The Virginia Department of Corrections and ABC News report the wounding of 5 Correction Officers including three being stabbed The incident occurred at the Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap Virginia which is a level 5 maximum security prison The three corrections officers that were stabbed and the two others that were injured have been taken to a medical facility outside of the prison Three of the officers have been discharged with two officers listed in stable condition at the time of the report The attack was described as a premeditated attack on May 2 The department of corrections through ABC news confirmed that there were six perpetrators in the attack Five of the inmates involved were MS-13 gang members from El Salvador Those gang members were reportedly in the country illegally The 5 inmates are convicted of violent crimes including aggravated murder The sixth inmate involved in the attack is serving a sentence for second degree murder The attack remains under investigation with no further details available until the conclusion of that investigation For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. The River 95.3 serves the Northern Shenandoah Valley with music from the 70’s 80’s & beyond plus local news & conversation Public File Information SMS Privacy policy WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather Man to serve 100 years for death of Big Stone Gap police officer Rangers to recall Evan Carter from Triple-A Blue Devils surge in district tournament action Vols' Doyle suspended two games for Auburn altercation Lions Volunteer Blind Industries closes Johnson City location Chronic Absenteeism in Northeast Tennessee Schools Bucs Savage discusses graduated players and new recruits on the Hawk's Nest podcast Gate City native McClung continues to patiently awaits is chance in the NBA UH and Chuckey-Doak are district baseball champs ETSU softball splits with UTC on Senior Day Greene Devils take district titles on the diamond Reinhardt rallies past Milligan for walk-off win Texas A&M tops Lady Vols on soggy Senior Day (WCYB) — UPDATE: The man who killed Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler was sentenced to 100 years in prison in Wise County on Thursday “Today’s sentencing brings to close a pivotal and tragic event in Wise County history and concludes a case I wish we never had to experience in recent memory in this county," Commonwealth’s Attorney Brett Hall said "My sincere thanks goes to the entire law enforcement community in Southwest Virginia and agencies in Northeast Tennessee for their dedicated work in this case Virginia State Police First Sargent Michael Rose Sheriff Grant Kilgore and the entire Wise County Sheriff’s Office Retired Chief Steve Hamm and the Big Stone Gap Police Department and so many others put thousands of hours into this case Literally every local law enforcement agency offered assistance in some way over the past few years Thank you also to Attorney General Jason Miyares for partnering with my office and law enforcement to provide additional resources and prosecution support for this serious case and I thank you all for your dedicated service to aiding this prosecution and ensuring justice for Officer Chandler and his family While no sentence imposed can bring back Officer Chandler it is simply our hope that today can provide some closure to the family and the law enforcement community in our region as this case comes to a long-awaited conclusion.” “Michael’s death has left an irreplaceable void in our lives a void that words cannot adequately describe," Wise County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Natasha Chandler widow of the late Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler "The pain of his absence is immeasurable and every day without him continues to present challenges for myself but today’s sentencing helps bring a sense of closure as this murderer will spend the rest of his life behind bars where he can never hurt nor devastate any other family the way he did mine I am thankful for the continuous support from the community and the love and strength I have received from our Lord I will be forever grateful for every agency that played a role in this case the Wise County and City of Norton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office the Southwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force the Office of the Virginia Attorney General Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.” “The outcome in this case today is a testament to the dedication and hard work of those who investigated and prosecuted this case," Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said "All of the law enforcement agencies who aided this investigation and prosecution are to be commended for their unwavering commitment to justice for their fallen brother I am honored that my office could offer support to help secure this conviction and ensure that justice was served in this senseless tragedy.” Attorney General Miyares added “I want to extend my gratitude to the local prosecutors at the United States Attorney’s Office and the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for their unwavering pursuit of justice in this case were crucial to bring closure to this tragic case and honor Officer Chandler’s memory and no sentence will ever fill the void left in the hearts of his family Michael White will spend 100 years behind bars for the cold-blooded murder of a hero We will never stop fighting for those who put their lives on the line for our safety and security This case highlights the important collaboration between our federal and state partners and I wish to specifically thank Virginia Senior Assistant Attorney General Suzanne Kerney-Quillen with our Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section for her key role helping to secure justice in this case My office stands firmly with law enforcement across the Commonwealth and will pursue all avenues possible to ensure that anyone who harms or kills a law enforcement officer is held fully accountable.” The man who killed Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler in November 2021 will be sentenced in Wise County on Thursday Michael White previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Officer Chandler White has already been sentenced to 100 years in prison for his federal crimes (WCYB) — Michael White was sentenced on Friday following the 2021 murder of Big Stone Gap police officer Michael Chandler He was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison Michael White was sentenced to spend the next 100 years of his life in federal prison for murdering Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler,” Acting United States Attorney Zachary T “No matter how righteous our prosecution was or how just this sentence is no amount of jail time can bring back Officer Chandler Our only hope is that today’s sentence brings some level of closure to Officer Chandler’s friends and family and the Southwest Virginia law enforcement community To all of the men and women who worked tirelessly to bring Michael White and his co-conspirators to justice the Department of Justice is eternally grateful.” "We can never bring Officer Michael Chandler back But today's hearing helped bring some closure to his family Michael White will spend decades behind bars for the cold-blooded murder of a hero you will never be forgotten,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares “I commend the entire law enforcement community in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee for their dedicated work on this case in addition to all agencies who assisted with this case and I wish to specifically thank Virginia Senior Assistant Attorney General Suzanne Kerney-Quillen for her key role in this case My office stands firmly with law enforcement across the Commonwealth and will continue to pursue all avenues possible to ensure that anyone who harms or kills a police officer is held fully accountable I am honored that my office could support the investigation and prosecution concerning the senseless death of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler." “Virginia State Police is pleased to have been able to help bring Michael White to justice and provide some closure to the family and friends of Officer Michael Chandler,” said Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Hanley Interim Superintendent of Virginia State Police “Officer Chandler was working to make the Commonwealth a better place and made the ultimate sacrifice.” “We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and colleagues of Officer Michael Chandler as they continue to navigate this horrific tragedy “said ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood “We hope that this sentencing provides comfort to Officer Chandler’s family It is also our hope that this sends a clear message of accountability to those that actively engage in violent crime especially when it results in injury or death to those who devote their lives to protecting and serving our communities Prioritizing violent crime and enforcing federal firearms laws remain at the forefront of our daily mission.” (WCYB) — Right after Helene hit the region immediately wanted to help those who were affected by Helene Carroll said his mission was to make sure everyone had supplies He used social media to help get the word out Once they arrived in Western North Carolina everything changed after Carroll and his wife dropped off supplies to an elderly couple Carroll believed in that moment he was getting called to do something bigger Nicholas Cooper is also making a difference in Western North Carolina and said Joshua Carroll has been a selfless leader Carroll shut his business down for a month so he could go back to Western North Carolina and help those in need Those in the community took notice about how much Carroll is doing for flood victims And the help is not going to stop anytime soon Carroll said the rebuilding phase is not even close to being completed and areas in our region still need lots of help For more information about how you can help, click here. Bullitt Park in Big Stone Gap is a football mecca in Southwest Virginia One of the entrances to Bullitt Park in Big Stone Gap 1997 for the Lonesome Pine District clash between the Powell Valley Vikings and Appalachia Bulldogs Phil Robbins talks about special of a place that Bullitt Park is to the community of Big Stone Gap football fanatics are beckoned to this local landmark by the glowing Friday night lights Don’t forget those Saturday afternoon playoff games that draw people from near and far like a magnet Go ahead and input 301 East 1st Street North in your GPS if you are navigating your way to Bullitt Park for the first time but once you arrive in the historic town all you have to do is follow the crowds as they pass the downtown stores and a sub-divided neighborhood en route to the celebrated gathering spot It is a park in every sense of the word with youth baseball and softball fields Fourth of July fireworks and other community events take place there the centerpiece remains that football stadium with its pristine Bermuda grass and a listed seating capacity of 3,500 If those bleachers and goalposts could talk they’d produce endless tales of gridiron glory Nine Virginia High School League state championship games have been played at the facility and local teams prevailed in eight of those A handful of guys who made the National Football League have competed in games at Bullitt Park Powell Valley Vikings and the Union Bears have called the friendly confines theirs as did Bland High School during the days of racial segregation Bullitt Park was the site of another playoff game on Friday night as Union hosted archrival Gate City and earned a 12-0 triumph “It’s the heart and soul of town,” said Steve Lawson The municipal park is named after Major Joshua Frye Bullitt Jr. a lawyer and politician who was among Big Stone Gap’s most prominent early residents He earned that rank from his military service commanding a National Guard Unit against Pancho Villa’s forces at the Mexican border in 1916 The construction of the football venue –born as Horace E Fox Stadium – was overseen by Morgan Edens and was part of Franklin D with a college football game as Emory & Henry earned a 28-0 win over Oglethorpe University from Georgia Sam Keys of E&H has the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in the structure That was the first of many and the notable football games played at Bullitt Park are too lengthy to list here and would take up all the pages of this newspaper Clintwood lost to Madison County in the 1973 VHSL Group A state finals at Bullitt Park Nine VHSL state football championship games have been played at Bullitt Park The Appalachia Bulldogs claimed state titles at the place in 1992 and 1996 The Jonesville Bulldogs played their final game in their existence in the 1988 Group A Division 1 finals in Big Stone Gap and prevailed 21-20 in overtime The biggest crowd that Phil Robbins – Powell Valley’s coach from 1983-2010 – saw was a 1989 regular-season win over Lee High for his Vikings “We sold 6,003 tickets for that game at $3 apiece,” Robbins said “In the middle of the first quarter they were still lined up at the ticket booth.” A November 1997 game between Powell Valley and archrival Appalachia was also standing-room capacity as the Vikings prevailed in a matchup between 9-0 teams that both would go on to win state titles The quarterback of that 1997 Appalachia team was Travis Turner the results are just part of what makes Bullitt Park stand out among the rest There is the pigskin heritage that spans generations “There’s so much history and tradition there,” said Tanner Hall “Pretty much all the players in the program had family members play on that field at one point or another whether it was for Powell Valley or Appalachia and that always felt special It is also unique because game day is a town wide event in Big Stone.” There’s the unbridled passion of the spectators many of whom will camp out all day to get a coveted seat There’s a video on YouTube of one such exuberant fan making a mad dash for his seat when gates opened for that 1997 clash between Powell Valley and Appalachia as the gentleman even nudges somebody walking too slowly for his liking out of the way to scale the bleachers and unfurl a blanket who previously had coached at John Battle and Christiansburg found that out not long after he arrived in 1983 “One of the first things when I came down here someone said ‘What’s the difference?’ I said ‘Well I can name you the five people standing at the fence when we made the playoffs in Christiansburg,” Robbins once said you’re looking more at naming the five people who weren’t there.’ That was just a significant difference.” Where Bullitt Park is not located on campus The entrance would pump up even the most hard-boiled cynic as the players walk down the middle of the field with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck blaring from the speakers and sirens wailing from the emergency vehicles that had just escorted the team from the school “Being two miles from the school meant we had to ride from the school to the Park eagerly waiting for the reception we received from the town and crowd,” said Ricky Webb who caught the game-winning touchdown pass for Powell Valley in the 1989 state finals “It was the good luck signs in the yards we saw driving through the southern section to the cars parked all the way to the fire station and then the roar of the crowd when we got there made us all excited and ready to play Gives me chill bumps just thinking of it today still.” This isn’t just small-town favoritism or high school hyperbole Ask those from Big Stone Gap who made the big time a Powell Valley alum who is University of Virginia’s all-time leading rusher and played 12 seasons in the NFL “My fondest memories of football are at Bullitt Park,” Jones said some really incredible college football stadiums – Auburn Doak Campbell Stadium down at Florida State – some electrifying stadiums in some really but the biggest games that come to mind when I think back on my career I think of Powell Valley and getting off the school bus walking down the middle of the field with the sirens going Just knowing how much pride we had in being Vikings and the tradition that was there and expecting to win all the time Bullitt Park on a Friday night was electric As a kid it doesn’t get any bigger than Bullitt Park on Friday night or Saturday afternoon.” holds the single-game rushing record at the University of Notre Dame and played seven seasons in the NFL “Some things you just can’t repeat,” Julius Jones said but there will never be a replication of riding that bus from the fieldhouse over to Bullitt Park Having the opportunity to do that with the guys you grew up with is more special Union grad James Mitchell is currently a tight end for the Detroit Lions and he can vouch for Bullitt Park’s VIP vibes as well “The place would be jampacked and rocking by the time we pulled up,” Mitchell said “For the really big games we used to see cars lined up as far back as Food City in town My favorite part is definitely walking down the center of the field while Thunderstruck plays I still enjoy seeing the guys do that today.” For a team playing at Bullitt Park for the first time it can be intimidating scene to say the least Union coach Travis Turner usually waits until just a few minutes before kickoff to arrive these days “Just generally speaking to ex-football players around who did not play for Powell Valley or Union,” Webb said “They have said to me numerous times that when they came to Bullitt park they felt like they were already down two touchdowns because of the atmosphere.” Big Stone Gap was the title and setting for a movie released in 2014 starring Ashley Judd The Barbara Polly Theater is just down the road from the football stadium and it is where the Trail of the Lonesome Pine is held recognized as the longest running outdoor drama in the United States you can’t mention Big Stone Gap without including Bullitt Park There have been plenty of renovations and updates to the venue in the eight-plus decades since it opened The real estate where players do battle was recently christened Phil Robbins Field in October to honor the longtime coach who manicured the surface for so long Phil Robbins was Powell Valley's football coach from 1983-2010 and experienced many major victories at Bullitt Park “I think first off what makes any place special to play is the people that fill the bleachers,” Mitchell said “There’s no doubt we have the best fans in Southwest Virginia and maybe even beyond growing up in Big Stone and going to games there for as long as I could remember I always felt a sense of pride in playing there and carrying on the tradition of great teams and great players that played there.” Fans cheer the Union Bears at Bullitt Park in Big Stone Gap Just follow the gaggle of spectators to the gates of a football mecca “We’ve always had great crowds and I think it’s a unique place for high school football to be played,” Robbins said This is the fourth of a five-part series on iconic high school football facilities in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee Part I: The Cliff at Hurley Part II: Gate City's Legion Field Part III: Bristol's Stone Castle   Email notifications are only sent once a day Billy Testerman has paid his dues and bided his time as an assistant coach and will now get to test his skills as the leader of a high school … Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stepped to the podium on April 23 at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center in New York City and made the anticipat… Tyler Barrett didn’t begin playing football until the eighth grade Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account — A South Carolina man who pleaded guilty to killing a Big Stone Gap police officer has been sentenced to spend a century in prison pleaded guilty last June to the 2021 murder of Officer Michael Chandler as well as seven gun and drug charges for his role as the leader of a meth distribution conspiracy White admitted to shooting and killing Chandler early on the morning of Nov when the officer came to conduct a welfare check at a known drug house where he was sentenced to 100 years in prison Because parole has been abolished in the federal system White will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence Todd Kreigh SALYERSVILLE, Ky. -- A South Carolina man who police say has been the subject of numerous… James A. Newsome PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A Floyd County man has entered a guilty plea in a federal drug… Clara Morgan O'Brien FEDSCREEK, Ky. -- Police are asking for the public's help in locating a Pike… Charles Wade MARTIN, Ky. — A Floyd County man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a… Michael Shane Brown and Anthony Clyde Browning STEELE, Ky. -- Two men have been arrested out of state,… Edwin Carter Conley SALYERSVILLE, Ky. -- The captain of the Magoffin County Rescue Squad has died,… Evidence seized during Friday morning's arrest. Charles Cantrell PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- A traffic… PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that Pikeville Medical Center has agreed… FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday that Kentucky will soon begin receiving additional… WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kentucky’s… WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Mitch… WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Minority… WASHINGTON, D.C. — More bad new for… Pike County residents can visit the health… The group gathered for a roundabout walk… PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A Magoffin County… BELFRY, Ky. — A Belfry man has been… (WCYB) — There was nearly two feet of water at The Valley Auto Spa in Big Stone Gap that came from the Powell River Owner Joshua Carroll said this is the worst flooding he has seen there in 10 years The recent flooding affected so many people’s homes and businesses in Southwest Virginia including the Valley Auto Spa in Big Stone Gap Joshua Carroll told me by Saturday evening the water started surrounding the building Carroll shut down his business for nearly a month to help flood victims in Western North Carolina Laura Bowen with Operation Love Thy Neighbor came together with Savage Freedoms Relief Operations to help Carroll with his damage Carroll still has flood victims in the region on the top of his mind and in his heart Carroll said he plans to reopen his business in the next 2 to 3 weeks Operation Love Thy Neighbor is helping raise money for Carroll's business Joshua Carroll's PayPal: carrolljoshua2@gmail.com A man who was pulled from the Powell River in Appalachia has been pronounced dead according to the Wise County Sheriff's Office (WCYB) — A man who was pulled from the Powell River in Appalachia has been pronounced dead Crews responded after receiving a call of a person floating in the river on Sunday afternoon now identified as 45-year-old Michael Wayne Sullivan Jr. RICHMOND (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – State Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Thursday that Michael Donivan White has been sentenced by the Wise County Circuit Court to 100 years in prison for the first-degree murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler The sentence follows White’s 100-year sentence imposed by the U.S for multiple offenses related to Officer Chandler’s murder and a large-scale drug-trafficking conspiracy.adButlerLazyLoad("1177463912939328621",100,["688449","688449","688449"],"177030"); An AG’s office release says at around 4:00 AM on November 13 Officer Chandler responded to a welfare check at a residence in Big Stone Gap As he approached a vehicle outside the residence Officer Chandler tragically succumbed to his injuries later that day—his 29th birthday Jay Hart is a news reporter with CvilleRightNow.com Reach him by email at jhart@charlottesvilleradiogroup.com or call 434-977-6397 UVA Alert Monday morning from self-inflicted gunshot incident The Nelson County Sheriff and The AWARE Foundation of Virginia asking help finding a missing Nelson County teen Governor Youngkin took final actions to complete the legislative session for 2025 in the General Assembly City Council Monday night considers a grant program to assist low- and moderate-income people whose home ownership in the city may be in jeopardy due to financial stress associated with costs owning that home Virginia’s standing as one of the top states in the nation for patient safety in hospital settings has again been affirmed in the Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade rankings Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again (WCYB) — A meteor was spotted in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia early Friday News 5 has received several reports of a boom with the fireball We have viewer video from both Big Stone Gap One video shows a meteor falling from the sky from the Dandridge exit on Interstate 40 in Jefferson County looking toward Greene County The Big Stone Gap video was captured from a security camera we have no information on where the meteor may have landed but it likely broke up before reaching the ground You can view more videos of the spectacle below Two men changed in connection with the 1998 death of a Big Stone Gap man were granted clemency Friday by President Biden – Two men changed in connection with the 1998 death of a Big Stone Gap man were granted clemency Friday by President Joe Biden saw Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson charged in Virginia with capital murder of a police officer although they pleaded guilty in Sussex county Circuit Court to lesser charges I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law and practice,” Biden said in a statement Friday I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S Gibson had moved from Big Stone Gap with his daughter Crissana to take a job with the Waverly Police Department before he was shot while on patrol Richardson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in connection with Gibson’s death according to 2022 reporting by Virginia Public Media Claiborne was convicted on an associated misdemeanor accessory-after-the-fact charge The two were charged in federal court for murder and associated drug charges in connection with Gibson’s death and the federal jury found them not guilty of murder but guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine The federal judge sentenced the pair to life in prison on the drug charges citing their guilty pleas on the state charges Biden said Friday’s mass clemency “provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes.” Glenn Youngkin and state Attorney General Jason Miyares criticized Biden’s clemency order for Richardson and Claiborne Saturday “I am beyond outraged and in utter disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson,” Youngkin said in his statement ““What makes this even more unconscionable is the Biden U.S Attorney advised the White House not to commute these sentences as they are violent offenders.” “If the Democrats intend to build their vision of social justice on a pile of dead law enforcement officers they could send no stronger message than the one they sent today,” Miyares said in a separate statement “The decision not to pardon but merely commute the sentence of Terence Richardson only supports our position that he is in fact guilty of manslaughter.” President Barack Obama declined a clemency request from Richardson and Claiborne before he left office Miyares included a statement from Crissana Gibson “I am absolutely outraged by what has happened,” Gibson stated “My heart is shattered knowing that the men that killed my father are going to be released from prison and can walk the streets freely.” Gibson called the clemency “a huge miscarriage of justice,” adding that the Biden administration “has failed my family and the entire law enforcement community.” “Neither my family nor I have ever supported the release of Richardson or Claiborne,” said Gibson “and we denounce this decision by the outgoing failed presidency of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party’s abuse of the justice system.” Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription — A Virginia man has been sentenced for charges related to a shooting in downtown Big Stone Gap was arrested for shooting another person in parking lot of the former Economy Drug in November of 2022 while he went to the restaurant where he was employed Martin pleaded guilty to charges of using a firearm in commission of a felony and aggravated malicious wounding back in January a judge sentenced him to a total of 23 years “We are pleased with the outcome of today’s sentencing in the reckless shooting by a local resident who put the citizens of Big Stone Gap at risk,” Asst Commonwealth’s Attorney Corey Salyers said “This careless act by the defendant put not only the victim but multiple other individuals in harm’s way We are thankful that no additional people were injured in this senseless crime This type of behavior is not and will not be tolerated in Wise County.” Martin is currently being held in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail at Duffield awaiting assignment to the Virginia prison system You must be logged in to post a comment The Associated Press, Fox News, the Washington Post, ABC News and NBC News are all declaring that former… Valorie Hunt PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Kentucky State Police is now investigating the disappearance of a Pikeville… DRAFFIN, Ky. -- A Pike County man has been arrested for allegedly setting his mother's house on fire.… Chadwick Hunt LICK CREEK, Ky. -- An arrest in Pike County reveals that the search for a missing woman… LOUISA, Ky. -- A Lawrence County boy faces a criminal charge, after his school received a threat.… CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has handed Gov. Andy Beshear a victory in his… FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear’s state of emergency issued last week due to severe weather is… Michael Colley PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- A man arrested for beating another man to death in Floyd County… Lacy Wolford PHELPS, Ky. -- A Pike County man wanted on 11 outstanding warrants was taken into custody… Wise County is opening two emergency shelters due to prolonged power outages (WCYB) — Wise County is opening two emergency shelters due to prolonged power outages Carnes Gym in Big Stone Gap and the Coeburn Middle School will both serve as emergency shelters and Coeburn Middle School will open at 5 p.m Residents who require oxygen therapy for medical purposes may bring their concentrators to charge residents can contact Wise County Dispatch at 276-328-3756 (WCYB) — The South Carolina man who killed a Big Stone Gap police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges in connection to the case Officer Michael Chandler responded to a welfare check on Orr Street in Big Stone Gap Chandler was struck in the abdomen and wrist White pleaded guilty to eight counts related to the murder of Chandler including drug conspiracy and firing a gun in a drug trafficking crime White pleaded guilty last month to first-degree murder in state court pled guilty to eight counts in relation to the murder of Officer Chandler he pled guilty to one count of causing the death of a person using a firearm in which the killing was first-degree murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime one count of conspiring to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine one count of using a place for the purpose of distributing or using a controlled substance one count of using a communication facility in committing any felony-controlled substance offense one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon one count of possession of a stolen firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime brandishing and discharging that firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime “We can never bring Officer Michael Chandler back But today’s hearing helped bring some closure to his family I am honored that my office could support the investigation and prosecution concerning the senseless death of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler.” beginning in August 2021 and continuing even after the time of his arrest White and 18 other defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine Big Stone Gape Police Officer Michael Chandler responded to a dispatch call at 2505 Orr Street in Big Stone Gap known locally as “the red house.”  Upon arriving at the red house Officer Chandler encountered a vehicle outside the residence “This car is taking off on me.” Inside the vehicle to “get the fu*k out of there” because there were drugs in the vehicle and that “he was not going back to jail.”  Ward started to drive off as directed but then stopped and got out of the vehicle however the vehicle got stuck in the grass Officer Chandler approached the vehicle on the driver’s side White brandished a Taurus 9mm pistol and immediately fired eight shots through the driver’s side window and door striking Officer Chandler’s wrist and abdomen just below his bulletproof vest Officer Chandler died later that evening from his injuries law enforcement identified White as a suspect White was later located at a motel in Kingsport Tennessee and a subsequent search of the motel room found a Taurus Further testing ultimately proved this firearm to be the same one that fired the shots that killed Officer Chandler This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol the City of Norton Virginia Police Department the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force which is comprised of investigators from the Virginia State Police Pulaski, Grayson, Floyd & Wythe Giles County Police, Fire, EMS Montgomery County Blacksburg Rescue Riner Fire Shawsville Rescue (WCYB) — Southwest Virginia leaders gathered at the Big Cherry Reservoir to celebrate the start of outdoor recreation projects Town officials received two million dollars from the Virginia Department of Energy's Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization It's a federally funded program to make sure the abandoned mineland isn't being wasted U.S Congressman Morgan Griffith attended the event and told News 5's Yannia Nordelo that improvements like these are crucial for our region's success Big Stone Gap Town Manager Stephen Lawson says— his community depends on these funds to move forward He also believes taking advantage of one of the region's best assets will leave a lasting impact Officials say they hope to complete the projects within two years and are excited to see what the future holds.