Some residents have held small demonstrations or are speaking against the project at government meetings.
Southwest Virginia
Posted inSouthwest Area
Damascus has a new town manager with deep ties to the small Washington County community
Isaiah Thomas said a priority will be to help Damascus continue to recover from Hurricane Helene damage and reopen the Creeper Trail.
Posted inSouthwest Area
Damascus cancels Flock contract, joining other Virginia localities that have recently severed ties with the surveillance company
The town’s three cameras will be deactivated and bagged by the police department.
Posted inSouthwest Area
Southwest Virginia Field Notes: A final reunion in Big Stone Gap
Plus: Lee County’s bringing back its chamber of commerce, and Russell County has a new top dog.
Posted inLocal
Dickenson County drug treatment center administrator hired, staff hiring begins
Center officials say hiring and insurance contracts are the final pieces before an opening date is set.
Posted inSouthwest Area
Upper half of Virginia Creeper Trail, destroyed by Hurricane Helene, set to reopen March 31
The rebuilt trail, which is expected to be completed in December, will have three months over the winter to “settle.”
Posted inLocal
Coalfields Expressway gets another $10 million for widening work
The timeline to bid and complete the project is about three years. It will focus on the section of road that connects Buchanan County to eastern Kentucky.
Posted inEducation
Mountain Empire Community College closing workforce center, relocating programs to campus
The shift helps the college save money during a tight financial time, officials said.
Posted inEconomy
2 pumped storage hydroelectric stations could be located just miles apart in Wise County
A Florida company has a preliminary permit from the federal government for one site and is pursuing another.
Posted inLocal
Southwest Virginia Field Notes: Bristol’s Hard Rock Casino had a record-breaking May
Plus: Appalachian Power installs new poles and equipment in Smyth County, and a raffle with $250,000 worth of prizes will benefit the country music museum.
