Keeping a Rural Community Connected: The Story of the Whitetop Gazette
In Whitetop, Virginia a small publication is making a big difference. The Whitetop Gazette is a quarterly newsletter serving southern Grayson County, and it’s become a welcome source of connection, information, and local pride.
The Whitetop Gazette was launched in June 2024 by Gary Rascoe, a Whitetop resident with a background in business and lean manufacturing consulting. What began as a side project has grown into a trusted, free publication with a circulation of about 1,400 readers—delivered directly to area homes.
The publication operates under the nonprofit organization Friends of Whitetop. Its mission is simple: to provide free, locally focused print news in an area that no longer has a traditional newspaper.
Small-town newspapers closing their doors across the nation in rural communities leave gaps in local news reporting. Local governments and law enforcement lose their transparency in the communities they serve. The Whitetop Gazette is joining independent newsrooms everywhere to help fill in this news gap and it's helping neighbors stay informed and connected.
Each issue highlights the people and issues that matter most to Whitetop and southern Grayson County. Past editions have featured stories on local fire and rescue services, emergency preparedness, and fire safety. Readers can also find profiles of local artists, coverage of human interest topics, and thoughtful reporting on community concerns such as proposed cell phone towers.
Gary Rascoe serves as the publication’s sole editor and actively invites community members to contribute stories, updates, and announcements. The Whitetop Gazette is a community-driven effort, shaped by the voices of the people who live there. To support rural & independent news reporting here in Southwest Virginia, Rascoe collaborates with The Neighborly in Galax, Virginia.
In a time when local news is disappearing from many rural areas, the Whitetop Gazette offers a hopeful reminder of what’s possible when one person delivers an idea that builds community. Through shared stories and reliable information, it keeps Whitetop connected—one issue at a time.
You can read past issues of the Whitetop Gazette here: https://www.whitetopva.org/newsletters
