As 2025 draws to a close, Patrick County can look back on a year filled with meaningful moments — some celebratory, some challenging, and all part of the community’s story. From local government and schools to community events and public safety, here’s a look at the year that was.
January
Wood, Overby elected to lead county
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors elected Jonathan Wood, of the Peters Creek District, to serve as its chairman and Andrew Overby, of the Dan River District, to be its vice-chairman for 2025.
Walker, Harrell to lead school board
The Patrick County School Board selected its chairman and vice-chairman for the upcoming year during its Thursday, January 9 meeting. Amy Walker, of the Mayo River District, was chosen to serve as chairman and Shannon Harrell, of the Blue Ridge District, was elected as vice-chairman.
County Administrator defends actions, addresses criticism during public comment
Patrick County Administrator Beth Simms took the floor during the public comment period at Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, addressing criticism and clarifying several issues raised by the public. Visibly upset, Simms responded to accusations ranging from the use of a county credit card to purchase lunch to claims about her character. Near the end of her more than seven-minute speech, Simms said, “It is completely out of the realm for a county administrator” to speak during public comment but noted she felt compelled to respond to what she described as “complete lies” affecting her personal and professional reputation.
State DSS ends corrective action plan with county, highlights staffing and compliance issues
The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) has closed the corrective action plan it initiated with Patrick County DSS in May 2023. Carl Ayers Virginia DSS Deputy Commissioner of Human Services, explained that the plan was implemented to address critical concerns, including delays in responding to child abuse and neglect complaints, insufficient in-home service, and issues surrounding permanency planning.
February
Hospital renovations advance, Braden Health prepares for regulatory review
Braden Health continues to make progress on reopening the former Patrick County Community Hospital, after purchasing the facility at auction. The company is actively working on renovations and regulatory requirements to bring the hospital back into operation. Kyle Kopec, co-founder and COO, said the opening date remains internal – for now.
Pittis tapped to fill vacancy on council
The Stuart Town Council recently appointed Robert “Rob” Pittis, as an interim council member, during a meeting earlier this month. Pittis, 65, said his decision to seek the interim role stemmed from a long-standing interest in politics and a desire to contribute to the town.
Animal Welfare League expands efforts to support animals
A coalition of experienced animal welfare volunteers is working to support the animals of Patrick County through adoptions, pet food assistance, and spay/neuter programs. The Blue Ridge Animal Welfare League (BRAWL), founded last year, aims to provide resources to pet owners while helping reduce overcrowding at the Patrick County Animal Shelter.
March
Clark Gas & Oil donates more than $60,000 to local nonprofits, schools
Clark Gas & Oil donated $68,500 to local non-profit organizations and Patrick County Schools during its traditional giving back to the community event. Blair Clark, president of the company, said the business began the practice of donating more than 25 years ago.
P&HCC opens Heavy Equipment Operator Lab in Patrick County
The Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) Patrick County Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Lab officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 4. Located at the Gerald L. Baliles and Richard S. Reynolds Sr. Learning Center, the lab features three CAT simulators equipped with the same controls as real excavators and bulldozers, allowing students to gain hands-on experience before operating actual machinery.
Building Trades class builds new gazebo for community
A ribbon-cutting was held on Monday, March 10 to celebrate the completion of the new Hospice Memorial Garden gazebo at DeHart Park. The original gazebo was destroyed by fire in April 2024, part of an ongoing arson investigation. The new structure was built by students in the Patrick County High School (PCHS) Building Trades II course.
Berry, Wood Brothers Racing claim victory in NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400
Josh Berry, driver of the $21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates in victory after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
April
ATF, state police help investigate Gregory Pallet blaze
Federal, state, and local authorities are investigating a commercial structure fire that occurred at Gregory Pallet and Lumber Company in Stuart. The fire destroyed numerous structures, vehicles, and other equipment, burning an estimated 10 acres.
Stuart Book Club celebrates 100 years of service, reading, and community impact
Children, reading, books, and serving others are still priorities in our community, but this all started 100 years ago with the beginning of the Stuart Book Club, one of the oldest civic organizations in Patrick County. The Patrick County Branch Library had its beginnings with the ladies in the club, who also provided needed items for students in the school, provided Christmas treats for children in the streets of Stuart, and promoted reading through their various projects.
Patrick County Board issues historic censure of sitting supervisor
At the Monday, April 28 Patrick County Board of Supervisors meeting, Steve Marshall, of the Blue Ridge District, became the first supervisor in recent memory, and perhaps ever, to be ensured in the county’s more than 230 year history. Marshall was censured in a 3-1-1 vote.
May
Station 8 relocates amid safety concerns
Patrick County’s paid Emergency Medical Services (EMS) service, Station 8, has started its move from its current facility to the former school board office beside the Patrick County Administration Building. Doug Perry, of the Smith River District, said the squad’s current location on East Blue Ridge Street is unacceptable. “They can’t be in there. So, to get them out of that building, we moved them into the old school board building,” Perry said.
Storyteller, Statesman, Servant: Barnie Day Remembered
Former Patrick County Administrator and House of Delegates member Barnie K. Day died Monday, May 12, of complications of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Day was 72. Referred to by one journalist as “Virginia’s Mark Twain,” Day was named by another observer as “the County Doctor of Political Satire.”
June
Clifton retires after 34 years with Blue Ridge Library System
After 34 years of service in the Blue Ridge Regional Library system and 32 years at the Patrick County Library, Garry Clifton retired at the end of May. Clifton served as the bookmobile driver and librarian for 20 years and as the Patrick County branch manager for 12 years.
July
Father shares daughter’s recovery journey in new book
Chris Worley’s debut book, “And I Was Delivered from the Lion’s Mouth: The Lauren Worley Story,” details his daughter Lauren’s journey from her December 2023 car accident through her recovery, which he and many others have described as a miracle. Laruen and her then-boyfriend, Micah Underwood, were traveling in a vehicle when they were struck in a head-on collision. She was hospitalized with severe brain injuries and underwent numerous surgeries to help her recover.
Aerial breaks ground on Breathing Technology Center
Aerial Machine & Tool ceremoniously broke ground on its new breathing technology center on Tuesday, July 15. Aerial president and CEO Thomas “Wheels” Weidley said the new center will help keep both Aerial and Patrick County at the forefront of technological development in this critical, life-saving field. Nearly $800,000 will be invested to design, construct, and outfit the approximately 3,600-square-foot building.
August
Patrick County Ozone Allstars make history with third-place finish at DYB World Series
The Patrick County Ozone Allstars not only captured the Virginia state championship – they also made history by finishing third in the Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB) World Series. This marks the first time a Patrick County team has reached that level of success. The Allstars traveled to Lexington, South Carolina, where they posted a 3-2 record in the pool play game style tournament.
September
School division ranks third in region, top 10 in state
For the fourth year in a row, Patrick County Public Schools (PCPS) ranked within the top 10 in Virginia based on Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores. PCPS also ranked third in the Roanoke/New River Valley area.
Board approves contract to transition county’s paid EMS staff to different management
In a unanimous vote on Aug. 25, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved a contract to transition the county’s paid EMS staff, or Station 8, from county oversight to management of Lexington Inc., which will do business as Patrick County EMS.
Supervisors vote to close part of Dogwood Road despite resident opposition
Despite strong objections from residents, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted to close a portion of Dogwood Road in front of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School (HRMS) at its Monday, Sept. 8 meeting. The measure passed on a 3-1-1 vote.
October
Patrick Promise opens college doors for county students
Patrick County students will soon be able to attend Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) for up to two and a half years at no cost to their families through the new Patrick Promise program launched by the Patrick County Education Foundation. The first group of Patrick Promise students will be those graduating in the spring of 2026.
Pride of PC Remains Undefeated
The Pride of Patrick County traveled to Richmond High School, Saturday, October 24, to compete in the 6th annual Big Blue Classic. Patrick County beat 21 other bands and was named Grand Champion all four years they have attended. The Marching Cougars received an Overall Rating of Supervisor, Division Champion Award, and 1st place in Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, General Effect, Marching, Music, and in Class 4A.
November
PC Band sweeps four competitions, finishes undefeated
The Patrick County High School Marching Band finished its season, Saturday, at its 2025 Cougar Band Classic at Pulaski County High School, as undefeated champions. The band and Color Guard competed in four competitions this season, defeating 74 bands and losing to none. They came home from Pulaski as Grand Champions, with a Superior rating, Class 4A Overall winners – 1st Place in Overall Grade, and 1st place in Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, General Effect, Visual, and Music.
Urgent Care closed, plans to rebrand and reopen next year
Patrick County Urgent Care shuttered its doors Friday, Nov. 14, but owner Dr. Richard Cole said plans are underway for the facility to reopen next year as a rural health clinic. “We had been anticipating converting urgent care into a rural health clinic, probably for several months now, because we noticed our reimbursement is better at our main office, which is a rural health clinic, versus urgent care. So that was kind of in the works,” he said. Cole said the sudden temporary closure was due to staffing issues.
Simms steps down, McGuinness named interim administrator
Following a lengthy closed session meeting on Monday, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of County Administrator Beth Simms. Jonathan Wood, chairman and of the Peters Creek District, said Simms tendered her resignation, which the board accepted. In a motion by Vice Chair Andrew Overby, of the Dan River District, and seconded by Clayton Kendrick, of the Mayo River District, the board voted to appoint Michael “Mike” McGuinness as the interim county administrator, effective Tuesday, November 18. Wood and Doug Perry, of the Smith River District, supported the 4-1 vote. Steve Marshall, of the Blue Ridge District, abstained.
New interim county administrator aims for collaboration and accountability
Michael McGuinness hit the ground running after being appointed interim Patrick County administrator following the Nov. 17 Board of Supervisors meeting. He said his focus is creating a collaborative environment where county employees can do their best work. The 62-year-old described his appointment as humbling and an honor. “It’s not just a job for me to pass through and say, ‘Hey, look at me.’ I’m a nobody, I represent our citizens. It might not be much to anybody, but to me it’s the world. I am the county administrator because of the people of Patrick County,” McGuinness said.
December
Wesley Tatum’s family to lead annual Christmas Parade
The 53rd annual Patrick County Christmas Parade will usher in the holiday season at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Hosted by One Family Productions and the Town of Stuart, the parade will feature the family of Wesley Tatum as grand marshals under this year’s theme, “Magic of the Season,” said Chris Prutting, executive director of One Family Productions. “Wesley always, for years, put together that wonderful Christmas display that was free for the whole community to come out and watch. We really felt like that was the embodiment of the ‘Magic of the Season,’ because that was definitely magical for a lot of families in and around Patrick County,” Prutting said. (The Tatum family in the parade).
McGuinness named county administrator in unanimous vote
Less than a month after being named interim county administrator, Michael McGuinness was formally appointed to the position Monday by the Patrick County Board of Supervisors.
The board voted unanimously following a brief closed session to remove the interim designation from McGuinness’ title. (See next week’s edition for more.)
“This is a massive honor,” McGuinness said shortly after the meeting.
‘Hunger doesn’t have boundaries,’ says Patrick Springs food ministers
“Hunger doesn’t have boundaries. It doesn’t matter where you’re from; if you’re hungry, we’ve got food,” said Larry Martin, co-overseer of the Patrick County Pentecostal Holiness Church Food Ministry. “Really, nobody in Patrick County or the surrounding area should be going hungry,” he added. The ministry distributes food on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:30-5 p.m. It receives donations from Feeding American Southwest Virginia, God’s Pit Crew, a Danville-based nonprofit, along with local businesses. It also partners with the Patrick County Food Bank.
Early morning fire claims the life of one
A man died following an early morning residential structure fire at 154 Memory Lane near the North Carolina-Virginia border on Sunday, Dec. 7 Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith said the 911 Communication Center received a call on Sunday, at 3:01 a.m., from a caller stating that the residence was on fire. Multiple fire departments were dispatched and responded to the blaze. Smith said the man was unable to escape and died inside the structure.
Lacks recognized for service with inaugural award
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation and presented its first-ever Patrick County Partner Award to Judy Lacks at its final meeting of the year.
Lacks, a former school superintendent who later assists the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, now serves as chairman, treasurer, and planning committee member of the Patrick County Senior Citizens group. County Administrator Michael McGuinness created the new award program to honor unsung heroes—those who work without formal recognition to make the county a better place to live, work, and play.
