Winchester Police issue travel advisory
Winchester law enforcement have issued a travel advisory for today Jan. 7 for the Middle Road, Valley Ave, Route 37, Amherst Streets in Winchester.
There will be a large presence of firefighting, first responder along with other emergency vehicles starting as early as 3:45.
Vehicles and personnel will be paying final respects to Airman Logan Young who lost his life while responding to a fire in Martinsburg.
Be aware that traffic will be slow in some cases single lane in other cases during the “Honor Corridor” which is likely to last until approximately 6 p.m..
Police advise that you avoid the roads that are being used if possible.
If you have to use those roads be alert be prepared to be directed by personnel and expect what could be up to a 20 minute delay.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Northam outlines new Coronavirus vaccine plans
By ALAN SUDERMAN and SARAH RANKIN
By Associated Press | Published Jan. 7, 2021 12:29 p.m.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is urging hospital systems to move quickly to administer coronavirus vaccines, saying the state will now implement a “use it or lose it” policy designed to speed up distribution of the shots.
“No one wants to see any supply sitting unused,” Northam said at a news conference Wednesday, saying health systems that don’t move fast enough will receive fewer doses in future distribution rounds.
With frustration rising over the sluggish rollout of the vaccine, Northam is one of many state leaders and other politicians around the U.S. who are turning up the pressure to get shots in arms more quickly. The governor, a Democrat, has been criticized by Republicans for the pace of vaccinations in the state.
“There’s no question we need to speed the process up,” Northam said.
Northam also named a new official responsible for coordinating the the state’s coronavirus vaccination drive, and he announced details for the first time about who will be included in the state’s second and third tier of vaccine priorities.
Northam said Dr. Danny Avula, the director of the Richmond City and Henrico County health departments, will be in charge of the state’s vaccine push.
“He will be our field general coordinating work between state officials, local health departments, hospitals and private providers,” Northam said of Avula.
The governor also announced that Virginia had finalized its plans for who would be eligible to receive the vaccine in the next two phases of distribution, referred to as 1B and 1C.
In the current phase, 1A, only health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are eligible to receive a dose.
Northam announced about 1.2 million people will be eligible for the vaccine in phase 1B, a group that will include frontline essential workers such as police, grocery workers, and teachers, along with people 75 and older and people living in correctional facilities.
In phase 1C, another 2.5 million Virginians who are considered frontline essential workers will be eligible for vaccinations. Workers in those categories include housing construction, food service and transportation and logistics workers.
The state health department published detailed guidance about the priorities online, including how people within each phase will be prioritized. State officials said more details would be forthcoming about how Virginians in categories 1B or 1C can sign up to receive a shot and where they will be able to receive one.
While an exact timeline of the rollout to each phase is unclear, Northam said he anticipates all Virginians who want a vaccine being able to get one by summertime. Both vaccines approved in the U.S. so far require two doses.
The governor urged Virginians to continue being vigilant with social distancing measures as they await vaccinations.
“We have a long winter ahead of us,” Northam said.
(All contents © copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved)
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Warren Coalition seeks talent
The nonprofit agency Warren Coalition is inviting Warren County and Skyline High School Students to show off their talents.
Whether you sing or dance do comedy or whatever show it off for a chance at cash prizes.
Potential contestants must per-register by sending a message to Ryan Cubbage at Warren Coalition before Jan. 15.
Virtual auditions are due by Jan. 19 with in-person auditions by Jan. 26.
Warren Coalition was established to help fill gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness for the community.
Their mission is to make Warren County a safe healthy and drug free community.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Gov. Northam’s response to events in D.C.
After deploying members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia State Police to respond to events in Washington D.C.
Gov. Northam stated that Virginia will be there for as long as it takes to protect our nation’s capital.
The Governor continued, we will pray for the safety of every member of the House and Senate all the staff and journalists everyone one who works in the Capitol.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
REC names new Western Manager
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) has promoted Shawn McDonough to serve as REC’s Western Region Manager.Â
REC’s western region includes portions of the counties of Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Stafford and Warren.
McDonough has over 31 years of experience in utility operations, including project management, engineering and leadership.
An REC release calls McDonough an accomplished project management professional and utility leader.
John Arp, vice president of engineering, operation and power supply went on to praise McDonough for his accomplishments.
Since joining REC in 2010, he has been an integral part of the project management team and a key contributor on several large-scale projects.
McDonough holds a Bachelor of Science in Electric Engineering from Youngstown State University and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Hood College.
He received his Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) in 2014.
McDonough started at REC as a planning engineer, and became Director of Project Management in 2019.
McDonough began his new role Dec. 20, 2020.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
DMV offers driver privilege cards
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is now offering driver privilege cards.
The cards are for individuals who are non-US citizens who cannot meet Virginia’s legal presence requirements.
The cards are available to those ineligible to receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Virginia.
Customers may be eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if they meet the following criteria:
· are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Virginia
· have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
· do not have a driving privilege that is currently suspended or revoked in Virginia or any other state, to include insurance-related infractions
In order to obtain a driver privilege card in Virginia, the following documents must be provided:
· Two proofs of identity (e.g., foreign passport and Consular identification document issued by country of citizenship)
· Two proofs of Virginia residency (e.g., monthly mortgage statement and utility bill)
· Proof of Social Security number (if one has been issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number (e.g., W-2 form or ITIN letter)
· Tax return documentation (e.g. Virginia Resident Form, Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form or Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form, filed in the past 12 months)
All documents must be originals and are subject to verification; however, printouts of approved online residency documents may be accepted.
To get more information or to set up an appointment go to dmvNOW.com.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Warren County appoints new Fire Chief
Warren County Fire and Rescue Services (WCFRS) announced the appointment of James Bonzano, II, as their new Fire Chief.
Bonzano joins Warren County from Arlington County where he served in the Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) in progressively more responsible leadership roles over 34 years.
Bonzano has been Acting Assistant Chief, South Deputy Chief, Personnel Services Section Chief, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Battalion Chief.
Warren County’s board of supervisors voted in favor of the appointment yesterday.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
FCPS announce High School sports schedule
Frederick County Public School (FCPS) announced a plan for the three high schools to compete in a revised fall, winter and spring sports.
Beginning with winter sports March 1 and concluding March 27.
The fall season will follow March 29 through April 24.
The spring season will begin April 26 and concludes June 16.
School Superintendent David Sovine says in a press release.
It’s prudent to delay the start of our high school athletics program until March in an effort to get beyond any spike in COVID-19 cases following the holiday season.
Where as the schedule differs with athletic seasons established by the Virginia High School League (VHSL) FCPS teams will not be eligible to participate in VHSL postseason play.
FCPS teams competing in the spring season will be eligible for the VHSL playoffs.
At the present time, FCPS does not plan to allow spectators to attend any indoor athletic events.
As an alternative, the school division is working to make such events available via a livestream over the Internet.
A limited number of spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor events in compliance with the school division’s health and safety plan, any executive orders that are in place at the time the events are held and guidance provided by the local health department.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Strasburg Fire Department receives new equipment
The Strasburg Fire Department acquired a new piece of equipment that helps with the extraction of victims trapped in vehicles.
Rescue Engine 51 is a 2005 Seagrave Concorde XT Rescue Vehicle.
The rescue vehicle comes to the department by way of a donation from the Round Hill Fire Department.
A news release from the Shenandoah County Fire Chief, Tim Williams states that the new engine replaces two older trucks that will be sold “as is” minus department insignia.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Woodstock Lions donate to 7 Bends St. Park
Woodstock’s Lions Club presented a $6,000 check to the Friends of Seven Bends State Park.
The funds are allocated for the future site of the River’s Way Natural Playground and Outdoor Classroom at Hollingsworth Road in Woodstock.
Construction on the site is slated to begin later this year.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.