Frederick residents are being warned about checks that were stolen

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says it has received reports of numerous checks sent through the U.S. Postal Service that never reached their intended recipients.

Investigators say some of the checks were reported stolen, altered, fraudulently processed or cashed.

The checks were mailed through USPS collection boxes, dropped off directly at post offices, or picked up by regular mail carriers.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the total amount affected in Frederick County has reached approximately $354,000.

Officials say similar incidents have also been reported in Clarke County and other areas.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Residents who believe a check they mailed may have been stolen or fraudulently processed are encouraged to contact law enforcement and their financial institution.

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

Sports Dogs Podcast: HS Football Week 1 Preview

It’s that time of year! The Sports Dogs Podcast becomes the Sports Dogs High School Football Podcast.

Listen to the latest episode HERE.

Randy and Ryan unveil our first Power Five rankings of the season and preview:

  • Skyline vs Strasburg- The Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill
  • Loudoun Valley vs Millbrook
  • Clarke County vs James Wood
  • Sherando vs Amherst
  • Central vs Stuarts Draft
  • Warren County vs Rock Ridge
  • Handley vs Eastern View

Brought to you by Energy Windows LLC! Add some curb appeal by visiting https://energywindowsllc.com

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

CC Board of Supervisors votes to oppose transmission line

Experience Clarke County is used by permission by Clarke County Government

The Clarke County Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to formally oppose the proposed Valley North Transmission Line Project.

The project calls for a roughly 260-mile, 765-kilovolt transmission line running from Putnam County, West Virginia, to Frederick, Maryland.

Three of the four proposed routes leaving Frederick County, Virginia, would cross properties in Clarke County.

The project would require an estimated 200-foot-wide rightof-way, with transmission towers standing between 150 and 170 feet tall.

County officials say the electricity would primarily serve areas east of Clarke County.

The Board of Supervisors joins several other county groups in opposing the project.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recently passed a resolution against a route through Chet Hobert Park.

The Planning Commission also opposed the proposed routes, citing conflicts with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Conservation Easement Authority has raised concerns about impacts to protected properties.

The Board’s resolution cites potential effects on conservation easements, agricultural and forestal districts, rural historic districts, prime farmland, county parkland and groundwater resources.

Supervisors also expressed concerns about the project’s potential impact on Clarke County’s rural character, agricultural industry and preserved woodlands.

As part of its opposition, the Board unanimously approved a $500,000 legal contingency fund and authorized the county administrator and county attorney to hire outside legal counsel to challenge the project.

State lawmakers, including Delegates Delores Oates and Bill Wiley and Senator Timmy French, have also publicly opposed the proposed transmission line.

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

Proposed route for transmission line

Valley Link Transmission has released proposed routes for a new 765-kilovolt transmission line that could impact Clarke County.

The project, a joint venture between Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Transource Energy.

The line would run from Putnam County, WV, to Frederick County, MD, using transmission structures at least 150 feet tall.

Residents can review route maps online or at the Clarke County Government Center in Berryville.

An open house will be held Tuesday, July 7, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Clarke County Fairgrounds Ruritan Building.

The public can learn more and provide feedback on the proposal at this time.

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

Ring Of Fire

Imagine it was August 1963, you are at the local Watermelon Park in Clarke County.

A black sedan pulls up and the legendary man in black steps out, could you believe your eyes?

He wants to test a new song, a song that is on the top 100 Greatest Country Hits now.

The Ring of Fire

Crisis24 is introduced in Clarke County

Clarke County Used by permission by Clarke County

Clarke County residents may notice a new name associated with the county’s emergency notification system. CodeRED is now operating under the name “Crisis24.”

County officials say the transition does not require residents to download a new application.

However, mobile app users may need to update or reinstall the existing app to continue receiving notifications.

In addition, some users who receive alerts through the app, text message, or email may need to resubscribe to ensure uninterrupted delivery of emergency notifications and community alerts.

Clarke County encourages all residents to review and update their contact information to ensure they continue receiving important emergency communications in a timely manner.

For more information or to verify your alert settings, residents should visit the Clarke County emergency communications webpage.

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

Spanberger announces $2.48 million in capital for underserved communities

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the strategic investment of $2.48 million through the Commonwealth’s Capital for Communities Fund to support six transformative projects for underserved communities across Virginia and here in the Shenandoah Valley.

The projects will deliver more than $3.8 million to over 120 borrowers, support 562 businesses with loans or technical assistance, create or retain more than 200 jobs, and accelerate the development of 250 new housing units.

Fauquier and Rappahannock counties will receive a portion of $436,000 in funds to help scale small businesses and provide microgrants.

Another $436,000 will go towards ECDC Enterprise Development Group’s expansion of microloan services for businesses in Virginia including Front Royal and Warren County.

$436,000 will also help launch People Inc’s rural community builder and entrepreneur’s initiative to address ownership and appraisal gaps in rural downtowns, especially on Virginia Main Street communities in Winchester, Frederick, Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock, Warren, and Clarke Counties.

To view the full announcement, click here.

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

Clarke County awarded grant for Camp 7

Clarke County was awarded a $317,298 Site Remediation Grant through the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF).

The Virginia Resources Authority established the VBAF in 2011 and continues to administer it.

VBAF is a partnership between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The funding will support remediation efforts at the former Camp 7 Department of Corrections property.

These efforts include the removal of asbestos and lead paint as well as additional soil testing.

Hurt & Proffitt and Waco, Inc. were selected to carry out the work.

The Clarke County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) will continue planning for future renovations of the main prison building and the development of the 40-acre site into a light industrial business park.

The Board of Supervisors rezoned The Camp 7 property  to light industrial in November 2025 to encourage economic growth in the Double Tollgate area.

This decision aligns with the recent expansion of public sewer infrastructure.

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

Rezoning of Camp 7

The Clarke County Board of Supervisors has approved rezoning for part of the former Camp 7 property.

The Board approved a request from the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to rezone 40 acres to light industrial.

This zoning district was created specifically from the site with input from local citizens and economic development and planning groups.

The rezoning aligns with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and will be supported by the extension of public water and sewer services early next year.

The IDA is now conducting several studies to evaluate future uses for the former prison building and surrounding land.

The County purchased the property earlier this year from the State for $100,000 allowing local officials manage its development.

Grant funding has already been secured for completed studies, with additional grant applications currently pending.

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

Box Tree Moth quarantine

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has announced a Box Tree Moth quarantine for Clarke and Frederick counties and the City of Winchester.

Box tree moth is an invasive insect that poses a serious threat to boxwood plants.

Its caterpillars feed aggressively and can completely strip plants of their leaves, eventually killing them.

The pest is native to East Asia and was first detected in the United States in New York in 2021.

Inspectors first found box tree moth at several sites in the areas in July and August of this year.

All known sites were treated during the summer and fall.

Follow-up surveys show the moth has continued to spread and is now established in the region.

The quarantine is intended to slow the movement of the insect into new areas.

It restricts the transport of boxwood plants out of the quarantined locations unless a permit or compliance agreement is obtained from VDACS.

These agreements let businesses self-certify plants by inspecting for box tree moth, monitoring traps, applying treatments, and notifying recipients when shipping outside the quarantine zone.

Permits and agreements are available at no cost.

Residents are encouraged to report suspected box tree moth damage using VDACS’ Invasive Species Reporting Tool.

More information is available through the VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services.

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