A Bible was one of few belongings to survive a blaze.
There is little doubt that 2020 will be remembered as the year of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The stories below show that while we did not escape unscathed, Patrick residents rallied to meet the new challenges. May that same commitment and a renewed sense of hope, accompany us into a new year.
January
Gilbert settles in new post
Dean Gilbert started the new year on the right foot – in his office getting settled in a new post.
Gilbert, 52, was selected to lead the Patrick County Public School division following an extensive search last year for a new superintendent.
Simmons, Scott to lead school board
Brandon Simmons was reelected to serve as chairman of the Patrick County School Board at the board’s reorganizational meeting Thursday. Simmons served in the same capacity in 2019.
Walter Scott was selected to serve a first term as vice-chairman for the upcoming year.
Patrick, Henry residents participate in VCDL’s Lobby Day
About 100 Patrick and Henry county residents joined the ranks of the 130,000 who lined the streets surrounding Virginia’s State Capitol Building in Richmond on Jan. 20 to rally in support of the Second Amendment.
February
Overheated brakes the culprit in Monday accident
The latest in a series of tractor-trailer accidents on U.S. 58 snarled traffic for hours Monday.
The tractor, equipped with a sleeper cab, was hauling lumber in a 45-foot shipping container, and traveling east on U.S. 58 (past Lovers Leap area), according to Capt. C.A. Weidhaas, of the Stuart Volunteer Fire Department.
Former owner, publisher died Sunday
Gail Harding, the former owner, and publisher of The Enterprise, died Sunday, Feb. 9, at her home in Lynch Station, Va. Harding, 69, was surrounded by family, friends, and her beloved dogs at the time of her death, according to her sister, Linda Harding. Gail Harding had suffered from several health issues since September, her sister added.
Couple escapes with minor burns, family pet perishes in blaze
An elderly couple received minor burns in the structure fire last week that claimed the life of their dog.
Russell and Joyce Wimbish were inside the home at 284 Watering Hole Drive in Patrick Springs when the fire broke out.
March
First death from COVID-19 reported by state
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Peninsula Health District om Saturday reported the death of a hospitalized patient who previously tested positive for COVID-19. This event marks the first death in the Commonwealth of Virginia due to COVID-19.
Schools to remain closed for academic year certain businesses ordered to shutter
Gov. Ralph Northam announced that all Virginia schools, both public and private, will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Other announcements included state mandated closers of non-essential businesses and those who could not adhere to state mandated social distancing protocols.
Patrick declares state of emergency, announces changes in service delivery
Patrick County is among a list of growing localities to declare a local state of emergency to allow for a faster response to concerns related to COVID-19.
The action will aid in supplemental resources to the locality and empower the locality to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake, according to a release from Geri Hazelwood, interim county administrator.
Businesses burdened under quarantine mandate
As officials discuss sheltering in place and extending social distancing protocols into late spring and early summer, many businesses are starting to feel the burden of the empty streets. Gov. Ralph Northam limited the gathering of more than 10 people in hopes of slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and avoiding a catastrophic burden of overflowing the Commonwealth’s medical capabilities.
April
Northam issues ‘Stay at Home’ order
Gov. Ralph Northam issued a statewide Stay at Home order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately.
Proposed tax increase nixed, supervisors plan to cut spending
Real estate taxes in Patrick County will remain level this fiscal year, but cuts are expected as the county’s deficit nears $900,000.
‘Keep guard up,’ health official urged
Although there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Patrick County as of Tuesday, health officials continued to encourage prevention as the best way to manage the illness.
Nancy Bell, public information officer for the West Piedmont Health District, was among those to help keep residents informed during the pandemic.
Nancy Bell, Public Information Officer for the West Piedmont Health District, which includes Patrick County, said the lack of confirmed cases could mean “folks are being very good at social distancing and following the recommendations or they’re not being diagnosed, but I think population density is your friend.”
Drive-in Easter service attracts worshippers
The parking lot of Harvest Worship Center filled during a drive-in Easter Service held Sunday at the church on U.S. 58 in Patrick Springs. The parking lot was filled completely, according to reports.
Blueprint unveiled to ease public health restrictions
The “Forward Virginia” blueprint, which will help guide the Commonwealth on when to safely begin easing public health restrictions, was recently presented by Gov. Ralph Northam.
The blueprint includes a phased approach that is grounded in the federal Centers for Disease Control and
Adoption rates spike, shelters cleared a silver-lining of COVID-19
For those still observing the stay–at–home order, it can be lonely with little to no outside contact. A potential side effect of the order – the stay–at–home blues — has given rise to fostering and adoption of furry friends across the nation. Many shelters in and around Patrick County are reporting more interest in fostering and adopting animals. This surge in interest has left some shelters nearly empty
May
New COVID-19 cases identified Sunday, first phase of local reopening underway
Health officials reported that two new cases of the coronavirus were identified in Patrick County on Sunday. The two cases include a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s.
Three vehicles involved in pile-up
A three-vehicle pile-up occurred Sunday afternoon in front of the Circle C store on Virginia 8.
Nine fire–fighters firemen and two firefighting apparatus were dispatched to the incident, according to Lt. Austin Bryant, of the Stuart Volunteer Fire Department.
Main Street comes back to life, but future uncertain for businesses
Nearly two months after the pandemic related shut-down, some promise and life is returning to Stuart, as businesses re-opened in Phase One of Gov. Ralph Northam’s plan.
June
Calls for unity continue at memorial to honor those lost to ‘systematic’ racism
A peaceful protest was held in Stuart, attracting 250 to 300 people.
Between 250 and 300 people gathered in Stuart Sunday to remember George Floyd and countless other African Americans who, speakers said, met their demise at the hands of police brutality.
School officials face challenges of reopening schools
Patrick County School officials are working now to meet the anticipated challenges of reopening this fall. “The challenges will be great, but we will look for ways to provide the best instruction possible until we can have all students in the buildings and on buses,” Patrick County Schools Superintendent Dean Gilbert said.
July
Blaze destroys rig hauling tiki torch fuel
Fire crews and other public safety personnel responded to a tractor trailer fire around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24. The incident occurred on U.S. 58, near the intersection of U.S. 58 and Midway Drive.
County officials adopt fiscal ’21 budget
In a majority vote, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors adopted the proposed $54,372,772 spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year at its final meeting in June.
“This budget has been a long, drawn–out budget,” Jane Fulk, chairman, said of the process undertaken to balance the budget with an initial nearly $900,000 shortfall.
Some restrictions remain in third phase of reopening plan
Trust issues call to relocate statue, pedestal
The J. E. B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Inc., has filed an application with the City of Richmond to relocate the statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart to his native Patrick County.
If the application is approved, the statue will be erected at Laurel Hill Farm, Stuart’s birthplace in Ararat, according to Ronnie Haynes, president of the trust. Haynes said the trust, a private non-profit 501c3 organization, filed an application to acquire the statue after it was removed from Monument Avenue in Richmond.
Hybrid plan approved for schools to reopen
The Patrick County School Board approved a hybrid plan to reopen schools on Aug. 11, after hearing comments from parents, teachers, school administrators for most of the nearly three-hour July 21 meeting.
“This is probably one of the most important decisions any board has ever had to make in the history of this county,” Brandon Simmons, board chairman, said before the proposal was approved in a majority vote.
August
Agricultural Fair canceled due to pandemic
The 68th annual Patrick County Agricultural Fair has been canceled for 2020.
Sonny Swails, a member of the Stuart Rotary Club, said that while the fair was shut down for a few days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this is the “first time in the history of the fair that it has been outright canceled.”
Trust seeks donations to help with relocation project
The J. E. B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust Inc. is seeking donations to potentially move, restore and install Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s monument, with plans to relocate the statue and its pedestal at Laurel Hill Farm, Stuart’s birthplace in Ararat.
Virtual new school year underway, school officials respond to issues
The beginning of a new, virtual school year was among the items discussed by the Patrick County School Board at its Aug. 13 meeting.
Schools Superintendent Dean Gilbert said officials are trying to fix the issues with mobile hotspots on three school buses. The buses are to be placed throughout the county to help students with connectivity issues.
Hazelwood to take helm of county on Sept. 1
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors in a 4 to 1 vote on Aug. 17 named Geri Hazelwood county administrator.
Hazelwood, 44, officially assumes her new post on Sept. 1.
September
Virus outbreak at squad prompts warning to community
Derek Wagner, chief of the Jeb Stuart Rescue Squad, issued a warning to residents after nine squad personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
“Please follow the CDC guidelines,” Wagner said of guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). “We are healthcare providers. We followed the guidelines, but it still happened to some of us.”
Patrick students ‘excited’ about return to classrooms
School buses took to the roads in Patrick Monday as students enrolled in the hybrid instructional plan returned to area classrooms.
Health official ‘confident’ in response after students, staff quarantined
An official with the Virginia Department of Health expressed confidence in the Patrick County School division’s response to probable COVID-19 cases encountered in an elementary school.
Nancy Bell, Public Information Officer for the West Piedmont Health District, said the local response followed recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC).
Cameras to be installed near caboose
The Town of Stuart Council will install cameras around the caboose that is situated downtown, near the Mayo River Rail Trail. The decision came after a Sept. 13 vandalism – the second time vandals targeted the caboose.
October
Health officials mull residency program in Patrick
Health officials are considering several options to help address health needs, including creating a residency program. Nancy Bell, public information officer with the West Piedmont Health Organization (WPHD) and the Healthy Patrick County Initiative, said finding ways to assist Dr. Richard Cole with his practice is a priority.
Some students transition to four-days in class
Some students are returning to classrooms for four days instead of two per week, following a vote by the Patrick County School Board Thursday.
Schools Superintendent Dean Gilbert said the division doubled in-class instruction time for some English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education students – a transition that is provided for in phases outlined in Gov. Ralph Northam’s reopening plan.
Fall foliage, views attract hundreds
Brilliantly colored leaves, sweeping views and mild temperatures lured many to enjoy a weekend drive along U.S. 58 to Lovers Leap, Meadows of Dan, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
November
GOP candidates score big wins among Patrick voters
More than 75 percent of Patrick County’s 12,667 registered voters participated in Tuesday’s election, and Republican Party candidates emerged with wins in all precincts, according to unofficial results from the Patrick County Registrar Susan Taylor.
More than $40,000 collected for broadband project.
Patrick County residents donated a substantial part of more than $40,000 collected in a grass-roots fundraising campaign.
Campaign underway to celebrate 50 years of community service
Agreement reached to expand U.S. 58, construction to begin late summer 2021.
Construction on the Lovers Leap section of U.S. 58 is set to begin late summer of next year, according to Lisa Price-Hughes, resident engineer of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “We expect the project to be completed in early summer 2026.”
Input sought on PHCC’s potential name, mascot change
Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) could soon become Patrick-Henry Community College, following recommendations from a naming review committee to make the campus more racially inclusive.
December
High school sports to return after narrow vote
Patrick County High School students now have the option to participate in high school athletics following a 3-2 vote at the special called meeting of the Patrick County School Board on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The vote that paves the way for high school sports, training, and conditioning to begin with winter sports, was taken after impassioned pleas from several parents, coaches, and students.
Christmas Parade cancelled amid growing concerns
After closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Patrick County and surrounding areas, One Family Productions, which organizes the event, deemed it appropriate to cancel the 49th annual Patrick County Christmas Parade.
Shough tapped to fill new HR role.
Donna Shough is wearing two hats these days.
She has served Patrick County as the director of Finance for 16 years, and recently was selected to serve as director of Human Resources.
