The spending plan for 2026-27 includes tax and fee increases, along with spending cuts.
Martinsville area
News from the Martinsville area.
Posted inLocal
Judge dismisses case to remove Martinsville mayor from office
The civil recall petition was filed in January.
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
Special prosecutor steps down from Martinsville mayor’s removal case
Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison moved to withdraw due to a “material conflict” in the case. The court appointed Alfred Gray Collins III of Colonial Heights to both the civil removal petition and forensic audit of Martinsville expenses, both of which involve Mayor L.C. Jones.
Posted inLocal
Henry County residents can expect higher real estate tax bills, even though supervisors plan to lower the rate
The board’s plan to reduce the tax is not enough to offset the property reassessment that raised the overall value of property by about 51%.
Posted inLocal
Martinsville mayor reinstated to city council pending trial on recall petition
Mayor L.C. Jones had been suspended since February, when a judge ordered a recall trial after petitioners accused him of wrongdoing.
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Martinsville’s suspended mayor fights petition to remove him in a recall trial by jury, a rarity in Virginia
A jury trial on a petition to remove a public official is unusual in Virginia, but two such cases are currently on commonwealth dockets. One of them, in Martinsville, involves Mayor L.C. Jones, whom a circuit judge suspended pending trial, despite the lack of criminal charges.
Posted inLocal
New special prosecutor named in case seeking to remove Martinsville mayor
Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison will also handle the criminal investigation into Martinsville city spending, Martinsville’s top prosecutor announced.
Posted inMartinsville area
Sheriff puts multiple grants on Henry County supervisors’ agenda
The Henry County Board of Supervisors will be asked to approve more than $130,000 in grants for the sheriff’s office when it meets Thursday.
Posted inLocal
Petition to remove Martinsville mayor will stay with city commonwealth’s attorney
The court denied Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Flinn’s request for a special prosecutor to handle the petition. Flinn said he plans to “act promptly” but said that there is no time limit for his review of the petition.
