National Night Out

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Communities across the Shenandoah Valley and around the country are preparing to come together for National Night Out.

This annual event is to strengthen relationships between residents and first responders.

National Night Out events often feature opportunities for families to meet police officers, firefighters, emergency responders in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

The evening to connect with residents outside of emergency situations, answer questions and share information about crime prevention and public safety.

National Night Out is also a chance for children to meet the people who serve their communities and learn more about the work they do.

Events vary by community and may include food, games, music, demonstrations and activities for children.

Organizers say the goal is simple: build stronger connections between neighbors and the public safety professionals who serve them.

National Night Out is held annually on the first Tuesday in August across the nation.

This year the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Foundation will host the celebration from 5 to 8 pm at the Gazebo.

Please more information, please listen to Monday’s Newsmaker with Front Royal Chief Bryan Whited about National Night Out Front Royal.

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

Visit the Healing Field of Honor

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A powerful tribute is now on display in Winchester.

The Healing Field of Honor is set up in front of Handley High School, featuring hundreds of American flags, each one
honoring a military member, first responder, or personal hero.

The field is open to the public around the clock through Memorial Day.

A closing ceremony will be held Monday, May 26th at 3 PM.

It’s a moving way to reflect, remember, and say thank you.

Don’t miss this inspiring community display.

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

Warren County steps up efforts to help hurricane victims

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Thanks to an anonymous community member there is now a tractor-trailer ready to bring donations to Hurricane Helene victims.

Donations that have already arrived will be transferred to the tractor-trailer once it arrives according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

The tractor-trailer is set to leave for Southwest Virginia and if enough supplies are collected on to the Carolinas.

Supplies are being collected for victims, first responders, and animals affected by the hurricane.

Items are being collected at the Warren County Public Safety building at 200 Skyline Vista Drive Front Royal 24 hours a day through October 12.

Along with the usual recovery items like water, sports drinks, toilet products, diapers, and the like there is a new list of items being requested.

Those new items include shovels, rakes, wire, camping chairs, new sleeping bags, air mattresses, and any other types of items that will help in the recovery.

The recovery process will take a large amount of time and there is another storm that is likely to strike later this week.

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

FEMA is approved to assist Virginia in Helene recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been approved by President Biden to assist Virginia in recovery from Helene.

This means that federal funding has become available to the state and certain nonprofits organizations on a cost sharing basis for emergency in the hardest hit areas.

Direct assistance is available for Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wyth Counties and the City of Galax.

Governor Youngkin visited Damascus in Southwest Virginia September 29 to assess the storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene and emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting the affected communities in their recovery efforts.

Over 50 swift water crews were deployed with helicopter air support and able to help stranded people in Washington County in the city of Damascus where substantial flooding was recorded particularly at Radford University.

A Virginia State Police helicopter was dispatched to assist at least 50 people on the roof of a hospital in Tennessee.

In Virginia one fatality occurred in Craig County when a tree fell causing a building collapse.

Five counties including Augusta were under voluntary evacuation recommendations during the brunt of the storm.

Governor Youngkin said the recovery from this storm is going to take some time.

He also commended the efforts of all first responders in answering the call.

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

First responders adopt innovative addressing system

In Clarke County, emergency first responders are revolutionizing rescue efforts with the
adoption of what3words app, an ingenious global addressing system.

Instead of relying on general locations after a 911 call, what3words provides three unique words that pinpoint an individual’s exact location, whether on a mountain or along a riverbank.

This precision saves critical time and ensures prompt assistance.

The system divides the entire world, including bodies of water, into 10-by-10-foot squares and assigns each square a unique combination of three words.

Designed specifically for first responders, what3words is available as a free app and functions in over 40 languages.

The beauty of this system lies in its permanence—the words assigned to each square remain fixed indefinitely.

Before embarking on any outdoor adventure, it’s advisable to download the app to your phone.

Don’t miss out on this invaluable tool for ensuring safety in emergencies: https://what3words.com/about.

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

Warren county public schools plan for traffic disruption

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Due to the closing of the Shenandoah Shores and Happy Creek intersection on Wednesday, February 14th, Warren County Public Schools has announced their plans.

They are asking that students be at their bus stops 5 minutes early to ensure prompt pick up.

The contractor is working with the transportation department to accommodate the morning schedule.

If the work is not completed by afternoon drop off, a second bus will be stationed across the tracks for student transport.

First Responders will be on site to help students cross the tracks.

Crash responder safety week

Traffic Update

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would like to remind you that it is Crash Responder Safety Week.

Remember to slow down or move over for flashing red, blue & amber lights, it’s the law!

You play a role in providing first responders, law enforcement, VDOT crews & tow truck drivers need a safe area to work.

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

Middletown mourns passing of former Mayor and volunteer firefighter

Our thoughts are with the Middletown community as Former Mayor Neil Stallings passed away over the weekend.

He served as Mayor from 1972-1976 and was a member of the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company for over 50 years.

He was an instrumental part of the current EMS system used by the Company and was an instructor for 12 years, imparting his wisdom and technical knowledge to the next generation of first responders.

Stallings was dedicated to educating and helping young people in the community and he was able to guide numerous students in his role as a counselor at Laurel Ridge.

The official town announcement is found here.

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

Blood type can now be added to ID cards in Virginia

Virginians can now choose to indicate their blood type on driver’s licenses and ID cards to help assist first responders in the event of an emergency.

Residents will have the option to place their blood type on cards when they renew or replace a license or ID card online or through any in person DMV customer service center.

The blood type will be displayed with a small icon on the front of your license or ID.

Proof of blood type is not required by the DMV, it is the responsibility of the individual to self-certify and make sure the correct blood type is selected.

The decision to add blood types to identification cards was originally introduced by Virginia Senator George L. Barker as a state senate bill.

DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey supported the decision stating, “The law was intended to aid individuals and first responders when every second counts in an emergency. DMV is proud to provide Virginians with options.”

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

FCSO officer named guest speaker at Distracted Driving Summit

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The 10th Annual Distracted Driving Summit by Drive Smart Virginia is getting ready for their event in Blacksburg this September and recently announced one of their guest speakers.

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Warren Gosnell was added to the list of special guests to speak at the event.

Lt. Gosnell was chosen thanks to his 26 years of experience in law enforcement with an emphasis on traffic safety and enforcement.

The summit will focus on how Virginia can reverse the trend of an increase in distracted driving cases around the state since 2020.

While the event is aimed towards police officers and first responders, it is open to any community member who would like to attend.

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