Martinsville area - Page 3 of 12

Three men in orange and yellow shirts stand outside a trailer labeled "Mobile learning lab"

Mobile learning trailer will bring hands-on workforce training to Martinsville inmates

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 26, 2025November 25, 2025

Patrick and Henry Community College will bring electrical engineering courses to Martinsville inmates starting in January.

Work continues on the Villa Heights subdivision, one of several housing projects in the region.

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Henry County to consider additional Villa Heights funding

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 24, 2025November 21, 2025

The board of supervisors will discuss accepting a loan and grant package for the Villa Heights housing development in Collinsville.

A penny sales tax is one of the things Martinsville councilors are proposing to lawmakers.

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What’s in Martinsville’s legislative agenda: education, housing and a proposal for a penny sales tax increase

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 20, 2025November 19, 2025

The General Assembly would have to give the city permission to seek a sales tax increase, which would then be put to a referendum.

Councilors recently decided to terminate city manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides following a closed session

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Martinsville council rejects mediation for EEOC complaint brought by former city manager

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 18, 2025November 19, 2025

With mediation off the table, an attorney for Aretha Ferrell-Benavides said she intends to move forward with a lawsuit.

The Martinsville courts building. Photo by Matt Busse.

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Martinsville City Council to discuss legislative priorities on Tuesday

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 18, 2025November 17, 2025

Last year’s priorities included funding for the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund, money for the public defender’s office and preservation of a state tax credit program.

Christy Harper, executive director of the new Minority Business Consortium, cuts the ribbon on the nonprofit's office Thursday in Martinsville. Photo by Dean-Paul Stephens.

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New nonprofit will promote partnerships, provide assistance to minority-owned businesses in Martinsville-Henry County

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 7, 2025November 6, 2025

The Minority Business Consortium aims to make the process of opening and running a business a less solitary experience for minority entrepreneurs, its executive director said.

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Fincher to transition out of dual role of Martinsville police chief and city manager

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 4, 2025November 3, 2025

Rob Fincher was appointed interim city manager in August, following the firing of Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. He will continue in that role but will step down as police chief in January.

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Martinsville to discuss financial gift to first NAACP scholarship gala since COVID

by Dean-Paul Stephens November 4, 2025November 3, 2025

The city council will take up the $5,000 request at a specially called meeting on Wednesday.

Pat Via was one of those honored by Martinsville city councilors for her work in the community.

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For Martinsville resident, combating cancer is a personal mission

by Dean-Paul Stephens October 30, 2025October 29, 2025

Pat Via’s experiences led her and her daughter to start the MLC Cancer Foundation, a Martinsville-based nonprofit geared toward mitigating breast cancer through awareness.