In our latest newsmaker, Scott Bradley sits down with host of the Midday Boost, Genesis Henry, to recap her year.
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Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.
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The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival reported by email on the selection of six girls to serve as Little Maids during the upcoming festival
Among the selected include Madelyn Grace “Maddie Grace” Phares Estep, Brynley Patricia Hester, Emmylou Evan Keller, Emory Elaine Larrick, Kathryn Ava Maphis and Callie Marie Seal.
Estep is in fourth grade at Quarles Elementary in Winchester and is a part of the Early Act Club and Chameleon Choir, she also participates in softball and recreational basketball. The mother of Estep was a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXX.
Hester is in fourth grade at Jordan Springs Elementary and she dances with Italia Performing Arts.
Keller and her family are from Bel-Air Maryland, she is in third grade at Bel-Air Elementary and she is a member of the Kids First Swim Team.
Larrick is a fourth grade student at Middletown Elementary and is currently on the AB Honor Roll, her mother was a little maid in the Court of Queen Shenandoah LXXI.
Maphis is in fourth grade at Frederick Douglass Elementary, she participates as a Jazz Dancer at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy along with playing volleyball and basketball, she is also a member of Stonebrook Swim Team. Her mother participated as a princess in the Court of Queen Shenandoah LXXIV.
Seal is in third grade at Greenwood Mill Elementary and her mother was a princess in The Court of Queen Shenandoah LXXVIII.
Little Maids selected will participate in the Coronation Ceremony of this years Queen Shenandoah XCIX on May 1st at Handley High School and they will ride on the Queens float in The Grand Feature Parade the next day.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office announced the filing of an additional charge in a single vehicle crash that involved a fatality.
This incident occurred on Saturday December 20th on Olympia Drive at Ringneck Place in Brambleton.
The driver, Anvesh Hungenalli was charged with Driving Under the Influence in this incident that resulted in a fatality.
A front seat passenger identified as Katherine Ovando Leal was pronounced deceased on the scene.
After further investigation by authorities, Hungenalli was additionally charged with Involuntary Manslaughter.
Hungenalli is being held at Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on no bond.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Prince William County Police Department responded to investigate a robbery on December 24th.
Authorities responded to an area of Balls Ford Road and Stream Walk Lane in Manassas.
Upon further investigation it was discovered that a 59 year old man was approached by two unknown male individuals and a female in a shopping center parking lot.
The male victim was forced into a vehicle where one of the male suspects was armed with a handgun and knife, the victim was assaulted and had his wallet taken.
All suspects fled prior to authorities arriving and the victim reported this incident shortly after and only minor injuries were reported.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality on Dec. 22 in Augusta County.
At approximately 3:24 p.m., a 2024 Audi was traveling northbound on Route 262 in the area of Middlebrook Road when a 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander struck it head-on.
The Mitsubishi had been traveling southbound on Route 262 before crossing the grass median and entering the northbound lanes.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, Stephen McMahon, died at the scene.
He was not wearing a seat belt.
The driver of the Audi, identified as Alan Wallis, was transported to Augusta Health for treatment of serious injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office reported via email it was dispatched to a local fire department station around 10:15 PM on December 21, to speak with a woman who had been involved in a domestic argument.
She reported that during the argument her husband struck her and threatened her with a firearm.
She fled to the fire station for safety.
A deputy was dispatched to the residence to determine if the husband had returned home.
That deputy observed the husband inside his vehicle at the end of the Cul de sac on Gray Fox Drive in Bealeton.
Because a firearm was reportedly used, he radioed for a second deputy.
The two deputies issued commands to the man inside the vehicle, but he was not cooperative.
Tragically, the man displayed a handgun and took his own life.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
On December 18, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Deputy Keller of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office reports responding to a reported single-vehicle crash in the 9300 block of Williamsport Pike in Falling Waters.
Initial information indicated a passenger vehicle had struck a tree and the driver was unresponsive.
Upon arrival, deputies and emergency medical personnel located a black Nissan Altima that had exited the roadway and collided with a tree.
The female driver, identified as Kristy Alger, was located inside the vehicle.
Life-saving measures were immediately initiated; however, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The River Blood Drive Tour makes a stop today, Christmas Eve, at the festive George Washington Hotel in Winchester! It’s our traditional December 24 stop at the “G-Dub” from 10 until noon. Give the ultimate gift this Holiday season by logging on to https://redcrossblood.org and donate blood. As a bonus…if you give blood now through January 4th, you’ll receive an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last!
If you can’t make it to the GW Hotel on Christmas Eve, the Greater Shenandoah Valley Board of the American Red Cross invites you to help save lives on December 30 from 11 until 5 at the Holiday Inn-Foxcroft Ballroom in Martinsburg! Start your 2026 resolution to donate blood a few days early with the river 95.3!
As the holiday season sweeps through the Valley, host of The Valley Today, Janet Michael invites listeners to step into the warmth of community traditions in a special episode. This festive conversation, woven from interviews with local leaders, business owners, and community members, offers a delightful tapestry of Christmas customs, heartfelt memories, and a few friendly debates. Click here to listen.
The episode opens with a question that sparks instant nostalgia: Are you a real Christmas tree person or do you prefer artificial? Krista Shifflett of the Warren Coalition confesses her lifelong love for real trees, though practicality has recently nudged her toward artificial options. Similarly, Celeste Brooks shares that allergies in her family have made artificial trees a necessity, while others, like Les Sinclair of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, opt for convenience over tradition. The conversation reveals that, for many, the choice between real and artificial is shaped by family needs, safety, and even the presence of pets.
Transitioning from tree types to timing, Janet asks her guests when they put up and take down their decorations. Some, like Robyn Miller of WATTS, stick to the classic post-Thanksgiving setup, while others, such as Victoria Armstrong Kidd of the Hideaway Cafe, admit to keeping their trees up well into February. The reasons vary—busy schedules, a love for the festive glow, or simply not wanting to let go of the season’s magic.
No holiday conversation is complete without discussing gifts. The guests reveal a spectrum of shopping habits, from early planners who finish by Thanksgiving to last-minute dashers picking up presents on Christmas Eve. The art of wrapping also comes under the spotlight, with some guests proudly identifying as “wrappers” who cherish the ritual, while others embrace the practicality of gift bags—especially when time is short or the recipient is a pet with a penchant for unwrapping.
Another beloved tradition—when to open gifts—elicits a variety of responses. Some families uphold the anticipation of Christmas morning, while others allow a sneak peek on Christmas Eve, often in the form of a single present or a special family ritual. These small differences highlight the unique ways each household creates its own holiday magic.
Throughout the episode, Janet’s guests share more than just their traditions; they offer a glimpse into the values that bind the Valley community. Whether it’s the joy of decorating multiple trees, the chaos of wrapping gifts at the last minute, or the comfort of gathering with loved ones, these stories remind us that the heart of the holidays lies in togetherness and shared memories.
As the conversation draws to a close, Janet encourages listeners to reflect on their own traditions and perhaps borrow a few new ideas from her guests. In a season often marked by hustle and bustle, this episode serves as a gentle reminder to savor the moments, embrace the quirks, and celebrate the connections that make the holidays truly special in the Valley.
In our latest newsmaker, Scott Bradley sits down with part time news man Alejandro Landers.
They discuss his year recap, including working at The River 95.3, life at college, and future aspirations.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County.
Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.
To listen to the latest newsmaker, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
