December 20, 2023
Volume 3, Number 43
Soulful singer delivers holiday cheer
A pre-eminent Wytheville soul singer is returning to the local music scene after a long absence and just in time for the holidays. Emily Cooley will regale listeners with a yuletide blend of jazz, soul, blues and rock with her powerful vocals
to complement the unique set list at Oracle Books on Thursday, Dec. 21 st at 7 p.m. The 20-song, hour-long program will include songs in the style of gospel pioneer Mahalia Jackson, jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe and
pop queen Whitney Houston. Also featured are tunes in the fashion of seminal English soul singers Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, and Dusty Springfield. Songs inspired by traditional holiday crooners Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Jr. will be
among Cooley’s offerings for the evening. Cooley will perform some a capella numbers as well, which will highlight her own moving vocals. In 2019, Cooley performed the entire 1969 Dusty Springfield album, Dusty in Mem-
phis, to a standing-roomonly crowd at Oracle Books to rave reviews. Bookstore owner Randy Shell said he is thrilled to have her return to his stage, which he says is always open to local talent
See SINGER, Page 3
Police probing death on U.S. 11
Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred in Wythe County. At 7:27 a.m. Friday (Dec.15), Virginia State Police responded to a report of a body found along Route 11/Lee Highway, approximately a half-mile from where Exit 67 on Interstate 81 intersects with Route 11. Gilbert R. Millsap, 68, of Adwolfe was walking along U.S. Highway 11 when he was struck by a pickup. Millsap died at the scene. The driver of the striking vehicle has been identified as a Wytheville man. Charges are pending.
Christmas smiles
More than 120 kids headed out to Walmart before the holidays to take part in the Shop Wythe A Cop program. The Sheriff’s Office said that two sisters signed up on the day of the event and were told they could
each spend $100. Instead of rolling through the aisles, the two asked to pay it forward and give the opportunity to other children that needed something for Christmas. On its Facebook account, the Wythe sheriff’s office said the heart-
warming act left them speechless with a renewed understanding of the true meaning of Shop Wythe A Cop. Donors this year have helped more than 1,000 Wythe County children.
Husband charged in Meadowview killing After a 10-month investigation into a February response to a shooting death in Meadowview, a New Jersey man has been arrested on murder and firearms charges. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a Feb. 17 call on Old Saltworks Road in Meadowview, where they found 53-year-old
See POLICE, Page 3
Wytheville changes trash schedules
Due to the Christmas holiday, the refuse collection in the Town of Wytheville for Friday, Dec. 22, and Monday,
Dec. 25 will be made on Tuesday, Dec. 26. The normal collection scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 26, will be made on that
day. The Town of Wytheville’s Recycling Center located at 1025 South Third Street will
not have an attendant on duty from Friday, Dec. 22, , through Monday, Dec. 25, due to the Christmas holiday. The atten-
dant will return to assist citizens on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
See TRASH, Page 3