May 25, 2023 - The River 95.3

It’s Not Midnight Yet, Cinderella

Greetings From The Booth!

You can’t make up stories like this. If you pitched a script to Hollywood about the week Michael Block just had at the PGA Championship, you would be booted right out of town. Block, who just had a top-15 finish in golf’s second major championship of the year, was “the” story of the tournament. You could make the case that he even upstaged winner Brooks Koepka, who captured the fifth major title of his career on Sunday at Oak Hills Country Club.

The PGA Championship is unique in that a handful of PGA club professionals get to compete. Contrary to popular belief, PGA club pros play very little golf. Just ask your club pro about that. Their time is spent on the putting green with members, making sure the pro shop is stocked with golf clubs and gear, charging up golf carts, and ordering new sand for the bunkers. I just described a day in the life of Michael Block, who is the pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California.

Not this past week…and maybe not for the foreseeable future.

Block captured the hearts of golf fans around the world by making the cut at the PGA, and for a while was in the top-10 with a chance to win. Surely, midnight would come for this Cinderella on the weekend, but it wasn’t until late Sunday that Block started to fade a bit down the leaderboard. Had the story ended there, it still would have been a good one.

Then came the 15th hole, where Michael Block slam-dunked a 7-iron for a hole-in-one, and became an instant folk hero. It was the cherry on his Sunday, as Block collected over $288 thousand for his top-15, and gets to play in next year’s PGA Championship. But the story doesn’t end there. This week, someone offered Block $50 thousand for that seven-iron he used for his ace on Sunday. Surely, he would have a sentimental attachment to that golf club and not give it away at any price. Nope. In true “everyman” form, he offered to hand-deliver it for that kind of money.

Then, Block’s childhood hero, Michael Jordan, sent him a text congratulating him for his PGA showing. And, guess who the crowds are going to be following this week as Block plays at Colonial Country Club? All pretty heady stuff for a guy who just a few weeks ago was probably giving someone a chipping lesson. But, anyone who thinks all of this newfound fame will change Michael Block didn’t hear the humility in his emotional interviews last week.

At some point, Block may fade from memory and become an asterisk in the annals of professional golf. But for this Cinderella, it ain’t midnight yet.

Until the next visit from The Booth…have a great Memorial weekend!

WCSO investigate an incident of a person being shot at

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) repots the investigation of a person being shot at and take a man into custody.

In the early morning hours of May 23 Deputies responded to the report of a dispute in the Mountain Laurel Lane area of Front Royal.

On arrival Deputies found that an individual had fired a weapon at another person.

Deputies were familiar with the location as they had responded to reports of an ongoing disagreement between the landlord and tenants before.

After interviewing witnesses and reviewing a video taken by a bystander they determined that one man had fired a 12-gauge shotgun just over the head of Jesse Lake.

Alan Wayne Forney has been taken into custody and charged with brandishing and recklessly handling a firearm.

A 12-gauge shotgun was recovered at the scene and has been taken in as evidence.

Anyone with any additional information in the incident is asked to contact the WCSO.

Anyone with information should contact Deputy Doffermire of the WCSO at 540-635-4128.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

WFRD/FCFR rescue occupants in blaze that displaces 20

On May 20 the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department (WFRD) report responding to a structure fire in the 500 block of York Avenue.

Crews were advised while enroute that occupants were trapped on the second floor of the apartment complex.

Upon arrival Firefighters found both smoke and flames visible from the second story of the building.

A second alarm was requested with aid coming from Frederick County Fire and Rescue (FCFR).

Extraction of those trapped by the fire was executed and completed by fire crews.

One Firefighter suffered minor injuries during the battle and was transported and released from the hospital.

The fire was marked under control one hour into the incident.

Eight apartments were deemed uninhabitable with 20 residences displaced by the fire.

The Red Cross is assisting those that were displaced.

Fire Marshals investigators are determining the cause of the fire.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Warren County Property and Real Estate Taxes deadline extended

The Warren County Personal Property and Real Estate Tax bills were mailed out Friday May 19 and will be arriving soon if not already.

Payment is due on June 5 however according to Warren County Board of Supervisor vice chairperson Cheryl Cullers there is an extension.

In a message from County of Warren Government payments made before June 21 or postmarked before midnight on June 21 will be considered an on-time payment.

There will be no penalty added if mailed before that June 21 date.

Payments can either be mailed before June 21 or dropped off at the box behind the town office.

Any questions should be directed to the Warren County Treasure’s Office at 540-635-2215.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.