Disaster loans available
Due to the prolonged drought conditions, the Clarke County Virginia Economic Development is reporting that disaster loans are available to all small businesses, farmers, small businesses cooperatives and nonprofit organizations are now eligible for the US Department of Agriculture
Emergency loans.
For assistance and the application, please call 804-287-1500.
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Clarke Co./Berryville Authorities investigate Data Breach
Clarke County and Berryville Authorities report the opening of an investigation into a data breach at the Bank of Clarke County.
Between September 28 and 30 skimmers were used at ATM machines at Bank of Clarke County branches in Berryville, Winchester, and Frederick County.
Three individuals believed to be responsible for installing and retrieving the information from the skimmer devices have been identified by the Berryville Police Department.
Pictures of the three individuals can be seen by clicking here.
Anyone with any information on the trio are asked to contact Authorities.
Call the Berryville Police Department at 540-955-1234.
The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 540-955-5152.
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REC plans for new headquarters
Sixty-five acres at Double Tollgate has been rezoned where Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) plans to build its new regional headquarters.
Following a public hearing on Oct. 17, the Clarke County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved rezoning the land from Agricultural‐Open Space‐Conservation to Highway Commercial and Highway Access Corridor Overlay District so that REC can develop a regional office as a “public utility facility”.
REC is Clarke County’s main electricity provider.
By moving its headquarters from Front Royal to Double Tollgate, located near the boundaries of Clarke, Warren and Frederick counties, REC can better serve all customers.
REC will pay all applicable Clarke County taxes, and a representative said cattle may continue to graze on the property.
REC also plans to continue to allow cattle to graze on the property.
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BRWC seeks help to find turtle’s home
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center is seeking help from residents of Clarke County to find the home of a Woodland Box Turtle.
Someone handed the turtle to a woman on the street in front of Lavish Studios in Berryville Monday morning.
The healthy, adult turtle will have to be placed into use for educational purposes or euthanized if the owner or original location is not found.
Relocation is illegal, unsafe, and inhumane as these turtles will die trying to find their original home and could spread diseases to new areas.
If you have any information on the individual who gave the turtle away or of the found location, please contact the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center at 540-837-9000.
For a picture of the turtle, click here.
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Route 7 night closures
VDOT is reporting that Route 7 Westbound will have single lane closures as needed between Blue Ridge Mountain Road and Shepherds Mill Road for rock and soil testing, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday and Monday nights, September 24-25.
Route 7 Eastbound and westbound single lane closures between River Road and Route 7 Business just east of Berryville for shoulder widening and rumble strip installation.
Eastbound lane closures 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays.
Westbound lane closures between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays or weeknights.
Estimated completion December 2023.
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History for the hungry event
A new “Hungry for History” Event explores history and food traditions of Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County, Virginia from August 26-September 4, 2023.
Fifteen locations including museums, historic organizations, and community sites will come together to showcase the area’s historical food traditions.
Four restaurants and a brewery will also participate with historic recipes and special programs.
There will be presentations, demonstrations, how-to classes, children’s activities, food tastings, special handouts and giveaways, special tours, agriculture related programs and more.
Dates and times for the activities vary depending on the site. Many of the activities are free of charge.
See the event schedules and more information please visit the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center.
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Sherando band hosts inaugural showcase
Sherando High School’s Band Boosters are bringing a new indoor competition to the Northern Shenandoah Valley today with the Sherando Showcase.
This is the first time Sherando High School has been selected by the Atlantic Indoor Association to host a contest.
The event will begin at the high school’s gymnasium at 10 am today and feature performances across three divisions: color guard, percussion, and winds.
30 units from across Virginia will be competing for top honors including members of the Sherando Band which has been named a Virginia Honor Band for 5 consecutive years.
Some of the other competing high schools include Page County, Millbrook, Warren County, and Clarke County among others.
To learn more and view the digital program, click here.
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Clarke County holds an open house for Green Master Plan
Clarke County Government announced an open house is planned for the main meeting room on the second floor of the Berryville Clarke County joint government building Thurs. July 28.
The meeting is to view and discuss plans for the Clarke County Courthouse Green Master Plan.
The public is encouraged to attend to give input on the plan and see possible future designs.
There will be different plans to be viewed and discussed by the public regarding the courthouse grounds.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 at 101 Chalmers Court in Berryville.
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Authorities close Route 340 in Clarke Co. for close to 7 hours
An email from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officially closed Route 340 in Clarke County at approximately 1:30 p.m. yesterday June 20.
What was reported as a major accident just after 12:30 led to the closure of Route 340 from Virginia Route 277 at Double Toll Gate to U.S. Route 50 at Waterloo.
A vehicle and tractor trailer accident led to the closure of all lanes on Route 340.
Both vehicles were reportedly on fire at one point after the collision.
VDOT officially announced the reopening of all lanes in an email at approximately 7:25 last night June 20.
The accident remains under investigation by the Virginia State Police with no other details available at this time.
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Winchester and Clarke County observe Juneteenth
Administrative Offices and Joint Judicial Centers in Winchester and Clarke County are closed today in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday.
The City of Winchester announced recycling Collection that is normally done on Mondays will be moved to Wednesday.
There will be no yard waste collection this Wed. June 22 either.
Jim Barnett Park Recreation Center is also closed today June 20.
The outdoor pools are open in both Winchester and Clarke County today June 20.
Metered parking in Old Town Winchester will be free today June 20 as it is on all City observed Holidays.
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