News

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on September 10, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Mayor Hoops read a proclamation declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and presented items from the Town of Tazewell to area youths that are battling, or have battled, childhood cancer. Councilmember Emily Davis read a proclamation from the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors that also recognized the month at the County level. Jill Rasnick, of the TJ Rasnick Foundation founded in her son’s memory, was on hand to remind everyone that September 24th is “Go Gold” Day. She also invited the community to a fundraiser at the YMCA on September 28th to help with medical costs for three young men currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Jay Shott, on behalf of Back of the Dragon, thanked Town Council for consideration of their proposal to expand their business location. After meetings with Tazewell Little League representatives and Back of the Dragon owners and investors, the Town of Tazewell reached an agreement that provides for necessary and welcomed expansion of this tourism sector, while also including provisions that protect the Little League’s interests and provide the children with brand new fields and facilities. Tentative arrangements provide for use of Lincolnshire Park while construction is completed. During the meeting, Town Council voted to transfer the property in question to the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) and the agreement was read in full, with terms of the eventual sale to Back of the Dragon outlined. Community members were present to express their many concerns with the plans.

Mayor Hoops released this statement following the meeting:
“I want to hopefully clear up questions that you may have concerning the potential sale of the Little League fields to the Back of the Dragon. We met with representatives from the Tazewell Little League prior to town council voting on this issue. We discussed what they want to see in new facilities & how we can accommodate them in the meantime. The agreement read at the town council meeting last night was designed to ensure the protection of the kids and our Little League program. Prior to any change of possession, the funding and location for new fields must have been identified. A big concern I’ve heard is that the purchase price for the current LL fields will not completely fund building two new facilities with all the necessary items required as replacements for what will be lost at the current fields. That is why the agreement states that if land and complete funding are not available or identified, then the deal does not go to closing. The agreement also ensures that the new fields must be equipped with all the necessary items like press boxes, restrooms, concession stand, and ample parking to ensure an enjoyable experience. We want the kids to have everything they need. The current fields leave a lot to be desired, they flood, lack parking & restroom facilities. New fields would be a great thing for our Little League program, which is very much a vital part of the community. This is an opportunity to make that happen. In the interim as new fields are being built, we will ensure there will be no break in play. The fields at Lincolnshire will be brought up to Little League codes & standards prior to & if the need arises to use them. In turn we are working with the county to find a new home for our recreation soccer program in the spring. All of these stipulations and many more are outlined in the agreement. The Back of the Dragon has agreed to these terms. No closing date will be set until these terms are met. A copy of this agreement may be obtained at Town Hall. You will see dates listed in the agreement, these are just placeholders and are not the actual dates in play here. Let me reiterate, we will not be closing on the sale of this property until these terms are met.

I would like to ask that prior to believing Town related business posted to social media, please ask me. I am here to help wherever I can. We hope to be able to release information soon regarding the expansion of the Back of the Dragon business. We do work diligently to attract new businesses & jobs to the area. Many things go on behind the scenes that you don’t see. I wish we had companies lining up to locate here & create jobs. The fact is that tourism is what we have going for us at this time. We are doing our best to make the most of the situation that our tourism efforts have found us in. Ensuring the kids are well taken care of in this deal is our top priority and a responsibility that I personally do not take lightly. I am a Little League parent too.”

Town Council also opted to implement a burning ban due to the extreme dry conditions. The ban will be in place until lifted by the Town of Tazewell Fire Department.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on August 13, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Sharon Thomas, owner of Tazewell Cinema & Entertainment, LLC., updated Town Council on the progress with the Tazewell cinema. Plans feature a full range theater that will not only offer a cinema experience, but also offer theatrical productions in conjunction with partners such as the Barter Theater. Sharon is working diligently to secure grants to assist with the renovation.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on July 9, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Vice Mayor Dr. Terry Mullins with Emily Hinkle, Director of the Attitude Arts Academy, along with students who participated in a national competition on June 20-21, 2019. The Town of Tazewell was among the many local sponsors who helped the students reach the competition. Per their Facebook page, these awards were received at nationals:
Emily Hinkle – 2019- 2020 Young Adult Miss Ultimate Starz title, Interview Award, Photogenic Award, Evening Wear Award, Talent Award and also competed her solo recieved Platinum. She was also on the All Starz Dance Team.
Paige Franke – Honorable mention in Young Miss Ultimate Starz and competed her solo that she choreographed and recieved a high Gold. She compete a trio and recieved high gold. She was on the All Starz Dance Team.
Audrey Miller – competed a trio and recieved high Gold. She was also on the All Starz Dance Team.
Isabella Powers – Honorable Mention in Little Miss Ultimate Starz. She compete her solo and recieved a high Gold. She was also member of the All Starz Dance Team.
Hunter Asbury – 2019-2020 Mini Master Ultimate Starz title, Photogenic Award, Evening Wear Award, Talent Award, Interview Award. He was also a member of the All Starz Dance Team.
Julie Noonan – member of All Starz Dance Team.

Drennon Laney approached Town Council in regard to a request to use Lincolnshire Park for an Airsoft Tournament on November 8th.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on June 11, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Mayor Michael Hoops recognized the winners from the District 8 Skills USA Contest from the Tazewell County Career & Technical Center. Cynthia Beavers, Principal TCCTC, shared that Tazewell County was well represented by the students.
List of winners (per the TCCTC website):
Automotive Refinishing Technology: 1st Savannah Christian, 1st post secondary Taylor Williby
Automotive Service Tech: 1st Gage Wyatt, 2nd Andrew Arney
Barbering: 1st Marie Spence
Bricklaying: 2nd James Alexander, 3rd Zack Cangiano
Building Management: 1st Calei Curtis, 2nd Michael Ball, 3rd Cody Bogle
Collision Repair: 1st Brian Blankenship
Crime Scene Investigation: 2nd Amelyah Martin, Jakob Remines, Nicole Prater
Diesel: 1st Benjamin Coleman, 2nd Jerimiah Brill, 3rd Nick Smith
Esthetics: 1st Hannah Dillon, Caprea Worth
Fantasy Manikin: 3rd Avarey Baker, 8th Taylor Campbell
Job Skills Demo A: 1st Kayla Hodges. 3rd Tiffany Dunford
Maintenance and Light Repair: 1st Allen Smith, 2nd Byron Rose
Masonry: 1st Anthony Ball, 2nd Thomas Lovell
Marine Service Tech: 1st Jeffery Hagy, 2nd Andrew Honaker, 3rd Keonte Ellison
Motorcycle Repair: 1st Cole Baker, 2nd Andrew Lester, 3rd Justin Matney
Nails: 1st Katlyn Brown, Lakin Crabtree
Power Equipment Tech: 1st Cody Osbourne, 2nd Isaiah Neal
Welding: 1st Grayson Dillow

Charity Hurst, Principal of Tazewell Middle School, thanked the Town of Tazewell for their support. Charity worked diligently to implement a program to reduce school absenteeism. Part of her program featured a reward day at Lincolnshire Aqua Park, courtesy of the Town of Tazewell.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on May 14, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Mayor Michael Hoops recognized the Tazewell Wrestling Team for their excellent season and many awards received.

Town of Tazewell Chief of Police Dave Mills gave updates on his team. K-9 Officer “Vader” and Officer Dakota Grizzel just completed their certifications for the K-9 unit operations. Officer Grizzel and Vader gave a demonstration of Vader’s abilities as he quickly and efficiently tracked the drug scent. Chief Mills also introduced new members Officer Andrew Layne and Accreditation Manager Amanda Jones.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on April 16, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Matthew Blankenship, of Boy Scout Troop #93, requested approval from Town Council to construct a hammock village at Lincolnshire Park as part of his Eagle Scout project. Town Council approved funding half of the project with a $425 donation to match the funds Matthew will raise.

Amanda Hoops, Claudine Blankenship, and Beth Clemons update the Town of Tazewell on upcoming events slated for Main Street.

The monthly Town Council meeting was held on March 20, 2019. The meeting agenda can be viewed here.

Mayor Michael Hoops recognized the Tazewell Middle School Girls Basketball Team for their undefeated season of 2018-2019 and the Tazewell High School JV Girls Basketball Team for their win of the Southwest District title for 2018-2019.

Derrick Mays, the Program Manager of the Virginia Center for Accreditation for the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services,  presented the Police Department Accreditation Award to the Town of Tazewell Police Department. Derrick, along with Rick Arnold, who is Chief of Police for the Wytheville Police Department and the Virginia Law Enforcement Standards Commissioner, outlined the difficult process in becoming accredited and maintaining it. Town of Tazewell Chief of Police Dave Mills accepted the award and expressed his sincere gratitude at the honor and his pride in his department for their efforts in achieving this goal.

Mike Abel, President of the Tazewell County Historical Society, presented the Town of Tazewell with a check for $15,000.00  Tazewell County Historical Society was the recipient of a grant from the Dilston Foundation and donated those monies received to the Tazewell Train Station to pay a large portion of the cost of the new mural. The mural will be unveiled during the May 18th grand opening ceremony at the Tazewell Train Station and will feature Tazewell through the eyes of Louise Leslie. Louise was a founding member of the Tazewell County Historical Society and wrote many books on the history of Tazewell, so this project is of particular importance to them to honor her memory.

Shawn Durham, CEO of the Four Seasons YMCA, updated Town Council on the great events planned at the YMCA. From a new spur of the Appalachian Trail linking the YMCA to Burke’s Garden, to an adult Prom, to sponsoring the upcoming local Scripps Spelling Bee for Tazewell County, the YMCA is kicking off its 10th anniversary by rapidly approaching its millionth member scan in.

Ben Rosado, Recreation Director for the Town of Tazewell, updated Town Council on plans for Lincolnshire Park for the year. Ben is planning a great number of events, that include night swims, luaus, movie nights on the water, fishing competitions, Spartan-style trifecta races in conjunction with other communities, a park-wide Fun in the Sun event to wrap up summer, in addition to the Aqua Park and Swimming Pool.