be required to pass a hearing test and must be willing to work any shift with no exceptions. The consolidated dispatch center is currently operating on 12-hour shifts using a 2-2-3 rotation.

Drug screening and extensive background checks are also required.

A county application may be obtained at www.wytheco.org or at the Wythe County Administrator’s Office.

Perspective applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and application to Mrs. Martha Collins, Administrative Assistant, 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, VA 24382.

Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
For specific inquiries regarding these positions, please contact James Copeland at (276)223-4533.

In addition to E-911 dispatchers, the county is also seeking a part-time custodian for the animal shelter. Interested applicants may fill out an application for this position, either by downloading it from www.wytheco.org or by obtaining an application at the county administrator’s office.

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YOUTH FOOTBALL SEASON GEARS UP IN WYTHE & BLAND COUNTIES

by wytheCommunity

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Youth football teams and cheerleading squads from Wythe and Bland counties are just a handful of days from kicking off the 2015 regular season.

 According to Wythe County Parks & Recreation officials, roughly 600 boys and girls (ages 8-12) have signed up to participate in youth football and cheerleading this season, forming two leagues with fifteen combined teams.

 The season will begin on Saturday, August 15 at Rural Retreat Elementary School with the 2015 Football Jamboree.  In this event, teams will complete ten offensive and ten defensive plays of a controlled scrimmage, followed by the playing of two six-minute periods under game conditions.

 “The football jamboree is a great way to ease the young players into real-life gameplay before the opening day of the regular season,” said Wythe County’s youth sports coordinator Scotty Vaught.

 The regular season will begin the following Saturday at Fort Chiswell High School and continue throughout the fall.

 Following the regular season, teams will compete in a two-week playoff that will culminate in Super Bowl XX, scheduled for Saturday, October 24 at George Wythe High School.

 “Over the few seasons, participation in football and cheerleading has remained steady and we’re pleased to be partnering with the Town of Wytheville’s Parks & Recreation Department, as well as our neighbors in Bland County,” said Vaught, adding, “Youth football and cheerleading will create lifelong memories for the student-athletes and we’re pleased with the caliber of coaches and volunteers making this season possible.”

 Prior to the season, Wythe County required all coaches and volunteers to undergo concussion training, as well as attend a mandatory meeting that covered the rules, guidelines and standards of conduct for youth athletics.

 A copy of the 2015 Youth Football / Cheerleading regular season schedule may be downloaded by Clicking Here.

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RABID ANIMAL CONFIRMED IN RURAL RETREAT

by wytheGovernment

The Wythe County Department of Health has issued the following statement to the public:
A skunk in the immediate area of Delp Avenue was recently tested and confirmed to have rabies.  This skunk could have had contact with people or other animals in the vicinity.  If you think that you or any of your pets have had contact with this animal please contact the Wythe County Health Department at 228-5507.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease:
Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets with no known exposure to a potentially rabid animal should be vaccinated immediately.  State law requires pet owners to keep their pets current on rabies vaccinations for animals four months old or older.  Residents should not approach or touch wild animals and should report any abnormal behavior involving wild animals.

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