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© 2024 PittCo Happenings
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Learn more about what Pittsylvania County leaders are up to, stay up to date on county developments, and hear about decisions that are being made and why they are made, all in just 15 minutes a week.
102 Episodes
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The Pittsylvania-Caswell County Youth Livestock and Sale offers local youth the opportunity to learn responsibility, perseverance and grit as they prepare their animals for this annual show at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. The show also offers spectators the pleasure of watching the youth and their animals in the ring. This week, Extension Agent Mandi Dolan talks about the show and what it means to the kids who participate.
Pittsylvania County has created a way for residents to gain a greater understanding about how local government works through its Citizens Academy. Offered again this year beginning in May, the Citizens Academy gives residents a chance to learn the how and why behind decisions made by the Board of Supervisors, as well as other boards and commissions in an informal and interactive format. During this episode, Banister District resident Kathy Ramsey and Director of Community Development Emily Ragsdale share their own experience with the Citizens Academy and why they feel this program is important.
Pittsylvania County is celebrating Earth Day this year with a litter clean up event on April 27, as well as waiving the tipping fee for the landfill for a week to inspire residents to pitch in to clean up the roads and their properties in the County. The event will also highlight the revival of the County’s Beautification Committee, spearheaded by Chatham Blairs Supervisor Ken Bowman. Bowman visits with PittCo Happenings to talk about this important initiative.
Substance abuse is not a new problem, but with overdose calls up, it remains an ongoing concern in Pittsylvania County. PittCo Happenings spent some time talking about this issue with Dominick Grembi, the prevention program manager for Danville-Pittsylvania County Community Services. Grembi discusses how addiction begins and the science behind it, why today’s opioids can be deadly and the various programs available with his agency to address this issue.
Pittsylvania County Administrator Stuart Turille and Finance Director Kim VanDerHyde discuss how the Fiscal 2025 budget was formulated, the challenges the County faced, how the reassessment fits into this process and when property owners can voice their thoughts on the budget and the proposed real estate tax rate.
A collaborative effort is underway in Chatham to create a vision for the future of the town. Joe Rogers, chairman of the Reimagine Chatham Steering Committee, met with PIttCo Happenings to discuss how this grant-funded project began and how folks can provide input on what they want to see Chatham- which is also the county seat for Pittsylvania - become going forward.
Pittsylvania County is fortunate to have one of Virginia's only AARP Senior Planet trainers working at the Mt. Hermon Library. Branch Manager Tim Rogers is a certified Senior Planet trainer and is currently offering free courses on technology and computers to help seniors better navigate these devices as they continue to change and evolve. PittCo Happenings met with Rogers, and Library Director Rhonda Griffin to further learn how this program works.
Jude Swanson, executive director for the House of Hope homeless shelter talks with PittCo Happenings about a fundraising event on February 24, the Coldest Night of the Year Walk, which is designed to help those needing shelter in Pittsylvania County and Danville. Swanson also touches on the causes of homelessness and why those numbers are rising in this region.
PittCo Happenings meets with Mike Meinel with RiverStreet Networks to talk about its partnership with Pittsylvania County to expand high speed internet in the County. Meinel provides information on the benefits of fiber internet, how to sign up for service with RiverStreet, how fiber will be connected to your home or business, how to contact the company to see if you are eligible for service and when the project is expected to be completed.
Pittsylvania County Administrator Stuart Turille goes over the many accomplishments made by the County in 2023, to include dialing back the proliferation of solar farms, the completion of the Gretna Library renovations, advances in economic development and enhancing communication and collaboration with the volunteer fire and rescue community.
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Darrell Dalton and Vice Chairman Robert Tucker talk with PittCo Happenings about how and why they were elected by their fellow Supervisors to lead the Board in 2024. Dalton and Tucker also talk about their desire for increased professionalism and teamwork moving forward, as well as the challenges the Board faces in 2024, to include the reassessment, the budget and taxes.
The Freedom of Choice Committee, with the support of the Pittsylvania County Library, School Board and the Danville Regional Foundation, celebrates the completion of a two-year long project documenting the experiences of black students who attended white high schools during the Freedom of Choice era in mid-1960s Virginia. The project culminates with plaque dedications at the County’s four high school in February – coinciding with Black History Month and the 70th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education.
Pittsylvania County has started the process of updating its 2010 Master Plan and is seeking input from residents about what they want in terms of facilities and programs in the future. To let residents know what to expect as the plan is updated, PittCo Happenings talks with Parks and Recreation Director Justin Price and Senior Consultant James Mickle with BerryDunn about the update and how they can contribute.
PittCo Happenings talks with Murray Whittle, who was elected in November to serve the Westover District, where he has lived for more than three decades. Whittle is new to politics and said he is eager to learn all he can about Pittsylvania County and its government. Mr. Whittle is particularly interested in assisting fire and rescue with volunteer efforts and looks forward to working with the Board next year.
Pittsylvania County voters approved a 1% sales tax increase in 2022 to pay for school infrastructure improvements. Now that the money is coming in, the School Board is looking to start its first project next summer – safety vestibules for the schools. Other projects are also in the works. In this episode of PittCo Happenings, Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Jones talks about these projects and how the sales tax revenue fits into those plans.
Eddie Hite grew up discussing Pittsylvania County politics with his dad, which fostered a love for his community. In January, Hite will take his seat on the Board of Supervisors for the first time, representing the Dan River District where he has been a lifelong resident. During this episode of PittCo Happenings, Hite discusses his desire for the Board to work together as they begin the new year, as well as wanting more input from residents about the issues that impact their lives.
Ken Bowman will be one of three new members on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors to be sworn into office in January. During this episode, Bowman discusses the experience and strengths he will bring to the Board and how economic development remains one of his top priorities. Bowman also talks about how he wants to make sure there is funding for the schools and the Sheriff’s Office, as well as looking at how to move forward with fire and EMS in the future.
Blairs Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief of Administration Stephen Barts takes listeners back to the early morning hours of November 12 when a fire at the NorthPointe Apartments threatened the lives of its residents. Barts describes how prior experience, forethought and planning, along with the purchase of a key piece of apparatus, kept numerous lives from being lost, as well as the strategic decisions made by Pittsylvania County dispatch and all the County’s first responders that contributed to that outcome.
Outgoing Chatham-Blairs Supervisor Bob Warren discusses his two terms on the Board of Supervisors and what the Board was able to accomplish during that time in the areas of school funding and debt reduction, economic development, public safety, the evolution of the service authority and how strong working relationships helped save the County money and increase efficiency.
PIttCo Happenings talks with Pittsylvania County Administrator Stuart Turille. On the job since April, Mr. Turille discusses his impressions of Pittsylvania County; his desire for balancing the County’s agricultural and rural heritage with economic development and job creation; the areas he has been focusing on over the past several months; and how the recent reassessment and the real estate tax rate will factor into the budget process next year.
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