Local bartenders compete in Virginia Cocktail Games

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The annual Virginia Cocktail Games hosted by Virginia Spirits is underway and one local establishment is represented in the finals which will take place in Richmond on September, 12th.

The Catamount Lounge in Front Royal secured a spot in the finals with their beverage called “Old Medicine” created by owner Shenan Hahn.

The moonshine-based cocktail pays tribute to folk medicine traditions of Appalachia and the Blue Ridge and blends smoky, bitter, and sweet flavors into an earthy and herbal beverage.

The Catamount Lounge had two other drinks selected for the semifinals including “The Royal Oak” which paid tribute to Front Royal’s colonial history with a Manhattan-inspired cocktail and the vibrant, tropical “Rum Shaker” inspired by Virginia’s music history.

Middletown’s Vault and Cellar also received two nominations for concoctions like “The Nutty Professor” which smells like fresh baked banana nut bread and “Aural Tradition”, a complex cocktail inspired by the folk song Rye Whiskey and musical traditions of Appalachia.

To check out all the submissions, click here.

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

The Conservation & Research Center

Nestled in the rolling hills of Southern Warren County, a site that’s gone from military horses to endangered species. This is the story of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.

The Smithsonian Conservation & Research Center

Riverton Village

Nestled at the northern edge of Front Royal, Virginia, where the North and South Forks of the majestic Shenandoah River converge, lies a hidden gem of history and architecture: the Riverton Historic District. This picturesque community, which predates its current town name, is a fascinating slice of the Shenandoah Valley’s industrial and transportation past.

Riverton Village

Killahevlin

Samuel Carson, an Irish immigrant who established the dominant Carson Lime Company in Riverton in 1868, commissioned this home as a physical symbol of his success. The location, overlooking the booming industrial center he helped create at the confluence of the Shenandoah River’s forks, was a statement in itself.

Killahevlin

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. 

Multiple indecent exposures lead to arrest

Front Royal Police Department seal used by permission

The Front Royal Police Department received multiple reports of indecent exposures between the dates of March 18th and 24th, 2026.

During the investigation the three reports, in which all witnesses described the same suspect and review of surveillance footage. James C. Hall, II of Front Royal was arrested.

Hall was arrested and charged with three counts of indecent exposure. He is currently being held at the RSW Jail without bond.

Anyone with any additional information please contact C.R. Gibson at 540-635-2111.

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

Local businesses receive $10,000 grants for community impact

A few local businesses were selected by Main Street America’s Backing Small Businesses Program and will receive a $10,000 grant.

400 businesses from across the country were selected by the program to help them grow and continue their meaningful impact in their communities.

In the Shenandoah Valley, Front Royal’s Play Favorites and Winchester’s Paladin Downtown Restaurant will receive grants and in the Panhandle, Candle Light Soap Company of Charles Town and Jenny Lynn Photography of Martinsburg were also selected.

The program is part of American Express’s “Backing Small Businesses” effort which has provided more than $14 million in grants to over 1,600 business owners nationwide.

Applications for the next round of Backing Small Businesses grants are anticipated to open again in July.

To view the full list of recipients, click here. 

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

Sentencing date set for Page County man

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A sentencing date has been set in Page County Circuit Court for convicted murderer Timothy Thomas Comer of Shenandoah.

Judge Clark Ritchie scheduled Comer’s sentencing for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19.

Comer is expected to learn his punishment for the deaths of three people in the Jollett Hollow area and for leading law enforcement on a 15-day manhunt in the summer of 2023.

Comer, who is 57, pleaded guilty in December under a deal with the Commonwealth.

In exchange for his guilty plea to three counts of second-degree murder, prosecutors dropped four other charges, including weapons offenses and arson.

The agreement also reduced the original first-degree and aggravated murder charges according to Page Valley News. 

The plea deal avoided a three-week jury trial that had been scheduled to begin in January.

Comer remains held at the RSW Regional Jail in Front Royal.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys will both make sentencing recommendations before Judge Ritchie delivers the final sentence.

Authorities say all three murders stemmed from disputes over land involving a neighbor and a family member.

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

VDOT to hold public hearing on South Street improvements

new bridges shenandoah county

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a Public Hearing on Wednesday January 14th regarding a safety improvement project on South Street in Front Royal the town announced.

The public hearing will be taking place at Samuels Public Library in Front Royal.

This safety improvement project on South Street will be taking place from Hill Street to Commerce Avenue.

Planned improvements include:

  • Adding crosswalks at several locations along and across South Street
  • Upgrade in traffic signals
  • Installing raised medians that can also be used as pedestrian refuge areas

The approval of the design is estimated to take place in Spring of 2026 and the advertising for construction will tale place in summer of 2027.

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