WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County officials are encouraging local dog owners to ensure their pets have been properly vaccinated for rabies; as a recent outbreak of the zoonotic disease has been noted by the county’s animal control department.

Arlan Dunford, supervisor of Wythe County Animal Control, says that health officials have recently processed an above average number of rabid animals – a trend he says places local pets in danger.

“Rabies is a very serious and fatal disease. Pets lacking current vaccinations run the risk of being infected,” stated Dunford.

According to the World Health Organization, the disease can be spread to people through close contact with infected animals, usually saliva, via bites or scratches.

In an effort to ensure public safety, Dunford says his department will be conducting compliance checks throughout the county in the coming days. During these checks, officers will be confirming that all dogs – in the county and towns – are wearing their county issued dog tag. The $5 tags are issued only after dog owners have presented proof to the county’s treasurer that the animals have been vaccinated for rabies.

“In addition to it being the law, having your dogs properly tagged and vaccinated is just good insurance for pet owners. They show that you’re in compliance and that your dogs have been immunized should any question ever arise,” said the veteran officer.

Dog tags for animals that have been spayed or neutered are available at a reduced rate of $4 for one year, $8 for two years and $10 for 3-year tags.

Failure to purchase dog tags is considered a class-3 misdemeanor and subjects the dog owner to additional fines and court costs.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Though the vast majority of Wythe County residents pay their taxes in a timely manner each year, there remains a percentage of the population that neglects to do so. These failures to pay place an unfair burden upon county residents who do comply with the law, as well as limit the resources and ability of the local government.

In an effort to combat this, the county has asked the treasurer to use all means legally available in order to induce residents – whose accounts are delinquent – to pay their property taxes. Actions by the county’s treasurer may include issuing a debt set off with the Virginia Department of the Treasury; this will allow for the county to retrieve any unpaid taxes owed to them from income taxes due to residents whose tax accounts are negative.

Other actions can include requesting the DMV to issue a stop on all vehicles belonging to citizens with unpaid personal property taxes.

Upon authorization of a DMV stop, registration of vehicles owned or co-owned by residents with unpaid personal property taxes will no longer be processed for renewal, until the tax balance is made current. Additionally, residents will be charged with an added $25.00 fee to cover the cost of the enforcement action.

The treasurer’s office will be issuing notices to county residents who are in danger of becoming delinquent prior to the May 1, 2014, payment deadline. County residents unsure of whether or not their personal property taxes are current are encouraged to call the Wythe County Treasurer’s Office at 276-223-6070.

The revenue generated from personal property taxes is a vital component of Wythe County’s overall budget and enable the county to provide critical services to residents.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Members of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors met with leaders of Wythe County Rescue Squad, a privately operated EMS agency, Monday afternoon, to discuss the future of emergency medical services in the county.

Over the weekend, the squad’s board of directors determined to cease services as of Monday, March 17, 2014; a decision county leaders say came as a complete shock.

In response to the news, the county board of supervisors’ fire and rescue committee held an emergency meeting with the squad’s leadership Monday afternoon. The primary objective of this meeting was to determine the root causes of such a drastic decision, as well as possible solutions in moving forward.

Following the two-hour long meeting, Wythe County Rescue Squad’s board of directors held a meeting and elected to postpone their final date of service until April 17, 2014.

In return, the county’s fire and rescue committee unanimously decided to make a recommendation that the county’s board of supervisors amend and appropriate $10,000 to the rescue squad in order to aid in repairing a broken ambulance, as well as various other items of overhead.

County officials were in the process of working with the organization on a Virginia Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant application late last week and say they were given no warning whatsoever that the squad was even considering closing its doors.

In addition to meeting with leaders of the Wythe County Rescue Squad, county officials also met with leaders of Guardian Ambulance, a privately owned ambulance service. Representatives of Guardian Ambulance stated that they would dedicate an ambulance crew to servicing the community if needed.

Dr. Gary Houseman, representative of the Black Lick District on the county’s board of supervisors agreed, adding, “We will do what is necessary to take care of the people of Wythe County.”

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – A Wythe County magistrate did not find probable cause to issue a summons Monday morning to Mike Thomas, owner of eleven dogs on Walton Furnace Road.

The magistrate relied upon a recent letter sent to the county’s animal control officer from the state’s Office of Animal Care & Health Policy as a contributing factor in his decision.

In the letter, state veterinarian Carolynn Bissett stated “It is my professional opinion that the dogs in Mr. Thomas’ care are not in immediate danger and do not need to be seized. In addition, I do not believe these dogs will be well served by removal from Mr. Thomas’ care…”

The veterinarian was accompanied by members of the Virginia State Police, as well as the Botetourt County Commonwealth Attorney, during her visit late last month.

Bissett also noted that each of the eleven dogs were individually examined and found that “adequate care was being provided for all eleven dogs,” adding, “All dogs were in good body condition, with clean haircoats.”

These assessments seem to back up the observations of previous professionals who have examined the dogs, including local animal control officers and veterinarians.

The letter also stated, “Mr. Thomas was providing adequate exercise for all dogs. Inadequate exercise is easily diagnosed on physical examination by the lack of muscle definition and discernible muscle atrophy.”

Despite having found the animal’s shelter to be free of drafts and containing windows and ventilation, Bissett wrote in her letter that, in her opinion, “adequate shelter was not being provided for the dogs on the property.”

Reporting a “moderate amount of hair and dust” in the enclosure, as well as a chain link containing “several sharp edges,” the veterinarian advised that adequate shelter was not being provided. The county’s magistrate, however, did not feel that these items were enough to warrant a summons against Mr. Thomas.

County officials are presently working with various non-profit organizations, as well as the representatives of the landowners to build a new shelter and demolish the old one that has become the source of such national attention.

Wythe County animal control officers will continue to monitor the dogs.

Presently, all of Thomas’ dogs have up-to-date dog tags, which mean their shots are up-to-date.

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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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