Winchester police chief is separated from the city of Winchester

lorenzo wheeler homicide

The Winchester Police Department (WPD) reports that Police Chief Amanda Behan has officially been separated from the City of Winchester as of October 4.

The city did not give a reason for the separation but did say questions could be directed to Communications Director Kit Redmer.

The release from the city went on to appreciate Behan’s service to the community and wished her well in her future endeavors.

Initially on September 17 it was announced that Behan was taking an undisclosed leave of absence.

The undisclosed leave initially wasn’t to last more than 12 weeks.

The current acting Police Chief Josh Berry will continue as interim chief until a replace is named.

The city will provide further updates as the search for a replacement continues.

Behan has served as a sworn police officer since 2001 and was appointed the first female police chief for the City of Winchester in October 2022.

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

Solar amendment approved

After a public hearing on January 16th, the Clarke County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Solar Power Plant and Use Regulations.

Effective immediately, the amendment allows for utility scale solar to be in areas of the county where they already exist.

The amendment also clarifies that homeowners and farms may install solar to power on their private lands.

Any spare power can be sold back to the power grid.

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