The board will also consider auditorium, curtain and rigging system upgrades at four schools.
Martinsville
Martinsville mayor, ex-city manager file federal lawsuits
Mayor L.C. Jones has sued the law firm Sands Anderson and council member Aaron Rawls on counts including defamation. Aretha Ferrell-Benavides’ suit against the city of Martinsville, Sands Anderson and Rawls includes allegations of discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation by the city, and defamation against Rawls and Sands Anderson.
Martinsville school board to consider weapons policies, summer meal programs and more
Other policies up for discussion deal with extracurriculars and college planning. The board meets Monday evening.
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.
Judge dismisses case to remove Martinsville mayor from office
The civil recall petition was filed in January.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.

