:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-31-2021/t_3bb0e4380fba46bd96c6c98a8c893857_name_image.jpg)
No one injured in chemical fire at Pittsylvania County manufacturer
CHATHAM, Va. – 10:30 p.m. UpdateThe fire is out at a Pittsylvania County manufacturer as hazmat crews begin to investigate. Pittsylvania County Public Safety Director, Chris Slemp confirmed that there were no injuries in the fire. Ad3:49 p.m. UpdateThe fire at the Tightsqueeze Industrial Park is approximately 90% contained and the chemical smoke has slowed considerably, according to Pittsylvania County Public Safety. 2:23 p.m. UpdateCrews have contained an industrial fire in Pittsylvania County, but officials said its smoke can still cause damage. AdJust before 1:40 p.m., Pittsylvania County Public Safety issued a warning regarding a fire at the Tightsqueeze Industrial Park.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6R22YXU7EZEHJHIUXW44AXP3LU.jpg)
Chatham truck company expanding, adding 27 new jobs
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – A Pittsylvania County company is planning to invest more than $5 million to expand its current operations in the county. J&J Truck Sales Inc., which is headquartered in Chatham, plans to build a new 45,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its current facility at 11453 U.S. Highway 29. “This expansion by J&J Truck Sales reaffirms its continued confidence in Pittsylvania County and our Commonwealth,” said Gov. “J&J Truck Sales has been a proud part of the Pittsylvania County community for the past quarter-century,” said J&J Truck Sales owner Jackie Atkinson. J&J is growing, and our new Chatham facility will be critical in supporting that growth.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZAXTX6KBZNAIRCSMUVLFCEK7DY.jpg)
Pittsylvania County Girl Scout troop donates ‘Thank You’ cookies to medical center
Girl Scout Troops donate 'Thank You' cookies to PATHS staffCHATHAM, Va. – One Girl Scout troop expressed their thanks to a group of medical workers by giving them a delicious treat. On Monday, Chatham Girl Scout Troop 845 delivered two large sacks of ‘Thank You’ cookies to medical professionals at the new Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS) in Chatham. This comes after the troop members requested donations from customers to support doctors, nurses and other caregivers during the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie season. The delivery came after the center had exhausted its supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to a press release. “The girls concluded their 2021 cookie season as a troop with the delivery,” 845 troop leader Lisa Wiebking said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UJJG4U4ZR5BALEAEZPT356FZNE.png)
What’s News Today: Vaccine clinic, importance of saving
The Pittsylvania County Department of Elections and Registrar’s Office will open in a new location today. The county says the old location did not have adequate space to accommodate a volume of early voters. Carlisle School in Martinsville will hold an online auction starting today. Today kicks off ‘Roanoke Valley Saves Week.’ It’s a time to focus on the importance of saving money in an effort to prepare for the unexpected. If you were scheduled to get a COVID vaccine last Thursday in Covington, your appointment has been rescheduled for today Thursday’s clinic at First Christian Church was canceled due to winter weather.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4O2X5PUDRJAH5LQ3GGJ23VELG4.jpg)
Boil water notice in Chatham recinded following water leak
CHATHAM, Va. – UPDATEThe boil water notice for some residents in Pittsylvania has been lifted after over a weak. Officials from the Town of Chatham have corrected the problem that stemmed from a water line bursting. The water line was fixed soon after the fact, but officials said they wanted to put the boil water notice in effect as a safety precaution. This comes after flooding in the Cherrystone Creek area caused debris to break a section of a water line belonging to Chatham. A boil water notice is in effect for residents ranging from Davis Road in Chatham through Tightsqueeze area and along Dry Fork and Pleasant Gap Roads.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-15-2021/t_f8dce2fa3e2e435b8809d22bf8804902_name_image.jpg)
Thousands in Southside wait in the dark for power to be restored
CHATHAM, Va. – Hundreds of families in Pittsylvania County are looking for warmth as crews struggle to restore power quickly. I don’t know what we are going to do.”But crews are working around the clock trying to restore power quickly. Looking around where the trees have come over so far.”Near the Chatham Rescue Squad, crews work for hours to clear the broken trees and downed power lines as it blocks the road. But it’s hard for us to go out and do a door to door,” Jeff Chitwood, a paramedic with Chatham Rescue said. The rescue squad brought in extra pillows, blankets and food to accommodate people who made need to charge their devices or stay warm.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/01-14-2021/t_a457c997098e4f62b10c387cd3ec01e6_name_image.jpg)
Why are Pittslyvania County residents still paying a $120 trash fee?
CHATHAM, Va. – Despite making millions of dollars in revenue, Pittsylvania County’s landfill is still working to pay off a 10-year debt. In 2018, residents started paying a $120 fee to pay the landfill’s operating costs. This fee brings in about three million dollars a year for the landfill, but to gain revenue, Pittsylvania county opened their 450-acre landfill to other places like Bedford, Martinsville and Henry County. Now, the landfill is making nearly two million dollars a year in revenue. “It’s either incur a bunch of them, raise taxes and fees or find this creative way to generate revenue instead,” Pittsylvania County Public Relations Manager Caleb Ayers said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BQVRESW65VDATBPKZOBIDARVKQ.jpg)
Work on Mountain Valley Pipeline can resume
RICHMOND, Va. – Mountain Valley Pipeline has another two years to finish a natural gas pipeline. The Roanoke Times reports that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission also lifted a stop-work order for all but a 25-mile segment of the interstate transmission line that includes the Jefferson National Forest and adjacent land. While acknowledging problems with erosion and sedimentation during the first two years of construction, FERC found that allowing the pipeline to be completed is best for both the environment and the public. In a 2-1 decision, the commission wrote that the presence of equipment, personnel, and partially completed construction is disruptive to landowners. However, new legal challenges could limit the scope of work.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/09-18-2020/t_e8b855eec5fb4a7790b95aabf900be04_name_image.jpg)
Man charged with murder after body believed to be missing North Carolina man found in Pittsylvania County
CHATHAM, Va. – Authorities charged a man with murder in connection with a homicide investigation after they found a body in Pittsylvania County on Thursday. The Raleigh Police Department believes the body is William Anderson “Andy” Banks, who has been missing out of North Carolina since Saturday. Picture of Andy Banks overlaid at the scene where what's believed to be his body was found in Pittsylvania County. (WSLS 10)Banks was meeting someone at a shopping center in Raleigh to sell his Range Rover, which was later found abandoned in Danville. Police had help from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and said the body will be sent to the coroner in Roanoke for an autopsy and positive identification.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/34XO4ZTV25FXVCNW35LKRUYQOY.jpg)
Pittsylvania County authorities ask for public’s help locating man
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – UPDATEAuthorities have released more information as they continue to search for Zachary Pruitt, who was last seen on July 29 at Frank’s Restaurant near Chatham. Anyone with information on Pruitt’s location or anyone who has talked with him recently is asked to contact the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office at 434-432-7931. ORIGINAL STORYAuthorities are asking for the public’s help in their search for a man last seen Wednesday. According to the sheriff’s office, he might be driving a car with a Virginia “Don’t Tread on Me” license plate. Anyone with information on Pruitt’s location or anyone who has talked with him recently is asked to contact the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office at 434-432-7931.

Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office investigator charged with domestic violence
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office arrested one of its own on Monday night. Authorities responded to a domestic-related incident in the 3000 Block of Bannister Road in Chatham. After further investigation, Shannon Edwards, an investigator with the Sheriffs Office, was arrested and charged with domestic assault and battery. The charge against him is a Class 1 misdemeanor and is punishable by not more than a year in prison and/or a fine of not more than $2,500. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

Downed utility pole closes US-29 in Pittsylvania County
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - A downed utility pole has closed US-29 in Pittsylvania County, according to VDOT. Authorities say both directions of US-29 near Chatham will be closed until around 8 a.m. Monday. Stay with 10 News for more on this developing story. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

NC's emu on the run dies during capture attempt
(CNN) - After several months at large, an emu in North Carolina was found -- but the bird died during an attempt to capture and relocate it to a sanctuary, Orange County Animal Services said Thursday. The emu, whom Orange County workers had dubbed Eno, was known for popping up in front yards throughout central North Carolina since June. Despite widespread publicity, no one came forward to claim ownership of the bird, according to Orange County Animal Services spokesperson Tenille Fox. Every time Orange County Animal Services got a call about an Eno sighting, the department would send staff to track the bird down. Orange County Animal Services fed and cared for Eno for weeks and consulted with outside experts to come up with a capture plan.

Authorities identify two people killed in motorcycle crash in Pittsylvania County
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - UPDATEAuthorities have identified the two people that died in a Pittsylvania County motorcycle crash Monday. Authorities say the crash is still under investigation. ORIGINAL STORYA motorcycle crash in Pittsylvania County Monday left two people dead, according to Virginia State Police. Authorities say the crash happened north of Chatham on Route 29. Virginia State Police is investigating this incident.

63-year-old Chatham woman dies in Route 29 wrong-way crash
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - A 63-year-old Chatham woman died in a car crash Thursday afternoon in Pittsylvania County. The crash happened on Route 29, two-tenths of a mile north of Route 29 Business at 3:45 p.m., according to Virginia State Police. A 2017 Peterbilt 330 transport truck was traveling south on Route 29, when it ran off the right side of the road, hit the guardrail crossed the southbound lanes, ran through the median and hit struck a 2014 Nissan Rogue which was traveling north on Route 29. Josephine Gee, the driver of the Nissan was wearing her seat belt and died at the scene. Police say the information for the driver of the Peterbilt is not available at this time and charges are pending.

Crash on Route 29 in Pittsylvania County leaves one dead, others injured
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - A crash in Pittsylvania County left one person dead and several injured Thursday, according to Pittsylvania County Public Safety Director Chris Slemp and Virginia State Police. The crash happened just before 4 p.m. on Route 29 north, a half mile north of Tightsqueeze, at the southernmost Chatham exit ramp. The two-vehicle crash involved a passenger vehicle and what Slemp described as an armored car. Virginia State Police confirms there was one death and is still investigating. The road was closed for about two hours but is back open now.

One arrested, victim flown to hospital after shooting in Pittsylvania County
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - Authorities charged a 60-year-old Chatham man after a shooting happened early Sunday morning in Pittsylvania County. At about 1:30 a.m., the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office responded to the 8000 block of West Gretna Road after being told someone had been shot. At the scene, deputies found the shooting victim lying on the side of the road, bleeding. Shortly after, deputies arrested Michael Randolph Vaughan at the scene and charged him with felonious assault. He is currently being held without bond in the Pittsylvania County Jail.

An emu is on the loose in North Carolina
The skittish bird looks like a creature out of prehistoric times, but it's popping up now in people's front yards in central North Carolina. An emu that Orange County workers have dubbed Eno has been on the lam for at least five weeks, traveling back and forth between Orange and Chatham counties. The department's been plotting Eno's path based on the handful of sightings, Fox said, and it appears that it's traveling north. How did a bird indigenous to Australia wind up in North Carolina? Emu farms are sparsely scattered across the state, where farmers turn their herds into meal and oil products.