The trial of Jennifer McDonald resumes September 8
The trial of former Executive Director of Front Royal Warren County’s Economic Development Authority Jennifer R. McDonald will resume Friday September 8.
According to court documents the jury trial was to begin again on September 5 but the court was canceled by proceeding Judge Elizabeth Dillion.
Court documents show that the jury trial will not resume until Friday September 8 at 9 a.m. in Court Room 1 in Harrisonburg.
This past week’s proceedings were canceled due to several people involved in the case testing positive for COVID-19.
McDonald faces over 30 charges including federal counts of wire and bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.
As reported previously, the first days of the trial were marred in jury selection with two different jury pools initially.
The entire first jury pool was dismissed by Judge Dillion due to comments made by some to other prospective jurors.
Witnesses were not involved until at least the fourth day with just under 25 of the over 70 witnesses having been called.
To date there have been a total of 9 days of court proceedings including the jury selection since August 21.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Youngkin announces $2.9 million in small business and historic revitalization grants
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $2.9 million in grants for 45 projects across the Commonwealth.
The funded projects will revitalize historic commercial districts, expand small businesses and grow local economies.
Some local communities are recipients of the grants including Downtown Front Royal which will receive $15,000 towards Organizational Structure.
The City of Winchester will receive $20,000 for nonprofit restructuring.
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance was one of the largest beneficiaries receiving $100,000 for their Bricks and Clicks program.
In total, the projects will support nearly 650 business, create or expand another 53 businesses, train 140 entrepreneurs, provide 112 improvement projects, and leverage close to a million dollars in private investment.
To view the Governor’s announcement including additional information on the projects, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Vanessa McAllister on changes at the Valor Awards
There have been some changes to the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s (TVRC) Valor Awards this year.
We spoke to the Director of Programs and Events for TVRC Vanessa McAllister about those changes in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Vanessa tells us about the new date and location of the awards banquet this year.
She also tells us that the new date is likely to be used for years in the future as well.
Vanessa also tells us how to nominate someone for the awards and how they are selected.
Click here for Vanessa’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Fire bans on any and all outdoor fires expands across the region
Frederick and Clarke join Warren County in banning any and all outdoor fires until further notice.
In accordance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code the ban will last until further notice due to dry conditions and drought warning.
The entire Shenandoah Valley is under a Drought Warning which indicates that a Drought is imminent.
During the lack of water and dry condition no person is allowed to kindle or maintain or authorize any open burning in Front Royal Warren County by order of the Fire Marshal.
The ban is in effect until further notice and includes bonfires, ceremonial fires and campfires.
This ban does not include barbecue grills, smokers or any device that emits smoke through a chimney or stack.
Never leave outdoor cooking unattended.
Other safety tips include always properly discarding of cigarettes.
When pulling off to the side of road stay off the dry grass.
Park so exhaust does not contact dry grass, leaves or weeds.
Additional safety tips are found here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Sports: Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Nats Drop Sixth Straight, O’s Post Another “W,” Shelton Advances To US Open Semis
Joey Meneses and Jacob Young stroke RBI singles in the Nats’ 11-5 loss to the Mets. Courtesy Nationals Radio Network…
FCFR battle the second fire in the same Fairfax Pike location
Frederick County Fire and Rescue reports by email the response to a second fire in less than 2 months at Sandy’s Trailer Park at 2044 Fairfax Pike.
The most recent fire on September 2 saw one victim transported by air to Medstar Burn Center in Washington DC where she succumbed to her injuries.
The 54-year-old unidentified female died as the result of significant burns and smoke inhalation.
Her body has been taken to the District of Columbia Medical Examiner’s Office for investigative purposes.
One other victim was taken to Winchester Medical Center to be evaluated for smoke inhalation and burns.
Other victims were treated and released at the scene.
The six occupants of the double wide trailer did manage to escape through a window before fire units arrived.
The double wide trailer was a total loss with two trailers on either side sustaining radiant heat damage.
The first of 2023’s fires at Sandy’s Trailer Park occurred on July 21 destroying 2 trailers and damaging one nearby.
Both fires were deemed accidental, likely caused by an overloaded electrical system.
The trailer had no working smoke detectors to warn the occupants.
Frederick County Fire and Rescue personnel will canvas the trailer park September 6 at 5 p.m. to ensure that all trailers have at least one working smoke detector.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Worlds of Work prepares to welcome thousands of local youth
Businesses, educators, and economic development partners throughout the Shenandoah Valley are coming together once again for the Worlds of Work at the Wilkins Athletic and Event Center on September 14th.
The event brings together nearly 3,000 8th graders from around the region to experience and learn about a variety of business sectors.
WOW provides an immersive career exploration experience for students who may be starting to consider a potential career.
10 sectors and more than 70 businesses, including the River 95.3 and Fox Sports Radio 1450, will be on hand to give students an inside look.
WOW is open to all 8th grade students in the 7 district region.
Public school students will attend as part of their curriculum.
Home schooled or private school students are invited to participate as well.
For more information including participation requirements, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Larry Elliott on C-CAP’s future
Front Royal Warren County Congregational Community Action Project (C-CAP) former President Larry Elliott is still very involved in the project.
We spoke to now C-CAP Consultant Larry Elliott in our latest news maker about his new role in the organization.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Larry tells us of his new position and how much more it involves.
He also tells us that the future is very bright in C-CAP’s new location on Kendrick Lane in Front Royal.
Larry reminds us of what he calls one of the most important events for C-CAP.
That event would be the 15 annual Camping For Hunger Campaign coming in November which wouldn’t be possible without the community’s support.
Click here for Larry’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
SNP bans all fishing in the park
Effective immediately the Shenandoah National Park’s streams and rivers are closed to fishing.
Low water levels and high-water temperatures have led to that decision.
The closure to fishing will help ensure the long-term health of the fish population in the park.
Dry weather led to extremely low water levels to the point where rocks previously covered have begun to be exposed.
Conditions are so dry that some park river sections are now completely dry.
These low water conditions and the unusually hot weather heating the water will cause oxygen levels to drop which is stressful and often fatal to fish.
The ban on fishing will be in effect until significant precipitation raises water levels.
The ban is in effect in both open to harvest and catch and release waters in the park.
A link to the press release and additional information is available here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDEQ issues a Drought Warning for the Shenandoah region
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a Drought Warning for the entire Shenandoah Region.
The drought warning encompasses 7 counties in Virginia including Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren Counties.
The drought watch is currently posted for 13 counties including Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier and Loudoun Counties among others.
The condition prompted Frederick Water to announce the implementation of drought warning procedures immediately.
Residential customers are encouraged to reduce water usage by 15 percent and non-residential customers to reduce their usage by 20 percent.
These reductions can be achieved by voluntary water conservation efforts and a mandatory reduction of nonessential water usage.
Customers of Frederick Water, which includes the City of Winchester and Frederick County, are asked to follow a schedule for certain activities.
The schedule is based on the last digit of your residential and business address.
If landscape watering is necessary odd number residents are asked to reduce watering to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Even number addresses should water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
No watering should take place at all between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The watering of any hard surface is prohibited as is the washing of any vehicle.
Watering of outdoor decorative bodies of water is prohibited unless to keep aquatic life alive.
Fire hydrant usage is only permitted for fire suppression efforts.
Filling private and public pools and water haulers and hauling water is also prohibited.
Frederick Water warns customers engaging in prohibited water usage activity will receive a warning notification.
The third violation will result in total disconnection for the duration of the drought.
Front Royal will impose a $1,000 fine for prohibited water usage compounded by days in violation.
A drought warning indicates that a drought is imminent.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.