A Frederick County Deputy is injured in a felony DUI crash

Used by permission by Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland

Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland reports by email that a Frederick County deputy was injured in a felony DUI crash.

On August 28 the Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputy was released from Winchester Medical Center after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred while the deputy in his cruiser was stationary on Tasker and Hillandale Road at approximately 10:25 p.m. on August 26.

A 2008 Chevrolet Envoy traveling at a high rate of speed struck the deputy’s cruiser on the driver’s side front door.

While still inside the vehicle the deputy drew his service revolver and fired once at the Chevrolet.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Melissa Chieppa-Grimes of Frederick County was detained at the scene by the deputy until backup arrived.

Chieppa-Grimes was arrested and charged with felony DUI causing serious bodily injury to another.

No other injuries occurred in the incident, and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the incident.

The 45-year-old Chieppa-Grimes is being held at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center currently.

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

Frederick residents are being warned about checks that were stolen

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says it has received reports of numerous checks sent through the U.S. Postal Service that never reached their intended recipients.

Investigators say some of the checks were reported stolen, altered, fraudulently processed or cashed.

The checks were mailed through USPS collection boxes, dropped off directly at post offices, or picked up by regular mail carriers.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the total amount affected in Frederick County has reached approximately $354,000.

Officials say similar incidents have also been reported in Clarke County and other areas.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Residents who believe a check they mailed may have been stolen or fraudulently processed are encouraged to contact law enforcement and their financial institution.

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

News Maker Shenandoah County Sheriff Tim Carter on check washing thefts and more

Like law enforcement across the region, Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office is aware of and fighting the rash of check washing and thefts.

We spoke to Shenandoah County Sheriff Tim Carter about the issue in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

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

Sheriff Carter is very aware of the check washing and thefts in Shenandoah County as well.

In fact, the Sheriff tells us it is on a much larger scale, and he has tips on how to protect yourself.

The Sheriff also welcomes everyone to the Shenandoah County Fair which starts today August 28.

Click here for Sheriff Carter’s latest news maker.

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

River Report: 8-31-26

Mark wraps up our August reports by weighing in on the tragedy in Nepal and its relationship to the Valley.     Brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors. September promises cooler temperatures and great times on the South Fork. Visit https://frontroyaloutdoors.com for all the details from Don Roberts and his crew at FRO!

 

VSP investigate fatal crash in Rockingham County

Virginia State Police, VSP, Used by permission of VSP

Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash Friday morning on Coopers Mountain Road in Rockingham County.

Police said a 2006 Jeep Liberty was traveling northbound when it crossed the road and struck a southbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The driver of the Liberty, 28-year-old Danielle Smith, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and later died.

An infant involved in the crash did not appear to be injured but was taken to the hospital for observation.

The driver of the Grand Cherokee also was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation, according to the press release.

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

 

VA seeks public input on Statewide Safety Plan

Virginia is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) – Arrive Alive.

This is a statewide initiative that establishes priorities and strategies for improving roadway safety across the Commonwealth.

The plan addresses safety for all road users, including drivers and passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

The SHSP is overseen by a Steering Committee.

Made up of the following organizations:

  • Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT),
  • Virginia State Police (VSP),
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
  • Department of Health (VDH)
  • Other state and local agencies and transportation safety partners.

As part of the update, the committee is asking Virginians to share their experiences, concerns and ideas about roadway safety.

Public feedback will help identify safety priorities and inform the next version of the SHSP.

This will guide transportation safety efforts across Virginia in the coming years.

Residents are encouraged to share their perspectives to help shape strategies aimed at reducing crashes, preventing serious injuries and saving lives on Virginia roads.

Learn more about the Strategic Highway Safety Plan – Arrive Alive and how to provide feedback through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s safety plan page

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

Clarke County hires a legal firm to continue to oppose the proposed transmission line

Clarke County Used by permission by Clarke County

Clarke County Supervisors announced the hiring of legal counsel to help to continue to oppose the proposed Valley North Transmission line.

The county has retained former Virginia Attorney General Richard Cullen heading the law firm Torridon Law to help prevent the Valley North Transmission line.

The law firm and the county will continue to present the facts to fight the proposed transmission line from entering Clarke County.

Thanks to citizens’ outpouring of opposition the course of action was taken.

The county supervisors will continue to protect the history, farmland, environment, and character of Clarke County.

Clarke County previously adopted two resolutions to oppose the project.

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

Authorities across the region investigate check fraud and check thefts

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

The Frederick, Clarke, and Shenandoah Counties Sheriff’s Offices are concerned with and warning residents of a recent rash of check fraud and thefts.

The incidents involve checks that have been placed in the mail.

Checks have been known to be stolen through a variety of ways including postal collection boxes, post office locations, and mail carrier pickup.

Authorities agree that attention and resources need to be directed toward determining where in the postal process the thefts are occurring.

Is there a pattern to the thefts who is responsible what envelopes are targeted?

Are there characteristics such as return addresses, business markings, envelope type or other indicators to investigate?

Additionally, banks and other financial institutions must continue to strengthen the verification procedures to identify suspicious transactions.

The financial loss altered checks and fraud is affecting multiple jurisdictions and requires a coordinated response and investigation.

In the meantime, authorities are recommending secure electronic or online payments where possible instead of mailing checks.

Citizens who must mail checks need to monitor their bank accounts regularly.

Verify through the company that payment has been received.

Immediately report any check that does not reach its destination and or has been alerted.

Local authorities are doing everything they can to investigate these crimes and assist victims with federal and financial institutions’ help.

Sheriff Millholland reports by email that over half a million dollars have been taken from Frederick County residents alone.

The investigation into who is responsible is ongoing by all authorities that can stop it.

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

The Duke’s Preview: Skyline @ Strasburg

8/28/26 Strasburg, VA– Skyline makes the short trip to Strasburg for the first High School Football Game of the Week brought to you by the Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 6:30 for the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show then the 7 pm kick-off on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Strasburg ended a program long State Championship drought last season and will now look to prove this is the start of a dynasty, not the book after a Cinderella story.

The Rams return Class 2 Offensive Player of the Year RB Quincy Williams (2,000+ yards, 27 Touchdowns) and 2x All State selection Gage Gutierrez along the offensive line but will look to replace some key players including QB Brayden Hough, RBs Brady Knight and Linkyn Bosworth, and other key pieces along the offensive line.

OT Cooper Miller filled in during the playoff run due to injury and played will during crucial games for the Rams while many other younger players like Brady Knight’s brother Tyler Knight were able to get varsity playing time thanks to lopsided scores down the stretch.

TEs Carson Duckworth and Alexander Mudd love to block and will provide senior leadership on the ends of the OL.

The defensive side of the ball contains more question marks as the Rams will graduate four Class 2 All State Defensive selections including Brady Knight, Nathaniel Turner, Jacob Britton, and Defensive Player of the Year Hutson Conrad.

Quincy Williams will make impact plays on the defense as well and provides good versatility thanks to his speed and physicality.

James Trainor and Pablo Mora Hernandez will be looked to on the backend after strong junior campaigns and playoff runs.

Skyline is still searching for the school’s first football State Title but did claim the program’s first Region Runner-Up after falling short to Kettle Run in last year’s playoffs.

The Hawks also bring back an All-State level running back in Zayden Burks.

Burks led  Virginia with an astounding 2,897 yards and 28 touchdowns and could realistically surpass those numbers this season.

If Burks can reach that total this year, he would have the second most career rushing yards in VHSL history and he is just 1,236 yards away from 6,000 career yards and ranking in the top 27 in state history.

Skyline returns a strong offensive line including four seniors Tytus Drake, Ryan Held, Adrian Schmitz, and Christian Boone who take pride in opening lanes for their RB and protecting first year starter QB Brentley Grindle.

Grindle’s raw talent, athleticism, and performance as JV QB last year made the decision easy for the Hawks coaching staff and the sophomore has impressed his teammates with his play and leadership in 7-on-7 tournaments and training camp.

Grindle has already formed a good connection with Jr TE Brady Lupton (6’4″ 230 lb) and WRs Caydin Jenkins and Lane Kenney.

Defensively, the Hawks will have many of those OL playing both ways with Lupton and Drake ready to wreak havoc again along the defensive line.

Skyline will need to figure out life without All State LB Andre Ford and the Hawks other leading tackler, Marques Lockhart-Wright (TE at Virginia University of Lynchburg).

With that duo now graduated, Burks could enter the rarified air of 100-plus tackles to go with 2,000-plus rushing yards this season.

Skyline’s defensive backfield of Kenney, Jenkins, and Isiah Grady should be a strong unit again this season.

Now to the matchups, Skyline’s new LB unit without Ford and Lockhart-Wright will be tested in Game 1 against Strasburg’s unique T-Formation.

The Hawks have started the last few season against the Rams so it is not an entirely new concept, but it is still difficult to prepare for, especially at the game speed of the Rams.

Skyline’s new QB Brently Grindle will also get to experience a Varsity defense for the first time and it as a Rams unit that allowed just 12.5 ppg last season.

The Hawks rebuttal to these perceived disadvantages can be pretty simple… we have a hulk… or Zayden Burks.

Burks has game breaking potential every time he touches the ball, even when he is a defenses #1 priority.

Skyline would have an advantage in the defensive backfield against a new starter at QB for Strasburg but the Rams would be completely fine without passing the entire game which would negate that potential edge.

Both team’s offensive and defensive lines should dominate all year long and I would say that category is a push in this matchup.

With two teams who enter the season with high expectations, it may truly come down to who can minimize mistakes and based on the youth at key positions for the Hawks, that could be an issue.

Look for the Rams to come out with some extra energy early as it will be their first time back on Glenn Proctor Field since hoisting the State Title, but this is a motivated Skyline team that would take pride in raining on the Rams return to their homefield.

This game will come down to the final possession, but based on recent history of the Rams undefeated record on the field vs the Hawks since COVID and the momentum from the hometown crowd behind them, it will be tough to unseat the champions in Week 1.

Williams and Burks put on a show with ZB2K slightly outgaining QW1 in yardage, but with the Rams taking the edge on the scoreboard, Strasburg 28-Skyline 22.

For a preview of all the Week 1 matchups, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

News Maker Jenny Grooms on VH’s new mobile mammography unit

Valley Health (VH) will be launching a mobile mammography unit in the near furture.

We spoke to the Executive Director of Valley Health Foundations Jenny Grooms about the unit in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

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

Jenny tells us how the unit came about through Valley Health’s Stronger Together initiative.

She tells us that the unit is packed with the latest equipment and technology to deliver images from anywhere in the valley.

Jenny also talks about the Stronger Together initiative and how we can support the efforts.

Click here for Jenny’s news maker.

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