News

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on February 9, 2021. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Flora Sinkford, Dispatcher and Administrative Assistant of the Town of Tazewell’s Police Department, organized an excellent presentation for Town Council in honor of Black History Month. Flora stated that often the focus is on the national level and she wanted to shift that to honor black men and women who contributed greatly to their local communities.  Minnie Holley Barnes, known affectionately to those that knew her as Miss Minnie, taught generations of Tazewell youth as an educator and was recognized by Flora for her contributions. From her nationally recognized leadership in Girl Scouts to the books she authored, such as Glimpses of Tazewell through the Holley Heritage, Minnie’s life lessons shaped the lives of generations that followed. Fellow Girl Scouts and leaders Brenda Davis, Elena Combs, and Wanda Smith, shared their memories of Minnie with Town Council. 

Flora also recognized the contributions of George M. Dickerson as a civic leader, established author and poet, as well as a mentor. George’s granddaughter, Jeanette Wilson, read his famous poem, Tazewell Town. Jeanette’s family was blessed with several generations of poets whose rhythms not only reflect their daily lives and stories, but also of men with a dream of equality for all.  Local resident and widow of coach “Lou” Peery, Sandra Peery, was also a special guest speaker and spoke of her own personal difficulties and triumphs as she left segregation at Tazewell County High School to integrate with Pocahontas High School in ninth grade. Flora and Councilman Dr. Terry Mullins discussed a historical photo that was given to Flora by a former area resident. Though there is no formal history known for the photo, it depicts community members gathered aside one another at a location suspected to be the Tazewell Female Seminary once located on Fincastle Turnpike.

Jim Higginbotham, the first black Deputy for Tazewell, and later Chief of Police, was also honored. Flora shared a story of his strength in character, noting he once had to lead a Ku Klux Klan procession after receiving a formal request from the racist group to march through Tazewell’s Main Street. Jim explained at the time that he could not deny them their right to assemble, but that he did have the power and authority to demand their faces not be hidden from public view while they did so.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on January 12, 2021. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Tazewell Today Executive Director, Amanda Hoops, updated Town Council on several projects in the works. Tazewell was recently recognized by the Virginia Main Street program as one of 30 designated Main Street communities. With this designation, a grant opportunity arose that will cover the costs of the engineering drawing needed for the amphitheater project. Once the drawings are completed she can secure additional funding sources to help this dream become a reality for Tazewell’s Main Street. She also updated Town Council on the renovations in progress at the Main Street Mini Park, which will include a visitor kiosk built through a partnership with the Pocahontas State Correctional Center . Tazewell Today received an additional $10,000 grant from Dominion Power that will be used to fund a kayak access point on Riverside Drive and a picnic shelter.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on December 8, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Corbin Stone, with Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates, presented the results of his audit to Town Council.

Mayor Michael Hoops recognized outgoing Councilmember Nancy Brooks for her excellent service to her community. Nancy was presented a gold watch as a token of appreciation.

Tammy Allison, Clerk of Circuit Court for Tazewell County, swore in Town Council incumbents Dr. Glenn Catron, David Fox, and Mayor Michael Hoops, along with new Councilmember Joe Beasley.

Misty Russell and Travon Brown, of JEPC (Justice, Equality, Peace, Change), along with Tazewell native Lasandra Thompson, of Grassroots Coalition of SWVA, presented an anti-racism resolution that was unanimously passed by Town Council. With this declaration, Tazewell joins many other communities in condemning racism, discrimination, and inequality.

Chief David Mills introduced new Town of Tazewell Police Officer Mathew Perry. Town Council congratulated and welcomed Officer Perry to the department.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on November 10, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on October 13, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Rick Chitwood updated Town Council on the potential Route 460 water line replacement project and the Buskill subdivision pressure zone evaluation.

Michael Tanck, from Charter Communications, updated Town Council on the upcoming upgrades available to Spectrum customers in the area in December.

Mayor Michael Hoops and Town Council recognized Jaimal Viney for his new businesses in Tazewell. Jaimal operates Viney’s Different Styles Cuts & More, K&S BBQ, and Vibe City Clothing Store.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on September 8, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Town Council congratulated the 2020 6-8 Coach Pitch District 11 Champions, with Coaches Zack Kitts, Kevin Rose, Mike Catron, and Jordan Robinson.

Mayor Michael Hoops welcomed Zach Collins to Main Street. Tazewell natives, Zach and wife, Megan, are opening a brand new branch of their Trading Shoppees boutique soon.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on August 11, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Major Harold Heatley, of the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, approached Town Council with a request of support for a Juneteenth monument. The proposed monument site is the Main Street Mini-Park. Major Heatley is working with the community to raise funds to cover the cost of the project and can be contacted for more information.

Town of Tazewell Recreation Director, Ben Rosado, presented Town Council with a preliminary design plan for a revamped KidZone play area. The design concepts are in the initial stages of development, but offer options such as a splash pad, modernized equipment targeted to a broader ages from toddler to adult, and a more easily supervised environment with maximized visibility of children while playing.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on July 14, 2020. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Kondwani Patterson came before Town Council to ask for their support in creating the Warhawk Park of Shake Rag. This community driven initiative was given unanimous support and the process for acquisition of the property for the park was discussed.

Rick Barton, from Outdoor Adventure Centers (OAC), provided Town Council with an update on the East River Mountain Project. When completed, the hiking trail will provide area citizens and visitors with several miles of scenic mountain views.

Mayor Michael Hoops congratulated Steven Malik for his recent purchase of Subway and thanked him for his investment in Tazewell.

Mayor Hoops also congratulated Keith Moore for his recent purchase of the Coal Bucket Deli and thanked him for his investment in Tazewell.