News Maker: Hannah Bement Warren County Habitat for Humanity

News Maker Hannah Bement joins Scott Bradley to discuss the Warren County Habitat for Humanity’s upcoming “Growing Hope” fundraiser to benefit their Home Repair Program.

Join Warren County Habitat for Humanity for a fun and creative afternoon (or evening!) at Front Royal’s Living Room, 2 L’s.

Create your own beautiful terrarium to take home while enjoying refreshments, door prizes, and great company—all in support of WCHFH’s Home Repair Program, which helps qualified Warren County homeowners remain safe and independent in their homes.

Listen to Hannah’s News Maker, click HERE.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

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

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

Police pursuit ends in crash

Fauquier Co. Sheriff's Logo used by permission by Fauquier County Deputy Jeffery Long

A police pursuit involving a reportedly stolen vehicle ended in a crash Saturday night in Fauquier County.

The Sheriff’s Office says deputies received a License Plate Reader alert for a stolen vehicle just after 9:20 p.m. on Route 17 near Bealeton.

A deputy soon spotted what appeared to be the stolen Maryland license plate on a different vehicle.

They were on a red Chevrolet Camaro reported stolen from Washington, D.C.

According to authorities, the driver refused to stop, leading deputies on a pursuit along Route 29 through Warrenton.

After stop sticks deflated one tire, the Camaro continued until it crashed off the highway near Breezy Drive.

The 19-year-old driver from Annapolis, Maryland, and a juvenile female passenger were ejected from the vehicle and taken to Fairfax Hospital with injuries.

The driver is facing multiple charges, including felony eluding and child abuse or neglect, along with several traffic offenses.

Authorities also say he had outstanding warrants in Prince William County.

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

Views From The Booth: “Stopper”

views from the booth header v2

(Posted 6-29-26)

Greetings from The Booth!

Despite 2 wins to close out the weekend, it was not a great week for the Washington Nationals’ bullpen. Three of the losses in the 4-game losing streak were due to blown saves by the Nats’ “Gas Can Gang,” including a ridiculous 14-9 loss to the Phillies in which the Nationals pen gave up 8 runs in the ninth, all after two were out! Folks, that is Randy Woodward vs Jefferson stuff from 1977. The Nats’ starters deserved a better fate in the Philadelphia series, and you could easily make the case that Washington should have swept that 4-game set, arguably the biggest series for the Nationals since the Championship season of 2019.

To be a contending team in Major League Baseball in this day and age, you’ve got to have a quality bullpen, and it doesn’t seem that the Nationals put a high priority on that going into the 2026 season. The pleasant surprise, though, has been the starting rotation, who have been solid recently. Cade Cavalli has had nasty stuff, Zack Littell has been reliable, and even Miles Mikolas, who was acquired to eat up innings, has given the Nats some quality starts in recent weeks.

That brings me to Foster Griffin, who should (but probably won’t) be an All-Star. Griffin is 8-2 with a 3.15 ERA. The 30 year-old Griffin is a throwback, and what was known back in the day as a “stopper.” That term refers to a starting pitcher who can take the mound and put a stop to a losing streak, and that’s exactly what Griffin did this past week against the Orioles. Griffin threw 112 pitches in 7 innings, limiting the Birds to just 3 hits, a truly “old-school” performance. Alas, he did not get the “W” because the bullpen (you guessed it) gave up the tying runs late in an eventual 4-3 Washington win that ended a 4-game skid.

His performance this weekend was reminiscent of two of my favorite pitchers: Max Scherzer and Bob Gibson. “Mad Max” was another old school throwback, who dared a manager to come get the ball. Win or lose, Scherzer wanted to go 9 innings in an age where 6 innings is a “quality start.”

Scherzer would have fit nicely in 1968, the “Year of the Pitcher.” Pitchers were so dominant in ’68 that the following year the mound was lowered and the strike zone was changed to benefit hitters. It was the year Detroit’s Denny McLain won 30 games, a feat that surely will never be duplicated. And 1968 was the year that Bob Gibson dominated like no pitcher has since. Gibson gave up just 38 earned runs the entire season, and pitched to an ERA of 1.12 on his way to that year’s NL MVP honor.  I remember coming home from school that October (yes kids, World Series games were played in the afternoon) to see Gibby mow down 17 Tiger hitters via strikeout in Game 1 of the Fall Classic. I think that’s when I realized I wanted to be a pitcher.

Foster Griffin is a pitcher who has surely come to the Nats in 2026 from a 1968 time machine. Note to Griffin: next time Manager Blake Butera comes to take the ball, wave him back to the dugout. Somewhere, Bob Gibson will nod his approval.

Until the next visit from The Booth…GO NATS!

RW

 

 

New laws for July 1st

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Several new Virginia laws take effect July first, bringing changes that could affect many residents.

The new Clean Slate Act will allow eligible misdemeanor and some low-level felony records to be automatically sealed.

This will help more Virginians qualify for jobs and housing.

Job seekers will also benefit from new workplace rules.

Many employers will now have to include salary ranges in job postings and will no longer be allowed to ask applicants about their salary history.

For drivers, judges can now require certain repeat reckless driving offenders to install speed-limiting devices in their vehicles.

And beginning July first, all remaining food vendors across Virginia must stop using Styrofoam takeout containers as the state’s environmental ban expands statewide.

Most of the new laws take effect Tuesday, although some enforcement provisions will be phased in over time.

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

FCSO deputy injured by impaired driver Thursday

Sheriff Lenny Millholland reports, Deputy Scarlett Evans, an Animal Control Officer with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), was performing duties on North Frederick Pike near Shawnee Springs Market when her vehicle was struck.

Investigators say the driver failed to slow down, move over, or apply the brakes before crashing into Deputy Evans’ vehicle.

Deputy Evans was transported to Winchester Medical Center with multiple injuries. She has since been treated and released from the hospital.

The driver, identified as Kenneth N. McClellan of Cumberland, Maryland, has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving. He was also taken to Winchester Medical Center for treatment before being released on a summons.

Sheriff Millholland said the crash could have easily claimed the life of a deputy.

He stressed that violations of Virginia’s Move Over Law will continue to be aggressively enforced.

Virginia’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over to another lane when approaching stopped emergency, law enforcement, tow, or service vehicles displaying flashing lights. If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.

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

BCSO searching for a man in domestic violence case

Used by permission of Berkeley County Sheriff Department Office Administrator Brandy Sullivan

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is asking for the publics help in locating a man wanted on domestic violence charges.

Deputies are searching for 52-year-old Fredrick Julius Reaves.

According to investigators, deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance on June 22 and determined a woman was assaulted during an argument.

Authorities say the victim was dragged into a residence, struck in the face, and strangled.

Reaves is wanted on a charge of Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature.

Investigators also learned he is on probation in South Carolina.

His court-ordered ankle monitor was reportedly tampered with and removed.

Anyone who sees Reaves is urged not to approach him and instead call 911 immediately.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, (843) 719-4505 .

The investigation remains ongoing.

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

River Report: 6-29-26

With hot weather on the way this week, Riverkeeper Mark updates us on the drought conditions in the Valley, and an algae update. Brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors, where Summer adventure awaits! Let Don Roberts and his team get you out on the South Fork in a variety of watercraft. Visit https://frontroyaloutdoors.com

Estate planning changes announced

A new change in estate planning law changes how homeowners pass their homes on to loved ones after they die.

The measure allows property owners to name beneficiaries who can inherit a home without going through the traditional probate process.

Helping families save time, reduce legal costs, and avoid unnecessary delays.

Experts say homeowners still maintain full ownership and control of their property during their lifetime.

Homeowners can typically update or revoke the designation if circumstances change.

While the new option simplifies the transfer of real estate by filing a TOD (Transfer on Death).

Legal professionals recommend reviewing your entire estate plan to make sure your will, trusts, and other documents reflect your current wishes.

For more information, homeowners are encouraged to contact a qualified estate planning attorney or their local government office.

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