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.

VSP arrest Rockingham County man

Virginia State Police, VSP, Used by permission of VSP

Virginia State Police (VSP) have arrested a Rockingham County man accused of pointing firearms at another driver on I-81 in Frederick County.

The victim reported that a driver in a white SUV waved at least 2 firearms at hime the two vehicles were traveling southbound near mile marker 308.

The incident happened Monday, August 3rd, about 6 pm.

Troopers caught up with the SUV and arrested 23 year old Jose A. Simon of Rockingham County.

Police found multiple firearms and a reported grenade inside the vehicle.

A bomb squad was called to the scene and determined the grenade was inactive.

Simon is charged with 2 counts of brandishing a firearm and illegally wearing a mask.

He is being held at the Northwest Regional Adult Detention Center in Winchester.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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

Two killed on I-81 Thursday morning

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

Two people were killed in separate crashes on Interstate 81 Thursday, according to Virginia State Police.

In Shenandoah County, 78-year-old Dennis Marshall of North Carolina was struck and killed after getting out of his disabled vehicle, which was then
hit by a tractor-trailer near mile marker 286.

A passenger was hospitalized with injuries, and the truck driver suffered minor injuries.

A few hours later in Frederick County, an adult woman died after her SUV swerved to avoid an object in the roadway near mile marker 318.

She left the interstate, and struck a tree.

Her identity has not yet been released.

Both crashes remain under investigation by Virginia State Police.

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

Frederick County announces leadership changes

Used by permission Frederick County Virginia Government

The Frederick County government announced some key leadership changes on July 1st.

Wyatt Peterson was promoted to Deputy County Administrator after most recently serving as the county’s Planning and Development Director.

John Bishop will take over for Peterson as Planning and Development Director and will continue as Deputy director for the department until August 1st.

Pearson will have oversight of major initiatives, organizational management, and cross-departmental coordination.

He has a strong background in public service and has held the position of Planning Director since 2021.

Previously, he was the Planning and Zoning Administrator and Town Manager in Strasburg.

Bishop joined Frederick County in 2006 and has led regional transportation planning, public private partnerships, grant development efforts and infrastructure improvements across the County.

Mike Bollhoefer, County Administrator, said, “Wyatt and John have been key contributors to the County’s planning and development efforts. Their promotions provide continuity in leadership and ensure we remain well positioned to manage growth, advance major projects, and support effective service delivery for our residents.”

To view the full release, click here.

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. 

Sherando High School athlete arrested for malicious wounding

Sherando High School athlete Sunil Darron Dutt was arrested April 20 and charged with a class 5 felony count of malicious wounding.

Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland confirmed by text that Dutt approached a juvenile in the locker room, made a couple of statements to him and slapped the younger person.

Then the 18-year-old Dutt proceeded to pick up the juvenile slammed him against the sink and punched him several times.

Numerous people witnessed the alleged assault according to the sheriff.

By law the sheriff cannot say if the victim was seriously injured or speculate as to what events led to alleged attack.

The sheriff did confirm that the injuries were enough to constitute a charge.

Dutt was unarmed during the incident and was released from the adult detention center on bond.

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

Today is drug take back day!

edinburg resident

Communities across the Valley are coming together this weekend to promote safe medication disposal as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Today’s event is organized nationwide by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to help prevent misuse of prescription drugs and keep them out of the wrong hands.

Locally, collection sites are set up in Warren County, Frederick County, and Strasburg.

Residents have a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

Officials say the initiative helps combat prescription drug abuse, which often starts with medications at home.

Residents are encouraged to bring tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs for proper disposal.

Liquids, needles, and sharps are typically not accepted.

Take Back Day events are free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Law enforcement agencies say even small actions, like cleaning out a medicine cabinet, can make a big difference in protecting families and communities.

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

Frederick County Public Schools Breaks Ground April 20th

Frederick County Public Schools holds a groundbreaking ceremony on the afternoon of Monday, April 20th.

The ceremony will be the start of an expansion at Middletown Elementary School.

The project includes 12 new classrooms, a new gymnasium, expanded cafeteria space, and the conversion of the current gym into art and music rooms.

Construction is expected to be completed by May 2028.

Officials say the upgrades will increase capacity and modernize learning spaces.

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

A chicken crosses the road in Frederick county

Used by permission Frederick County Virginia Government

A loose chicken found wandering near Red Bud Run Elementary School off Berryville Pike is now safe and awaiting pickup at the Frederick County Animal Shelter.

Authorities say the chicken had been seen in the area for several days before being safely transported.

Officials are now asking the public for help in reuniting the animal with its owner.

If the chicken belongs to you or you have information about its owner, please contact the Sheriff’s Deputy Evans at 540-662-6162.

Community members are encouraged to spread the word to help get this feathered friend back home.

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

Clarke County Shooting

Used with permission of Clarke County Sheriff Travis Sumption

The Clarke County Sheriff’s office reports an incident that occurred Thursday morning.

At approximately 5:20am, several residents of a home on the 8700 block of John Mosby Highway made emergency calls to the Sheriff Department and reported that a shot had been fired at the residence.

Upon arrival, units discovered multiple bullets had struck the exterior of the home.

At least one round penetrated the exterior wall.

There were no injuries.

The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff’s department does not believe this to be a random incident.

The Sheriff’s Department believes the event is linked to similar incidents in Frederick County, Virginia, and the City of Winchester on the same date.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have been traveling along John Mosby Highway (Route 50) between the hours of 5:15am and 5:30am, or anyone with home surveillance footage in that area, to contact the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office at 540-955-1234.

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