WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County officials are reporting that a main waterline located on E. Lee Hwy (US Route 11) ruptured over the weekend and has subsequently drained the Fox Mountain water tank.

The ruptured line has left customers without water from Exit 80 to 86.

County water officials say workers are on the scene and are in the process of repairing the lines, but caution that the work will continue into Monday.

“We’re working to get the lines operational as fast as we can,” stated Bill Vaughan, Wythe County Engineer, “but the snow and low temperatures will create delays in the repair process.”

The service outage will only affect county residents along the E. Lee Highway waterline. All other waterlines in the county are fully operational.

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Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 6:27 p.m.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County emergency officials continue to remind residents to use extreme caution when traveling, especially along the many secondary roads located throughout the region.

Over the past 48-hours, the locality has been blanketed with as much as 15-inches of snow in some places. The snowfall began at rates of 2-inches per hour early Friday morning.

Virginia State troopers responded to over 1,000 vehicle crashes across the Commonwealth yesterday, including two serious incidents in Wythe County.

A multi-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer briefly shut down southbound lanes of interstate traffic near the Shot Tower Friday morning, while an afternoon accident on Interstate 81 near mile marker 83 temporarily blocked both lanes of southbound traffic.

The county’s consolidated dispatch center received numerous calls throughout the day, the vast majority of which were reports of minor vehicular accidents, while others were requests for emergency assistance for falls and other weather-related incidents.

As the weekend snow storm draws to an end in Southwest Virginia, the National Weather Service cautions residents to expect strong winds on the backside of the system. These winds will result in areas of blowing and drifting overnight snow and produce wind chills that will drop to below zero in many places.

With the surge of overnight cold weather, emergency officials continue to stress to resident the need for preparedness – especially when traveling.

“The possible wind chill temperatures for tonight and into tomorrow will have the potential to kill people who might become stranded in their vehicles,” stated Jeremy Farley, Wythe County Public Information Officer.

“Though travel is discouraged, it is critical for anyone who may be on the road to have a winter-emergency kit in their vehicle – this should include a flashlight, extra blankets, as well as food and water.”

Farley also encouraged residents to keep their cell phones charged at all times while traveling.

According to the National Weather Service, “Winter storms are considered deceptive killers because most deaths are not directly related to the storm itself. People could get in an automobile accident on icy roads, have a heart attack while shoveling snow, or suffer frostbite or hypothermia from prolonged
exposure to the cold,” because of these reasons, local emergency officials remind residents to stay vigilant for their own safety throughout the winter season.

Local government in Wythe County is operational despite the challenges brought on by the winter storm. First responders in the county are continuing to protect and serve the residents of the locality and the county’s convenience centers are scheduled to resume normal hours of operation Sunday afternoon.

Wythe County offices will reopen at regular time on Monday.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. — As the National Weather Service forecasted, Wythe County was inundated with up to 10 inches of snow early Friday morning and afternoon.

The rapid early-morning snow accumulation severely impeded traffic in the locality throughout much of the morning, leading to a number of minor vehicular accidents.

In addition to halting dozens of vehicles, the winter storm is also being blamed for a number of more serious incidents in the county.

In the pre-dawn hours of Friday, a salt truck overturned on Cripple Creek Road and a multi-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer temporarily shutdown southbound interstate traffic near the Shot Tower.

Emergency responders in eastern Wythe County were also dispatched to a barn fire Friday morning on Ivanhoe Road.  No injuries were reported in this incident.

As the afternoon progressed, the skies temporarily cleared and interstate traffic increased.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – On the eve of what has the potential to be blizzard-like conditions, the local government of Wythe County is working to ensure its citizens and the tens of thousands of individuals who pass through the locality each day are aware of the possible severity of the coming winter storm.

The county hosted an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon with several key agencies and government entities to ensure all necessary plans are in place in order to maximize the critical response capabilities of the locality.

According to the National Weather Service, Wythe County will be hit with a “major winter storm late tonight through Saturday night.”

Accumulation projections are in the neighborhood of 12-18” with even greater amounts in higher elevations. More troubling to local officials, however, are the anticipated snowfall rates, which are predicted to fall at roughly 2-inches per hour.

Due to the snowfall rates, the National Weather Service cautioned residents that “travel may become impossible in some areas.”

Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan gave this warning to residents, “Stay at home – roads are likely to become impassable.”

Following the sheriff’s advice, many local offices and business have opted not to open on Friday, including the Wythe County Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue.

In the event that travel is absolutely necessary, emergency officials are advising county residents to keep an extra flashlight in the vehicle, food and water, as well as several blankets.

“The weather will severely delay the ability of first-responders to reach citizens in the event of an emergency. Motorists need to be aware of this and take all necessary precautions to look out for their own safety. Travel is strongly discouraged,” stated Jeremy Farley, Wythe County Public Information Officer.

In addition to posing significant hindrances to travel, the storm is also expected to cause some level of power outages throughout the Commonwealth.

Appalachian Electric Power announced that they are staging line workers at three separate locations in Virginia – Wytheville, Roanoke and Lynchburg.

A representative of the power company told county officials that Virginia residents should “expect some power outages.”

Residents are being encouraged to have secondary non-electric sources of heat in place or have plans ready should they lose electricity.

The county is also working with several key agencies to make preparations for opening emergency shelters should the need arise.

Tim Reeves, Chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, reminded residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

“Our emergency responders and key personnel will be working hard throughout the storm. We are committed to keeping the residents safe and ask that the citizens do their part by avoiding all unnecessary travel,” stated Reeves.

A fundamental element to the county’s dedication to keeping residents safe will be communication. Wythe County will be posting regular updates to the locality’s official social media pages (Facebook.com/WytheCo, Twitter: @WytheCounty), as well utilizing the county’s citizen notification system should the need arise.

The county will also be working closing with the local radio station 1280AM WYVE, should the locality need to open emergency shelters.

Residents are encouraged to keep their cell phones fully charged, as power outages and downed lines may leave some homes without a working telephone.

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Courtesy: AEP

Take practical steps to keep you and your loved ones safe during a power outage.

* Stay away from all downed lines or sparking equipment, and keep children and pets away from fallen lines and anything the lines may touch.

* Never remove debris that’s within 10 feet of a power line.

* Unplug major appliances to protect them when power comes back on.

* Leave a light turned on so you know when power is restored.

* Refuel heaters, lamps, and generators outside, and stay away from any flames or sparks. Wipe up fuel spills immediately.

* Let AEP know if you’re using a generator – this protects you and their line workers as they work to restore power.

* Never operate lanterns, heaters, or fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation.

* Never burn charcoal indoors. It releases poisonous carbon monoxide.

* Do not let children carry candles or oil lamps.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – This afternoon, the National Weather Service in Blacksburg issued a ‘Hazardous Weather Outlook’ statement for much of Southwest Virginia, including Wythe County and all of the localities surrounding it.

 According to the special weather statement, “There is an increasing potential for a winter storm Thursday night into Saturday which could produce significant impacts to travel.  Significant snow accumulations are possible.”

 Though forecasters admit that it is still too early to know exactly how much snow and/or ice will fall, they cautioned that the likelihood for a late-week winter storm is high.

 Overall, the weather event is expected to extend from Georgia to Massachusetts, however, the storm will be most severe along the Virginia—West Virginia border, stretching as far northeast as New York City.

 In the meantime, residents of Wythe County should expect low temperatures throughout Tuesday night and into tomorrow (tonight’s low is predicted to dip to 10°F), before things will gradually warm to 42°F Thursday, on the eve of Friday’s winter storm.

 Early Friday morning, National Weather Service meteorologists are forecasting, “Rain showers likely before 1am, then rain and snow showers likely between 1am and 4am, then snow showers after 4am. Low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 80%…”

 Current forecast models are calling for snow showers throughout Friday and into Friday night, with a chance of additional snow accumulation on Saturday.

 Wythe County’s emergency management team is reminding local residents of the need to have a fully stocked emergency supply kit.

 “Cold weather and snow storms are all a normal part of winter in Southwest Virginia, however, failure to be properly prepared could have tragic consequences,” stated county spokesperson Jeremy T.K. Farley.

 Echoing the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Farley said the best way for residents to stay safe during a winter storm is to avoid unnecessary travel, dress in multiple layers, keep dry, as well as have secondary non-electric sources of heat in place – due to the fact that power outages are common following winter storms.

 The county is also urging its citizens to keep an emergency supply kit in their vehicles.  Vehicle emergency supply kits should include an ice scraper, blankets, flashlight and a first aid kit.

 Wythe County Animal Control officials are reminding county residents to ensure all pets have adequate shelter.

 Local residents are also encouraged to proactively check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and handicapped.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Economic development leaders in Wythe County are pleased with the U.S. Labor Department’s most recent jobs report, which reveal that the county’s unemployment rate has reached its lowest point in nearly eight years.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wythe County’s November 2015 unemployment rate was down to only 5%.

Though local leaders say they’re still not satisfied with 5% unemployment, they note that it is an incredible transformation from the 13.3% rate seen in February 2010.

“The county has worked to seize every opportunity available to bring new jobs into the community,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Tim Reeves.

Reeves says that over the past five years, the county has strived to form a close working relationship with leaders in state government. Thanks to this effort, the Commonwealth of Virginia has approved multiple county requests to expand the county’s enterprise zones – Virginia Enterprise Zones allow partnership opportunities between state and local governments that encourage job creation and private investment through special incentives and grants for businesses wishing to expand their operation in the Commonwealth.

November’s jobs report caps off what has been a great year for the county’s economic development endeavors.

In September, the Virginia Tobacco Commission awarded the county $750,000 in grant funding to go toward construction of a regional exposition center that will have the seating capacity to hold as many as 6,000 people.

The following month, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe paid a visit to Wytheville in order to announce that Schaffner MTC Transformers would be investing $3.1 million in the county in order to expand their Wythe County operation.

The expansion is expected to create 79 new jobs that will pay above the average prevailing wage in the region, according to company officials.

“There’s still a lot of work left to be done,” concluded Reeves, adding, “but the most recent jobs report clearly shows that we’re on the right track.”

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Click here to view a copy of the map of the route.

SALEM – An oversized tractor-trailer loaded with a power transformer is scheduled to travel between Pulaski and Max Meadows, Friday, Jan. 8 through Monday, Jan. 11 between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and during daylight hours on the weekend.

The truck will travel at speeds between 1 and 5 mph so it will take multiple days and stops until it reaches its destination. The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has coordinated with the transportation company to develop a route that will minimize the impact to drivers, local businesses and residents.

The truck’s anticipated route and schedule will be as follows:

Friday, January 8
Beginning at the rail station in Pulaski, the haul will travel east onto Dora Highway, turn south onto Count Pulaski Drive, turn west on Draper Valley Road, turn north on Route 11, and then west on Honaker Road to park overnight.

Saturday, January 9
Beginning at Honaker Road in Pulaski, the haul will continue to travel west on Honaker Road (E. Lee Hwy) for approximately 10 miles crossing over Max Meadows Road, then continuing on Honaker Road (E. Lee Hwy) for 2.5 miles to park overnight at the Truck-o-mat Truckstop.

Sunday, January 10
Departing from Truck-o-mat Truckstop onto Route F-043 (East Lee Highway), the haul will turn south on Ready Mix Road, turn north on Route F-042 (Chapman Road), turn south on Lots Gap Road, turn southeast on Danner Road and bear right onto Apache Run. The haul will continue by taking a right turn onto Route 52 (Fort Chiswell Road) then turn south onto Austinville Road, turn south on Store Hill Road to cross the New River then onto Route 69 (Lead Mine Road) to park overnight at the Kangaroo Truckstop in Poplar Camp.

Monday, January 11
The haul will depart from the Kangaroo Truckstop turning left onto Route 69 (Lead Mine Road) to turn left onto Route 52 north (Poplar Camp Road), turn east onto Foster Falls Road, turn east on Electric Lane/Road to arrive at its destination, Jackson’s Ferry Substation.

Each oversized load convoy will include certified pilot cars in the front and rear and Pulaski and Wythe County police will provide escorts. Traffic control and flagging operations will be in place throughout the haul.

Drivers should expect the convoy to stop periodically, and motorists will experience delays in travel time. When traffic congestion is present, an effort will be made to stop the convoy and provide traffic control for both directions of travel when possible.

This oversized convoy is carrying the fourth transformer that has traveled through our area since May 2015.

Click here to view a copy of the map of the route.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Lifelong Wytheville resident Charlie Lester officially became Wythe County’s newest representative on the Board of Supervisors, representing the residents of West Wytheville, this past Friday. Lester was sworn-in by Judge Josiah Showalter earlier in December in the Wythe County Circuit Court Building following his unchallenged election in November.

The 33-year-old Republican replaces fellow George Wythe High School alumni Artie Hall, who chose not to seek reelection.

Lester is the owner of Southwest Soda Clean, LLC, and is a fifth-generation Wythe County resident.

When asked about his vision for the future of Wythe County, Lester stated that he would work to ensure economic development remains at the forefront of the county’s activities.

“My attention will be geared toward bringing jobs and industry to Wythe County,” he said.

Also taking the oath of office was current board chairman Tim Reeves, along with Speedwell representative Gene Horney and Joe Hale of the Fort Chiswell District, all of whom were reelected to serve on the county’s board of supervisors for another term of four years.

In addition to marking the departure of Supervisor Hall, December 31st was also the final day of longtime Wythe County treasurer Sam Crockett’s service to the county.

Crockett, who did not seek reelection this past November, retired after having served as the county’s treasurer since 1988.

“I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to get to know the people of the county – it’s been a fun job,” he said.

“Mr. Crockett will certainly be missed around the Wythe Count Court House. The Board of Supervisors appreciate the decades of service he has provided the county and wish him continued happiness in the days ahead,” stated Tim Reeves, Chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors.

Reeves also welcomed Crockett’s replacement, former Rural Retreat Treasurer, Lori Guynn, to county government. Like Lester, Guynn assumed her new title on New Year’s Day.
Also returning for another four-year term are Jerry Mabe (Commonwealth’s Attorney), Faye Barker (Commissioner of the Revenue) and Keith Dunagan (Sheriff). Dunagan was serving as interim sheriff leading up to the election.

Longtime Clerk of the Court Hayden Horney will also be returning for another term of eight years.

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