The NewsRoom Syndicate

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors (“Board”) is pleased to announce the appointment
of Stuart J. Turille, Jr. (“Turille”), as its new County Administrator. Turille, a native of Lynchburg,
Virginia, has experience in both the private and public sectors and has served in local government
management in North Carolina and Virginia for over twenty years. He will replace David M.
Smitherman, who was terminated by the Board in January of 2022. Longtime County Attorney,
J. Vaden Hunt, Esq., has been capably serving as Interim County Administrator since September
of 2022. At its Business Meeting on March 21, 2023, the Board approved an Employment
Agreement with Turille.

Board Chair, Darrell Dalton, said: “We are glad to have found an experienced local government
manager to serve as our County Administrator. The Board has met with Stuart several times and
is confident that his character and experience will be a good fit for us and the community. The
Board looks forward to working with Stuart to address the challenges we are facing and to help us
further improve Pittsylvania County for the benefit of all its residents.”

The Board conducted a national search for the new County Administrator, assisted by The Berkley
Group, of Bridgewater, Virginia. The Berkley Group received applications and conducted initial
interviews with the most qualified candidates. It then assisted with selecting finalists for
interviews with the Board.

Turille received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, has a Master of Arts in
International Affairs from George Washington University, and a Master of Public Administration
from the Askew School at Florida State University. He spent almost ten years in the private sector
as a management and financial analyst, including nearly four years with the World Bank as an
economic analyst. Turille started his public sector career in 2002 in Broward County, Florida, as
a Budget and Management Analyst. In 2005, he became the Management Assistant to the Town
Manager of Matthews, North Carolina. Subsequently, Turille served as Town Administrator of
St. Paul’s, North Carolina, as Town Manager of North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, as Deputy
County Administrator of Essex County, Virginia, and as City Manager of Petersburg, Virginia.

Turille shared these thoughts about his appointment: “It is a privilege to serve the Board, citizens,
and employees of Pittsylvania County, continuing my career as a local government manager. The
County has a rural agricultural history and beauty worth protecting, combined with clear economic
and cultural potential, which is what my family and I have sought. I will start with where we are
today, seek to understand our past, and work with the Board and you to link it to the future. Where
we are going, we will go together, as one community. I am eager to begin work with the Board to
implement its vision for the County and to address both the challenges and opportunities identified.
I appreciate the confidence that the Board has shown in me. As a native of Lynchburg, this
opportunity is a homecoming of sorts. My family and I are at work already to purchase a home in
the County and become a part of the community.”

Turille will assume his County Administrator duties on April 1, 2023.

SOURCE

Charles Roark of Star News went up to a lady panhandling on behalf of the group calling itself the Miracle House of Hope from Charlotte, North Carolina. They aren’t based in Martinsville, but came there to raise money in the street. When the lady led Mr. Roark to her boss he got a bit angry and broke bad on him.

Roark quoted the following: “South Carolina’s secretary of state has issued a warning to residents about a Charlotte-based organization that claims to help homeless drug addicts. In March 2019, Miracle House of Hope Ministries was banned from soliciting contributions in South Carolina after the organization failed to register as a charity. Secretary of State Mark Hammond also said the organization didn’t file annual financial reports as required under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act. State officials said solicitors with the organization collect cash donations by approaching drivers at busy traffic intersections and handing out flyers. Since Miracle House of Hope Ministries refuses to file financial reports, state officials said it’s unknown where the cash donations go or how they are used.”

The Danville Police Department and Virginia State Police will once again partner for traffic enforcement and safety from March 12-24. This will be the second time both agencies have partnered together since Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Operation Bold Blue Line in 2022.

During the two-week period there will be a heavier-than-normal police presence in the City of Danville with marked police vehicles. 

This partnership with the Virginia State Police is part of the state’s initiatives supporting local law enforcement in efforts to reduce crime and save lives across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The partnership will be a focused effort using data-driven analysis to guide enforcement efforts through the holiday season with the goal of reducing traffic crashes and injuries through enforcement and additional focused efforts to reduce violent crime in the community. Some of the locations identified include: 

•    Nor Dan Drive

•    Halifax Rd.

•    South Boston Rd.

•    Riverside Drive

•    Central Boulevard

•    Franklin Turnpike

•    Craghead Street

•    Memorial Drive

•    Mountain View Drive

•    South Main Street

•    West Main Street

•    Mount Cross Road

The Danville Police Department reminds everyone that this is a planned, proactive operation.

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Plan Danville is a community planning process to develop the comprehensive plan: a 20-year policy document reviewed every five years and acts as a guide for land use development, zoning, and prioritization for future development. On Tuesday there was a ribbon cutting storefront ceremony for it with video provided by River City TV. You can see the video recording from their Facebook page post on it you can find here.

Official release:

Plan Danville’ storefront now officially open

With the goal of hearing the voices of all residents, business owners and visitors in Danville, local leaders held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday for the “Plan Danville” storefront at 206 North Union St. 

The storefront will serve as the central hub for holding conversations about how and where change will occur in the city over the next couple of decades.

“We want everyone involved,” Mayor Alonzo Jones said at the ceremony. “The next time we have this conversation (about planning Danville’s future), we will not have to hear someone say, ‘I wasn’t involved.’ Everyone can be involved.”

“Plan Danville” is a community planning process to develop the comprehensive plan: a 20-year policy document that is reviewed every five years and acts as a guide for land use development, zoning, and prioritization for future development. 

A team of community ambassadors will serve as local grassroots organizers. The team consists of Reese Luck-Brimmer, Felice McWilliams, James Reynolds, Roshay Richardson, Amyia Totten, and Sonya Wolen. They will lead small conversations at the storefront and in neighborhoods over the next several months. 

“Our city is undergoing a remarkable resurgence,” Jones said. “Nearly 4,000 jobs have been announced in the region since 2018. Those numbers include the resort casino under construction. We are confident that more jobs are on the way. More than ever, change is coming. So, this is the time for a plan like this.”

City Manager Ken Larking thanked the members of the City Council for their support of the “Plan Danville” planning process.

“What I am excited about this plan is that we are putting it into overdrive.” Larking said. “We know there is a lot of change in our community that we are experiencing now. We know there is a lot of change to come. So, we want to make sure that we did the very best we could when it comes to a comprehensive plan.”

He added, “When we make a plan, and execute that plan, then we can really dictate what our community looks like over 10 to 20 years.”

Larking cited the redevelopment in the River District as an example.

“About 10 to 15 years ago, the community started talking about what it could do to improve its downtown,” he said. “There was a plan that was made in about 2010. Here we are years later, and if you think about what our River District looked like then, and what it looks like now, then you can see how carefully designing a plan with community input, and executing on that plan, can make a true difference.”

Public investment of $52 million in the River District has resulted in $310 million of private investment.

“That is outstanding for a decade of work,” Larking said. “What we are trying to do is replicate that throughout the city. This comprehensive plan will touch every neighborhood and every business area of the community.”

Larking said resources that were not available before will now be available to implement change for a better Danville for everyone.

He also talked about the community engagement that will take place as part of the process.

“Unlike anything we’ve ever done before, we’ve never had community ambassadors that will be out in the community and going to the hardest to reach people to make sure their voices are heard,” Larking said.

Larking thanked the Danville Regional Foundation for providing a grant to assist in the community outreach effort.

Diana Schwartz, executive director of the River District Association, talked about the history of the storefront and its renovation. North Union Street has been central to entrepreneurship in Danville, first as part of a tobacco history and heritage, and later as the center of black entrepreneurship in the city.

The 206 and 208 North Union Street buildings were constructed in the early 1900s. In the past, these properties have contained tobacco warehouses, furniture stores, a lunch and billiards parlor, a cobbler’s shop, a boxing gym, and an art gallery.

In need of rehabilitation, Danville in 2018 secured $150,000 in a preservation campaign in which Danville competed against many larger cities. The buildings were renovated and now serve as office space, with the River District Association being the primary tenant.

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The city of Eden, North Carolina put out his announcement yesterday on Facebook:

We have another bittersweet retirement announcement … while we’re so happy for him, we will all miss Terry Vernon tremendously. Terry, our Eden Parks & Recreation Director, has announced that he plans to retire May 1.

Terry has lived in Eden his whole life. He began his career working part time at the Boys Club in 1974-1975 and then left to work full time so he could save for college. After working two years he went to school at East Carolina University where he graduated in 1981 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.

He then came home and was hired by Sam Law, who he credits as having the biggest influence on his career, and worked for 26 years at the Boys & Girls Club. He was then recruited by Andy McBride, who served as Athletic Director for the City of Eden in 2007, to come work in that position upon Andy’s retirement. Terry was promoted to director in 2021.

Houston Barrow, Rockingham County Commissioner, said, “Terry Vernon has influenced generations of children in Eden, NC. I learned the importance of teamwork, fair play, and good sportsmanship under his tutelage. Many of us in the city, including myself, spent more hours each week with Terry than we did with our own parents. I would not be the man I am today without him, and I will always cherish my relationship with Terry.”

Terry said the most rewarding parts of the job are the friendships and relationships he has made, as well as being part of the community. He is thankful to have worked with so many good people in his career.

His proudest accomplishment at the City of Eden was that the youth programs were able to run so long without fees thanks to the Eden City Council. He is very appreciative when someone thanks him for mentoring them as they grew up with at the Boys & Girls Club or at the recreation centers.

One of these people is District Attorney Jason Ramey. Ramey said, “Aside from God and my family, no one had a greater influence on my life than Terry Vernon. Terry sacrificed so much and worked countless hours to make sure that children of Eden, regardless of their background, grew up in a safe environment and could participate in several different sports and fun activities. Through his example, words, and actions, he instilled in us the values of commitment, diligence, discipline, integrity, honesty, and teamwork. Terry is a true servant of the community, and I will always be grateful for how God used him in my life and the lives of thousands of others.”

Terry has been District 8 Director of Dixie Youth Baseball for Rockingham, Caswell and Person Counties for over 20 years and has been involved with multiple State Tournaments here in Eden at Freedom Park. In his spare time Terry announces ballgames at Morehead High School and has been doing that for several years. He has been a volunteer for United Way and volunteers with Meals on Wheels. He is also a member of the Eden Noon Lion’s Club and an Elder of King’s Memorial Baptist Church. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Tammy, along with there three adult children and their grandchildren.

As part of leadership training and transition, Assistant Director Ray Thomas will be appointed Acting Director upon the retirement of Mr. Vernon to continue on with continuity and success of the important work of Parks & Recreation Department in fields such as youth sports, senior activities, community centers, and public facilities maintenance.

“I got in at a young age and I worked with a lot of great people who turned into even better mentors. At the end of the day, If I could do it again… I wouldn’t think twice.”

Wentworth, NC February 27, 2023 –  Rockingham County would like to congratulate Anthony Crowder on his many years of service and retirement following his time as County Fire Marshal. From a young age, Crowder knew he wanted to serve as a fireman. He may be officially retiring at the age of 50, but Crowder says he is not done serving Rockingham County.

   Anthony Crowder began his fire career before he graduated high school; serving as a junior fireman at the age of 16 for the Ruffin Volunteer Fire Department. He earned his Emergency Medical Technician certificate in 1990 and graduated from Rockingham County High in 1991.  Before starting with the county, Crowder continued his education by receiving numerous certifications.

   In 1993, Anthony Crowder began working on a Rockingham County EMS truck and towards his Paramedic credential which he received a year later. With his goal of working for a fire station full time, in 1997, Crowder began with Reidsville Fire where he stayed until 2020 when he accepted his final professional role of Fire Marshal for the county. 

   During those 23 years, Anthony Crowder held numerous part-time fire positions and volunteered at local departments. He spent the majority of his volunteer years at Yanceyville Road Fire Department and worked part-time for Summerfield, Eden and Wentworth Fire departments.

   “I got in at a young age and I worked with a lot of great people who turned into even better mentors,” Crowder said, “At the end of the day, If I could do it again… I wouldn’t think twice. I would do it all over again”

   Crowder explained he has seen and done a lot over his career including delivered four babies, one of which being his youngest son Daniel. Crowder remembers clocking in and being in the kitchen of Reidsville’s Station Two when the news broke about the September 11th attacks.

   Anthony Crowder has been married to his wife, Tracy, for 24 years. The two have raised 3 children: Hayley, Christian and Daniel. Crowder said “I’ll still work, part-time. The pace will change but the work will still keep me busy.”

   Anthony Crowder’s last official day is February 28th, 2023. Rockingham County Government wishes him well in this new adventure. For more on the current Fire Marshal, please visit our webpage.  

SOURCE

Family Literacy Night is going to be held at the Advanced Institute For Research and Learning in Danville, Virginia this Thursday (March 2,2023). The event starts at 4:00 PM and will run to 7:00 PM. Anyone can attend. This event is open to the public. From the Facebook Event page description of it:

“Dan River Year AmeriCorps, Danville Project Literacy, AmeriCorps, and REACH AmeriCorps present Family Literacy Night on Thursday, March 2, to coincide with Dr. Seuss’s birthday and National Read Across America Day! This event will feature 29 stations where students can complete a hands-on activity based on a book.”

“In addition to activities, 300 books will be given to the children who attend. Dollar and Scotter, mascots from URW Community FCU and Danville Otterbots, will be present to meet and pose for photos. URW Credit Union will also give away the book Just Saving My Money. And finally, Storytime from Rachel Timm of the Pittsylvania County Public Library will take place at 6:00 p.m.!”

For more info click here.

Beginning on Monday, Feb. 27, Norfolk Southern will be closing at-grade road crossings for rail maintenance work along its main track through Danville. The work will continue through the end of the week.

Road crossings will be closed for one to three hours while Norfolk Southern lays rail through the crossing.

Crews will begin at the Clearview Drive crossing. Norfolk Southern will set up a detour for Clearview Drive in the Pinetag neighborhood at the emergency access road off Oak Creek Drive onto Corning Drive.

Once work is completed at Clearview Drive, the crew will move to other crossings. Here is a list of the main railroad crossings scheduled for maintenance (also see attached map) :

1. Clearview Drive
2. Private (golf course)
3. Hunter Street
4. S. Edgewood Drive
5. N. Edgewood Drive
6. Stokesland Avenue
7. Wooding Avenue
8. Holbrook Street
9. Jefferson Street
10. Monument Street
11. Lynn Street
12. Halifax Road
13. Private (off E. Franklin Turnpike)

Motorists should obey the flashing red lights and gates at the railroad tracks and select an alternate route when the crossing is closed.

Additional closures will be required by Norfolk Southern at a future date, tentatively scheduled for April to complete the rail replacement work. Additional notification will be provided at that time.

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