News Maker Preston Knight on SVEC celebrating 90 years of service

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) is celebrating 90 years of service in 2026.

We spoke to SVEC Communications Manager Preston Knight about the accomplishment in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

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

Preston tells us that the actual date of the 90th year is June of 2026.

He also has information on how to prepare for and safe guard yourself for power outages.

That is only days after SVEC crews came off of restoration efforts in Page County.

Preston goes into detail about how power outages can be caused by any number of problems and how to keep track of them.

Preston also has details on the soon to close application opportunity for SVEC scholarships. 

Click here for Preston’s latest news maker.

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

Page County Authorities respond to 5 incidents in one day

page county election coverage

Luray Fire Department reports the response to 5 incidents in one day.

On December 29 Luray Fire Department personnel responded to a vehicle fire on 211 West at approximately 10:55 a.m.

The fire was found to be caused by a mechanical malfunction resulting in some burnt insulation in the vehicle’s fire wall.

The fire near Dan’s Steak House was quickly extinguished and hotspots controlled and put out in a matter of minutes.

Then crews were called to a two-vehicle crash also on 211 West near Taco Bell just past noon.

Clean up of that accident temporally routed traffic through the West End Shopping Center for a short time.

While cleaning up that crash crews were called to another crash on West Main Street at approximately 12:20.

That accident in the 600 block of West Main Street involved a tractor trailer colliding with a telephone pole.

The pole had been broken off at the ground with multiple lines on top of both the tractor trailer and a vehicle.

Crews were on that scene for approximately an hour before turning the scene over to Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative crew members.

Shortly after returning to headquarters from that incident an outside fire was reported near Stanley at approximately 1:40 p.m.

Crews arrived and assisted Stanley firefighters extinguish a brush fire and remained on that scene for approximately an hour.

Then at approximately 2:15 Luray firefighters were requested to assist Warren County Fire and Emergency Medical crews.

Luray crews were asked to provide tanker and water services to help extinguish an outdoor fire near Bentonville.

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

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Millbrook vs Handley boys and girls doubleheader

1/2/26, Winchester, VA- Millbrook welcomes Handley in a Northwestern District boys and girls basketball doubleheader tonight for the Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and TheRiver953.app with coverage starting at 5:45 pm for the girls 6 pm tip-off followed by the boys.

In the girls matchup, Handley and Millbrook meet with identical 3-7 records, but the Judges are starting to find their footing while the Pioneers are still struggling to find their way.

Handley has won three of their last four with the lone loss coming to 9-1 Turner Ashby and the most recent win against previously undefeated East Rockingham.

Reagan Edsell recently returned to the Handley lineup after an injury and has led the way ever since.

Against East Rock, she put up 35 points and gave Harrisonburg/Rockingham County residents a taste of what she is capable of before heading to James Madison University next year.

In addition to Edsell, Reese Craig has been elite in the paint and Cameron Hobson’s three point shooting has taken another step forward.

Millbrook was hoping to have similar support for their returning star Jane Moreland but due to some injuries and sickness surrounding the team, she has been asked to carry the load.

While Handley has stacked wins in their recent outings, Millbrook is just 1-7 after starting the season 2-0.

Jane Moreland can put up a double-double every night but without additional support, it could be a long season for the Pioneers.

Coach Cary Bartlett is still optimistic for the season and we could see some big strides from underclassman like Grace Moreland, Emily Randall and Brielle Demus who have shown potential throughout the season.

Grace Moreland led the Pioneers in the season opening win with 15 points and Millbrook will need her to continue to help out her big sister in the scoring column.

When the boy’s take the court, Handley will need to overcome a key injury on their roster and lockdown one of the area’s top athletes to continue their quest towards a State Title against an upset minded Millbrook squad.

Future D-I athlete and reigning All State selection Will Braun-Duin went down with a leg injury against Sherando in our last game of the week and the Judges responded by outscoring the Warriors 40-15 the rest of the way.

While Handley should be able to win the district with or without Braun-Duin, their State Title hopes could lie with their injured leading scorer.

The Judges went 0-2 during the recent Arby’s Classic without Braun-Duin played put up respectable performances against two powerhouse programs in Oak Hill and Roanoke Catholic.

Millbrook’s star power on the other hand has continued to heat up with Rylee Baker dominating the competition lately.

The Pioneers enter Friday night on a four game win streak with Baker averaging 26.8 ppg through the stretch.

Outside of the superstars in Baker and Braun-Duin, both teams have great supporting pieces as well.

Christian Dinges, Kyren Oglesby and Jaevon Brisco all have college basketball aspirations for Handley and Millbrook’s Keon Lewis, Daniel Clater, and Keanen Dennis provide plenty options to help out Baker.

This matchup will also feature one of the best coaching duals in Virginia this weekend with the established leader Erick Green Sr. taking on the youngest head coach to lead a team to the VHSL Championship, Zach Harrell-Zook.

Expect a big crowd for these rivals as Millbrook’s 7-2 record this season has came primarily on the road or in tournaments and tonight will be their first home game in over a month.

Just two seasons ago, a struggling Millbrook boys team upset Handley thanks in part to the rowdy homecourt.

For the girls matchup, I look for Handley to ride their recent momentum and go to Edsell early and often to secure the lead and roll from there, Handley 57-Millbrook 37.

The boys should be a bit more competitive with the loss of Braun-Duin evening the playing field, but Judge’s depth will prove to be too much for the Pioneers and Handley will pull through late with some clutch shooting from the free throw line, 76-69.

For color commentator Josh Kirby’s interview with both girl’s basketball coaches Cary Bartlett and Katlyn Orndorff, click here.

For Josh’s interview with Coach Erick Green Sr., click here.

(Coach Harrell-Zook was unavailable for an interview at this time.)

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

VSP investigates double fatal crash

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

Virginia State Police is investigating a double fatal crash that occurred Thursday, Dec 25, at approximately 10:39 p.m. on Interstate 495 eastbound at the 49-mile marker in Fairfax County.

Troopers were initially called to the scene after witnesses reported a Toyota Sienna Minivan located in the eastbound Express Lanes with heavy rear-end damage.

All six occupants in the Sienna were taken to an area hospital.

Two passengers, a 75-year old woman and a 15-year old juvenile, later succumbed to their injuries.

A short distance from the Sienna, on the mainlines of Interstate 495, troopers located a damaged Dodge Ram pickup truck with two injured occupants.  Both were taken to an area hospital.

The crash remains under investigation at this time.

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

 

Leesburg Police arrest man following violent road rage incident

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office/LCSO

The Leesburg Police Department responded to a reported road rage incident involving a weapon.

On Dec 29. at approximately 7:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Lawson Road SE and Trailview Boulevard SE for a reported road rage incident.

The investigation determined the incident involved two vehicles.

During the encounter, one driver exited his vehicle armed with a machete, approached the other vehicle, and struck the passenger-side window, causing it to shatter, before leaving the scene.

As a result of the investigation, a male suspect of Leesburg, was taken into custody and charged with assault and brandishing a weapon.

He was transported to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

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

West Virginia state employees officially get Friday January 2, 2026 off

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

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey officially issued a proclamation granting West Virginia state employees the full day off on Friday, January 2nd.

State employees automatically receive a half-day off under West Virginia State Rules on Wednesday, December 31st, and a full day off on Thursday, January 1st, according to West Virginia Code.

The governor officially declared a day off Friday January 2 thanks to the dedication of state employees.

Morrisey credited the tireless year-round service to the people of West Virginia with professionalism and heart as reason for the extra day.

The governor wished all a well deserved break to enjoy the New Year with their loved ones.

The order grants this time off without charge against accrued annual leave.

The order applies only to employees of the State of West Virginia and does not affect private businesses, local governments, or other entities.

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

LPD responds to gunshot wound

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office/LCSO

On the morning of December 26, just after 11:30 am, the Leesburg Police Department reported via email it responded to the 100 block of Catoctin Circle SE for a report of an adult suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

It was reported that they were handling a firearm when it was unintentionally discharged.

The subject was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

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