Waynesboro Police investigate an additional threat to Westwood Hills Elementary School

Waynesboro Police used by permission by Captain B.W. Lemons Support Service Department

The Waynesboro Police Department reports the investigation of another threat to Westwood Hills Elementary School over the weekend.

In the overnight hours of Saturday September 5, the Waynesboro Police Department received information of a threat at the school.

After a thorough investigation it was found the threat came from out of state and targeted September 8 as the day the threat would be carried out.

Throughout the weekend authorities including Waynesboro Police personnel and school officials thoroughly investigated.

The investigation included continued search and checks of Westwood Hills School.

In the afternoon of Monday September 7 authorities were able to locate a suspect responsible for the threat with assistance from Harrisonburg Police.

It has been confirmed that the threat was not credible.

Charges are pending further investigation by several law enforcement agencies.

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

Drone manufacturer expanding to Winchester

Heven AeroTech, a leading drone manufacturer, is expanding its network to Winchester with a 56,000 sq ft production facility.

The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Sterling.

Heaven AeroTech’s hydrogen-powered drones integrate AI and quantum capabilities for next generation flight.

This is Heven AeroTech’s first location on the East Coast and will help build on from its established manufacturing facility in the Columbia River Gorge.

The Winchester site serves as an operational blueprint for the company’s rollout of a network of facilities nationwide with state-of-the-art hydrogen propulsion manufacturing capabilities.

The network will create hundreds of jobs nationwide and recruiting is ongoing for manufacturing technicians, aircraft assembly, quality, operations, and supply chain roles.

President of Heven AeroTech USA Michael Buscher said, “By standing up our first East Coast facility within 90 days, we are proving that domestic UAS manufacturing can move at tactical speed to meet the immediate and emerging needs of those carrying out critical missions.”

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

News Maker Preston Knight on protecting your SVEC payment

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) and law enforcement are aware of checks being stolen and not reaching their destination.

We spoke with SVEC Communications Manager Preston Knight 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.

Preston has some tips on how to protect your payment and make sure it reaches its destination.

He also tells us the options that are available at the SVEC.coop website to help with paperless options.

Preston also reminds us that it is National Preparedness Month in September and to be prepared.

Click here for Preston’s latest news maker.

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

Furrever Friday: Meet Opal

 

Each week, we spotlight an adoptable pet from the Humane Society of Warren County.

This week we feature Opal a long standing member of the shelter family. Opal is a female hound dog who would do best as the only pet in the household. She is sweet and hoping for someone to see how special she is. Opal’s adoption fees have been waived.

All adoptable animals at the humane society are altered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations.

All cats, dogs, and other small animals at the humane society are cared for by the Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic at 840 B John Marshall Highway Front Royal.

If you would like to give Opal or any of  her friends a good home, please fill out an application at humanesocietywarrencounty.com.

Once you apply and are approved, a staff member will contact you with the next steps.

You can also check out the Humane Society of Warren County’s adoptable pets on petfinder.com.

The Humane Society of Warren County offers the Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop now at 113 East Main Street Front Royal.

Furrever Friday is proudly sponsored by Shear Elegance Pet Boutique.

Shear Elegance Pet Boutique has been giving pets the love, care and respect they deserve since 2011.

Visit them today off John Marshall Highway and on Facebook.

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

VSP and Waynesboro Police investigate a school forced entry and shooting

Virginia State Police, VSP, Used by permission of VSP

An email from Virginia State Police (VSP) confirms the shooting that occurred at Westwood Hills Elementary School on September 2.

Waynesboro First Responders with VSP responded to the incident in which a suspect forced his way into the school at approximately 9:10 a.m.

Within 3 minutes authorities located Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle of Waynesboro deceased in the school library.

Preliminary indications are that the suspect suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

There were no students in the library at the time.

The school had been placed on lockdown immediately following the forced entry.

One adult staff member suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and has since been treated and released.

On September 2 a press conference was held detailing all pertinent information known at the time in the ongoing investigation.

Westwood Hills Elementary School remained closed Thursday September 3 with information shared directly with families and staff regarding additional plans.

A reunification location for students and parents was set up at a nearby church as preplanned in cases of emergencies.

The Waynesboro school system has shared on social media grief and stress support for those who may need it.

All protocols and procedures were followed to the letter by staff and first responders, and all other staff and students are safe thanks to those safeguards.

The 19-year-old assailant had no affiliation with either Waynesboro High school or Westwood Hills Elementary school according to School Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Cassell.

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

ACSO investigate a shooting in Waynesboro

Augusta County Sheriff's Office ACSO. Used by permission of Augusta County Sheriff's Assistant Sarah Blackwell

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) reports the opening of an investigation into a shooting.

Deputies responded to the report of the shooting in the parking lot of Orchard Hill Shopping Center September 2 at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Two males reportedly were fighting with one another and eventually the fight escalated to gunfire.

Authorities found a man who was reportedly shot in the incident but authorities found that he had not been hit.

The suspect that produced the firearm and shot left the scene before authorities arrived.

The incident remains under investigation and anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the ACSO at 540-245-5333.

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

FCPRD 5K benefitting Bright Futures receives “glowing” response

Frederick County Parks and Recreation and Run at the Top once again teamed up with Bright Futures for the Third Annual Glow All Out 5K to benefit students in Winchester and Frederick County Public Schools.

Participants gathered at the grounds of Evendale Elementary and Admiral Byrd Middle schools before taking off on the event donning glow necklaces, neon facepaint and light up costumes from under a glowing, inflatable arch start/finish line.

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the race with road closures near the schools to ensure the runners’ safety.

In the announcement from FCPS, Bright Futures Program Coordinator Elise Stine-Dolinar said, “It’s wonderful to see our community champions come out to celebrate our work and go the extra mile to support Bright Futures. Through our partnership with Frederick County Parks and Rec, and the generosity of more than 400 runners and 30 volunteers, we hope to exceed last year’s fundraising total of $5,000!”

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

News Maker Paul Minichino on health insurance changes and options

A number of changes are coming to health insurance coverage beginning October 1.

We spoke to a member of Blue Ridge Agents Insurance Advocate Paul Minichino about the changes and our options in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

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

Paul gives us details on the exact kind of changes that will be taking place as of  October 1.

He gives the options we need to take advantage of sooner, rather than later for 2027.

Paul also offers exact dates on when we can enroll for coverage and a breakdown of specifics.

Click here for Paul’s news maker.

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

HPD make an arrest of 2 in a shooting in Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg Police Department/HPD Used by permission by Administrative Specialist of Harrisonburg Police Department Kyra Butler

The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) reports the arrest of 2 people in a shooting investigation.

The shooting occurred September 1 at the Harris Gardens Apartments at approximately 4:50 p.m.

Multiple gunshots were reported in the 200 block of Vine Street.

Shortly after the initial call a second call was received from a victim reporting that they had been shot during an apartment break in.

Authorities found a 19-year-old victim suffering multiple gunshot wounds at the scene.

The victim was transported to Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital and then flown to UVA Medical Center.

At last report the victim was in stable condition.

Further investigation identified two suspects who were located at the Howard Johnson on East Market Street in Harrisonburg.

On September 2 at approximately 12:25 a.m. 18-year-old Joshua Dean was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

A juvenile has also been charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit murder as a principal in the second degree in the incident.

The investigation into the incident continues and anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the HPD at 540-434-4436.

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

The Duke’s Preview: Millbrook vs Heritage

9/3/26 Winchester, VA– Millbrook hosts Heritage in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off on The River 95.3, Fox Sports 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

The Pioneers will try to get the taste of a heartbreaking 39-37 loss to Loudoun Valley out a day earlier than normal thanks to the holiday weekend.

Millbrook took last year’s Dulles District champions to the wire and actually led by two scores in the second half before Loudoun Valley began to rally then march down the field for a game winning field goal.

RB Carter Kinley had a strong Week 1 showing and finished with 33 carries, 148 yards, and 4 TDs to earn Randy’s Player of the Week.

Last year against Heritage, Kinley led the way on the ground with 20 carries for 102 yards while Rylee Baker (now at Hargrave) finished the drives with 3 touchdowns.

With the graduation of Baker and departure of last year’s QB Keon Lewis to focus on basketball, Kinley will be asked to do a bit more for the Pioneers this season and he appears to have the skillset and toughness to handle 20+ carries a game.

In the 26-15 win over Heritage last season, Head Coach Nick Manuel secured his first win and Millbrook’s defense and special teams helped provide short fields for the offense, especially in the first half.

Heritage actually outgained 266-219, but the Pioneers converting on the shortened fields and a 2-for-1 stretch before halftime proved to be the difference.

Millbrook’s defense will see a few familiar faces for Heritage including QB Jonathan Heckman (started last year in place of injured starter) and RB Luke Olszewski.

Olszewski was a 1st Team All Region selection on offense and defense, both as an “all-purpose” player which highlights his versatility.

The Pioneers will miss Parker Edwards (now at Sherando), but defensive end Karl Moutemy set the edge well against Loudoun Valley and came up with 2 sacks.

Jude Cusick moved to linebacker this season after earning 2nd Team All-Area honors at defensive back last year, and led Millbrook with 11 tackles in Week 1.

On the outside, Millbrook will need to account for Heckman’s favorite returning target Brock Zakrzewski.

Last year, the Class of 2029 athlete accumulated 18 total TDs (10 receiving, 6 rushing, 1 kick return, and 1 punt return) and 1,140 yards with ZERO drops on offense and two INTs on defense.

He is a big play machine and in 2025 averaged 15.7 yards per carry, 22.6 yards per catch, and 64 yards per kick/punt return.

If Millbrook can contain Zakrzewski and Olzewski, while the offensive line continues to win battles for Carter Kinley then Coach Manuel’s crew should be able to extend the Pioneer’s winning streak vs Heritage to four straight.

I would like to see Rome Johnson get more involved through screen passes and reverses due to his home run hitting potential, but the offense may be a bit more basic this week due to shortened practice time and a QB making just his second varsity start.

Regardless, the Pioneers should be able to win the line of scrimmage and benefit from the hometown crowd while feeding off the disappointment of last week’s tough loss to take home win 1 of 2026, Millbrook 24-Heritage 14.

For a preview of all Week 2 matchups and a look back to Week 1, listen the Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.