Sports Dogs Podcast: Week 6 preview, Week 5 recap

It’s now October, when the leaves start changing color, the air gets a little cooler, and it’s “go-time” for our area teams.

Listen HERE on The River 95.3 online, iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon.

In this episode, The Dogs:

  • look back on Week 5 as Sherando and James Wood roll and other local teams stumble
  • look to Week 6 including the Game of the Week- Skyline vs Central
  • rank the Power Five
  • name our Player of the Week!

Oh, and kudos to the community effort to send one of our area greats, Zayden Burks, to a prestigious football showcase at IMG Academy!

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

Clarke County Superintendent accepts role in Rockbridge County

Clarke County Used by permission by Clarke County

Clarke County Superintendent Rick Bolling was named the next Superintendent of Rockbridge County Schools on Tuesday, September 19th according to a press release from Rockbridge County Public Schools.

He will officially begin this new role on January 1, 2027.

Dr. Bolling was originally hired as a chief executive for Clarke County public schools in 2024 and became the superintendent in December.

He brings with him 26 years of experience in public education as a school counselor, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent for two different districts.

The Virginia School Boards Association assisted the Rockbridge County School Board with the Superintendent search process.

Clarke County will institute an interim superintendent following Dr. Bolling’s departure before beginning the search for a new superintendent.

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

A Harpers Ferry woman faces first degree murder and arson charges

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

Nicole Ellen Taylor of Harpers Ferry has been charged with first degree murder arson and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

The 55-year-old Taylor is charged with murdering her 56-year-old husband Robert Taylor before setting their house on fire in the Blackberry Lane area of Harpers Ferry on September 30, 2025.

The Taylor’s bedridden 21-year-old daughter Cynthia was found deceased in the burned home.

Investigators were able to determine that Robert was shot five times and was deceased prior to the fire being set.

Evidence indicated that gasoline was used to accelerate the fire and caused burn injuries to Nicole.

Nicole was arrested in late September 2026 and appeared in front of Jefferson County Magistrate and waived her preliminary hearing on September 29.

That moves the case to a grand jury which will meet in January while Taylor remains incarcerated without bond according to the Metro News report.

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

A Shenandoah County Deputy is terminated following shoplifting charges in Warren County

Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office

Warren County Sheriff’s Office Support Service Captain Chris Powell confirmed by text that charges have been filed against a Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Deputy for shoplifting.

Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Deputy Susan Boyce was charged for shoplifting less than $90 in clothing from the Crooked Run Plaza Target store on September 14.

Boyce has been summoned to appear in Warren County General District Court October 21 for shoplifting less than $1,000 and has been released on her own recognizance.

Shenandoah County Sheriff Tim Carter confirmed by phone that he ordered his senior staff to conduct an internal review as well as a review of Boyce’s conduct.

The Sheriff confirmed that he ordered the review immediately following notification of the summons September 14.

After the review Sheriff Carter met with Deputy Boyce and terminated her employment with Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office effective September 21.

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

News Maker Kari Diener of Blue Ridge Area Food Bank on the recent hunger study

The results of a recent Virginia study on hunger are alarming.

We spoke with Blue Ridge Food Bank CEO Dari Jorgensen Diener about the results in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

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

Kari tells us about the study and tells us the numbers are a reflection of what the food bank sees daily.

She goes into detail about the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s work to aleveate the concerns and resources to help.

Kari also tells us that support of food banks and pantries in our region and campaigns like Camping for Hunger help tremendously in the effort.

Click here for Kari’s latest news maker.

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