News Maker Tony Carter on Warren Heritage Activities
The Warren Heritage Society has a number of activities planned for spring and Summer.
They also have one last winter event on Mar. 15 with a celebration for their volunteers.
We spoke to archivist Tony Carter about it in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Tony tells us about the Mar. 15 event and that you can get in on it if you volunteer by Mon. Mar. 13.
He also tells us that you can do several different things as a volunteer.
Tony also tells us of the upcoming summer History Camp that you should start thinking about now as it fills up fast.
Click here for Tony’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Luray Police arrest a Missouri man who avoided arrest for 15 years
On March 1 Luray Police Chief C.S. Cook arrested yearlong Page County resident Charlie Benfield for crimes in Missouri.
Chief Cook was made aware of Benfield after a local businessman reported a suspicious transaction according to the Page Valley News report.
Chief Cook ran the perpetrators name and found he was wanted for misconduct with a 4-year-old child in Missouri.
The child’s mother did not want her then 5-year-old daughter to relive the incident in court so Benfield entered a plea agreement that included a plea of guilty to felonious restraint or simply holding someone against their will.
The agreement gave Benfield 5 years’ probation and an ankle bracelet.
Benfield cut the bracelet off and has been avoiding the law since 2008 until his arrest in Page County.
Chief Cook found Benfield outside a business in Luray.
Benfield attempted to flee and pulled a garage door down and Cook pulled the door back up and arrested Benfield without incident.
Benefield is scheduled to appear in Page County General District Court March 9 to review extradition restrictions to Missouri.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Fire Departments remind you to set your clocks and check your alarms
Fire Departments across the region are reminding citizens that we set our clocks ahead an hour this Sat. Mar. 11 Sun. morning Mar. 12.
As they so often do Fire Departments are also reminding us it is a good time to check your smoke alarms as well.
Winchester Fire and Rescue announced for instance that It is also a good idea to not just replace batteries but check the age on your smoke alarm as well.
If the alarm is over 10 years old it is a good and safer idea to upgrade to a new model.
Call your local Fire Department to find out the latest information on smoke alarms and in some cases get a free smoke alarm.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
BRWC reminds citizens that some wildlife is illegal to keep
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center reminds citizens that it is illegal to keep a wild bird in captivity in the United States.
The issue arose when a well-intentioned individual couldn’t renest a nestling blue jay and tried to care for it.
Once the individual found out it was illegal, they took it to an authorized care facility.
The bird was found to be overweight with poor plumage and completely incapable of flight.
The facility is hoping to correct the situation with proper diet and rehabilitation.
Even with that the changes of the bird returning to the wild are poor.
Where it is illegal to keep wild birds in your care throughout all the United States and has been since 1918.
The regulations regarding amphibians, reptiles and mammals very state to state.
Even wildlife centers must have prior authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to care for wild birds.
In all cases it is never a good idea to try to keep and care for any wild animal it is always best to contact animal control to ensure proper care.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Todd Jones on the upcoming SRT meeting
A public meeting for input and information on the proposed Shenandoah Rail Trail (SRT) is scheduled March 23 at 7 p.m. at Samuel’s Public Library.
We spoke to Warren County’s Director of Technology Todd Jones about the meeting in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Todd tells us the scope of the proposed project and money allocated to accomplish it.
He also tells us how important it is to attend the meeting and let our thoughts on the project be known.
Todd also has some information on projects at the county pool.
Click here for Todd’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Connecticut homicide suspect is chased into Rockingham Co.
Virginia Authorities were made aware of a homicide suspect out of Connecticut possibly making his way to South Carolina.
The Daily News Record reports that a Rockingham County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the vehicle near Broadway the morning of Mar. 7.
Rockingham County Deputies and Virginia State Police began a pursuit which ended near the 254-mile maker on Interstate 81 South.
After securing the scene the suspect never exited his vehicle.
When authorities approached the vehicle, they found the suspect deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities have not released additional information currently as the investigation continues.
The Virginia Department of Transportation reported that the Interstate was shutdown at around 11:20 a.m. with one lane reopened about an hour later and all traffic cleared with both lanes back open shortly after 4 p.m.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WPD accepting applications for its Citizens Academy
The Winchester Police Department (WPD) announced that they are accepting applications for its 24 annual Citizen Police Academy for the spring of 2023.
This year’s academy begins March the 21 at 6 p.m. at the Timbrook Public Safety Center and meets every Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The academy gives citizens an inside look at police operations.
Participants will be able to see how Criminal Investigations are conducted also given an inside look at the Patrol Division and Emergency Communications Center.
There is a list of other academy activities and additional information available here.
The Academy will conclude with a graduation dinner on May 16.
Applications are available for download here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Augusta County Deputies chase a juvenile driver
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office reports that a Deputy clocked a vehicle at 86 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone on Stuarts Draft Highway Mar. 4.
Pursuit was initiated but the vehicle continued without stopping.
With total disregard to the Deputies pursuit and passing vehicles over the double yellow line.
The driver turned on to Cold Springs Road and turned off the headlights to attempt to evade pursuing Deputies.
Deputies were able to approach the vehicle after it had crashed on Cold Springs Road throwing the driver out.
Eventually the driver walked out of the woods with head and facial injuries.
The identity of the driver and his information is being withheld as he is a juvenile.
Charges from both the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police are pending.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Jennifer Parker of DSS on SNAP relief options
Concerns have been raised about the loss of funds after the last of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP emergency funds were delivered.
Beneficiaries are facing financial shortfalls when once those emergency funds are exhausted.
Regional Departments of Social Services are offering assistance in this situation.
We spoke to the Director of Clarke County’s Department of Social Services Jennifer Parker about it in our latest news maker.
News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.
Jennifer tells us even if you receive SNAP benefits you are also able to take advantage of food pantries in your area.
She also tells us that there are mobile opportunities that help to reduce the travel concerns in Clarke County.
Jennifer also reminds us that no matter what your personal situation is you can always reach out your local Department of Social Services for help.
Click here for Jennifer’s news maker.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VH eliminates some administrative and leadership positions
Valley Health (VH) Public Relations Manager Carol Weare reports by email that some administrative positions have been eliminated at VH.
The changes are to help VH streamline its leadership and support positions.
Last week 31 administrative individuals were notified that their positions have been eliminated.
Since Jan. VH has eliminated nearly 100 positions through consolidation and attrition.
VH’s President and CEO Mark Nantz sighted the shrinking of the health care workforce combined with the rapidly rising clinician pay, declining demand and insurance reimbursements as the reasons for consolidation of the leadership and administrative roles.
Nantz went on to note that VH has incurred nearly $100 million in losses since the beginning of the pandemic.
Much of the loss was offset by federal assistance which will not continue.
Nantz added that it was time to face the reality that expenses cannot exceed revenue and by addressing the changing environment now helps avoid more drastic cuts later.
Nantz added that VH currently remains a financially strong and stable health system.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.