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.
Southside Zone
Patrick County, Henry County, Pittsylvania County, Halifax County, Danville, Martinsville
Posted inEconomy
Big projects have claimed most of the industrial land in Danville and Pittsylvania. The region is preparing for more growth.
Though lots of industrial park acreage has been claimed so far this year, the region still has more shovel-ready sites than anywhere else in Virginia. But local officials say they can’t get complacent.
Posted inCulture
At nearly 50 years old, the Danville Model Railroad Club is more than just chugging along
Many in Danville don’t know about the club. That’s why it’s working to attract new members and increase its presence in the city.
Posted inOpinion
Virginia’s little-used law to remove elected officials leads to two very different processes in Martinsville and Purcellville. Why?
In Martinsville, a Black mayor who has not been charged with any crime got suspended two months before a trial. In Purcellville, a white vice mayor facing multiple felony counts was allowed to serve for nine months. The law is broad enough to allow both these routes. Is that good or bad?
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.
Posted inLocal
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
Forensic audit: Former Martinsville city manager had more than $15,000 in credit charges where no business purpose could be found
The manager’s credit card charges cover expenses ranging from hotel rooms to Uber rides. The audit says it shows “inadequate or non-existent internal controls as there are transactions that are in direct violation of the City’s purchasing card policy.” However, the lack of paper trails does not prove fraud or abuse, it says.
Posted inLocal
Pittsylvania board, VDOT to hold public hearing on funding for proposed rural road improvements
The VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan is required by the state and updated annually to plan financing for improving secondary roads.
Posted inLocal
Buck-Hayes pleads guilty in attack on Lee Vogler in Danville
Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He will be sentenced in June.
Posted inEconomy
Megasite project could be in jeopardy if data center tax exemptions are ended, finance secretary warns
The project, which is expected to bring more than 2,000 jobs and $73 billion in investment to Pittsylvania County, could “go away,” Mark Sickles told state senators.