This week’s summer safety tip offered by the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office is about internet safety.
During summer break children and teens are online more.
While it can be educational and entertaining, it is important to stay safe.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office Summer Safety theme for week 4 is pool and water safety.
There are a few precautions everyone needs to take when around water, drownings happen quickly.
Drownings can happen quickly and quietly, so always be aware of what is going on around you.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office is welcoming summer with some summer safety tips.
From water safety and vacation security to fireworks, bike safety, and protecting our children, they will provide simple reminders that can make a big difference.
Tune in each week to hear a few new tips.
Week 1 tips for parents and caregivers include:
Knowing where your children are, and who they are with.
Sitting clear check-in times.
Teach children their address and your phone number.
Discuss what to do if they are approached by a stranger.
Encourage your to play in groups, whenever possible.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Virginia State Police are urging the public to stay off frozen ponds, lakes, and waterways as cold conditions continue across the region.
Officials checking ponds found ice approaching, but not exceeding, four inches thick.
Officials say four inches of clear ice is the minimum generally considered safe, and even then, it can be deadly.
Authorities warn conditions are especially dangerous on moving water.
Parts of the James River may appear frozen, but flowing water makes ice unpredictable and unsafe at all times.
Police report an increase in calls involving people, especially juveniles, on frozen waterways, and they’re asking parents to talk with children about the risks.
The safest choice, officials say, is to stay off the ice entirely.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
As the start of the new school year approaches, the Front Royal Police Department, in partnership with the Town of Front Royal, is continuing its commitment to protecting the community’s most vulnerable residents, its children.
To promote safer driving near schools, the Town previously introduced an automated speed enforcement program in designated school zones.
This initiative includes warning signs, flashing lights, digital speed indicators, and photo enforcement devices, all designed to alert drivers, reduce speeding, and enhance student safety.
With classes resuming on August 12th for public schools, officials are reminding drivers that speeding in active school zones will result in a summons when warning lights are flashing, school is in session, and children are present.
“This is a critical opportunity for our community to prioritize safety,” said a spokesperson from the Front Royal Police Department. “Slowing down near schools can save lives and make a lasting difference for the students and families of Front Royal.”
Town officials urge all motorists to remain alert, obey posted speed limits, and support efforts to keep Front Royal safe, especially for its youngest residents.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a New Market man following an investigation into child abuse that began earlier this year.
Authorities say the investigation started on March 28th and later uncovered evidence of sexual abuse involving children.
Deputies identified 34-year-old Charles W. Dove of New Market as the suspect.
Dove was taken into custody and transported to the Rockingham County Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond.
On July 10th, he was formally served with four felony warrants for taking indecent liberties with children.
Officials say additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
The Broadway Police Department assisted in the case.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Shenandoah County unveiled an initiative with the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to address the substance use disorder crisis among children and adolescents supported by a $750,000 grant.
The funds were awarded to The Open Table Inc., a long-standing nonprofit partner supporting the Shenandoah Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Shenandoah County Public Schools, and other services.
The key components to this initiative include:
The Open Table’s evidence-driven models that will be implemented in the initiative have shown success during previous partnerships with Anthem in Virginia.
Funding was distributed as part of the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s three-year, $30 million commitment to mental health and well-being by addressing the substance use disorder crisis.
To learn more about the initiative, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
On March 14th, law enforcement officers from Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 25-year-old man, William John Wester, in Chesterfield on suspicion of committing Internet Crimes Against Children.
These efforts are part of the ongoing investigation into individuals who lure minors through the internet for inappropriate purposes.
Mr. Wester was taken into custody without incident and transported to Chesterfield County Jail.
He appeared before a magistrate and was ordered to be held on a bond of $7,500.
The scheduled court date for the offenses has been set for April 4, 2024, at 09:00 a.m. in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Such crimes can cause irreparable harm to children and their families.
It is important to take action against those who engage in such reprehensible behavior and bring them to justice.
The law enforcement agencies are committed to ensuring the safety of our communities, especially our children.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Safer Internet Day is celebrated every February to raise awareness for safer and better internet, especially for children and young people.
Parents, caretakers, teachers, and policy makers are encouraged to join together on Tuesday, February 6th.
Talk about internet safety, speak up about cyberbullying and contact a policy maker to encourage them to make the internet safer.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The American Red Cross reminds you to check your smoke alarms.
Most people don’t realize you have only two minutes to escape a home fire.
The nation’s most frequent disaster takes an average of 7 people a day, mostly children and the elderly.
Having a smoke alarm cuts that risk almost in half.
Also, if your smoke alarm is more than ten years old, replace it.
Sensors become less sensitive over time.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
