Today's News

Some unemployed workers in Virginia are eligible for a seven-week extension of benefits, but the Virginia Employment Commission needs a computer programming update before it can distribute checks.

It’s unclear how many of the more than 100,000 Virginians collecting unemployment checks could be caught in the delay.

The VEC says extension payments should be made by June 26, after needing almost two months to complete new computer programming.

INDEPENDENCE — Citizens could have an opportunity to express their concerns about twice-a-year tax collection during the Grayson Board of Supervisors regular meeting June 11.

Supervisors tentatively set that date to hold a public hearing regarding the ordinance change that would switch tax collections from once a year — due Dec. 5 — to twice a year — with due dates of Oct. 5 and April 5.

If approved, citizens would pay the same amount of taxes they do now, but that amount would be split into two equal payments.

INDEPENDENCE — Nearly 16 months to the day after a triple slaying in Grayson County, Frederick Phillip Hammer pleaded guilty on May 22 to five counts capital murder, one count of robbery, one count of breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny while armed with a deadly weapon, one count of grand larceny and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

INDEPENDENCE — With Grayson County considering charging for trash collection next year, Commissioner of Revenue Larry Bolt is concerned about citizens on limited incomes.

Bolt spoke during the board's budget session Tuesday night regarding the 270 residents of Grayson who have the majority of their taxes forgiven through the Tax Relief Program.

Bolt said of those 270, between 50 and 60 have homes valued at less than $52,000, which equates to about $156 a year in taxes. Through the relief program, those residents have that entire amount forgiven.