Sarah Crockett, East Wytheville Supervisor

04/16/2026

We are 7 days away from our second community public information meeting regarding the proposed Land Use Classification ordinance.

Wythe County encourages residents to review the proposed Land Use Classification Ordinance ahead of the upcoming Community Meeting.

Read the ordinance, view your proposed property classification using GIS, explore FAQs, and submit your questions in advance so you can come informed and ready to engage.

📅 April 23rd @ 6 p.m.
📍 Rural Retreat High School Gymnasium

Be part of the conversation: www.wytheco.org/zoning

04/13/2026

Declaration of Local Emergency
Wythe County Burn Ban

WHEREAS, as Wythe County Director of Emergency Management, in accordance with §44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, I have been advised by the county director of emergency services, emergency management coordinator and affiliated agencies regarding consideration of a county-wide ban on outdoor burning; and

WHEREAS, all parts of Wythe County are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, high fire fuel loads, variable wind gust conditions and elevated safety risk to life, property and first responders in the County of Wythe; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County responders have been called to multiple recent brush and grass fires resulting in property damage and threats to persons, livestock and livelihood; and

WHEREAS, adjoining and nearby counties have implemented burn bans after the National Weather Service emplaced advisories against outdoor burning, prompting a need to consider county-wide action; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County is authorized by Virginia Code§ 15.2-922.1 to regulate the making of fires on private property and public places when a declared emergency exists; and,

WHEREAS, the County under§ 44-146.21 may declare a local emergency when the governing body perceives a need to protect the health and safety of persons and property; and,

WHEREAS, also in accordance with § 44-146.21, the governing body, when in its judgment all emergency actions have been taken, shall take appropriate action to end the declared emergency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James D. Smith, Chair of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and by Code the Director of Emergency Management, acting upon the recommendation of fire, emergency management and law enforcement staff, find and declare that a local emergency exists due to fire hazard; and

FURTHERMORE, I do hereby declare an immediate and indefinite ban on outdoor burning, subject to confirmation by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, effective immediately on this 13th day of April, 2026, at 6 p.m., and authorize the county's public safety and law enforcement agencies to act to enforce this ban.

James D. Smith, Chair
April 13, 2026

03/25/2026

Had a great visit yesterday learning more about the important work Mount Rogers is doing in Wythe County. Their services support so many individuals across our community. If you’re interested in their mission, they are incredibly welcoming and it’s well worth your time to learn more.

Thank you to Sarah Crockett (second from right), member of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, for spending the day with us touring Mount Rogers Community Services facilities. She also attended the Mount Rogers Community Services Board of Directors meeting. Here she is joined by (from left) Senior Director of Operations Kathy Cressel, CEO Sandy Bryant, and Chief Clinical Officer KJ Holbrook. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Mount Rogers people and services!

03/06/2026

Community meeting set for March 30 to discuss proposed land use ordinance

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Wythe County will host the first in a series of informal community meetings on Monday, March 30, at 6 p.m. at Fort Chiswell High School to discuss a proposed Land Use Classification Ordinance. The meeting is open to all residents and designed to encourage public dialogue about the draft ordinance and a preliminary zoning map, both of which are available at www.wytheco.org/zoning.

The proposed ordinance aims to guide future development in Wythe County while respecting private property rights and preserving the county’s rural character. The Wythe County Board of Supervisors asked staff to develop a land use framework consistent with the county’s strong commitment to property rights and its need to address future development challenges.

Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins has spent nearly three years drafting the proposed ordinance in collaboration with the Planning Commission and in accordance with state requirements and best practices. The conversation surrounding zoning in Wythe County has intensified in recent years following the development of large-scale solar projects and broader concerns about future industrial growth.

Under Virginia law, localities cannot adopt zoning regulations that address a single issue or one specific land use. Any zoning framework must be a general ordinance that applies countywide, rather than selectively targeting development types.

“We have already had a lot of discussion about zoning, and we want to make sure residents have clear, accurate information about what this draft would and would not do,” said Hankins. “Our goal has always been to develop a light-touch ordinance that strongly respects property rights while giving the county a practical tool to guide future growth. We encourage citizens to review the draft, ask questions and help ensure it reflects the values of our community.”

The March 30 session will be informal in format. County staff will make a short presentation then engage directly with residents, answer questions, address concerns and gather feedback. Citizens will have the opportunity to provide input verbally at the meeting or submit written comments for consideration. Members of the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission will be in attendance, but the meeting will not be a formal meeting of either body.

Residents are encouraged to submit questions and feedback through the county’s website in advance of the meeting so that staff may prepare thorough responses to specific concerns. The website includes the full draft ordinance, a preliminary zoning map, and frequently asked questions, available at www.wytheco.org/zoning.

Additional community meetings are anticipated this spring, with dates and locations to be announced. Details will be advertised once they are confirmed.

The March 30 community meeting will be held in the Fort Chiswell High School gymnasium. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and discussion will begin at 6 p.m. with a short presentation. All residents are encouraged to attend, review the materials in advance and take part in the conversation as Wythe County considers next steps.

02/28/2026

One of the things I enjoyed about Ag was getting to see the cannery in action. So glad I could be a part of this.

Wythe County Approves Boiler Replacement to Restore Cannery Operations

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – The Wythe County Board of Supervisors voted at its Feb. 24 meeting to proceed with the purchase and installation of a new boiler for the Wythe County Cannery, advancing efforts to restore full canning operations at the historic community facility.

Canning operations were temporarily paused in October 2025 after the cannery’s boiler failed beyond repair. The shutdown occurred at the height of the fall harvest and canning season, when many local families, farmers and community groups rely on the facility to preserve their produce. While the facility has remained open for meat processing, canning services have been suspended pending installation of a replacement system.

Wythe County is receiving $50,000 through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant program to support the boiler replacement. The competitively awarded matching grant, administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, partners with local governments to invest in community infrastructure that supports small-scale farmers and food producers. The boiler replacement is part of a long-range modernization and capacity-building initiative for the Wythe County Cannery.

“The Wythe County Cannery has served generations of families, farmers, church groups and civic organizations,” said James D. Smith, chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “By moving forward with this replacement, we are investing in an important community asset and supporting the small producers and families who rely on it. We appreciate our state partners for recognizing the value of this project and helping us move it forward.”

In addition to replacing the boiler, Wythe County and Wythe County Public Schools are continuing to evaluate long-term options for the cannery’s future. That includes exploring whether the facility could eventually be relocated to better meet growing demand and provide improved space and functionality. These discussions are centered on ensuring the cannery remains a strong, reliable resource for local families and producers for generations to come.

“The cannery is part of our community’s heritage and an important connection to agriculture for many of our citizens,” said Dr. Russell Street, director of finance and operations for Wythe County Public Schools. “While the temporary pause was challenging, this investment helps restore services now and gives us the opportunity to plan carefully for the future of this valued community resource.”

Updates will be shared as progress continues on restoring full canning operations and evaluating long-term expansion opportunities.

02/03/2026

Now through April 30th we are accepting 2026 Tax Relief applications for the elderly and disabled. The $250.00 credit is only available for Real Estate or Mobile home taxes on your primary residence.

Qualifications: (each of the following must be met to be eligible)

You must be 65 or older or totally disabled before January 1 of the current tax year.

Annual household income may not exceed $35,000.00.

Total net worth (excluding house and one acre of land) may not exceed $100,000.00.

An application MUST BE completed in the office EVERY YEAR between February 1st and April 30th.

Verification of ALL INCOME from the previous year for the entire household must be provided.

Acceptable income verification sources:

Federal Income Tax return.
Form SSA-1099 Social Security Statement
SSI Statement
Fuel Assistance
Snap Benefits
Retirement Statements
Rental Income
Inheritance
Interest and Dividends

Acceptable assets verification sources:

Checking Account Statement from December 2025
Savings Account Statement from December 2025
IRA Account Statement
Savings Bond Statements

Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.
Our Office is located at 290 South Sixth Street, Suite 275, Wytheville, VA 24382.
If you have any questions please call the office at 276-223-6015

12/24/2025

Yesterday, I had the honor of being sworn in to serve Wythe County. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to work hard for our community over the next four years.

11/11/2025

To all veterans, thank you for your service, your strength, and your commitment to protecting our freedoms.

My family has a proud tradition of military service, so when our town announced its initiative to honor hometown heroes, we knew exactly who to recognize.

Jack Crockett, my grandfather, served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1953. He was wounded during World War II and received the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal.

Although Jack passed away before I was born, his legacy lives on in our family and in the values he stood for. We are proud to honor him and share his story with our community