Kingsport woman killed in boating accident in South Holston Lake Monday evening. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports that a deck boat carrying three people collided with a personal watercraft carrying two passengers at around 6 p.m. Monday. The operator of the personal watercraft was airlifted from the scene, while the passenger, 23-year-old Samantha Jo Hess, was pronounced dead at Bristol Regional Medical Center. No one on the deck boat was injured. The incident is still under investigation. 

Raffle will be held in honor of Norton child killed in April. A raffle will be held in honor of 4-year-old Jacob Roberts, who was killed on April 22, starting Monday, May 30, through June 13. Roberts was allegedly killed by his father, Sean Roberts, at their Norton home. Jacob's mother, Shonta, was injured in the incident. Sean was later arrested in Kentucky and remains in jail in Duffield. The proceeds of the raffle will help the family with medical bills. The raffle includes gift cards to department stores and the winner will be drawn by the Norton Police Department. Tickets are $5 or $20 for five tickets and can be purchased by calling 276-679-2701. ​

Several Southwest Virginia counties rank poorest health outcomes in the commonwealth. This year's county health rankings list Wise County on their report at 121 out of 133. The data is based on underlying factors that influence health-like access to clinical care, food insecurity, and alcohol and drug abuse. Wise County is where the Health Wagon is located and they are opening a new ten-chair dental clinic, that is expected to open in the fall, which should help with some of the health issues in the county. Other local counties' rankings are Russell County at 101, Lee County is just ahead of Wise at 120, and Dickenson County is at 125.  

VDOT holds meeting regarding U.S. Route 23 in Scott County. The Virginia Department of Transportation hosted an information meeting Wednesday to discuss U.S. Route 23. The meeting focused on operational and safety issues along U.S. 23 between the Tennessee state line and U.S. Route 59. VDOT reports that the section of the highway has a high number of crashes due to poor spacing between intersections and access driveways located along the corridor. A study is underway to identify ways for improving the highway. The comment period for the study closes on June 4. 

Man accused of murdering a Big Stone Gap police officer determined to be competent to stand trial. The Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office reports that Michael White was deemed to have full understanding of the criminal justice system during a virtual hearing Wednesday. White is accused of shooting and killing officer Michael Chandler on November 13, 2021, while he was responding to a welfare check at a vacant home. White faces 13 charges, including aggravated murder, felony murder, and multiple felonies. His next court appearance has not yet been set, but White will appear in a hearing every 60 days beginning in July. A three-week trial is expected to be in February 2023. He remains in jail in Abingdon. 

Soldier killed in Korean War will have remains returned to Southwest Virginia next month. Army Corporal Roy H. Thomas, a native of St. Charles, in Lee County, was originally reported missing in action in 1950 at the age of 22, after his unit was involved in a battle in North Korea. His remains were not able to be recovered following battle. Thomas' remains were turned over from North Korea to the United States of July 27, 2018. In December 2020, he was identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His name is recorded in Honolulu on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and now since he has been identified there will be a rosette placed by his name to show that he was accounted for. Corporal Thomas' graveside services will be held at Mullins-Sturgill Funeral Home in Pennington Gap, before being buried in Woodway. 

Mayor of Pound resigns immediately. Stacey Carson submitted her resignation during Tuesday night's Town Council meeting. The resignation is effective immediately. Carson mentioned a disagreement over some equipment and wishing to be reimbursed by the town for certain items. The town is facing the possible revocation of its charter after state lawmakers passed legislation to repeal it if the town does not improve its situation. 

Wise County Schools Superintendent retiring at the end of June. Greg Mullins announced Monday night at the School Board budget workshop that he would be retiring on June 30. The announcement came after a 25-minute discussion of the school system's draft budget and a two-hour plus closed session. The board voted unanimously to accept Mullins' request to retire. He has been the superintendent since September 2015 and has worked in education for 39 years. Mullins said that minor health issues are part of his decision. 

Former J.I. Burton football and baseball coach passes away. Jimbo Adams died Monday at the age of 62. Adams had been battling several health issues over the past few years. He was the head football coach at Burton for 21 seasons, with 2018 being his last, after being an assistant for the previous 18 years. The Burton alum, class of 1979, also coached the baseball team for eight years.