Other policies up for discussion deal with extracurriculars and college planning. The board meets Monday evening.
Jeff Lester
Jeff Lester served for five years as editor of The Coalfield Progress in Norton, The Post in Big Stone Gap and the Dickenson Star in Clintwood. He has worked in rural community journalism in Southwest Virginia for nearly 35 years, beginning as a Coalfield Progress staff writer in early 1990. Lester grew up in Marion and in the Glade Spring area and is a proud graduate of Virginia Intermont College and Virginia Highlands Community College. He has won numerous Virginia Press Association awards, including the 2002 statewide best in show writing award for nondaily newspapers. Under his guidance, Coalfield Progress reporters won the same award in 2008. He can be reached at jeff.c.lester819@gmail.com.
Posted inLocal
Budget woes continue in Wise County, where residents face higher taxes, possible loss of school resource officers.
The sheriff’s budget is also expected to take a big hit.
Posted inLocal
Martinsville residents can comment on the $122 million city budget at Tuesday council meeting
The spending plan for 2026-27 includes tax and fee increases, along with spending cuts.
Posted inEconomy
Southwest Virginia needs to solve its housing shortage if it wants economic growth, new jobs, governor says
Later in the day, the governor attended two health-related events in Abingdon.
Posted inLocal
Small nuclear power projects will be subject of 2 public meetings in Wise County
Public information sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday are part of the county’s microreactor feasibility study.
Posted inLocal
Martinsville residents likely to see tax and fee increases, as city works to balance its budget
On Tuesday, the city council will discuss the city manager’s proposed budget, which includes an increase in the real estate tax rate and a city employee hiring freeze.
Posted inLocal
A public hearing will be held Monday on Wise County schools budget totaling nearly $94 million
The budget is nearly $4 million higher than the current spending plan.
Posted inLocal
Scott County supervisors seek to close $2.5 million budget gap
On Wednesday, the county board will discuss the budget that will take effect July 1.
Posted inLocal
Russell County supervisors to consider calls for forensic audit of county finances
Many complaints have centered on the county public service authority’s billing and fee collection practices and the dissolution of the Dante Fire Department.
Posted inLocal
Increasing construction costs result in change of location for Dickenson County’s new wellness center
Originally planned on a site next to Wildwood Recovery Center, the center will instead be in downtown Clintwood.
