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Public Safety

  • Chase through Independence ends in arrests

    Charges were placed against three suspects following a high-speed chase in Independence on April 22.
    Independence Police Officer Darren Barrett said he clocked a 1990 Chevrolet pickup traveling 65 mph in a 35 mph speed zone on East Independence Avenue. He turned on the vehicle that turned off U.S. 21 onto Peach Bottom Road.
    The chase ended about five miles later when the vehicle pulled into a driveway.
    Barrett charged Brandon Wayne Poole of Independence with eluding police and reckless driving.

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  • Intruders followed victim from Mount Airy, N.C. to Galax, police say

    Deputies from the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department and Galax police officers responded to 111 Marion Heights in Galax about 3 a.m. on April 29 to investigate an alleged assault.  
    Grayson County Sheriff Richard Vaughan said upon arrival officers found Ernest Harber, 21, with a serious head wound.  

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  • Storms spare Grayson, Galax

    From severe thunderstorms to tornado warnings, local citizens faced some serious – and dangerous – weather conditions last week – and escaped unharmed.
    While nearby Washington and Smyth counties dealt with injuries, deaths and devastation, reports of damages in Grayson County were few.
    Though New River was high and muddy, especially evident in Fries on Thurday morning as waters rushed over the Fries dam, no flooding damages were reported.

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  • How to prepare for severe weather

    The Virginia Department of Emergency Management issued reminders and safety precautions last week during severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings.
    “Everyone needs to stay tuned to local weather reports for thunderstorm and tornado warnings and take these seriously,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
    “Those who live in mobile homes should be ready to leave their homes if a tornado warning is issued for their area and know where they would go.”

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  • Flash Flood Warning through 11:30 a.m. today

    UPDATE: FLASH FLOOD WARNING LIFTED

    A flash flood warning remains in effect for Grayson and Carroll counties, the City of Galax and Alleghany County, N.C. through 11:30 a.m. today.

     

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  • Area under tornado watch

    A tornado watch remains in effect through 2 a.m. Thursday for Grayson and Carroll counties, the City of Galax and Alleghany County, N.C., according to the National Weather Service.

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  • Organizations to accept old medications for disposal

    The Grayson County Sheriff’s Department and other groups will join efforts (Wednesday) to sponsor Drug Take-Back Day.
    The special day will give area citizens who have unused or expired prescription drugs, unused and unwanted prescriptions or over the counter medications a safe and convenient way to dispose of them.
    Anyone can take the drugs by the sheriff’s office in Independence, the CVS Pharmacy on the Truck Bypass in Galax and the VFW building in Hillsville between the hours of noon and 6 p.m.
    There is no cost to get rid of the drugs.

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  • Severe thunderstorms expected tonight, tomorrow

    UPDATED: Thunderstorm Watch has been lifted. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

    The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch, with a slight risk of damaging winds and hail, for Grayson and Carroll counties and the City of Galax through 9 p.m. tonight.
    A risk of thunderstorms continues throughout the day tomorrow and into early Thursday. These storms have the potential to produce damaging winds, large hail and localized flooding.

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  • Sheriff warns citizens of lottery scam

    The Grayson County Sheriff's Department issued a warning Tuesday regarding a "lottery scam" Grayson National Bank's security manager reported Monday.
    Jena Reeves, security manager at Grayson National Bank, reported that one of her customers was a victim of a lottery scam, Sheriff Richard Vaughan stated in a press release.

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  • Sheriff reports arrests

    Two suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with investigations by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department.
    Sheriff Richard Vaughan said on April 16, deputies responded to 1103 North Independence Ave. to a possible assault.  Upon arrival both subjects refused to press charges. 
    During the search of the apartment, paraphernalia and alleged methamphetamine was seized.  Nathan Joe Dowell, 30, of Independence, was arrested and charged with possession of meth.  He was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond.

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