The City of Martinsville is facing another major financial challenge after being ordered to renovate its municipal building and convert it into a courthouse — a project officials estimate could cost around $46 million.

Martinsville Mayor LC Jones and former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides have filed lawsuits against a city council member, the city’s law firm and, in Ferrell-Benavides’ case, the city itself, marking the latest chapter in a months-long controversy that has divided city leadership.

Martinsville city leaders are weighing tax increases and budget cuts to address a nearly $4 million deficit, as the city also delays the release of a workplace investigation into a former city manager.

Martinsville City Council on Tuesday voted to release a long-awaited forensic audit examining the city’s finances during the tenure of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.

Robert Fincher has been named the new Martinsville city manager, following a vote by the Martinsville City Council to approve an agreement with him.

Tensions escalated in Martinsville’s city government as Mayor L.C. Jones seeks an emergency protective order against City Councilman Aaron Rawls, following a confrontation at last week’s city council meeting.

Police had to intervene between a Martinsville city councilman Julian Mei and Mayor L.C. Jones Thursday night as tensions erupted during a heated debate over releasing findings from an investigation into the former city manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.

The fallout from the firing of Martinsville City Manager Aretha Ferrell Benevides continues to deepen, as City Council members clash over whether to release investigation documents to the public.

Less than a week after firing the controversial former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides, the Martinsville City Council voted 3-2 in favor of naming Chief of Police Robert Fincher as Interim City Manager.

Martinsville City Council voted to remove controversial City manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. Ferrell-Benavides had served on the post since 2023.

Martinsville City Council members, alongside Martinsville City Public School officials, gave presentations for their proposed budgets for the next fiscal year.

The City of Martinsville has announced the appointment of a new city manager.

Martinsville leaders have taken a step forward to support plans for a ten-million-dollar hotel project.

Martinsville City Council has voted to end the reversion process.

On Tuesday night, Martinsville City Council members adopted a resolution to terminate proceedings regarding the reversion of Martinsville to town status, according to city officials.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

The 2022 General Election will be held on November 8. You can find results for Martinsville here.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

Southside leaders are hoping to get their hands on a slide of the proposed federal infrastructure package.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – On Tuesday evening Martinsville City Council received the latest update on its plan to revert to a town and join Henry County. It’s a move that’s been on the city’s radar for quite some time following the beginning of its decline a few decades ago. At this point, Henry County officials said the county won’t fight the plan, but they don’t like the current revision. If the city and county are unable to agree, they’ll go before a panel of three judges to decide. The city is eying a July 2022 completion date and said public meetings will be scheduled in the coming time.

The Pulaski County School Board will meet tonight to select a new chair and vice-chair. Afterward, it will hold a public hearing about the school system’s budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Martinsville City Council will meet today to discuss CARES Act funding. If approved, the Board of Supervisors could hold a public hearing and hold a vote later this month. City council will hold a public hearing and could then approve the resolution.

The rising number of COVID-19 cases has many school districts starting 2021 with all virtual learning, including Allegany County, Charlotte County, Lynchburg and Galax. The Roanoke City Council meets officially for the first time with new members Robert Jeffrey and Stephanie Moon. No one can attend the Roanoke City Council meeting in person today because of COVID. City Council members will be the only ones allowed in council chambers. Martinsville City Council meets this morning where Tammy Pearson will be sworn in as a newly elected council member.

The Salem School Board will meet tonight. The school board will also discuss its legislative priorities, which include school funding and teacher pay. The Giles County School Board will hold a special meeting today. Last month, it decided to have Pre-K through third graders return to school four days a week starting on Monday. The school board will meet next week to discuss instructional plans for 4th through 7th grade and the high schools.

Martinsville City Council will get an update on how money received from the federal CARES Act is being spent. The county received $2.2 million. The federal government says the money must be spent by the end of the year on Coronavirus related expenses. There’s a free, COVID-19 testing clinic today. Carilion Clinic holds a drive-up flu vaccine clinic today.

Business and defense community members will join him to talk about the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program. Donations will be collected today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sams Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg. The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will meet today to discuss schools. The Roanoke County Police Department holds a Diversity in Law Enforcement recruiting event tonight. The event begins tonight at 6 p.m. at the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy on Barnes Avenue.

ROANOKE, Va. Road work could impact your commute in Lexington today and tomorrow. Delays are possible in Danville though Wednesday due to road work. Lynchburg Police Chief, Ryan Zuidema, will address city council tonight about addressing community concerns and feedback. Martinsville City Council could approve its budget for the next fiscal year. The New River Valley Public Health Task Force holds a COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinic today.

The New River Valley Public Health Task Force will hold ongoing drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Giles High School from noon to 2 p.m. The Salem School Board meets today at South Salem Elementary School. On the agenda is a Salem High School Construction update and budget adjustments for the school system. The Pulaski County School Board meets at 6 p.m. in the Little Theater at Pulaski County High School. On the agenda is a public hearing to get the names of people interested in serving on the Martinsville City School Board.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – A Martinsville City Council member is trying to make sure people in his city who need masks to help protect themselves from the coronavirus have them. He volunteered to sell and deliver them for the Martinsville business owner who made them because she doesn’t have time. When Turner saw police officers out on a community walk Thursday morning, he stopped and gave them some masks. I’ve been delivering masks all morning long," Turner said. She was making masks before she even knew she had a market for them.”The police department plans to handout the masks during the next community walk to people in need.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Martinsville City Council passed a resolution related to the Second Amendment sanctuary movement on Tuesday night. The city attorney based the resolution of other localities’ resolutions and included a lot of the same boilerplate language. Martinsville City Council kept tight order during their meeting, unlike some other localities that have allowed a more ruckus atmosphere. Turner wanted that to change, adding “Martinsville supports the second amendment sanctuary movement" to the resolution. To see a full list of localities across Virginia that have adopted a resolution related to Second Amendment sanctuary status or discussed the issue, click here.

ROANOKE, Va. - Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. Martinsville City Council will discuss its legislative priorities for 2020. Included on the list are upgrades to Route 220 to interstate standards for those parts that will become Interstate 73, improvements to Route 58, maintaining economic development and brownfield redevelopment. Lynchburg City Council will discuss regulating shared mobility devices like scooters. Bird Scooters currently provides scooters on the Liberty University campus, but has inquire about bringing them to other parts of the city.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke County Public Library holds orientation this week for Girls Who Code. Patrick Henry Community College will hold a ribbon-cutting today for its new training facility in Patrick County. Roanoke County will explore forming a committee to make sure everyone is counted in next year's census. The Census Bureau has identified four part of the county and Town of Vinton it expects will have a high non-response rate.