[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6312013,"mediaKeyId","2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd","parentId",2392794,"title","Dickenson County ratifies and then dissolves local emergency as flood recovery shifts to cleanup and donations","audioSeconds",337,"startMs",5336000,"endMs",5673000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd&start=5336&end=5673","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd/thumbnail_5336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312013/Dickenson-County/Virginia/Dickenson-County-ratifies-and-then-dissolves-local-emergency-as-flood-recovery-shifts-to-cleanup-and-donations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312013-bbe5071271707bd023fd157728551f0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166075&Signature=G9H51u8vlnoIRBJ3CLBmR8nu-vEBl8srDdKPwNAG5Npjx28ssE7qohOup8PZgSPcZa9WytapifqXsTHuVru~mibDf33iYK2src-8Ljp2iEztWpdqx5-lsX00ytRkSKw76-vbG~YbTO5g0V5bP61C6fCLxswfz8kM-z-fS6h5Sc-wg7noPRJo5iz9dwiVX345ztCjzrHAaxZSf9H1EsCAOGijkLnK8GK5bse71P9WIclP7jCVPYaEl3EztwkrZ68sMopZezJvdTANR9ylIIddq4id95xjsH1-4BRGHkg-ePFvbvs5V49ZmD1ini-nKJgFI2zLyeEfnokfHDAlHchnRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-25T15:56:24Z","article","The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors ratified a local emergency declaration tied to widespread flooding that occurred on Feb. 15, 2025, then voted in the same meeting to dissolve the declaration after reporting that immediate rescue and damage‑assessment operations had concluded.

The chairman read a declaration citing Code of Virginia §44‑146.21 and noting that the county director of emergency management had declared a local emergency at 2:20 p.m. on Feb. 15. The board approved the declaration by motion and roll call and later approved a motion to end the declaration after noting that state and federal damage‑assessment work was under way and that emergency response priorities had shifted to recovery. The board said the declaration’s adoption and subsequent dissolution would not hinder the county’s ability to pursue state or federal assistance, including potential public‑assistance and individual‑assistance programs.

Supervisors and staff described rescue and relief efforts during the storm: sheriff’s deputies, volunteer fire and rescue squads, county maintenance crews, the National Guard, the Virginia Department of Forestry, VDOT and local towns all participated in rescues, supply distribution and road clearing. Supervisors thanked volunteers and partner agencies and repeatedly stressed that Virginia law prohibits the county from performing work on private driveways and single‑house private bridges; the board said it is pursuing nonprofit and donation channels (including a United Way drive) to assist homeowners in need.

County staff provided a contact number for residents with flood damage to register reports and request assistance documentation for potential disaster assistance: (276) 926‑1676 (Dickenson County supervisors’ office). The board also summarized volunteer‑and‑donation coordination, shelter operations and ongoing debris clearance plans. No emergency spending appropriation was recorded at the meeting; supervisors said they would coordinate recovery spending through existing maintenance and emergency budgets and with state and federal partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Public Hearing (February 25, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Supervisors ratified a local emergency declaration tied to widespread February flooding, later voted to dissolve the declaration while outlining recovery steps, damage reporting and limits on county assistance for private driveways and bridges.","taxTitle","Dickenson County, Virginia","taxId",30732,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312018,"Communities and Schools requests Dickenson County pledge for regional opioid‑prevention partnership",358,2865000,3223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd&start=2865&end=3223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd/thumbnail_2865000.jpg","/articles/6312018/Dickenson-County/Virginia/Communities-and-Schools-requests-Dickenson-County-pledge-for-regional-opioidprevention-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312018-f024790e82f8376ddf1cddee797a0fe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166075&Signature=o-oLepm9lv3aP3ne3BhNg7QnQ~7JqpGKTxVZ0hUxZhfSh9cmQjauNWigyD7EGM4feaR8pBFGDuiu03z0ZPfRrpQ669bZOgk0io2SZ9uSsnZcaPmZ2Se2SEuezgDMr4q0J68hKjYZnXx-oebjv1YVulAqNCcQR1AvLVx-TA5y9tV4lBeNxTEAKHo9wA~vjPE9Fjul4yAXfwujMCDB8HLZ4eqpiDUslU4F~peZQDFoUf9N4To3bwRFI~i83Q88456DdA7Vf4dGyqvnrjamH5eOtGOikDFk-r5YFTlsU2CXvwn0fQaicJftnW3hWG7kUy2fmCLpu89lvXGPus0xiFp8rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brett Davis, chief development officer for Communities and Schools of Appalachian Highlands, asked the Board of Supervisors for a pledge of $10,000 per year for five years from Dickenson County as the county’s direct‑distribution contribution to a regional substance‑use prevention partnership. Davis said the $10,000 figure is a local share calculated at $2,000 per Communities and Schools staff member assigned to the county (five staff members in Dickinson County under the program model).

Davis described two program strands: direct, individualized case management for students identified as at risk of dropout and whole‑school attendance‑improvement programming. He said the prevention component would add substance‑use prevention lessons and one‑on‑one reinforcement for students already case‑managed by the student support coordinators. Davis said the county pledge would be used as local match to pursue approximately $900,000 per year from the Opioid Abatement Authority general fund via a competitive application; the local direct‑distribution funds would also support the day‑to‑day delivery of prevention services.

Supervisors asked whether the prevention work would duplicate existing behavioral‑health services. Davis said Communities and Schools focuses prevention and case management on students identified as at risk and would coordinate with behavioral health and other school partners to avoid duplication. Board members agreed the request should be considered during the county’s budget process; Davis said the larger grant application is due April 1 and asked the county to consider the pledge before that deadline. The board agreed to review the request during upcoming budget discussions and to respond before the April 1 application deadline.","Communities and Schools of Appalachian Highlands asked the board to pledge $10,000 a year for five years to support a regional substance‑use prevention program delivered in Dickenson County schools, to be used as match for a larger opioid abatement grant application.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312023,"Lonesome Pine Regional Library highlights expanded programs and state funding formula",803,1599000,2402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd&start=1599&end=2402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","/articles/6312023/Dickenson-County/Virginia/Lonesome-Pine-Regional-Library-highlights-expanded-programs-and-state-funding-formula","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312023-ca1e9339f7dc23588cad4dc5a8af7cc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166075&Signature=M83Cvw4kb501nmVScasD6I3WkE65KoKNHXI5A1COLMDGRL9d~uPeR4DmKPtgkJEy1ScWg6nWSqwOU46tIFIyKP-hwMNSzknqVmP5AmLlW8VTgzBLJMnlBAjB9tx-TvKc2i9YDPf8ct84uXTP-8sJcuNUGFIGVz5wUYy5z~eAMtm44Dip8hr17Kd24Xd09x3gZA~6qbEBMkaZtzjsPb8-ElJdzEwQ1q-ZBYL8NyrnWgJNK-mc2dRF03Ywmnt-HJZ5OZImb3GuYG-gPqN2i7qNtVvp8HO2EXoAYT0RuVMqJ0PZ0rwrM8IjNWVCHgAqasMF-D2mZFI-7wjxY3xt~0b46g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shannon Steffey, a staff member of the Lonesome Pine Regional Library, told the Board of Supervisors that the regional system operates two branch libraries serving Dickenson County — in Clintwood and Haysi — and described a wide array of programs for all ages, outreach partnerships and digital resources.

Steffey said the library runs preschool‑readiness and family programs, a six‑week summer reading program, author visits, community partnerships with senior agencies and behavioral health programs, and a “books by mail” service for homebound residents. She said county funding covers buildings and staff salaries — about 96% of Dickinson County’s contribution is used for staff — while state aid pays for materials, databases and most programming. Steffey listed databases available through the library, including homework and job‑help services with live tutors, genealogy resources and Virginia legal forms.

Board members praised the library’s expanded services and asked how residents could find calendars and databases; Steffey directed them to the regional library website and said anyone who works or lives in Virginia can obtain a free library card. No funding request was made at the meeting; the presentation was informational.","Library staff reported on programming, outreach and free digital resources for Dickenson County residents and explained that county dollars primarily fund staff while state aid supports materials and programs.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6312027,"Resident criticizes Dickenson County PSA leak billing and late‑fee policy",413,621000,1034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd&start=621&end=1034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2392794-c3e54d39eb1af35339ab05593c3029bd/thumbnail_621000.jpg","/articles/6312027/Dickenson-County/Virginia/Resident-criticizes-Dickenson-County-PSA-leak-billing-and-latefee-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312027-fff7ea928bb2e94c98c742925e16481e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166075&Signature=Okw6I7eLnOr8HWgWHKUOt3MawTxFtAY3wITDMFYnnDYpT0xk9PqZT5NdlgH-mGKiixYNKaW47Yg484vsoKXd6Kw0kn1uDKHFeT0x50vG2MPvvJgnsLIivxEgVXwpbq01Z0rasUgJgTTS7Um1vjo6gzhk8b08~BnFun0yuDUQdjeVSe7GlHyMrlkrof2tu8SyvR5iwlJM5zawzYGy7vjM5mjxuJNhbJ~x1IVae-7vZylyUJ7Pc~46HYY-ipbF9aj0zYVcl7kCNFIf-xjdJNLKg9zeQKBKPm2Lm0yWn~xJQHuDZ4XXrWZ1fME6HURqk~jhngaB~7Cu2bB-LJFMzS0n6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wayne Newberry, a Dickenson County resident, told the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 15 that he received a $4,280 water bill after a leak in an unoccupied family property and called the Public Service Authority’s billing and payment‑plan policies “exploitative.” Newberry said leak insurance covered $2,500, leaving him responsible for a smaller amount, but warned that many residents could not afford similar bills or the insurance that would limit their exposure.

Newberry said the PSA told him the leak used about 390,000 gallons of water, and that the PSA’s offered payment plan applies a 10% late fee each month to the remaining balance. He said the plan can produce what he calculated as roughly a 76% effective interest cost over a year if a customer pays the flat installment the PSA first quoted, and called the compounding fee structure “predatory.” \"Payment plans should be clear and provide relief and shouldn't force you into a guessing game,\" he said.

Board members asked whether the PSA sets the policy. Shelby, identified in the meeting as a member of the PSA board, told the supervisors the 10% fee is a PSA policy set by appointed board members and that the PSA is considering adjusting the fee in July to “what the state recommends.” Shelby also said the PSA offers optional leak insurance and that, when customers buy it, the PSA has previously reduced leak charges for qualifying customers.

Supervisors and other residents raised operational concerns, saying meters are read by drive‑by collection and many meter boxes are locked, which limits customers’ ability to spot early high use. Newberry and other speakers asked the county and the PSA to add automatic flags or more frequent checks to detect unusually high usage before a monthly bill posts and to consider caps or additional relief for catastrophic residential leaks.

No formal action was taken by the board during the meeting; supervisors advised the PSA representatives to return with proposed policy changes. The transcript records board members saying they expect to revisit the matter in the PSA’s next policy review cycle.","A longtime county resident urged supervisors to press the Dickenson County Public Service Authority to flag excessive usage, cap catastrophic leak bills and stop compounding late fees after receiving a $4,280 bill for a buried leak.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dickenson County ratifies and then dissolves local emergency as flood recovery shifts to cleanup and donations

Communities and Schools requests Dickenson County pledge for regional opioid‑prevention partnership

Lonesome Pine Regional Library highlights expanded programs and state funding formula

Resident criticizes Dickenson County PSA leak billing and late‑fee policy