Middletown begins hydrant flushes
Middletown’s Public Works Department is conducting hydrant flushes over the next two weeks.
During flushes, residents may notice reduced water pressure and flow or a discoloration of water.
This will clear up after running the water for a little while.
Hydrant flushing is necessary to ensure water quality and avoid rusty water in situations where there is a high demand for water due to a firefighting effort or water main break.
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SABF seeks volunteers to revitalize parade floats
The 96th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is quickly approaching, and they need help from volunteers for one of the most important parts of the parade.
The Festival’s sixteen floats need freshening up after their yearly storage in the Noland’s Plumbing Supply Building on Papermill Road.
From now until the end of April, volunteers will meet to help dust, clean, patch, build and paint the floats which will be used in the upcoming parades.
The open work times include Wednesdays from 1-6 pm, Saturdays from 1-8 pm and Sundays from 1- 6 pm.
All supplies are provided.
Credit certificates for volunteer hours are available.
For questions or more information, call 540-662-3863 or just show up at the warehouse.
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FCFR respond to house fire in Stephens City
Frederick County Fire and Rescue responded to a call at 741 Grim Road near Stephens City at 10:14 AM on Friday for a fire in a single family home.
An aggressive interior fire was seen with flames emerging through the roof of the house upon arrival.
Two occupants were there at the time of the incident but no injuries were reported.
The bulk of the blaze was extinguished in 17 minutes and fully out by 12:46 pm.
The area was not serviced by hydrants which required a water shuttle from several miles away which delayed their efforts to control the flames.
Damages are estimated at $150,000 and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Fire and Rescue Companies responded from around Frederick County as well as Winchester and Clarke County.
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Martinsburg traffic stop leads to drugs and gun arrest
Martinsburg Police Department’s PFC Condo initiated a traffic stop at 9:25 pm on March 23rd of a Dodge Charger operating without lights.
The officer smelled marijuana and saw a handgun on the floor.
After a search of the vehicle, officers seized a Glock handgun, $579.00, and what is believed to be 123 Fentanyl pills, 89 Percocet, 7.6 grams of crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana.
The driver, Ein Chase Kidrick, was charged with five counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, felony conspiracy, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and his third offense of driving on a suspended license.
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13 acres affected by SNP wildfire
Over 13 acres of Shenandoah National Park faced the effects of a wildfire that started around 2 pm on Thursday and lasted till 11 pm that evening.
National Park Service firefighters and a crew from the United States Forest Service got the blaze under control in the Big Meadows area.
Several trails in the region and Rapidan Road remain closed while crews continue to clear remnants of the wildfire.
A power line in the impacted area left Big Meadows Wayside, Campground and Picnic Grounds and Lewis Mountain temporarily without power.
Those areas, which opened for the season yesterday, have reopened with power restored.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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Front Royal waterline repairs temporarily stop service
The Town of Front Royal’s Water and Sewer Department has scheduled water line repair for Monday, March 27th from 8 am- 2 pm on Richmond Road.
This will leave the surrounding areas of Jamestown, Richmond, and Gloucester Roads as well as Oakmont Drive and John Marshall Highway without water for a few hours while repairs are being made.
Once water has been restored, residents should run their faucets to clear discoloration and air from the lines.
Please be aware of crews working during this time and use caution while traveling in this area.
If you have any questions, please contact Public Works at 540-635-7819, Monday through Friday, 7 am- 3:30 pm.
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News Maker Sheriff Carter on Shenandoah Co. SROs
Once a month we try to check in with Shenandoah County Sheriff Tim Carter to see what’s top of mind in the County.
In our latest news maker Sheriff Carter focuses on Shenandoah County School Resource Officers (SROs).
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Sheriff Carter tells us how SROs came about in Shenandoah County.
He also tells us about school systems that have done away with the Officers.
Sheriff Carter also addresses the use of social media and how it can sometimes hamper the efforts of the Officers and agency itself.
Click here for Sheriff Carter’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Furever Friday: Meet Luke
Welcome back to Furever Friday! Each week, we spotlight an adoptable Pet from the Humane Society of Warren County.
This week we’re featuring Luke an approximately 5 year old bulldog mix. Luke is a fun loving goofball who loves to play. Luke loves to go on long walks and gives big hugs. He also has a cute underbite.
If you would like to give Luke a forever home please fill out an application at humanesocietywarrencounty.com. Once you apply and are approved, a staff member will contact you with the next steps.
You can also check out the Humane Society of Warren County’s adoptable pets on petfinder.com.
Furever Friday is proudly sponsored by Shear Elegance Pet Boutique. Shear Elegance Pet Boutique has been giving pets the love, care and respect they deserve since 2011. Visit them today off John Marshall Highway and on Facebook.
The Humane Society of Warren County offers their Pick of the Litter Thrift Store at 450 S. Commerce Ave. Front Royal.
A great way to support the Humane Society of Warren County by way of both purchase and donations.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
FCSO arrest two Frederick County Public School associates
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) reports the arrest of two Frederick County Public School (FCPS) associates.
Emily Walker a Physical Education Teacher and Basketball Coach at Frederick County Middle School and Matthew Geyer a Sherando High School aide are in custody.
Walker is accused of taking indecent liberties with a child which is a felony.
Walker turned herself in voluntarily after cellphone investigation showed evidence of hundreds of text messages between, she and a then 12-year-old student.
The messages over several weeks indicated an escalation in expectations of physical contact.
Further investigation revealed that the now 13-year-old student did meet with Walker on more than one occasion on school property and kissed.
Walker is currently being held in the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention facility.
A second investigation of alleged inappropriate behavior led to the arrest of Sherando High School aide Matthew Geyer.
Geyer allegedly had a consensual sexual encounter with a 16 year old male student after the two met on social media months ago.
The investigation confirmed that the pair met off school property at the victim’s home where sexual contact was made.
Geyer is currently being held without bond at the Adult Detention facility and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Initial charges have been placed against both FCPS associates and no further information will be released pending the upcoming court proceedings.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VSP investigate a fatal accident involving New Market residents
Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email the investigation of a fatal two-vehicle accident in Rockingham County.
Mar. 22 at approximately 4:50 p.m. a Chevrolet Traverse heading west on Route 211 attempted a left turn onto a private driveway and collided with an eastbound Toyota Camry.
The driver of the Chevrolet 47-year-old Jennifer L. Silvious of New Market sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Rockingham County Medical Center.
The driver of the Toyota 72 year old Denice R. Grove of New Market suffered serious life-threatening injuries and was transported to the UVA Medial Center.
A passenger of the Toyota 101-year-old New Market resident Melba E. Grove died at the scene.
A second passenger of the Toyota 69-year-old New Market resident Beatrice S. Antisdel suffered life-threatening injuries and was also transported to UVA Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Silvious has been charged with reckless driving in the incident.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.