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December 2023
SwVa Sun
Serving Bland, Smyth and Wythe counties.
News Get it in We welcome all your news - from birth announcements to obituaries and everything in between. If you have something to share, shoot us an email at SwvaSun@gmail.com
Our Philosophy We believe in Southwest Virginia and want to make sure that all of us continue to have access to information that enriches our lives. With your help, we can be THE news source for our region. We ask for submissions so that we can be your community-driven, grassroots news service.
Contact Us We are published online daily at www.SwvaSun. com and every two months in newspaper form. To reach us, email swvasun@ gmail.com. P.O. Box 1003 Wytheville VA 24382
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Help Wanted The Sun is growing and looking for contractors to cover news, features and sports and for sales reps to service and develop accounts. Contact us at swvasun@gmail.com.
FCMS, FCHS, GWHS get money
The Virginia Department of Education announced $12 million in state School Security Equipment Grants to protect students, faculty and visitors in 483 schools in 98 school divisions. The grants will pay for security card access
systems, visitor ID badging systems, surveillance cameras, security vestibules, two-way radios, voice and video internal communication systems, interior school bus cameras, twoway radios for buses, mass notification systems and
Minton inducted to honor society Wytheville’s Joseph Minton was recently initiated into the Hampden-Sydney College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. The Society welcomed 348 new initiates from 12 universities during October 2023. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership ex-
perience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year. Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded in Lexington, Virginia, on December 3, 1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the collegiate level.
Crash kills two A Nov. 22 crash on Interstate 77 in Wythe County killed a couple from Ohio. Virginia State Police said the fatal crash occurred at 7:05 a.m. at the 42-mile marker in Wythe County’s I-77 when a 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis traveling north pulled off onto the right shoulder and then attempted to cross the northbound lanes from the
shoulder to use the emergency crossover. The car was struck by a northbound tractortrailer. Police said the driver, Jamie A. Pittman, 64, and passenger, Debra L. Pittman, 68, both of Orrville, Ohio, died at the scene. Both were wearing seat belts. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured in the crash.
other security enhancements. Grants for the 20232024 school year were awarded on a competitive basis to school divisions and grant funds awarded were based on a ranked order on the competitive application criteria. The criteria developed by VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services gives priority to schools most in need of modern security equipment, schools with relatively high numbers of offenses, schools with equipment needs identified
by a school security audit, and schools in divisions least able to afford security upgrades. Wythe County received $146,216 for Fort Chiswell High and Middle schools and George Wythe High School. Smyth County schools received $114,581 for Atkins, Chilhowie, Marion, Oak Point, Rich Valley, Saltville and Sugar Grove elementary schools, Marion and Northwood middle schools and Chilhowie High School. Galax High School received $250,000.
Carroll County received $148,612 for Carroll County High and Middle schools and Fancy Gap, Gladeville and Laurel Elementary schools. Washington County netted $96,464 for Abingdon and Meadowview elementary schools and Damascus, E.B. Stanley, Glade Spring and Wallace middle schools. Bristol City schools Joseph Van Pelt Elementary and Virginia Middle schools received $46,775. Pulaski County Senior High School received $80,405.
Christmas Savings
Sewing Machines Starting At $
199 99
3 Years FREE Service On All New Machines. Janome & Elna Machines Available.
Ft. Chiswell Sewing Club held the 2nd Thursday & the Saturday after the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Come join us!
787 Ft. Chiswell Rd,, Max Meadows, VA
276-637-3139 SALES & SERVICE Scan to schedule your service!
