WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Wythe County’s emergency management team is urging Southwest Virginia residents to prepare for flash flooding and wind damage over the next several days.

The concern comes on the heels of nearly a week of daily rainfall that is being coupled with additional National Weather Service forecasts calling for “widespread heavy rain across the region from early Friday morning through Saturday night.”

These forecasts are separate from Hurricane Joaquin, which is expected to brush the Virginia coastline early Monday morning.

According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Joaquin strengthened to a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds early Thursday. State officials are preparing as if this could be comparable to Hurricane Isabel, which affected all of Virginia in 2003.

“The ground is saturated across our region and the creeks and rivers are already high from this week’s rain,” said Wythe County Emergency Coordinator Jason Kinser.

State officials say that rainfall forecasts are predicting as much as 12 inches over the next 7 days.

County emergency officials say their biggest concern is flash flooding, especially problematic along Wythe County’s hundreds of miles of creeks, streams and river frontage – Wythe County serves as the watershed boundaries for the Kanawha and Tennessee Rivers.

Earlier this morning, in compliance with the county’s Flood Plain Management Ordinance, Wythe County Building Inspector Tim Spraker issued a notice requiring all recreational vehicles located within flood plains to be moved by 5:00 pm Friday.

“We are requiring campers and trailers parked in flood plain areas to be moved immediately,” said the building inspector, adding, “Once water levels rise, the likelihood of these vehicles being swept away is heightened – at that point they are no longer recreation vehicles but are instead four-ton wrecking balls plowing through anything in its path downstream.”

In a release sent this morning, Appalachian Power officials stated, “Based on the forecast, at Appalachian Power we will have our own crews and contract crews on standby… We do anticipate some outages due to rain from this event falling on already-saturated ground in our Virginia service territory.”

Wythe County officials are urging residents not to be caught off guard by the potentially hazardous weather.

“People should take this weather event seriously and prepare in advance,” said Wythe County public information officer Jeremy Farley, stating, “Exercising good judgment and taking a few minutes to prepare may save a lot of people future heartache.”

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has issued several survival tips to residents in preparation of the weather event. Below are just a few, the complete list is accessible by visiting www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/floods.

• Do not drive through high water. Stay at home as severe weather arrives.

• Know the weather terms and what you should do:
o Flood Watch or Flash Flood Watch: There is an increased possibility of flooding or a flash flood in your area.
o Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will likely occur very soon. If emergency officials advise you to evacuate, do so immediately.
o Flash Flood Warning: Flash flooding is occurring. Seek higher ground immediately – do not wait for official instructions.

• Be prepared to evacuate. If evacuated, do not return to your home until local officials say it is safe. After floodwaters recede, roads could be weakened and could collapse. Buildings might be unstable, and drinking water could be contaminated.

• Do not walk through moving water. What might seem like a small amount of moving water can easily knock you down.

• If you depend on electricity for medical equipment or a mobility device, ensure all batteries are fully charged each day and be prepared to evacuate with extra batteries and any charging equipment you will need.

• Obtain cash in advance in case ATMs are down due to power outages.

• If you plan to use a generator, buy fuel now.

• Store water in big pans and the bathtub for personal use before the storm in case of a power outage.

• Stay away from downed power lines, trees touching lines, and anything else that is touching a power line.

• Flood water might cut off access to roads. Be prepared to stay where you are until floodwaters recede.

• Determine in advance the safest route from your home to a safe place that can protect you from high winds or flooding. If there is a flood, you may have only minutes to get to safety.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – This past week, Wythe County unveiled plans to move forward with a new accounting software which local officials say will play an instrumental role in creating greater accountability, efficiency and transparency in government finances.

The software, Munis Financial, is a product of Tyler Technologies and is used widely throughout the Commonwealth and the nation.

Once fully integrated, the new system will modernize the method with which data is entered – eliminating hundreds of man-hours for numerous county agencies and departments.

“Presently, a host of accounting software systems is being used throughout county government. Due to the differences in software, it is not easy for the county finance department to access the financial records of other governmental agencies funded by the Board of Supervisors,” stated Tim Reeves, Chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, adding, “By getting everyone on the same software system, we will be able to eliminate many of the obstacles that have existed in previous years. We’re really excited to have the Wythe County Public Schools on board for this much needed update and believe that the tax payers will appreciate the added layer of transparency this move will bring to local government.”

In addition to replacing the Wythe County School Board’s accounting software, the new product will touch several other agencies, including the Animal Control Department, Treasurer’s Office, Commissioner of the Revenue, Department of Social Services and the County Administrator’s Office.

According to local officials, many financial systems being used throughout county government date back to the 1980s or even earlier.

“Not only will this new system allow elected officials easy access to viewing the financial records of each agency receiving money from the general fund, but it will also prove to be a useful tool to the individuals responsible for entering financial data,” said Bruce Grant, Wythe County’s Finance Director.

Grant said that a considerable amount of work being done in many departments involves making calculations and handwriting financial data. The new system, he says, will reduce the risk for human error and allow staff to efficiently track expenditures and revenues.

The system will be implemented in phases, beginning with the school board and county administrator’s office and is projected to be fully realized within two years.

Upon completion, the new system will make tasks such as finding specific paper invoices or tracking the individual costs per school accessible within a few clicks of a mouse – local officials say this will create an added transparency and efficiency for the tax payers.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Joint Public Service Authority of Wythe and Bland Counties will be hosting its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day this month on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

The event, which is open to all Wythe and Bland residents, will be held at the Transfer Station located at 169 Kents Lane in Wytheville from 8 a.m. to noon.

Part of the counties’ initiative to keep Southwest Virginia litter-free, the hazardous waste collection day will provide local residents with an opportunity to dispose of unwanted items that typically are not accepted at local convenience centers – at no cost to the citizen.

Acceptable items include computers and monitors, copiers, TVs, ballasts, fluorescent lights, batteries, paints, poisons and corrosives.

Organizers of the two counties’ household hazardous waste day say the event plays a great role in reducing the risk of environmentally harmful materials being disposed of improperly.

“This event stands as a safeguard to protecting the critical water sources and scenic beauty of our region,” said Jason Kinser, Wythe County’s emergency coordinator and HAZMAT officer.

Officials of the Joint Public Service Authority of Wythe and Bland Counties say that the event will be on a first come, first serve basis (no scheduling or appointments) and that the contractor will have sole discretion over the acceptance or denial of any substance brought to the collection event.

Prohibited items will include all waste from small businesses, commercial or industrial entities (including home-based businesses), as well as explosive, radiological, asbestos or biomedical waste. (Explosives include Dynamite, Nitro Glycerin, Blasting caps, Ammunition, Grenades, Fireworks, etc.)

Residents who have questions concerning the event are encouraged to contact the Joint Public Service Authority at 276-228-4907.

Click here for a complete listing of rules for the event.

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1. The contractor shall have sole discretion over the acceptance or denial of any substance brought to the collection event

2. Waste will not be accepted from company vehicles. NO EXCEPTIONS.

3. No waste will be accepted from small businesses, commercial or industry. This includes businesses run from a residence. NO EXCEPTIONS.

4. Wastes will only be accepted from Wythe and Bland County residents

5. No explosive, radiological, asbestos or biomedical waste will be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS. Explosives include Dynamite, Nitro Glycerin, Blasting caps, Ammunition, Grenades, Fireworks, etc.

If an explosive is broth to the collection event, the disposal cost will be at the owner’s expense.

6. The collection event will continue until one or both of the following two conditions are met:
A. Time expires for this event. 8 a.m. 12 p.m.
B. The funds allotted are expended.
When a condition is met, collection of waste will cease at that time. Wythe County regrets any in- convenience that may result.

7. Participants shall remain in their vehicles. Trained personnel will remove the chemicals for you. This will help to minimize the risk of an accident involving the participant.

8. Waste will be collected from cars, pickup trucks and mini-vans. No tractor trailers, dump trucks, buses, or pull type trailers will be allowed on the site.

9. No alcoholic beverages or illegal substances will be permitted at the collection event

10. The County of Wythe will not be responsible for any lost or damaged property at this event.

11. The purpose of this event is to safely dispose of as much waste as possible. However, due to time constraints, participant turnout, and funding limits, we regret that all participants may not be able to leave waste as the collection site.

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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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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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Wythe County emergency officials are encouraging local residents to attend the National Weather Service’s SKYWARN Weather Spotter training course, which is slated for Monday evening, August 3.

The two-hour training course will be held inside the Max Meadows Fire Department (823 Max Meadows Road) beginning at 6 p.m. and is open to the general public free of charge. The class will cover a multitude of storm development and safety practices for weather related events.

Students will be instructed on six key elements, including the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure, identifying the potential impacts of storms and severe weather safety.

In addition to learning the fundamentals of weather events, participants in the training session will also be provided with instructions on what to report to the National Weather Service and how to properly report weather.

In January 2011, Wythe County became one of only a handful of Virginia counties to be recognized by the National Weather Service as a StormReady Community – periodical SKYWARN training for local citizens is a necessary step in obtaining re-certification. This designation has the potential to lower insurance rates for homeowners throughout the county, as well as aid emergency response organizations in obtaining grants and additional funding from the state and federal government.

The last SKYWARN training course was held in December of 2013 at Wytheville Community College. More than two-dozen Wythe County residents, including first responders, local officials, truck drivers and teachers attended the training course. Class participants received National Weather Service accreditation as a certified weather spotter.

“In this part of the country, there’s sometimes a mentality that if there is no tornado warning, there is no danger,” stated Phil Hysell, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Forecast Office in Blacksburg. According to Hysell, statistics prove non-tornado storms are often just as deadly.

Students who attend the evening workshop will be given a weather spotter’s field guide and awarded a certificate acknowledging their completion of the course; making them National Weather Service certified SKYWARN spotters.

“In recent years, severe weather has become a greater concern for communities throughout the nation. By offering this course to the public, we’re hoping to give people the knowledge they need to remain proactive in staying safe,” said Jason Kinser, Wythe County’s emergency coordinator.

Residents interested in learning more about the class are encouraged to contact Jeremy T.K. Farley, Wythe County’s public information officer: (276) 223-4522.

Pre-registration is not required, residents simply need to arrive at the Max Meadows Fire House by 6 p.m. on Monday to attend the class.

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Though the United States officially earned its independence in the bloody American Revolutionary War, fought for more than eight years (1775-1783), in reality, any national sovereignty the young Republic enjoyed was fragile at best. The British government routinely kidnapped American sailors on the high seas, introduced burdensome trade restrictions against the former colony and insulted the infant-country’s national honor at every turn.

In June 1807 tensions between the two countries reached a tipping point off the coast of Virginia when a Royal Navy ship, HMS Leopard, attacked the USS Chesapeake in American waters, killing three crewmembers and wounding an additional 18 – after a short skirmish, British sailors boarded the American vessel and captured four crewmembers they accused of having deserted the Royal Navy, one of which they ultimately hanged. The incident created outrage throughout America, as citizens demanded the Federal government to take action.

Over the next five years, relations between the two countries grew even colder.

In June 1812 President James Madison, a Virginian, sent a message to Congress recounting American grievances against Great Britain. The House of Representatives deliberated for four days behind closed doors before voting 79 to 49 to declare war, the Senate agreed by a margin of 19 to 13.

The war, which is often referred to as America’s Second War for Independence, drug on for two years and eight months and ultimately ended with no significant change in boundaries and could best be described as a stalemate (The British had burned America’s capital, while the U.S. had successfully invaded parts of British-Canada and defeated the English in dramatic fashion at the Battle of New Orleans).

Though neither side could claim total victory from the conflict, the war is credited with securing additional sovereignty for America, eliminating the threat of future war with England and the young country scored enough victories to satisfy its honor.

Among the many battles of the war was the Battle of Lake Erie, which occurred on September 10, 1813, near Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The naval skirmish resulted in a decisive American victory, which culminated with the defeat and capture of six British Royal Navy vessels. This ensured American control of the lake for the remainder of the war, which in turn allowed the United States to recover Detroit.

Though most of the captured British ships were reconditioned for battle as American naval ships, others were eventually dismantled and destroyed.

Among the many prizes of war, was an iron bell that had been cast in Germany and used aboard an English warship.

The bell bore a German inscription, which being translated is:
“The Welfare of the Ship, The Lady Elizabeth. For the Sirs Casper, Voigt & Co., Captain Daniel Joachim Rohlap, Anno 1781. ‘Me’ Ioh’ Iven’ in Hamburg.”

Following the war’s end, Southwest Virginia attorney Alexander Smyth, who had served as a commander of American forces along the Great Lakes region, returned to his home in Wythe County and presented the bell to county residents as a gift.

The bell was placed upon the county’s courthouse where it served as the county’s bell for nearly a century.

On January 26, 1900, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors voted against spending any additional money to make further repairs to the aging building, deciding instead to commission the construction a new county courthouse.

The new government-seat was designed by famed architect Frank P. Milburn, whose resume included the South Carolina State House and Florida Capitol Building.

In August, the county obtained a parcel of land along Fourth Street and construction began on the new building, with J.E. Parrish serving as the builder.

In July 1915, the Stuart Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the county with a wooden structure suitable for mounting the historic bell – ensuring its safe preservation for future generations.

Today, the bell stands in a hallway just outside of the Wythe County Clerk of the Court’s office – flanking the bell is a framed history briefly describing the county bell’s journey from Hamburg, Germany, to England, to the Great Lakes, to Wythe County, Virginia.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) in Blacksburg, Virginia, has issued a flood watch for several Virginia and West Virginia localities, including Wythe County.

According to the special weather statement, the federal agency cautioned that heavy rainfall is possible throughout the weekend.

“A weak front across the region will start to combine with the remnants of ‘Bill’ to produce periods of heavier showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon,” stated NWS in their Flash Flood Watch statement, adding, “As the core of this system passes over the mountains Saturday night, more widespread heavier rainfall along with embedded thunderstorms could occur. This may bring between 1 and 3 inches of rain with locally higher totals through early Sunday.”

According to weather officials, rounds of showers and thunderstorms may bring enough rainfall to cause creeks and streams to flood with flash flooding possible where the higher rainfall rates occur.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

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Over the next few months, convenience centers in Wythe County will undergo routine maintenance, as workers will make necessary repairs to equipment, repaint dumpsters and service the twelve facilities located throughout the county.

Work has already completed at the Ivanhoe and Austinville facilities and is scheduled to resume this Wednesday at the Barren Springs Convenience Center.

Officials from the Wythe County Solid Waste Department say the type of maintenance will require each facility to be closed for two days as workers make needed repairs to the equipment.

“By working on only one convenience center per week, we are able to keep the eleven other facilities throughout the county operational – allowing alternatives for individuals who must dispose of their solid waste during the two days of repair,” said Billy Bowers, Director of Solid Waste for Wythe County.

In addition to servicing equipment at the sites, Bowers said that all surfaces will be pressure washed and then spray painted.

“The fresh coat of paint will serve as a safeguard against rusting,” said Bowers, adding that the price of a single dumpster is roughly $4,200.

Below is a schedule highlighting when each convenience center in Wythe County will be closed to undergo maintenance:

Barren Springs, May 20-21
Fort Chiswell, May 27-28
Max Meadows, June 3-4
Kents Lane, June 10-11
Pump Hollow, June 17-18
52 North, June 24-25
Apple House, July 1-2
Rural Retreat, July 8-9
Speedwell, July 15-16
Slate Springs, July 22-23

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