News and Events

Members and volunteers of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church Food Pantry once again extends thanks for the donation of food which the employees of the Sheriff's office made to the food pantry. The food will help a lot in the distribution to those people who need it. Thanks to you and others there at the Sheriff's Office who contributed to the project.

Members and volunteers of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church food pantry extends appreciation for the donation of food which the employees of the Sheriff's office made to the food pantry. The food will help a lot in the distribution to those people who need it. The last distribution day was in December and we gave food to 126 families that day. The next day we distribute food will be Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6. Thanks to you and others there at the Sheriff's Office who contributed to the project.

The Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Citizen Corps Council celebrated the graduation of 27 new Community Emergency Response Team members on Thursday, December 4, 2008. The graduation ceremony took place at Office Max’s Call Center.

Bristol Virginia Sheriff Jack Weisenburger was th

e keynote speaker for the graduation. He praised both Office Max and the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority for their dedication to community preparedness by taking the CERT training. He reminded the graduates of the most important word in CERT, “team”. He stated “that through team work, you have found you can get things accomplished in an emergency”. He also noted that these are the first two businesses in Bristol to complete the training.

The Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority had 10 staff members to complete the training. The Housing Authority operates both public and affordable housing units. The properties of the Housing Authority include Rice Terrace, Johnson Court, Stant Hall, Jones Manor and Mosby Apartments and Sapling Grove Townhouses.

Office Max had 17 employees to complete the training. The Office Max facility serves as one of the national incoming call centers for the company and has over 400 employees at the Bristol location. They have an organized emergency team of which the new CERT members will become parti

cipants.

David Baldwin, Executive Director of the Housing Authority and Peg O’Connell-Ayers, Manager of Office Max successfully completed the training. Crime Prevention Specialist Kevin France, who coordinates the CERT and Citizen Corps programs, stated “when the leadership of a business or organization takes and completes this training, it speaks volumes not only to their employees, but to the community on the importance of Community Emergency Response Teams”.

Instruction for the classes was provided by the Bristol Virginia Fire Department, the Sullivan County Tennessee Health Department, the Southwest Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council, the Bristol Virginia Police Department and the Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office.

The event received media coverage from WCYB-TV and was broadcast at 5:30, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. as well as the next morning. Congratulating the graduates in addition to Sheriff Weisenburger were Deputy Chief Gary Estep of the Bristol Virginia Fire Department, Captain Maynard Ratcliff, Captain Darryl Milligan and Corporal Doug Cooper from the Bristol Virginia Police Department, Nicole Slagle, Crime Prevention Coordinator from the Bristol Virginia Police Department and Patty Tauscher, Director of Disaster Services with the Mountain Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Crime Prevention Deputy Kevin France was invited by President Bush to the White House for recognition of Citizen Corps programs. Deputy France coordinates the activities of the Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Citizen Corps Council. The event took place on September 8, 2008 on the South Lawn of the White House. The president recognized the efforts of Citizen Corps and its programs, Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams, Medical Reserve Corps, Volunteers In Police Service and Fire Corps. The president told the group of the importance of Citizen Corps, especially in crime prevention and disaster and has recommended to Congress that the program be a permanent part of the budget. Christian singer Michael W. Smith entertained the audience after the president’s remarks.

Deputy J. Kevin France, Certified Crime Prevention Specialist with the Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Office, said; "In the three years that I have been associated with the Crime Prevention Unit, this was one of the best! We had excellent participation from our neighborhoods that celebrated last night. On behalf of the Crime Prevention Units of the Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Office and the Bristol Virginia Police Department, I want to thank everyone for a successful National Night Out."

The Sheriff's Office wants to extend gratitude to the neighborhoods that participated; Leisure Park Towers, Solar Hill, Monarch Place, Ridgecrest Townhouses, Stant Hall, Jones Manor, Rice Terrace, and Mosby Apartments.

Thanks goes to Wendy at Ridgecrest; Marcella, Andrea and Susan at Leisure Park; Susan Long and Bernard Via at Solar Hill; Linda Mullen and Geri Tallman at Monarch Place; and Diana Carter and Diana Farris from the Housing Authority for getting things organized.

Thank you Mayor Rector for providing the grill and cooking at Solar Hill. Thank you members of City Council for attending the various events and supporting Crime Prevention.

A HUGE Thank You to Sheriff Weisenburger and Chief Price for attending the various neighborhood events and your support of our Crime Prevention programs. The support of Lt. Jordan's shift last night was greatly appreciated.

Thank you to the Bristol Virginia Fire Department for putting Solar Hill's banner up, providing orange cones for Solar Street and the trailer for Monarch Place.

A BIG thanks to:

David Boyd and WCYB-TV for doing live coverage at 5, 5:30, and 6:00.

Amy Hunter and Earl Neikirk with the Bristol Herald Courier for their coverage, photographs and reporting.

Thanks to Trip McMillan, the manager at the Highlands Center Target Store for providing assistance with Solar Hill, Rice Terrace, and Ridgecrest block parties and for providing the flashing reflectors for the participants. Trip also visited all of the block parties and that was greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Pepsi Cola, Food City, Sams Club, Wal-Mart at Exit 7, Food Lion, Blackbird Bakery, and many other businesses who donated items and door prizes for the block parties last night. I am sure that individual neighborhoods will follow up with those who provided donations.

Crime prevention requires teamwork and this was evident last night. Nicole and Kevin were very proud of those that participated and we are proud of all of our watch programs.

You all help make Bristol Virginia a good place to live.

In early March of this year, Arlesha Starkey, a senior at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol requested Sheriffs Office assistance about a project to complete her Social Work degree. Crime Prevention Officer Kevin France answered the call to Ms. Starkey. She stated that she felt a calling to provide blankets, comforters, and clothing to those in need.

Deputy France suggested to Ms. Starkey that she consider collecting clothes and other items for the Haven of Rest Ministries in Bristol. The Haven, a faith-based ministry that has served the Bristol area for many years, provides shelter to the homeless, a shelter for single mothers and their children, a half-way house and community re-entry program for those being released from jails and prisons, three meals daily for those in need, and services for those recovering from alcoholism and drug abuse.

The Sheriff’s Office agreed to provide any support to Arlesha as she began her momentous task of setting up collection bins for the clothing and other needed items. On Monday, May 5, 2008, ten bags of clothing weighing at least 75 – 100 lbs. each were delivered to the Haven of Rest by the Sheriff’s Office and Arlesha.

Haven clothing manager Georgeanna Sluder stated “We are extremely grateful for Arlesha’s work in collecting much needed clothing for those we serve”. She also added “today’s donation was a blessing”. Sheriff Jack Weisenburger stated “We are proud of Ms. Starkey’s dedication and commitment to help those in need”.

Arlesha Starkey graduated from Virginia Intermont on Saturday, May 3^rd with her degree in Social Work. She is planning on joining her family in Japan where her father is stationed with the United States Navy and continuing her post graduate education.

The Easter Bunny made an early visit in town on March 20, 2008. The visit was a partnership between the Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Office and the Easter Bunny Foundation. The Easter Bunny Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support children's hospitals across America and throughout the United Kingdom by providing a personal visit and a toy from The Easter Bunny and the local Sheriff during the week of Easter.

While here the Easter Bunny shared Easter cheer and goodies with the children at Bristol Regional Medical Center; pediatric patient area, hospital day care and several critical care units, with a deputy sheriff escort. The visit also included Stonewall Jackson Elementary School, Washington Lee Elementary School, Highland View Elementary School and the YWCA Children's Center

October 2, 2007 - CHURCH HOLDS SERVICE TO HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

September 19, 2007 - LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS FEATURED IN NATIONAL PUBLICATION



News and Upcoming Events

Home Meet the Sheriff Crime Prevention Court Services DARE Jail Operations Q and A News and Events Restricted Access All Links Legal	Events Calendar..... Archived News...... February 49, 2010 - EMPLOYEES OF SHERIFFS OFFICE DONATE FOOD Members and volunteers of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church Food Pantry once again extends thanks for the donation of food which the employees of the Sheriff's office made to the food pantry. The food will help a lot in the distribution to those people who need it. Thanks to you and others there at the Sheriff's Office who contributed to the project. Major Dave Maples and his son making a delivery. Pastor Jim Oxendine, his wife Prue, and Jim Lowe, manager of the food pantry. January 9, 2009 - EMPLOYEES OF SHERIFFS OFFICE DONATE FOOD Members and volunteers of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church food pantry extends appreciation for the donation of food which the employees of the Sheriff's office made to the food pantry. The food will help a lot in the distribution to those people who need it. The last distribution day was in December and we gave food to 126 families that day. The next day we distribute food will be Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6. Thanks to you and others there at the Sheriff's Office who contributed to the project. December 5, 2008 - BRISTOL GRADUATES TWENTY-SEVEN NEW CERT MEMBERS The Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Citizen Corps Council celebrated the graduation of 27 new Community Emergency Response Team members on Thursday, December 4, 2008. The graduation ceremony took place at Office Max’s Call Center. Bristol Virginia Sheriff Jack Weisenburger was the keynote speaker for the graduation. He praised both Office Max and the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority for their dedication to community preparedness by taking the CERT training. He reminded the graduates of the most important word in CERT, “team”. He stated “that through team work, you have found you can get things accomplished in an emergency”. He also noted that these are the first two businesses in Bristol to complete the training. The Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority had 10 staff members to complete the training. The Housing Authority operates both public and affordable housing units. The properties of the Housing Authority include Rice Terrace, Johnson Court, Stant Hall, Jones Manor and Mosby Apartments and Sapling Grove Townhouses. Office Max had 17 employees to complete the training. The Office Max facility serves as one of the national incoming call centers for the company and has over 400 employees at the Bristol location. They have an organized emergency team of which the new CERT members will become participants. David Baldwin, Executive Director of the Housing Authority and Peg O’Connell-Ayers, Manager of Office Max successfully completed the training. Crime Prevention Specialist Kevin France, who coordinates the CERT and Citizen Corps programs, stated “when the leadership of a business or organization takes and completes this training, it speaks volumes not only to their employees, but to the community on the importance of Community Emergency Response Teams”. Instruction for the classes was provided by the Bristol Virginia Fire Department, the Sullivan County Tennessee Health Department, the Southwest Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council, the Bristol Virginia Police Department and the Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office. The event received media coverage from WCYB-TV and was broadcast at 5:30, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. as well as the next morning. Congratulating the graduates in addition to Sheriff Weisenburger were Deputy Chief Gary Estep of the Bristol Virginia Fire Department, Captain Maynard Ratcliff, Captain Darryl Milligan and Corporal Doug Cooper from the Bristol Virginia Police Department, Nicole Slagle, Crime Prevention Coordinator from the Bristol Virginia Police Department and Patty Tauscher, Director of Disaster Services with the Mountain Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross. October 1, 2008 - CRIME PREVENTION DEPUTY VISITS WHITE HOUSE Crime Prevention Deputy Kevin France was invited by President Bush to the White House for recognition of Citizen Corps programs. Deputy France coordinates the activities of the Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Citizen Corps Council. The event took place on September 8, 2008 on the South Lawn of the White House. The president recognized the efforts of Citizen Corps and its programs, Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams, Medical Reserve Corps, Volunteers In Police Service and Fire Corps. The president told the group of the importance of Citizen Corps, especially in crime prevention and disaster and has recommended to Congress that the program be a permanent part of the budget. Christian singer Michael W. Smith entertained the audience after the president’s remarks. August 7, 2008 - NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WAS HELD ON AUGUST 5, 2008 Deputy J. Kevin France, Certified Crime Prevention Specialist with the Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Office, said; "In the three years that I have been associated with the Crime Prevention Unit, this was one of the best! We had excellent participation from our neighborhoods that celebrated last night. On behalf of the Crime Prevention Units of the Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Office and the Bristol Virginia Police Department, I want to thank everyone for a successful National Night Out." Nicole Slagle, Crime Prevention Specialist with the Bristol Virginia Police Department, said; "Kevin and I are so proud of the community and everyone involved. The participation speaks volumes!" Sheriff Weisenburger, added; "All the hard work really sends a message of cooperation, which is the single most important ingredient in preventing and fighting crime!" The Sheriff's Office wants to extend gratitude to the neighborhoods that participated; Leisure Park Towers, Solar Hill, Monarch Place, Ridgecrest Townhouses, Stant Hall, Jones Manor, Rice Terrace, and Mosby Apartments. Thanks goes to Wendy at Ridgecrest; Marcella, Andrea and Susan at Leisure Park; Susan Long and Bernard Via at Solar Hill; Linda Mullen and Geri Tallman at Monarch Place; and Diana Carter and Diana Farris from the Housing Authority for getting things organized. Thank you Mayor Rector for providing the grill and cooking at Solar Hill. Thank you members of City Council for attending the various events and supporting Crime Prevention. A HUGE Thank You to Sheriff Weisenburger and Chief Price for attending the various neighborhood events and your support of our Crime Prevention programs. The support of Lt. Jordan's shift last night was greatly appreciated. Thank you to the Bristol Virginia Fire Department for putting Solar Hill's banner up, providing orange cones for Solar Street and the trailer for Monarch Place. A BIG thanks to: David Boyd and WCYB-TV for doing live coverage at 5, 5:30, and 6:00. Amy Hunter and Earl Neikirk with the Bristol Herald Courier for their coverage, photographs and reporting. Thanks to Trip McMillan, the manager at the Highlands Center Target Store for providing assistance with Solar Hill, Rice Terrace, and Ridgecrest block parties and for providing the flashing reflectors for the participants. Trip also visited all of the block parties and that was greatly appreciated. Thank you to Pepsi Cola, Food City, Sams Club, Wal-Mart at Exit 7, Food Lion, Blackbird Bakery, and many other businesses who donated items and door prizes for the block parties last night. I am sure that individual neighborhoods will follow up with those who provided donations. Crime prevention requires teamwork and this was evident last night. Nicole and Kevin were very proud of those that participated and we are proud of all of our watch programs. You all help make Bristol Virginia a good place to live. May 6, 2008 - Bristol Sheriff’s Office Assists With College Senior Project Arlesha Starkey and Randy Potter (Haven) unload donated clothing from the van. L-R: Deputy Kevin France, Randy Potter, Arlesha Starkey and Georgiana Sluder (Haven Manager) with a bin of clothing that was donated by VI College students in the recent clothing drive. In early March of this year, Arlesha Starkey, a senior at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol requested Sheriffs Office assistance about a project to complete her Social Work degree. Crime Prevention Officer Kevin France answered the call to Ms. Starkey. She stated that she felt a calling to provide blankets, comforters, and clothing to those in need. Deputy France suggested to Ms. Starkey that she consider collecting clothes and other items for the Haven of Rest Ministries in Bristol. The Haven, a faith-based ministry that has served the Bristol area for many years, provides shelter to the homeless, a shelter for single mothers and their children, a half-way house and community re-entry program for those being released from jails and prisons, three meals daily for those in need, and services for those recovering from alcoholism and drug abuse. The Sheriff’s Office agreed to provide any support to Arlesha as she began her momentous task of setting up collection bins for the clothing and other needed items. On Monday, May 5, 2008, ten bags of clothing weighing at least 75 – 100 lbs. each were delivered to the Haven of Rest by the Sheriff’s Office and Arlesha. Haven clothing manager Georgeanna Sluder stated “We are extremely grateful for Arlesha’s work in collecting much needed clothing for those we serve”. She also added “today’s donation was a blessing”. Sheriff Jack Weisenburger stated “We are proud of Ms. Starkey’s dedication and commitment to help those in need”. Arlesha Starkey graduated from Virginia Intermont on Saturday, May 3^rd with her degree in Social Work. She is planning on joining her family in Japan where her father is stationed with the United States Navy and continuing her post graduate education. March 24, 2008 - EASTER BUNNY VISITS TOWN The Easter Bunny made an early visit in town on March 20, 2008. The visit was a partnership between the Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Office and the Easter Bunny Foundation. The Easter Bunny Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support children's hospitals across America and throughout the United Kingdom by providing a personal visit and a toy from The Easter Bunny and the local Sheriff during the week of Easter. While here the Easter Bunny shared Easter cheer and goodies with the children at Bristol Regional Medical Center; pediatric patient area, hospital day care and several critical care units, with a deputy sheriff escort. The visit also included Stonewall Jackson Elementary School, Washington Lee Elementary School, Highland View Elementary School and the YWCA Children's Center October 25, 2007 - HONOR GUARD RECEIVES TRAINING Archive October 2, 2007 - CHURCH HOLDS SERVICE TO HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 Archive September 19, 2007 - NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WAS HELD ON AUGUST 7, 2007 Archive September 19, 2007 - *LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS FEATURED IN NATIONAL PUBLICATION* Archive *July 24, 2007 - SHERIFF'S OFFICE EARNS ACCREDITATION* Archive	See All Links

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