A Kingsport Woman Accused Of Leading Police On A High Speed Chase With A Small Child In Her Vehicle And Then Dragging A Hawkins County Sheriff’s Deputy When He Was Attempting To Remove Her. 28 Year Old Brittany Bailey Is Charged With Vehicular Assault, Felony Evading Arrest, Felony Reckless Endangerment And Several Other Charges. Corporal Mike Allen Was Not Injured In The Incident. Bailey Is Being Held Without Bond Pending A Preliminary Hearing On April 7Th. 

(LEBANON, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Cumberland Plateau and Lenowisco Health Districts remind residents and visitors to Virginia to take precautions to protect their health during and after heavy rains. Bacteria, debris, and other pollutants are picked up by rainwater as it travels over the land and ends up in rivers, lakes and streams. Recent heavy rains can increase the risk of exposure to inadequately treated wastewater released from sewage treatment plants and animal waste. This mix of rain and pollution can pose risks to human health and safety.
 
Rain events also cause flooding and fast-moving waters, especially in low-lying areas. People should take precautions to avoid flooded areas and swollen waterways, and once the sun comes out, be aware of potential health risks and hazards before you participate in recreational water activities, like swimming and boating. Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. Contact with contaminated water also can cause infections of the ears, nose, throat and skin.
 
VDH recommends these safety tips for those who enjoy swimming, wading, kayaking, canoeing or rafting in Virginia’s rivers and natural waters:
•Avoid wading, swimming and boating in natural waters following heavy rains. These waters typically contain more debris and germs, and can increase your risk of injury and illness.
•Avoid getting water in your mouth. Never swallow water from an untreated water source.
•Don’t swim if you have broken skin. Bacteria, viruses and other organisms can infect wounds and cause more serious illness.
•Shower with soap and water after recreating in natural waters.
•Don’t swim when you are ill.
•Avoid swimming if dead fish are present.
•Use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary risks if you encounter covered roads or fast-moving waters. The water may be deeper and moving faster than you think. Remember: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
 
Residents or facilities that provide water to the public including campgrounds, restaurants, summer camps, or daycares with private wells or septic systems submerged by flood waters should also take extra precautions.
 
For more information and safety tips regarding private wells and septic systems visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/responding-to-an-emergency-affecting-your-private-well/.
 
To find the location of local sewer treatment facilities, contact your local public works department.
 
To contact your local health department, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/local-health-districts. For more information on recreational water safety, see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” at www.SwimHealthyVA.com. 

A man has been arrested after a police chase involving a stolen vehicle ended in Washington County, Virginia. The Washington County Sheriff's Office reports that officers were notified that Virginia State Police were pursuing a suspect into the county on Monday. The suspect, Alan Myers, was wanted for stealing a Ford F-250 in Morristown, Tennessee. When deputies joined the chase, the Ford was exceeding speeds of 80 mph. He used the median to turn around on I-81 multiple times, including when he entered Smyth County before turning around. The truck was finally successfully spiked twice and eventually came to a stop. Myers and a female passenger were taken into custody. He was charged with disregard of police command to stop, driving without a license, and reckless driving. He is being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail without bond. 

Republican Travis Hackworth wins the special election in Virginia's 38th Senate District. Hackworth defeated Democrat Laurie Buchwald to fill the seat previously held by Ben Chafin, who passed away from COVID-19. His platform was that he wants to help school systems and assist with the expansion of broadband efforts. Hackworth hopes to be sworn into office by the end of next week so he will be able to participate in the upcoming special session on April 7. 

Pound Virginia’s Newest Appointed Town Attorney, Greg Baker, Has Resigned. This Comes At A Tumultuous Time When Three Town Council Members And The Town Are Being Sued By Former Ousted Town Attorney Tim McAfee. McAfee Filed The More Than One Million Dollar Suit In Wise County Circuit Court Alleging Breach Of Contract And Interference In Attorney-Client Relationship. The Town And Council Members Clifton Cauthorne, Marley Green, And Susan Downs-Freeman Have Been Named As Defendants In The Lawsuit.

A Lee County Virginia Prison Inmate Has Been Sentenced In U.S. District Court In Abingdon For Unlawfully Possessing A Weapon. Leonardo Acevedo-Vazquez Was Ordered To Serve 33 Additional Months And Three Years Of Supervised Release. Prosecutors Said Vazquez Possessed The Illegal Weapon Inside The United States Prison.

Virginia will test at 9:45am, Kentucky at 10:15am

​Every school, business, work place, and family across the state is strongly encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill!
Here are some key points to remember about the drill:

• The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT).  There WILL NOT be an actual Tornado Warning issued.
  
  
• Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) DO NOT sound an audible alert for the RMT product, but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received.  As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:45 AM on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, there's a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not automatically sound an alarm. 
  
  
• Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following: turn your radio on to listen to the broadcast by 9:40 am and when you hear the alert, simply start your tornado drill at 9:45 AM. If you do not have a NOAA Weather Radio simply start your drill and enact your safety plan at 9:45 AM.
  
  
• There will be no followup statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill.   It will simply be over when your group, school, business, organization, or family feel that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
  
  
• If there is actual severe weather occurring on the morning of March 16, 2021, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed.  The alternate date for the drill is Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 9:45 AM EST.

The Buchanan County Virginia Sheriff’s Office Is Investigating The Death Of A Woman, Who’s Body Was Discovered In A Creek. It Was Found In Water Off Slate Creek Road Sunday Morning. Investigators Are Unsure The Cause Of Death And The Body Has Been Sent To The Medical Examiner’s Office In Roanoke For An Autopsy. No Names Have Been Released At This Time And Virginia State Police Are Assisting In The Investigation. ​

The Health Wagon And The Virginia Dental Association Foundation Have Decided To Cancel This Year’s Move Mountain Medical Mission, Formerly Wise Remote Area Medical And The VDAF Mission Of Mercy, Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic. This Event Was Set To Be Held In Wise Virginia From July 9th And 10th With The Health Wagon’s Medical And Vision Clinics Held At The Wise County Fairgrounds. Health Wagon President And CEO Teresa Tyson Said Public Safety Is Of The Utmost Importance. ​