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

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.

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.