Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510310007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
WYTHEVILLE - A project to restore 40 acres of natural woodland has been started by Wytheville Community College, the Wythe Conservation Group, the town of Wytheville and a number of school children from Wythe County.
The future sanctuary lies between a pond at the college and the Interstate 81 corridor. When work is completed, it will provide wildlife habitat and a secluded path for walkers, bird-watchers or people simply seeking solitude in nature.
The woods will provide a canopy for the pond and stream, as well as a buffer to noise and air pollution from interstate traffic. But its main purpose is to provide a habitat for some of Virginia's endangered songbirds.
The population of these migratory birds has dropped in the past decade. The Nature Conservancy estimates that only four wood thrushes sing in Virginia woodlands today for every 10 in 1980, partly because the woodlands themselves are disappearing. The New River Christmas Audubon Bird Count last year reported declines from 1993 of more than 20 percent in almost every species counted.
The town of Wytheville is giving several hundred tree seedlings to the project. They were obtained by forester Larry Wilhite through the National Tree Trust surplus program.
Dean BeCraft, maintenance supervisor at the college, is overseeing the disking and scarification of the acreage for easier planting. School children and members of Scout troops will scatter native seeds such as acorn, maple, dogwood, walnut and chestnut among the furrows.
Funds for Wall of Honor
WYTHEVILLE - The Wythe County Board of Supervisors will spend $12,750 for the Wall of Honor in Wytheville's Withers Park.
The money will pay off the debt on the project, which lists Wythe County residents who lost their lives in military service as well as notables in civic or sports endeavors. The money also will provide some help for upkeep of the walls.
Wytheville Town Councilman Jim Gleaves told the board that he or Councilwoman Jackie King would give up one of their seats on the administrative board for the wall project, if the county would like to have a representative on it.
The supervisors also approved $7,500 to match a grant obtained by the Wythe Arts Council.
Traffic fines rising in Wytheville
WYTHEVILLE - The town of Wytheville may soon increase fines for minor traffic violations.
A proposal before Town Council would double the fine for having no town tag, from $7.50 to $15. Fines for obstructing traffic and improper parking would go from $2 to $5, and overtime parking in two-hour zones or occupying no-parking zones, from $1 to $5. A second offense in a two-hour limited parking zone would go from $10 to $15, and illegally parking in a handicap space, from $10 to $25.
The increases will be considered Nov. 13.
Police group endorses candidates
WYTHEVILLE - The Virginia Police Department Benevolent Association has endorsed several Wythe County candidates in the Nov. 7 election, based on questionnaires and interviews.
David Mays, executive director of the association's Virginia branch, said the New River Valley chapter endorsed incumbent Republican Sheriff Wayne Pike for re-election, Republican Mike Fariss for the at-large seat on the Board of Supervisors, and Jack Crosswell and Olin Armentrout for re-election to the board.
Crosswell and Armentrout, both of whom were Democrats, were denied their party's candidacy after taking positions in favor of a private prison in the county. Crosswell, whose voting record had been conservative, switched to the Republican Party and Armentrout is running as an independent.
Democrat Harvey Atkinson is challenging Crosswell. Armentrout is running in a field of five, the others being Clay Lawrence, Bob Shook, Johnny Huddle and Thomas Reed Montgomery.
Pike is being challenged by Democrat Sam Burcham and independent Nathan "Tuck" Lephew. The other at-large candidate is Democrat Bucky Sharitz.
Mays said the association probably would not endorse candidates in other New River Valley counties.
Firefighters need furniture
MAX MEADOWS - The Max Meadows Fire Department is seeking contributions of furnishings and other items for its new fire station now nearing completion.
The firefighters and staff must buy such items as floor coverings, cabinets, fixtures, a stove, refrigerator, dishes, microwave, coffee maker, silverware, curtains, tables, chairs.
Donations of any such items are requested. Donors can call 637-6266 for further information.
Home care branch opens
BLAND - Wythe County Community Hospital's home care agency has opened a branch office in the Newberry Building on U.S. 52 in Bland.
The agency, Circle Home Care, is Medicare-certified and offers nursing, rehabilitation services, medical social services and home health aides, available to adults and children with acute health problems, long-term health conditions, disability or terminal illness.
"WCCH considers Bland County part of our primary service area, so it seemed appropriate that our first branch office would be located in Bland County," said Martie Byrum, Circle Home Care director. Further information is available by calling 688-3484 or 1-800-204-5770.
Trash pickup fee $1 per bag
WYTHEVILLE - Wytheville residents will pay $1 a bag for trash pickup starting Jan. 1.
Until then, the town will provide information on buying stickers for bags or cans at the Municipal Building or certain businesses in the town. The pay-per-bag system is based on purchase of the stickers.
A citizens' advisory committee studying what kind of fees should be imposed to meet rising disposal costs mailed 3,000 surveys offering two alternatives: $1 per bag or a flat monthly fee of $12.
A total of 979 survey forms were returned, with 648 respondents preferring the per-bag system.
The committee also has recommended a central recycling facility with longer operating hours. The town takes newspapers and mixed paper, plastics, glass and mixed metal trash for recycling in a rear corner of the Wythe Shopping Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The town also has set a cleanup week for brush Nov. 13-17.
Town-run radio in Wytheville
WYTHEVILLE - Wytheville has a new radio station, this one operated by the town.
The station, at 1610 on the AM dial, broadcasts weather reports, emergency information, traffic advisories, highway construction projects and information on local events. It can handle up to 55 prerecorded messages in any sequence, and is on the air 24 hours a day.
"The radio station was added to the town's services through the Public Safety Department as a method of alerting citizens during emergency situations," said Albert Newberry, public safety director.
Family Fun Fest scheduled Nov. 11
WYTHEVILLE - The Mount Rogers Interagency Coordinating Council will sponsor a Family Fun Fest from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Wytheville Recreation Center, 250 S. 4th St.
Food, fun and favors for the whole family will be part of the festival, held in recognition of Early Intervention Month. Further information is available by calling Kathy Largen at 223-3270.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB