News Maker John Huddy on Handley Library’s 110 anniversary
Handley Library in Winchester has turned 110 years of age.
We spoke with Handley Regional Library System’s Director John Huddy about the library in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County.
Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.
John gives us a little history behind the library and John Handley thoughts behind it and architecture.
He also tells us of the many attributes the library brings to the community.
John also tells us of an event coming up Saturday December 9 at 12:30 in the library’s auditorium.
Click here for John’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Furever Friday Meet: Cuddle-Bug
Welcome back to Furever Friday!
Each week, we spotlight an adoptable Pet from the Humane Society of Warren County.
Meet Cuddle-Bug an approximately 4 year old cat who has lived with other cats but doesn’t seem to do well with dogs. Cuddle-Bug is a little shy at first but warms pretty quickly and lets his personality shine. Cuddle-Bug and all his adoptable friends at the shelter will cost only $25 to be adopted through December 17.
If you would like to give Cuddle-Bug or any of his friends a forever 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.
Furever 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.
AG Miyares continues campaign against gun violence
Attorney General Jason Miyares continues his efforts in Operation Ceasefire with the start of a digital media campaign.
The campaign will utilize YouTube and social media to attempt to reach young people who may be considering gang or criminal activity.
Miyares released a trailer yesterday following the announcement of the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
In the teaser, he mentions that violent crime is not a game and encourages young people to say something if they see something.
Operation Ceasefire began in October of 2022 as an effort to address gun and gang violence through prosecution and prevention, as well as promoting intervention strategies and working with local communities to reduce violent gun and gang related crimes.
A link to the teaser is available here.
Attorney General’s Office announces leadership changes
Attorney General Jason Miyares announced two changes to his office.
Nicole Wittman, Deputy Attorney General of Criminal Justice and Public Safety, will join the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Theo Stamos will fill Wittman’s previous role.
Stamos currently serves as Special Counsel to the Attorney General in charge of Special Investigations, Cold and Actual Innocence cases.
Wittman specializes in the prosecution of sex crimes, crimes against children, human trafficking, domestic abuse, homicide and violent crimes.
Stamos began her career as a prosecutor in 1987 for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in Arlington and Falls Church.
Most recently she spearheaded the investigation into the Virginia Parole Board and Loudoun County School Board which led to the termination of a previous superintendent and a conviction for retaliatory firing.
Wittman and Stamos joined the Office of the Attorney General at the beginning of Miyares’ tenure in January of 2022.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Winchester Police Chief Behan appointed to an International Board
The Winchester Police Department reports that Chief Amanda Behan has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
The board represents 33,000 members in over 170 countries.
The association works to improve the policing profession by promoting leading practices and model policies through advocacy, research outreach, and education.
Multiple projects have been developed to help law enforcement leaders develop their agencies around the world.
The association strives to promote transparency between law enforcement agencies and the people they serve.
The board which Chief Behan has been appointed to has a total of 30 members to help perform these tasks.
Chief Behan remarked that she is proud and excited to play a key role in growing the association and highlighting the important work they do.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Fire crews from across the region battle a fire in Warren County
Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) report a fire that displaced the residents in the Reliance area.
Just past 10 a.m. December 5 WCFR answered the call in the 100 block of Buckhorn Road.
Middletown Fire and Rescue arrived first and found a single-family dwelling with fire visible throughout the roof system of the home.
Two residents were at home at the time and were able to escape before firefighters arrived.
One adult had to be transported to the hospital to be treated for a non-life-threatening illness.
Fire crews from Stephens City, Strasburg, Millwood Station, Clarke and Winchester Fire and Rescue assisted with suppressing the fire.
Frederick County Fire and Rescue took the initial call because of the location of the home.
Units remained on the scene for several hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
The home was deemed uninhabitable with the American Red Cross assisting the former residents.
The Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was caused by a failure in the chimney attached to a woodstove.
WCFR would like to remind residents to check smoke detectors.
If you need a smoke detector you should contact your local fire department for assistance in getting one.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
JMU ranked in “Best Colleges for Future Leaders”
James Madison University was named to TIME magazine’s “Best Colleges for Future Leaders” rankings.
TIME and Statista analyzed the resumes of 2,000 leaders in the U.S. including politicians, CEOs, and Nobel prize winners across multiple sectors to determine the list.
The top 100 schools also included Ivy League members with top law and business programs, large research and state flagship universities.
UVA and William and Mary also represented the Commonwealth in the rankings.
JMU President Jonathan Alger said, “A hallmark at JMU has always been our keen focus on measurable student outcomes. The fact that this new ranking found JMU alumni to be among the nation’s top leaders across sectors provides solid evidence that our focus on results is paying dividends for our graduates and for society.”
To view TIME’s full rankings, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Warren County loses two respected members of the community
Two respected members of the communities they served were lost in late November.
Former Front Royal Police Officer Thomas McIntyre passed away at his home on November 22.
His burial was December 1 at Panorama Memorial Gardens.
McIntrye served Front Royal as a police officer for 28 years before retiring in 2009.
McIntrye was 64 years of age and was a member of the Front Royal Sons of the American Legion and honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Two days after the passing of McIntrye Author Maddox died on November 24.
Maddox owned and operated his family’s Maddox Funeral home for 40 years.
Maddox passed away while in care at Blue Ridge Hospice and was 67 years of age.
Maddox was an accomplished musician who sang with the Blue Ridge Singers and Winchester Arts Chorale and a charter member of the Marching Virginians.
Maddox was a respected member of several community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, and Izaack Walton League.
The Maddox family will receive friends December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Maddox Funeral Home.
Calvary Episcopal Church on 11 Street will host funeral services at 11 a.m. December 8.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Virginia leaders request pause on FBI headquarters relocation
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine along with nine bipartisan Representatives from Virginia sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget requesting the FBI headquarters relocation process be paused.
This will allow the Office of the Inspector General time to properly investigate the site selection process after questions were raised following the recommendation of Greenbelt, Maryland by a panel last month.
In November, lawmakers sent a letter requesting an investigation into significant concerns about the site selection process being affected by political interference and alleged impropriety.
This concern was echoed by Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI.
Virginia politicians have been making a case for the Commonwealth over the last few months citing the diverse and developed workforce, proximity to critical national security facilities, and easy access to transit.
To read the full letter to Director Shalanda Young, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Jeffery Alban on Blue Ridge Singers
The Blue Ridge Singers (BRS) annual Christmas Concert series has begun.
We spoke to the BRS’s director Jeffery Alban about the shows and some changes in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County.
Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.
Jeffery tells us about this year’s shows and theme.
He also has important information about a time change for the start of the shows for the Sunday performances.
Jeffery also tells us that the BRS is celebrating 15 years and how this year has been one of the biggest for the number of singers.
Click here for Jeffery’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.