October 18, 2023
Volume 3, Number 36
Fines help fund Wythe playground
The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office reported that since 2022, when photo speed enforcement in school zones began, incidents of speeding have been reduced by 93.2 percent. The Sheriff’s Office said that it would re-invest the fine money from the program, noting that Sheriff Charles Foster, Chief Deputy Anthony Cline and Blue Line Solutions, the compa-
ny that provides the technical aspects of the speed enforcement zones, announced at the Wythe County Board of Supervisors meeting that it would donate $25,000 toward building the new Ager Park playground. Blue Line Solutions announced it would donate $5,000 to the project. In August, Wythe County cut the ribbon for the first phase of the Ager
Park rehabilitation. The playground had closed down in late May. The first phase serves 8 to 12-yearolds and is ADA-accessible. The second phase, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024, will be for 2- to 8 year-olds and will add sidewalks and a parking area. The first phase of the playground, designed and installed by Bliss Prod-
ucts and the Wythe County Parks and Recreation Department, was paid for by $280,000 in local area funds and a $50,000 grant from the Wythe-Bland Foundation. The original playground was built in 1994. The replacement was approved at a Feb. 28 board meeting.
E&H, Barter continue program
SVAM celebrates
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM) held its awards banquet on Thursday, Oct. 12, celebrating National Manufacturing Day. Business and community leaders from across Southwest Virginia gathered at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the manufacturing sector over the past year.
The highlight of the evening was the much-anticipated awards ceremony, where SVAM recognized excellence in the manufacturing sector across seven distinct categories. Each award category was carefully selected to spotlight the significant contributions of manufacturers to the Southwest Virginia community. This initiative aligns with SVAM’s overarching mission of reshaping the public’s perception of manufac-
turing and fostering greater interest in manufacturing careers. The award winners for 2023 are as follows: 1. Innovations in Manufacturing Award – Presented to Strongwell of Bristol, Virginia. 2. Community Impact Award – Presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. 3. Environmental Excellence
See SVAM, Page 3
The Barter Theatre and Emory & Henry College have agreed to continue their collaborative, professional association with the goal of enhancing the professional theatre studies program at Emory & Henry College. This partnership will provide access for Emory & Henry College theatre students to certain elements of Barter Theatre’s professional staff and their expertise prior to graduation. Emory & Henry College and the Barter Theatre renewed their partnership on Oct. 12 at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts, home of the Emory & Henry Department of Theatre. Speaking in front of an audience of Barter and Emory & Henry staff and theatre students, Dr. John W. Wells, president of Emory & Henry College, began the signing ceremony with a few words. “Over a decade ago, the Barter Theatre and the Emory & Henry Theatre Department stood shoulder to shoulder and decided to help one another increase the value of theatre in this region,” Wells said. “This partnership gives our students great insights into the theatre profession. We at Emory & Henry are so glad to continue
See BARTER, Page 3
Haunted Walking Tour coming up
Like to have the hair on the back of your neck stick up? In the mood for some spinetingling tales of the Spirits of
Old Wytheville? Then the Haunted Walking Tour is for you. Discover the haunted his-
tory of Wytheville during this 90-minute looping walk. Explore Downtown’s eerie streets and building and get
ready to encounter restless spirits. The tours start at 8 p.m. outside the Rock House Mu-
seum. Parking is available at 150 E. Monroe St. Reservations are required. See HAUNTED, Page 3