FCSO arrest a Maryland man after a high speed chase
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) reports the arrest of a Baltimore Maryland man after a high speed chase.
Michael Patrick Stewart was reported to be assaulting his child’s mother at the Sheetz store on North Frederick Pike and fled.
A Deputy spotted Stewart on Fox Drive and attempted to pull him over only to have him refuse to stop and accelerate towards the Winchester City limits.
Stewart u-turned and started back north toward Route 37 driving erratically through several yards in an attempt to evade.
More Deputies began to converge on Stewart who continued to drive erratically and at times in the wrong direction.
Stewart eventually exited at the Winchester Medical Center exit and collided with another vehicle which stopped the pursuit.
The suspect exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot when a good Samaritan with Deputies stopped him.
After being taken into custody Stewart initially gave false information it was discovered that he was driving suspended and on probation in Maryland.
Stewart was at the time of this report at Winchester Medical Center recovering from injuries sustained in the crash.
The citizen in the accident refused medical attention after being checked by Emergency Medical Personnel.
The mother who reported the assault appears unwilling to divulge additional information.
Stewart currently faces several charges including eluding, felony hit and run, providing false information and more.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Sports: Monday, March 20, 2023
Caps-Wild, It’s On To The Sweet Sixteen, Hokie Women Advance
Check out Alex Ovechkin’s PP Goal, courtesy of the Capitals Radio Network…
Gov. Youngkin reports a general fund surplus for 2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the general fund revenue collections for February 2023 were 1.2 percent higher in the first eight months of Fiscal Year 2023.
Unadjusted general fund revenues are ahead of forecast by over $111 million year to date.
If current trends continue the state is expecting a multi billion dollar surplus.
The Governor stated that Virginians continue to be overtaxed despite the state having abundant resources to lower costs and cut taxes.
At the same time the surplus enables Virginia to strengthen communities in various ways across Virginia.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
BRNGTF make major drug arrest after months of investigation
The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force (BRNGTF) announced by email that they have concluded a two month long investigation with the arrest of 20 year old Keith D. Robinson the second.
Through the investigation agents learned that Robinson was involved with the distribution of illegal narcotics in Rappahannock and Culpeper Counties among other areas.
Agents obtained and executed a search warrant along Nancy B. Williams Drive in Culpeper finding a large amount of both narcotics and over $3,000 cash.
The drugs had an approximate street value of almost $8,000.
Robinson has been charged with five felony counts of distribution and has been transported to Culpeper County Jail and is being held without bond.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Lenny Millholland on Project Lifesaver
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is encouraging people to take advantage of a program that is a proven life saver.
We spoke to Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland about the program and its success in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Sheriff Millholland explains how Project Lifesaver works and how effective it is.
He explains that Project Lifesaver is a nationwide program that has been instrumental in the recover of over 4,000 people so far.
Project Lifesaver and Frederick County Canine Units have also been instrumental in finding some lost individuals.
Sheriff Millholland tells us about his own Canine units in light of the recent celebration of National Service Animal Appreciation day.
Click here for Sheriff Millholland’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
SVFD battle their second fire in as many days
For the second time in as many days the Stanley Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) report responding to their second apartment fire.
On Mar. 14 a little past 9:30 p.m. crews reported to a fifteen unit two story complex located at 952 Brady Road.
Firefighters arrived five minutes after the call to find one lower floor apartment on fire and smoke going into five other units.
Smoke alarms alerted occupants and 20 residents were able to evacuate safely.
Due to cold weather ambulances were called in from Page County for residents to use to keep warm.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to just one unit the occupant of which was not home at the time but his dog was.
Despite efforts of Emergency Medical Crews the dog succumbed to its injuries.
The apartment complex is insured but the occupant of the unit did not have insurance and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is believed to have begun in the bedroom.
The apartment unit sustained approximately $50,000 in damage.
Six units responded to the fire taking about 20 minutes to bring it under control.
Crews remained on the scene for approximately 2 hours to ensure the fire was completely out.
On Mar. 13 Firefighters reported a fire that caused $40,000 damage to a different apartment in another area of Stanley.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
FCPS address inappropriate student staff behavior
Frederick County Public School (FCPS) Officials sent a letter to families and staff addressing concerns over cases of inappropriate possibly sexual behavior between students and some staff members.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation of the matters that have involved staff members and students at James Wood, Sherando High schools as well as Frederick County Middle school.
Where Frederick County Public school officials have remained as transparent and forthcoming as policy and law allows, they cannot divulge names or situations of those involved.
School officials have confirmed to parents and staff that established procedures to thoroughly investigate each instance have been followed and appropriate actions have been taken in accordance with the code of Virginia and school division policy.
In each instance action has been taken to protect students and ensure that staff members allegedly involved have no further access to students.
Two of the staff members have been placed on administrative leave and face discipline if not termination pending the out come of the investigation.
One substitute teacher form James Wood High School in an earlier incident faces a court appearance for indecent liberties according to online Frederick County Court documents.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Vipers
Greetings From The Booth!
A bit late this week, as I spent yesterday agonizing over WVU’s early exit from March Madness. The Mounties’ 67-65 loss to Maryland was no upset, by any stretch (Maryland was actually the higher seed), but kicked off a day of bracket-bustin’ that saw me go 9-7 in yesterday’s games–by far my worst performance in a long, long time. BTW, who had Virginia losing in 2018 UMBC fashion to Furman? Furman?!? I’m hoping to recover somewhat today, although at the time of this writing, the Kennesaw State Owls (who? see what I did there?) are leading perennial tournament team Xavier by 13. Well, at least my Final Four is still intact.
Today is the perfect storm of St. Patrick’s Day and NCAA Basketball, so be responsible and remember to hand those keys to a Designated Leprechaun!
Staying within our b-ball theme this week, were you aware that the Winchester area had a pro basketball team? I have to admit that I did not, until Kenny Gordon, a friend and longtime co-worker at the Shenandoah University basketball scorer’s table, texted me recently to see if I would be interested in doing the public address announcing for the Virginia Valley Vipers.
The expansion Vipers are part of the Indianapolis-based TBL, which stands for “The Basketball League,” and kicked off their season earlier this month. They will play a 24-game schedule in the league’s Eastern Division, against teams from Reading, Syracuse, Atlantic City, York, and the Tri-State. The Vipers’ home games are played at the spacious Wilkins Center at SU.
The team is owned by TMOs (Team Market Owners) Rodney, Tina, and Rze Culbreath. Rze is part of the local flavor of the Vipers, having played some of his basketball at Millbrook High. He is not only an owner, but on the active roster of the Vipers as a guard, and has also played professionally in Europe. Other players include former Hornet Chris Chaney. The team’s Head Coach, Andrew Oates, also has local roots, having served as Assistant Coach at both Clarke County High School and at Shenandoah.
The basketball is high-level, but so is the team’s mission of community outreach. Visit the Vipers’ website https://virginiavalleyvipers.com and you will see their mission statement displayed prominently displayed on the home page: “…to strengthen our community through positive, family-friendly entertainment and provide athletes with the financial opportunity to continue their passion while giving back to the community.” To that end, players are vetted with background checks and social media activity to insure that they represent the team and the community in a positive way. In addition, players will be part of the Top Of Virginia Young Professionals group, and the team will partner with Winchester CCAP.
So, if you can pull yourself away from the NCAA Tournament this weekend, check out a Vipers game over at Wilkins on March 18th against the Reading Rebels and/or March 19th against the Tri-State Admirals. And don’t forget to wear your purple.
Until the next visit from The Booth…enjoy the Madness, and GO VIPERS.
RW
Furever Friday: Meet Elsa
Welcome back to Furever Friday! Each week, we spotlight an adoptable Pet from the Humane Society of Warren County.
This week we’re featuring Elsa a chunky year old dog who was abandoned in an apartment. Elsa has recovered from her ordeal and is now full of fun and puppy energy and enthusiasm. Elsa like all shelter animals is vaccinated, spayed, microchipped and ready for adoption.
If you would like to give Elsa her 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.
A tri-state manhunt ends in West Virginia
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office reports that a tri-state manhunt has ended in West Virginia.
A domestic disturbance reported in Augusta County escalated to several shots fired in the Deerfield area.
Oather Carl Puffenbarger Jr. reportedly approached his estranged wife by entering a residence with a handgun.
An occupant of the residence was able to get out and call 911.
Puffenbarger stole the keys to his estranged wife’s vehicle and fled.
Deputies at that time took out several warrants against Puffenbarger including grand larceny, brandishing a firearm, use of said firearm in commission of a felony and breaking and entering among other charges.
While searching for Puffenbarger Deputies received a second 911 call for shots fired in the Hite Hollow Road area.
That call came from two of Puffenbarger’s relatives.
Puffenbarger had blocked their escape with his vehicle and forced the two out of their vehicle as he fired several more shots.
The two male family members were armed and fired back at Puffenbarger.
This led to still more charges being placed against Puffenbarger.
Authorities from Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia were put on alert to watch for Puffenbarger.
West Virginia authorities managed to stop Puffenbarger in Grant County.
When officers approached Puffenbarger’s vehicle they found him suffering from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Puffenbarger was taken into custody and transported to a hospital with life threatening injuries.
The delay in the report was to make sure family members of Puffenbarger were notified of the incident.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.