Three County News

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH RIGHT HERE IN LEBANON VIRGINIA AND IT LASTS ALL DAY! The reason one would plug Lebanon, Virginia’s celebration on July 4th for America’s 250th Birthday is because the event is all day long. The event begins early in the morning and lasts all day until the fireworks finish later that night. The Lebanon Lions and the Town of Lebanon partner together to pull off the great event. The Lebanon Lions are led by their President Britt Keene.

MARION — A crowd filled the Marion Senior High School auditorium Thursday night as the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission held a joint public hearing on proposed amendments to the county’s zoning ordinance pertaining to data centers.

Smyth County is preparing to launch a comprehensive overhaul of its real estate reassessment process, a project county officials say is designed to correct the serious problems that plagued the 2024 cycle and rebuild public confidence in how property values are determined. Commissioner of the Revenue Bradley Powers has made it clear that the upcoming 2028 reassessment will be guided by accuracy, transparency, and accountability at every stage.

The Marion Town Council moved swiftly through a full agenda Monday night, approving the FY 2026–27 budget, hearing updates on public safety and infrastructure, and taking public comment on waterway conditions and fire hydrant pressure concerns. All council members were present. Public Presentations The meeting opened with a presentation from Beverly Haddock of the Smyth Animal Rescue and Resource Center and the Smyth County Humane Society.

Contentious Smyth County School Board Meeting Draws Allegations, Protests, and Affidavits Submitted to Magistrate Marion, VA. Tensions ran high at Monday night’s Smyth County School Board meeting as parents, students, and advocates clashed with board members over public comment restrictions, student safety concerns, and the handling of allegations of inappropriate conduct at Chilhowie Middle School.

The Marion Town Council met Monday evening with all members present except Debra Hayes and approved the agenda before opening a public hearing on the proposed FY27 budget. Town Manager Andrew Keen outlined expected revenue growth, noting that water service and meals tax remain the town’s primary revenue sources. With several new restaurants slated to open, officials hope to see continued increases in meals‑tax collections.

New Artifacts Donated to Smyth County History Museum as Octagon House Legacy Expands Marion, Va. — The Smyth County Historical Society celebrated a major addition to the county’s historical record today as descendants of the Thomas family presented a new collection of artifacts tied to the Abijah Thomas Octagon House located in the Thomas Bridge community of Smyth County—one of the most distinctive and architecturally significant homes in Southwest Virginia.

This article was submitted prior but due to unforeseen circumstance was overlooked. An apology to the author that it was not up sooner. Three County News Editor MARION, Va. — The Smyth County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday evening for a wide‑ranging session dominated by school funding pressures, looming tax increases, departmental restructuring, and public concerns over transparency, debt, and the future of data centers in the county.

MARION, Va. — The Smyth County Board of Supervisors held a special called meeting Thursday evening to conduct a series of public hearings on the FY26 budget, school funding, utility rate adjustments, solid waste fees, and a proposed real estate tax increase. Attendance was fairly low, but a few residents offered pointed criticism of school administration, county spending priorities, and the impact of rising taxes on seniors and working families.

Dr. Mark J. Matney with a partnership of Rodney Williams started a weekly Monday night non-denominational Bible study at the Russell Theater in Lebanon, Virginia. The Legendary Russell Theater is a great facility for a Bible study as attendees can watch the study on the big screen. The study has several mission points. First, it is designed as an opportunity for those no longer attending church.