Trial for accused shooter of Norton Police Chief has been delayed. The trial for James Buckland, the man accused of shooting Norton Police Chief James Lane in May 2021, has been delayed to allow for a mental evaluation. The trial was scheduled to begin next week, but has been moved to May. Buckland has been indicted on 17 charges, including attempted murder. He remains jailed in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Duffield. 

Town hall meeting in Pound held Tuesday night to discuss whether to remain a town. Only two town leaders attended the meeting, Mayor Stacey Carson and a council member. The meeting came after Majority Leader of the House of Delegates Terry Kilgore filed legislation to remove the town's charter. Recent turmoil has brought town services, including water, sewer, and public safety, to a standstill. The town council is unable to take action itself because it received an injunction after suing two former members. The council also needs a quorum of three to take any action, but new members must be appointed by a judge. Some business owners showed an interest in joining the council in an attempt to save the town government, although several businesses have closed in the last year. No Virginia state legislators were present at the meeting or watched it via Zoom. 

Suspect in Saturday night Appalachia gas station robbery is being sought after. The Wise County Sheriff's Office reports that a robbery took place at the Valero gas station at 740 West Main Street at around 11:40 p.m. Saturday. The store was getting ready to close for the night when a man entered armed with what appeared to be a revolver. He allegedly demanded cash from the clerk and fled the scene in a small dark-colored car. The suspect is identified as a tall white male wearing a dark hoodie and face-covering. Anyone with information is asked to contact the WCSO's Criminal Investigative Division at 276-328-3566.  

In Virginia,
Buchanan County schools closed
Dickenson County schools closed
Lee County schools closed remote learning day
Mountain Empire Community College closed
Norton City Schools remote learning day
Scott County schools closed
Washington County Virginia schools opening 2 hours late
Wise County Christian School opening 2 hours late
Kids Central Part Year Program opening 2 hours late

In Tennessee,
Carter County schools opening 2 hours late
Hancock County schools opening 2 hours late
Hawkins County schools closed
Johnson County schools closed
Rogersville city schools closed
Unicoi County schools closed

In Kentucky,
Big Sandy Community & Technical College remote learning
Floyd County NTI Day
Hazard Community & Technical College Opening at 11 am
Hazard Independent NTI Day
June Buchanan School Opening 2 hours late
Knott County Closed
Letcher County Closed
Pikeville Independent NTI Day
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A Man Charged In Connection With A Russell County Virginia Murder Who Was Being Sought By Authorities In Southwest Virginia Has Died. 50 Year Old Timothy Coleman Was Charged In The Shooting Death On Of Scottie Ray Holmes On December 30th. Coleman Fled The Scene Of The Shooting And Was Eventually Found In Cleveland Virginia. Before Law Enforcement Could Put Him In Custody Coleman Shot Himself. He Was Pronounced Dead At A Local Hospital. The Investigation Is Ongoing.
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​The Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’S Department Is Investigating A Body Found Under Suspicious Circumstances. The Body Of 73 Year Old Eula Miles Was Found Inside An Empty Barn On Sunday. The Body Was Sent For An Autopsy. More Information Will Be Forthcoming As The Investigation Progresses.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of man accused of killing ex-wife in Wise County five years ago has been raised. The Wise County Sheriff's Office announces that the U.S. Marshal's Office is now offering $15,000 for a tip leading to the arrest of Eric Monroe Jones. Jones is accused of shooting his ex-wife, Janina Jefferson, multiple times while she was working the overnight shift at the Town of Appalachia Water Treatment Plant on November 27, 2016. He is a black man, who weighs 175 pounds, and is 5'7. If anyone has any information on Jones' whereabouts, they are asked to call 276-328-3566. 

Heritage Hall names new facility after fallen Big Stone Gap police officer. Heritage Hall, in Big Stone Gap, will name its new expansion "Chandler Hall," in honor of Michael Chandler, a Big Stone Gap police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty in November. Chandler Hall will house 36 patients and specialize in the care of those living with Alzheimer's, dementia, neurocognitive disorders, and other neurological conditions. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for January 6 at 2 p.m. Heritage Hall invites first responders, health care workers, and families to attend to honor Chandler and launch a legacy that aims to assist its community members. The expansion recognized the need for an upgrade of the specialized memory unit.