Gov. Youngkin reports a general fund surplus for 2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the general fund revenue collections for February 2023 were 1.2 percent higher in the first eight months of Fiscal Year 2023.
Unadjusted general fund revenues are ahead of forecast by over $111 million year to date.
If current trends continue the state is expecting a multi billion dollar surplus.
The Governor stated that Virginians continue to be overtaxed despite the state having abundant resources to lower costs and cut taxes.
At the same time the surplus enables Virginia to strengthen communities in various ways across Virginia.
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BRNGTF make major drug arrest after months of investigation
The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force (BRNGTF) announced by email that they have concluded a two month long investigation with the arrest of 20 year old Keith D. Robinson the second.
Through the investigation agents learned that Robinson was involved with the distribution of illegal narcotics in Rappahannock and Culpeper Counties among other areas.
Agents obtained and executed a search warrant along Nancy B. Williams Drive in Culpeper finding a large amount of both narcotics and over $3,000 cash.
The drugs had an approximate street value of almost $8,000.
Robinson has been charged with five felony counts of distribution and has been transported to Culpeper County Jail and is being held without bond.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Lenny Millholland on Project Lifesaver
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is encouraging people to take advantage of a program that is a proven life saver.
We spoke to Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland about the program and its success in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Sheriff Millholland explains how Project Lifesaver works and how effective it is.
He explains that Project Lifesaver is a nationwide program that has been instrumental in the recover of over 4,000 people so far.
Project Lifesaver and Frederick County Canine Units have also been instrumental in finding some lost individuals.
Sheriff Millholland tells us about his own Canine units in light of the recent celebration of National Service Animal Appreciation day.
Click here for Sheriff Millholland’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
SVFD battle their second fire in as many days
For the second time in as many days the Stanley Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) report responding to their second apartment fire.
On Mar. 14 a little past 9:30 p.m. crews reported to a fifteen unit two story complex located at 952 Brady Road.
Firefighters arrived five minutes after the call to find one lower floor apartment on fire and smoke going into five other units.
Smoke alarms alerted occupants and 20 residents were able to evacuate safely.
Due to cold weather ambulances were called in from Page County for residents to use to keep warm.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to just one unit the occupant of which was not home at the time but his dog was.
Despite efforts of Emergency Medical Crews the dog succumbed to its injuries.
The apartment complex is insured but the occupant of the unit did not have insurance and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is believed to have begun in the bedroom.
The apartment unit sustained approximately $50,000 in damage.
Six units responded to the fire taking about 20 minutes to bring it under control.
Crews remained on the scene for approximately 2 hours to ensure the fire was completely out.
On Mar. 13 Firefighters reported a fire that caused $40,000 damage to a different apartment in another area of Stanley.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
FCPS address inappropriate student staff behavior
Frederick County Public School (FCPS) Officials sent a letter to families and staff addressing concerns over cases of inappropriate possibly sexual behavior between students and some staff members.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation of the matters that have involved staff members and students at James Wood, Sherando High schools as well as Frederick County Middle school.
Where Frederick County Public school officials have remained as transparent and forthcoming as policy and law allows, they cannot divulge names or situations of those involved.
School officials have confirmed to parents and staff that established procedures to thoroughly investigate each instance have been followed and appropriate actions have been taken in accordance with the code of Virginia and school division policy.
In each instance action has been taken to protect students and ensure that staff members allegedly involved have no further access to students.
Two of the staff members have been placed on administrative leave and face discipline if not termination pending the out come of the investigation.
One substitute teacher form James Wood High School in an earlier incident faces a court appearance for indecent liberties according to online Frederick County Court documents.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
A tri-state manhunt ends in West Virginia
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office reports that a tri-state manhunt has ended in West Virginia.
A domestic disturbance reported in Augusta County escalated to several shots fired in the Deerfield area.
Oather Carl Puffenbarger Jr. reportedly approached his estranged wife by entering a residence with a handgun.
An occupant of the residence was able to get out and call 911.
Puffenbarger stole the keys to his estranged wife’s vehicle and fled.
Deputies at that time took out several warrants against Puffenbarger including grand larceny, brandishing a firearm, use of said firearm in commission of a felony and breaking and entering among other charges.
While searching for Puffenbarger Deputies received a second 911 call for shots fired in the Hite Hollow Road area.
That call came from two of Puffenbarger’s relatives.
Puffenbarger had blocked their escape with his vehicle and forced the two out of their vehicle as he fired several more shots.
The two male family members were armed and fired back at Puffenbarger.
This led to still more charges being placed against Puffenbarger.
Authorities from Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia were put on alert to watch for Puffenbarger.
West Virginia authorities managed to stop Puffenbarger in Grant County.
When officers approached Puffenbarger’s vehicle they found him suffering from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Puffenbarger was taken into custody and transported to a hospital with life threatening injuries.
The delay in the report was to make sure family members of Puffenbarger were notified of the incident.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Virginia Authorities warn of St. Patrick’s Day dangers
Virginia State Police (VSP) and authorities across the state are posting reminders to be cautious Fri. Mar. 17 during St. Patrick’s day and NCAA tournament celebrations.
The fact that both fall on a Friday could lead to a full weekend of revelry.
VSP reports by email that St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the year’s most dangerous times on the roads.
In 2022 St. Patrick’s Day resulted in five traffic fatalities and 72 individuals injured in alcohol related crashes in Virginia alone.
Authorities are reminding citizens to appoint a designated sober driver or use public transportation or ride share before drinking.
Also remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving and even walking while intoxicated can be deadly.
If you see a drunk driver you are asked to report it to 911 or use #77 on a cellphone.
Make arrangements to get someone who has been drinking home and take their keys.
If you have not been drinking and do drive, be extra cautious and attentive for pedestrians and vulnerable road users.
Be aware that extra police patrols will be out through midnight Mar. 19 this year.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
SVFD battle a fire that causes over $40 K in damage
The Stanley Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) reports a fire that caused of $40,000 in damage.
On Mar. 13 the SVFD was called to a structure fire involving an apartment at 221 Kite Hollow Road.
The upstairs portion of the home had been converted into an apartment where the fire began.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the home.
The occupant of the apartment was at work at the time of the fire which is believed to have been caused by an electrical short in an extension cord.
The apartment sustained approximately $40,000 in damage and is considered a total loss.
Where the apartment was insured the occupant did not carry insurance on the contents and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Five units responded to the fire including a unit from Page County crews remained on the scene for approximately 30 minutes.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Todd Jones on parks and recs activity
Warren County Parks and Recreation is offering some new activities and classes for the spring season.
We spoke with the county Director of Technology Todd Jones about it in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Todd tells us about all the new activities planned with Warren County Parks and Recreation.
He also reminds us of the upcoming Shenandoah Rail Trail meeting on Mar. 23.
Since this writing and recording a change has been made in the location of the Shenandoah Rail Trail location.
The meeting will now take place at Front Royal’s Fire Hall on Commerce Avenue to provide room for the expected size of the crowd attending.
Todd also tells us there is one last chance with a hard deadline to have your recent re-assessment re assessed.
Click here for Todd’s latest news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
FCSO seeks a man missing since January
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) announced that they are seeking an induvial who was last seen in Berlin Maryland in January.
Frederick County Virginia resident Gregory Clayton Mcleod is a 51-year-old male standing 6 feet 1-inch-tall weighting approximately 210 pounds with brown hair and eyes.
The last known location of Mcleod was during a traffic citation in Maryland in January.
A picture of Mcleod can be found here.
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the FCSO.
Call the Sheriff’s Office at 540-662-6162 or you can call Winchester Frederick Clarke Crime Solvers 540-665-TIPS (8477) or use the P3 App.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.