Following Tuesday’s board meeting, members of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors toured two county schools undergoing construction.

Members first visited the Sheffey Elementary School, where renovation work began last summer. Construction efforts include modernization of facilities, adding classrooms and building an entirely new gymnasium.

The gymnasium will double as a community center, which county officials plan to use in providing recreational programs to local residents.

Coy McRoberts, Supervisor of the Lead Mines District, expressed his excitement in the new community center, stating, “I’m the most anxious man in the county to see this construction project completed.”

The visit to Sheffey Elementary School featured a cafeteria lunch and guided tour, led by Dr. Wesley Poole, Director of Facilities and Operations for Wythe County Public Schools.

Following their time at Sheffey Elementary School, board members traveled to Rural Retreat Middle School, where school board officials provided updates on the renovation project there.

Work in Rural Retreat includes replacing the existing plumbing system, electrical wires, windows and flooring in sections of the school with more modern versions.

Contractors also installed an entirely new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that will prove to be more efficient in terms of cost and comfort.

Dr. Gary M. Houseman, Black Lick representative and retired school principal, stated that he was happy for both schools.

“These projects were necessary and will aid in providing students with an environment that is conducive to learning,” said Houseman.

School board officials told members of the county’s Board of Supervisors that they hoped to have the bulk of construction work completed by the end of summer.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County’s emergency management team participated in a live conference call with state emergency officials, on the eve of what forecasters are referring to as “the biggest snowfall event of the year.”

Conflicting weather reports are calling for anywhere from 4-14” of snow for southwestern Virginia.

State officials informed county emergency managers that unlike previous snows this year, “where it had been cold in the days leading up to the event, the warmer weather could create a far wetter snow.”

Wetter snow has the potential to weigh heavily upon tree branches and power lines, creating the potential for loss of electricity due to downed limbs.

The snow is forecasted to begin sometime around noon tomorrow and is not expected end until Thursday afternoon.

Temperatures should continue to rise into Friday, however, and continue through the weekend.

As always, the county’s emergency management department is encouraging local residents to be prepared in the event of an emergency with essential items. Essential items include: water, canned food, can opener, snacks, personal hygiene products, first aid kit, trash bags, gloves, battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, food for pets, tools, glasses or contact lenses and backpack.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Earlier today, Wythe County officials met with the owner of Gerta’s House of Music, in order to discuss possible solutions to the county’s notice that the buildings were without proper permits.

According to county officials, two buildings on the owner’s property were being used as assembly halls for bingo and dancing events, despite only having been issued building permits to serve as a storage building and mercantile, respectively.

Following today’s meeting between the property owner and members of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and county administration, the Wythe County building official visited the structures to discuss steps needed in order to have the buildings’ use reclassified as assembly halls.

The Wythe County building official discussed code issues with the owner and determined to allow the site to continue bingo and music events, as the owner takes the necessary steps to comply with the state’s building code.

Public safety is the primary objective of the county.  Building inspection laws exist in order to avert major losses of life.  The county is working with the owner to ensure that the building is brought to fire-safe standards.

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Two members of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, the county’s engineer, public information officer and director of emergency communications dedicated much of this week to preparing for unthinkable disasters.

The training is part of a national program launched by FEMA, known as the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

The purpose of the program is to establish a comprehensive, national approach to incident management by federal, state, territorial, Tribal and local responders.

Artie Hall, Vice Chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, says the training was very helpful.

“Unimaginable disasters occur every day across the nation. With the two interstate highways crisscrossing our county, preparedness needs to remain the foremost concern of the county,” said Hall.

East Wytheville’s newly elected board member, Steve Willis, agreed.
Willis said, “You can never prepare for every incident, but it’s nice to understand have a basic understanding of the framework.”

Also participating in the three-day training were officials from the Wytheville Community College, Town of Wytheville, as well as members of local law enforcement and fire and rescue services.

Several Wythe County employees have already participated in the training program.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) in Blacksburg has issued a wind chill warning for Wythe County and surrounding localities throughout today and much of tomorrow.

According to NWS, “bitter cold air, strong gusty winds and dangerous wind chills” can be expected in the coming hours as an Arctic front will move through the region.

NWS warns that “wind chills will begin to drop to dangerous values by 4 p.m. today.”

The quick drop in temperature will rapidly freeze any water left on the roads from rain that fell overnight. The severe cold may also result in frozen water pipes and frostbite will be a very real danger to exposed skin.

Monday evening’s temperature is expected to dip anywhere between five and fifteen degrees, while tonight’s lows have potential to fall to -10˚.

Wind chills will bring the “feels like” temperature anywhere from 0 to -15˚, by late this afternoon, and will reach as low as -30˚ tonight.  Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 40 mph.  This will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Pets need protection from the cold as well.

Wythe County residents are urged to take precautionary steps, in order to safeguard their lives and property.

Precautionary steps will include, avoiding going outside unless absolutely necessary over the next two days, bringing pets inside, preparing pipes for extreme freezing and having alternative heat sources ready, in the unexpected event of power loss.

Wythe County’s Emergency Management Department will continue to monitor weather conditions and the county’s public information officer will notify residents of any changes.

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