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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Clarke County and one of Virginia’s oldest residents dies
Clarke County and Virginia lost one of its oldest citizens.
Berryville resident Mary Viola Brown died of natural causes on Sat. May 21.
Known as Viola she was born on October 4, 1911 in Hume Virginia with she and the family moving to Clarke County in 1918 where she lived out the rest of her life.
Ms. Brown was extraordinarily healthy and only started to take medication at 101 years of age she was 102 before she started using a walker.
Berryville’s town council officially declared Oct. 4, 2011 as Viola Brown Centennial Celebration Day.
In 2021 then Virginia Governor Northam sent Ms. Brown a letter calling her a Supercentenarian.
Ms. Brown once received a signed letter from then President Barack Obama honoring her for contributions to the nation.
Enders and Shirley Funeral home printed her obituary and are handling the arrangements.
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VSP investigates fatal crash in Clarke County
Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal single car crash in Clarke County from Tuesday afternoon.
The accident occurred at 4:30 pm along Route 643 when the 2015 Jeep Cherokee ran off the side of the road.
The Jeep collided with a mailbox, telephone pole, tree, and five parked vehicles before coming to a stop.
The driver, Nicole Gray, 33, of Nashville, Tennessee, was not injured and was wearing her seat belt.
The passenger, Michael Ables, 34, of Bluemont, Virginia, was not wearing his seat belt and died at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle.
One of the occupants of the parked cars was transported to Winchester Medical Center for minor injuries.
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Rabies case confirmed in Clarke County
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center reported another case of rabies has been confirmed in Clarke County.
A raccoon tested positive over the weekend with a kitten testing positive last month.
Those animals that tested positive are just a small percentage of the animals that could be infected.
Residents are advised to remain cautious and not to leave food out for animals.
Also you should report any licks, scratches or bites from unfamiliar animals to your local health department.
Contact your Health Department for more precautions that can be taken or if you have any questions on how to protect yourself and your animals.
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Clarke County’s HPC seeks nominees
An email from the Director of Public Information for Clarke County announced that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) needs nominees.
This year the HPC is asking for nominees from the public for several 2022 awards.
The award precipitants will be announced in the National Historic Preservation month of May.
Nominees must be submitted to the HPC by 5 p.m. March 14 for consideration.
A Certificate of Merit Award will given to those responsible for individual projects such as the restoration of property or land reclamation.
The Lifetime Achievement or Stewardship Award goes to those who have dedicated years to the preservation of Clarke County’s history.
A good example of Lifetime Achievement would go to someone who has created a body of work such as a book or research that contributes to the county’s narrative.
Anyone or organization that has made distinctive efforts to preserve and maintain historic structures and places essential to defining Clarke County’s unique cultural are eligible.
Submit a nominee to HPC’s secretary Kristina Maddox at kmaddox@clarkecounty.gov.
You can also mail a nominee to Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission, 101 Chalmers Ct. Berryville VA. 22611.
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VDH confirms a rabies case in Clarke County
A press release from Risk Communications Manager Lorrie Andrew- Spear of the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Lord Fairfax Health District (LFHD) warns of rabies.
The press release confirms a case of rabies in the northeast area of Berryville.
Residents are reminded to vaccinate their pets and keep up to date with inoculations.
Where the kitten that was diagnosed is no longer a threat precautions should be taken.
Residents are asked to not leave food out for strays or wild animals.
Should you or your pet be bitten, scratched or licked by an unknown animal it is best to report it to your local health department for advice.
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HRLS prepares for used book sale
The Handley Regional Library System is collecting gently used books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and sheet music for their upcoming Spring Used Book sale.
VHS, cassette tapes, and Readers Digest books are no longer accepted.
Volunteers will be accepting donations today from 9 am to noon at Bowman Library.
Proceeds from the book sales benefit the Clarke County, Handley, and Bowman Libraries.
The next used book sale is scheduled for April 5th through the 9th at the Bowman location.
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Clarke County FFA holds a coat drive
In an email from Clarke County it was announced that the Clarke County Future Farmers of America (FFA) are holding a coat drive.
New and gently used coats and jackets of any size can be dropped off at either Clarke County High School or at Johnson Williams Middle School’s Agriculture Department.
Coats and jackets can also be dropped off at the Farmer’s Daughter at 8204 John Mosby Hwy. Boyce through Feb. 25 at all locations.
Coats and jackets will be available to those in need in Clarke County.
Contact FFA advisors Emily Bucklew or Shanan Hambrick at bucklewe@clarke.k12.va.us or hambricks@clarke.k12.va.us respectively.
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