Wythe County Parks & Recreation recently announced that the department is seeking to fill several part-time, seasonal positions.

These positions include the following jobs at the Rural Retreat Lake Park: campground manager, clerk, maintenance person, pool manager and lifeguards.

Last year, the Rural Retreat Lake Park was named by the Virginia Tourism Corporation as one of the Commonwealth’s “13 Favorite Campgrounds” and is visited by thousands of families each year.

In addition to seeking help at the county’s 74-site campground, the county is also seeking referees and umpires for the upcoming sports seasons.

Individuals interested in making application for the positions are encouraged to fill out an application available online (www.WytheCo.org) or at the county administrator’s office (located at 340 S. Sixth St., Wytheville, VA).

Should any resident have a question regarding the open positions, they are encouraged to contact Kevin Williams, 276-223-4519.

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Jeremy T.K. Farley — March 14, 2016

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Over the past few days, a countless number of Wythe County residents have reported being the target of various phone scams.

Most prevalent of these scams is one in which the caller claims to be calling on behalf of the IRS and threatens to impound personal property belonging to the local resident if his or her instructions are not followed.

Other scams include the caller claiming to be a bonding agent requiring bail money in order to get a family member out of jail, as well as an additional scam in which the caller is claiming to be a representative of Appalachian Electric Power, threatening to cut off electricity to the home or business of the caller if money is not paid.

The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents to be aware of these scams and to notify their friends and neighbors – especially the elderly.

As a matter of policy, the IRS will never call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.

Scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.

Should you receive any calls you believe may be a scam, you are encouraged to contact the FTC via their website www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or via phone 877-FTC-HELP.  The consumer complaints contact center is open between the hours of 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday.

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Jeremy T.K. Farley — February 14, 2016

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – The National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Virginia, has issued an “urgent winter weather message” to residents of Southwest Virginia (including Wythe County), North Carolina and Southern West Virginia.

In the message, which was released at 2:22 p.m. on Sunday, the federal agency warned that “a very cold air mass” will remain over the region through Monday.

Forecasters say the disturbance will cause snow throughout the evening and into tomorrow.  This precipitation will eventually turn to a wintry mix sometime Monday afternoon, as warmer air begins to spread into the region from the south.  Weather officials warn that “significant accumulations of winter precipitation are likely.”

According to the weather service, a winter storm warning remains in effect until noon on Tuesday.

Meteorologists predict that snow and sleet accumulation may range from 5 to 10 inches, along with ice accumulations between a tenth and one quarter of an inch, with the highest ice totals occurring along the Blue Ridge.

Local temperatures are expected to range from the single digits into the lower and mid 20s throughout the remainder of the day and tomorrow, rising into the lower and mid 30s by Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service warning stated, “Travel will become dangerous to perhaps impossible in some areas.  Only travel in an emergency.  If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, water, and a blanket in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Wythe County residents are encouraged to exercise wisdom throughout the winter storm.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Early Monday morning, the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Virginia, issued a Winter Storm Watch for portions of the New River Valley, including Wythe County.

In a special weather message issued by the federal agency, meteorologists cautioned that “a cold front will cross the region from the west today,” bringing with it the possibility of light to moderate snow; “especially across the higher mountains of North Carolina, far Southwestern Virginia and southeast West Virginia.”

According to a statement released at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, “Arctic air will follow the front with bitter cold temper temperatures expected through midweek.”

Forecasters predict that lingering moisture along with additional air disturbances may result in periods of moderate to heavy snow showers into Wednesday or Thursday. These snow showers may result in additional heavier snow accumulations during the week.

National Weather Service forecasters are calling for rain mixed with snow throughout Monday, but believe this precipitation will change to all snow tonight, “with all snow expected for the rest of the week.”

Officials caution that roads will become snow covered and slick.

Monday’s temperatures are expected to remain in the 30s throughout the day, but will drop well below freezing and remain in the teens and 20s for the rest of the week.

Wind chills will become very cold this week, possibly reaching -15F Wednesday night.

County residents are encouraged to continue to monitor weather and traffic reports and to maintain vigilance at all times.

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Water customers who live along Old Bank Road in the community of Speedwell are being warned by county officials to “expect temporary disruptions in water service beginning February 2 through February 4, 2016.”

This disruption in service is a direct result of ongoing road work in the area, aimed at improving State Route 619 (St. Peters Rd.).

Crews will be replacing and relocating waterlines near the intersection of St. Peters Rd. and Old Bank Rd. throughout the middle of this week and the work may create temporary outages.

The VDOT project was listed on the department’s six-year plan and is aimed at making the route safer for motorists, by widening and realigning portions of the road.

“Weather permitting, the work should be completed by Thursday evening,” said Wythe County Water & Waste Water Director Don Crisp.

Crisp advised residents to contact the county’s Water Department at 223-4501 should they have any questions.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County officials say workers have repaired a watermain break on E. Lee Hwy (US Route 11) and are in the process of filling up the 200,000 gallon water tank located atop Fox Mountain.

Customers who were without water today should expect some pressurization in their lines later this evening, however, local officials warn residents that the initial flow of water may be murky and contain air pockets.

Through the night and into tomorrow morning, the system should pressurize and return to normal water-pressure levels.

As a precautionary measure, the county has issued a “BOIL YOUR TAP WATER” notice to all residents who lost water service today, in an effort to reduce the risks of consuming bacteria or other organisms in the water.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE OFFICIAL BOIL WATER ADVISORY

The Virginia Department of Health offered the following advice for residents who will be boiling their tap water:

“Bring all tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Use caution boiling water; let water cool before attempting to move container to avoid spills, scalds and burns. Boil amounts of water that you can safely handle.”

The precautionary boil notice will remain in effect for 48-hours, which will allow the lines time to flush out any impurities which may have entered the system.

The waterline rupture was discovered Sunday evening and left water customers without service from Exit 80 to 86.

County residents are encouraged to check the locality’s official Facebook page (Facebook.com/WytheCo) for updates. Customers with additional questions may contact the Wythe County Water Department at 276-223-4501.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Sunday afternoon, a ruptured waterline near the entrance to Speedco on E. Lee Hwy. (US Route 11) in Fort Chiswell was reported.

The waterline rupture was concealed by heavy snow and was not discovered until the 200,000 gallon water tank located atop Fox Mountain had completely drained, leaving customers without service from Exit 80 to 86.

County crews are on the scene, making repairs to the lines, but caution that they fully expect for work to continue throughout the day and that a precautionary boil water notice will be in effect for 24-48 hours following restoration of service.

According to the county’s engineer, all efforts are being made to have the lines operational as fast as possible, but the weather has created some delays in the repair process.

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

Earlier today, Wythe County sent out a mass notification to affected customers, via the county’s citizen notification system, alerting residents of the problem in their area.

County residents are encouraged to check the locality’s official Facebook page (Facebook.com/WytheCo) for updates. Customers with additional questions may contact the Wythe County Water Department at 276-223-4501.

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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.