Botetourt County

Check out this read that includes some great insight from our very own Vice Chair Amy Stinnett White and our partners at the Roanoke Regional Partnership!

Congratulations to Bill Price for being the winner of our "Yule Love This Photo Contest". Bill's winning photo received 47 votes. The photo truly captures the spirit of the holidays! Bill will receive a $50 gift card to a BOCO business of his choice. When asked, he requested the gift card be from Donnie D’s Bagels & Deli. "I'm going to use the gift card to purchase breakfast to share with Botetourt County Sheriff's OfficCounty Sheriff's Office Deputies, Dispatchers and those that work in the Jail." Bill - thank you for your service to our country and our community! We are #bocograteful for you!

Happy Holidays from Botetourt County! https://lnkd.in/dm2b_qAJ Gary Larrowe Virginia Association of Counties WDBJ7

Did you know.... Our amazing Vice-Chair of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, Amy, is also the Dean of STEM and Workforce Solutions at Virginia Western Community College! Not only is she a powerhouse leader, but she's also a generational farmer in Buchanan! 🌾💪 We are so lucky to have Amy on the Board, and we're thrilled to congratulate her on her recent appointment by Glenn Youngkin to the Manufacturing Development Commission! Huge kudos to and a big #bocobrag to you, Amy—your hard work and dedication to our community truly shine! #gettingtoknowboco #STEM #manufacturing #botetourtcounty Virginia Association of Counties Virginia Economic Development Partnership

On December 16, 2024, the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office and Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS gathered to recognize Dispatcher Kalynda Lasek for her exceptional performance in guiding a family through the successful delivery of a healthy newborn over 911 dispatch. On October 16, 2024, while working in the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communication Center, Dispatcher Kalynda Lasek received a call of a mother in active labor who was unable to make it to the hospital. Amid intense circumstances, Dispatcher Lasek displayed remarkable calm and technical expertise. She immediately assessed the caller’s needs and delivered clear and concise instructions providing a steady voice and emotional reassurance that both the mother and family needed. Effectively communicating with first responders and coordinating resources, Dispatcher Lasek demonstrated exceptional skill, composure, and focus while guiding the mother through the successful delivery of a healthy baby boy. Lasek’s quick thinking and reassuring demeanor during this highly stressful event were instrumental in ensuring the well-being of both the mother and newborn child. Through the phone, she served as the lifeline that guided the delivery with her patience and professionalism. Her ability to remain steadfast in the face of immense pressure is a testament to the training, experience, and professionalism she brings to her role in serving our community. “We are grateful for Dispatcher Lasek’s incredible skills and composure during such a critical moment. Guiding a family through the successful delivery of a healthy newborn infant is no small feat. We are immensely proud of her and lucky to have her as part of our team, serving our community,” said Sheriff Matt Ward. Dispatcher Kalynda Lasek’s actions embodied the highest standards of the Public Safety Telecommunicators profession. Her exceptional performance reflected the values of the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office and exemplified her commitment to public safety. Photo: Dispatcher Kalynda Lasek and her husband Collin Lasek, who is also a part time dispatcher with our office and a member of the @roanoke fire Department in the City of Roanoke, VA. #bocobrag #e911dispatcher #bocograteful

On Monday, December 16, 2024, Botetourt County was pleased to host a training session for Fire Marshal Staff from across Southwest Virginia. The 8-hour fire investigator training focused on teaching and reinforcing principles of conducting a thorough fire scene investigation. Officials from Roanoke County, Virginia, City of Roanoke, VA, City of Salem, City of Lynchburg. Franklin County, Virginia, Town of Pulaski, Pittsylvania County, Bedford County, Virginia, Liberty University, Amherst County and Botetourt County attended. #fireinvestigator #localgovernment #fireinvestigation #firemarshal #firemarshaltraining

It’s the holiday season in Botetourt County, so we all look for opportunities to spread cheer, sprinkle kindness, and have a little of that Christmas Magic. Part of the magic of this time of year is a visit from a jolly old elf from the North Pole. We will get to that story in just a minute…. But first, we want you to meet a man you see quite often but might not know much about. During his day job, County Administrator Gary Larrowe is working to serve the Botetourt community. Whether it’s working with county staff on Economic Development initiatives, focusing time on bringing industries and jobs to the county or working with the Board of Supervisors to enhance the quality of life for our BOCO residents, businesses, and visitors, Gary always gives 110%. He and his family moved to the county in 2016 and ever since he has been making it his mission to make Botetourt County the crown jewel of the Commonwealth and he is succeeding! Gary also has a few other titles that he holds even more dear: Husband, Dad, and Pops to his almost 2-year-old grandson who he loves babysitting and teaching him about classic trucks at his Buchanan home. But did you know that during December, while he’s still keeping Botetourt County moving, he also has one more title? We want to introduce you to “The Man Behind the Santa”. Since 2021, Gary and his wife Alice have been volunteering their time to spread cheer by taking on the personas of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Gary stepped into the red suit when the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce asked him to play Santa during the very popular and ever-growing Tinsel Trail that is held in the Town of Fincastle each year. Since his inaugural Santa stint, Gary and Alice have been invited to events at our local libraries, Carrington Place, and other corporate events around the Roanoke Valley. When asked why this dedicated family decided to volunteer during this busy time of year the answer was simple. “We LOVE kids, and this is a chance for us to see kids’ excitement and joyful reactions when they see Santa,” says Larrowe. “One of our favorite memories has been having special needs children and adults stop by to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. We have had children bring us gifts that they have made which has truly been special and makes us remember what Christmas is all about and that’s the joy of family, friends, and fellowship.” When asked if Santa Gary could grant one wish this holiday season, his answer was quite simple. “If Santa could bring one thing to Botetourt County, it would be to return to the concept of unconditional love of family, friends, neighbors, and citizens instead of developing unneeded divides. Our county is better than that and my wish is that in 2025 we will all return to being exceptionally kind and united. We are all on this big ‘ol planet together and we all love Botetourt County. I hope that Christmas joy can continue far past December”. Virginia Association of Counties Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce  

Success is a regional initiative and Botetourt County is proud to work alongside our regional partners like Roanoke Regional Partnership #businessinbocova

It might be cold outside, but we are gearing up for spring! Registration for spring sports - softball, baseball, and tee-ball opens January 1, 2025, and we’re thrilled to share some exciting updates that will enhance the experience for our recreation sports families. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s new. Tee-Ball & Coach Pitch (Ages 4-8) Good news! Tee-ball and coach pitch leagues will remain independent with no major changes from recent seasons. Ages 9 & Up – Changes Ahead After careful consideration, research, and conversations with families and coaches, we’re making a shift to improve the experience for our older players: Switching to RAYSA & RAYBA o  Starting this spring, we’re moving away from Little League and officially joining the Roanoke Area Youth Softball Association (RAYSA) and Roanoke Area Youth Baseball Association (RAYBA). These leagues are already home to teams from Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Salem, Craig County, and Clifton Forge. This means more regional competition, better alignment, and exciting opportunities for our athletes. What’s New with Games? o  Each team will play 10 regular-season games and will have the option to participate in a playoff tournament (format TBD). o  If we have 6+ Botetourt teams in a league, games will stay within Botetourt. For fewer teams, we’ll play against teams from nearby localities. o  Details on all-star tournament participation are still being finalized. “Our goal is to give families the best possible experience,” says Victor Morales, Director of Parks & Recreation. “The structure of RAYSA and RAYBA aligns well with our current offerings. Joining will provide balanced competition, foster community connections, and ensure our athletes have fun while learning valuable life skills.” "We know that change can be challenging,” says Brittany Crigler, a member of the Botetourt County Parks & Recreation Commission. “But our top priority is creating a more enjoyable playing experience for all our athletes, coaches, and their families. This shift is about fostering an environment that focuses on developing young players in a way that creates positive memories of playing baseball and softball." Key Benefits of Joining RAYSA & RAYBA ·        Regional Team Formation: Teams can continue to be formed by elementary school zones. Current Little League regulations would require a county-wide player draft for compliance. ·        Expanded Options for Older Athletes: Additional opportunities for players age 12+. ·        All-Star Access: BOCO athletes can still participate in regional all-star tournaments. ·        We’ve already seen success with RAYSA through our 17U softball team over the past two seasons, and we’re confident this transition will benefit all of our families. Ready to Sign Up? Secure the early registration discount starting January 1, 2025! Visit www.bocorecreation.info.

Botetourt County is pleased to announce that Katie Davis has been promoted to Director of Finance. "Katie joined Botetourt County in November 2021 as Senior Financial Analyst, and since then, she has demonstrated exceptional initiative, critical thinking, and a strategic approach to improving the county’s financial practices," says County Administrator Gary Larrowe. "When we tragically lost Tony Zerrilla, our Finance Director of over 20 years, Katie stepped in seamlessly, ensuring the financial department continued to run smoothly. Her leadership and expertise make her the ideal person to lead our financial team moving forward." Katie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Roanoke College and a Master of Business Administration from Valdosta State University. She has also completed additional accounting courses through Liberty University. She worked for the City of Roanoke for 10 years holding positions as an Accountant, Senior Accountant, Budget Management Analyst, and Senior Budget Analyst. Please join us in congratulating Katie on this most-deserved promotion. #bocobrag #wearebocova #gettingtoknowboco