Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Damascus names Chris Bell as town manager
The Washington County town of Damascus has hired its first-ever full-time town manager.
Since 1973, the Town of Damascus has held a contract with the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission in Marion to fill the role of town manager in a part-time capacity. Now Chris Bell will take on the position full time. He previously ran an audiovisual engineering firm in Atlanta.
Incorporated in 1904 as a railroad town during the lumber boom of the early 20th century, Damascus has reinvented its economy through outdoor recreation and tourism and the presence of the Appalachian Trail. The town has a population of 728, according to the most recent census. Recent projects and associated grant funds have resulted in more than $3 million in additional investment in community development over the past ten years. Large-scale projects include the development of the Damascus Trail Center, Laurel Creek Park, and Beaverdam Creek Trail, plus projects toward downtown revitalization, community forestry and housing rehabilitation.
“Chris Bell will be a huge asset to our town,” said Mayor Katie Lamb in a statement. “We’ve had a need for a full-time town manager for some time now and I truly feel that Chris will do an amazing job given his experience and leadership skills.” He can be reached at townmanager@damascus.org.
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Wythe County completes playground upgrades to Ager Park
Wythe County has completed a series of playground upgrades in Ager Park.
The first phase of construction of the nature-themed Bliss Products build was completed in August 2023 with the play equipment primarily intended for kids eight to 12 years old. Now, nearly one year later, the second phase is complete, this time with equipment intended for children ages two through eight.
The completed playground meets modern standards, including ADA accessibility and a design that adheres to the Seven Principles of Inclusive Play. The new playground features age-appropriate equipment and incorporates traditional play as well as musical and nature elements.
This project would not have been possible without the support of the community, private donors, and grant funding. During Phase 1, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors chose to use $280,000 of federal Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency funds and $50,000 from the Wythe-Bland Foundation to begin renovations. The next phase relied on an additional $138,000 from the Wythe-Bland Foundation, $25,000 from the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, $5,000 from Blue Line Solutions, and donations from business owners, private citizens and children as young as three.
“Some funds for this project were contributed by drivers who paid fines for speeding in our school zones,” said Chief Deputy Anthony Cline of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office in a statement. “We are pleased that the children in our community will be able to benefit from these funds.”
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Boones Mill now has a police dog
The Boones Mill Police Department now has a police dog. K9 Officer Rex is a 22-month-old Belgian Malinois. He is certified in patrol, tracking and narcotics. K9 Officer Rex and Chief Kelvin Pruett completed their training with K9 Working Dogs International, LLC at a National K9 Training Center in Elkins, West Virginia, in July 2024.
K9 Officer Rex was made possible by a K9 LEAP Grant, a United States Police Canine Association Grant/Adopt A K9 Cop Program Grant, a National Police Dog Foundation Grant, a Walmart Spark Good Local Grant and an Opioid Relief Funds Grant.
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First signs for Coalfields Expressway go up
The Virginia Department of Transportation put up signs last week identifying the first miles of the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia. The signs were installed at the suggestion of the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority, to match similar signage found along the Coalfields Expressway in West Virginia. One of the new Virginia signs is at the end of the bridge at Grassy at the Kentucky state line and the other one is just as you turn left off of Route 744 going toward the Breaks Interstate Park.