SCSO and additional Authorities solve 11 larcenies with one arrest

International Automotive Components Group

On October 25 the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) report the arrest of  Herman Elliot Degolyer on several charges.

After Degolyer’s vehicle was seen in the area of a crime a be on the lookout (BOLO) was issued for him.

That led to a search warrant to be executed in the 400 block of Boyd Street in Woodstock.

Subsequently the 52-year-old Woodstock resident Degolyer was arrested after the recovery of items related to several larcenies.

Degolyer has been charged with a count of auto theft grand larceny a count of destruction of property and a count of burglary.

In addition Degolyer faces two counts of receiving stolen property and goods and six counts of larceny.

In all 11 Shenandoah County larceny cases were resolved with the single arrest.

The SCSO is being assisted by the Woodstock and Mount Jackson Polices Departments.

Stolen items are being returned to their rightful owners as they are recovered and sorted.

Degolyer is currently being held in the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail on a $1500 secured bond with more charges pending in the investigation.

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

Sheriff Harmon’s daughter sought after missing court

West Virginia state seal. Used by written permission by Chief Deputy and Chief of Staff of West Virginia Chuck Flannery

Last week Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon was indicted on several charges involving his interference with his daughter Carrie’s auto accident on January 6.

After Carrier’s accident she became involved in an incident at the Bad Habits Bar and Grill in Martinsburg.

Carrie and two other girls were involved in an assault of a victim at the bar.

Carrie was charged with a felony count of malicious wounding and conspiracy back in July.

Those charges carry a 2 to possibly 10-year prison term in West Virginia.

According to the Martinsburg Journal Carrier missed her court date on those charges October 26.

That prompted authorities to issue a capias.

A capias is a bench warrant for arrest which is a charge that adds additional time to the sentence and carries a fine of up to $5,000.

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

News Maker Madelyn Rodriquez on Frederick County issues

Madelyn Rodriquez is a candidate for House of Delegates for the 32nd District running against incumbent Bill Wiley in the November 7 General Election.

The 32nd district includes the City of Winchester and Northern Frederick County.

We spoke with Madelyn about issues that concern her the most in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

Experience Warren County Where History, Nature and Family Come Together.

Madelyn tells us one of her biggest concerns is education and what she hopes to do to correct it if elected.

She also tells us another concern is Frederick County tax dollars and how to better channel those funds.

Click here for Madelyn’s news maker.

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

1450 WFTR presents The River Rivalry Trophy to Skyline and Warren County High Schools

1450 WFTR proudly presents The River Rivalry Trophy.

The winner of the annual football matchup between Skyline High School and Warren County High School will receive the trophy to hoist and display for the following year.

Inspiration from the trophy came from other local rivalries like the Barr-Lindon Crimson Apple, which is awarded to the top high school football team in Winchester and Frederick County, and the Shenandoah County Championship.

1450 WFTR worked with Jean’s Jewelers to select a high quality trophy with a classic look that measures nearly three feet high and features a traditional gold cup design at the top.

Each year, the winning school will add a plate to the base with their name, final score, and year.

From when the school’s first began competing against each other in the 2007-2008 school year, the series has stayed close with Skyline currently holding an edge 12-7.

Skyline has won the last four matchups in a row by a combined score of 123-27, but all time, the series has provided some instant classics with eight games decided by one score or less.

The schools played each other twice in 2007, 2008, and 2017.

1450 WFTR coincides the inaugural trophy presentation with the station’s celebration of 75 years of serving the Front Royal and Warren County community.

The latest installation of The River Rivalry will begin Friday, November 3rd at 6:40 pm on 1450 WFTR, The River 95.3, theriver953.com, and the Tune In Radio App with Randy Woodward and Ryan Rutherford.

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

Frederick County School Board sets budget priorities

The Frederick County School Board established the budget priorities and approved use of supplemental state funds at a special meeting held on October 27th.

During the meeting, the school board approved the budget of $7.3 million with over $4 million to the Special Grants Fund and over $3 million to the Operating Fund.

They also approved the hiring of 22 additional full time positions, two full time School Nutrition positions, and ten full time instructional assistants.

For the Fiscal Year of 2025, some of the budget priorities established include:

  • instructional initiatives and professional learning
  • compensation packages to recruit and retain high quality staff
  • operational funding to address facility maintenance, safety enhancements, and aging school buses and infrastructure

The School Board also approved the 2024-2025 Program of Studies and the administrative assignment of Joseph Strong as the new assistant director of student support services.

He previously served as principal at Red Bud Run and Bass Hoover Elementary Schools.

For further information and supporting documents on these items, click here.

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

Same Ol’, Same Ol’

views from the booth header v2

Greetings from The Booth

When will I learn? I’ve just spent another wasted Sunday afternoon, hoping against hope that somehow the Washington Commanders will have found a way to win a close football games. What is that old saying about doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? I truly must be insane. I drank the Kool-Aid when the team started 2-0, and basked in the waters of optimism under a new ownership. Things were surely going to be different in 2023: an elite defense was going to keep us in games while we developed a new quarterback. OC Eric Bieniemy was coming from the Chiefs to spruce up the offense. Former Owner Dan Snyder was gone. All was right with the world.

Fast forward to late October. Since the 2-0 start, the Commanders have sputtered to 1-5 in their last six games, finding a varfiety of ways to lose. A heartbreaking overtime loss to Philadelphia was followed by embarrasing defeats to NFL bottom feeders Chicago (on National TV) and the New York Giants. While not embarrasing themselves yesterday in a 38-31 loss to the Eagles, the end result was all too familiar.

Vince Lombardi once said “winning is a habit.” So is losing, which has become habitual with the once proud Washington franchise. When the Commanders jumped out to a 14-3 lead over Philadelphia yesterday, I tried not to get too excited. In fact, my high school football broadcast partner, Ryan Rutherford, texted that basically the Eagles had us right where they wanted us. We’ve seen the movie before. Washington sprints to early lead, Washington loses lead, Washington makes a comeback to make things interesting in the 4th quarter, only to find a way to lose at the end. And that’s exactly what happened yesterday. It was predictable.

So what now for the Washington Commanders? At 3-5 with the trade deadline approaching (Oct. 31), some hard decisions will have to be made. Is there a playoff run for the club or do they sell some valuable players for future draft capital? Chase Young and Montez Sweat are being mentioned as players who may have played their last game as Commanders. There’s also the question of what role Head Coach Ron Rivera will play in these decisions. Yesterday’s loss to the Eagles may have sealed his fate in Washington. Traditionally, a new owner likes to bring in his own people, and it’s no big secret that this has been an evaluation year for Rivera (and just about everyone else).

Speaking of evaluation, I don’t think any more is needed for Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio, who has worn out his welcome in DC. The Commaners’ defense is hot garbage. There is no pass rush from a supposed elite D-Line, the linebackers are slow, and the secondary is getting torched week after week. Don’t look now, but the Washington defense has given up 30 or more points in 5 of the last 7 games. In a results-based profession, the numbers don’t lie.

Meanwhile, another Sunday I can’t get back is in the books…and sadly it’s the same ol’, same ol’.

Until the next visit from The Booth…Happy Halloween!

RW

 

 

 

Quaker Run fire update

photo credit Scott Bradley Hesson with permission

Shenandoah National Park‘s latest update on the Quaker Run Fire is that it has burned approximately 425 acres and is 35 percent contained.

The Department of Forestry reports that firefighters continue to try to encircle the fire in very steep and rough terrain.

Smoke from the fire is visible in neighboring communities as reported by the Warren County Fire and Rescue.

While the fire is not in the park, it is close to the Old Rag and Whiteoak Boundary area.

Park officials are assisting in fighting the fire but at this time it should only impact park visitors through smoke, so plan accordingly.

Firefighters continue to install fire lines around the fire to cut fuel sources, this effort is expected to take several days.

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

Teal Pumpkin Event

Bowman Public Library in Stephens City is hosting a Teal Pumpkin Event on October 31st from 10 am to 8 pm.

A Teal Pumpkin event is especially designed for children with food allergies.

Enjoy items and treats that are safe for everyone, a Halloween themed craft and story time by Megan at 4:30.

Wear your costume and help celebrate this extravaganza. 

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