Drought disaster designation open emergency loan assistance to area farmers

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Farmers in Warren and Rappahannock counties may now be eligible for emergency assistance following a federal disaster designation related to drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a Secretarial natural disaster designation covering areas of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia.

The designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to eligible producers recovering from drought-related losses.

Emergency loans can help farmers replace essential items, including equipment or livestock, reorganize their farming operations, or refinance certain qualifying debts.

The Farm Service Agency will review applications based on the extent of the losses, available security and the producer’s ability to repay the loan.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, affected counties experienced severe drought conditions for at least eight consecutive weeks during the growing season, or reached extreme or exceptional drought levels.

The disaster is classified as a drought fast-track designation.

Eligible farmers have until March 31st, 2027, to apply for emergency loan assistance.

Producers in Warren and Rappahannock counties who experienced drought-related losses are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for information about eligibility and the application process.

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Police pursuit ends in crash

Fauquier Co. Sheriff's Logo used by permission by Fauquier County Deputy Jeffery Long

A police pursuit involving a reportedly stolen vehicle ended in a crash Saturday night in Fauquier County.

The Sheriff’s Office says deputies received a License Plate Reader alert for a stolen vehicle just after 9:20 p.m. on Route 17 near Bealeton.

A deputy soon spotted what appeared to be the stolen Maryland license plate on a different vehicle.

They were on a red Chevrolet Camaro reported stolen from Washington, D.C.

According to authorities, the driver refused to stop, leading deputies on a pursuit along Route 29 through Warrenton.

After stop sticks deflated one tire, the Camaro continued until it crashed off the highway near Breezy Drive.

The 19-year-old driver from Annapolis, Maryland, and a juvenile female passenger were ejected from the vehicle and taken to Fairfax Hospital with injuries.

The driver is facing multiple charges, including felony eluding and child abuse or neglect, along with several traffic offenses.

Authorities also say he had outstanding warrants in Prince William County.

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REC selects three Frederick County students for scholarships

power outage

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative announced that eight students including three from Frederick County were selected for scholarships through the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives.

These students are among 92 other seniors selected to receive a total of $165,000 in scholarships this year and support their efforts in pursuing college, technical, or trade education.

The local students selected for $2,000 scholarships include Lubabah Qazzaz and Sumayah Qazzaz, both are home schooled students in Frederick County.

Jaxen Carter of Millbrook was also awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

The funds will be distributed directly to the student’s educational institution to help with tuition or room and board.

Casey Hollins, Managing Director- Communications and Public Relations, said, “Their achievements reflect years of hard work, support from their families and schools, and the strength of the communities we are proud to serve. We are excited to see what they accomplish next.”

To learn more or apply for the next round of scholarships, click here.

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

HPD arrests school bus assistant

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

The Hagerstown Police Department (HPD) has arrested a school bus attendant accused of sexually assaulting three special needs students on a Washington County school bus.

Michael Sowers, 71, of Hagerstown, was identified through surveillance footage recorded on May 5th.

Investigators say the students, ages 5 & 9, were inappropriately touched while riding the bus.

Sowers was arrested Friday morning at his home.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police say additional victims are possible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hagerstown Police Detective Fleegal at fleegal@hagerstownpd.org .

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Brush fire scorches WV State Park

West Virginia state seal. Used by written permission by Chief Deputy and Chief of Staff of West Virginia Chuck Flannery

A fast-moving brush fire that scorched 4 acres at Cacapon Resort State Park after a dangerous battle against the elements on New Year’s Eve.

The fire broke out on December 30  in difficult terrain, fueled by powerful wind gusts reaching up to 55 miles per hour.

According to the Washington County Division of Emergency Services Firefighters faced extreme conditions as the wind pushed flames through thick brush.

A coordinated effort between volunteer crews from West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland stopped the fire before it could spread further.

Officials have confirmed the blaze was sparked by downed power lines.

Crews remained on-site overnight to cut containment lines and douse hot spots to prevent a reignition.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

State park officials say the incident is a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can turn dangerous during high-wind events.

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WV Senator invites neighboring Counties to join State

West Virginia State Senator Chris Rose has introduced a controversial resolution inviting 30 counties from neighboring Virginia and Maryland to consider joining West Virginia.

The resolution targets 27 counties in Virginia, including Warren, and three in Maryland, highlighting their shared Appalachian values, rural lifestyles, and focus on individual liberties, including Second Amendment rights.

Senator Rose argues the move would empower these communities to choose governance that better reflects local priorities than their current state policies.

He cites West Virginia’s own formation in 1863 as a historical precedent for self-determination.

The proposed realignment would require approval from the legislatures of all three states and the U.S. Congress, sparking a regional debate on the future of state borders.

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

SCSO charges four on drug related charges

Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office

The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of four individuals on drug related charges.

Authorities conducted a traffic stop on September 23rd in the vicinity of MM 282 on Interstate 81.

While the stop was taking place authorities discovered 10 grams of suspected MDMA, paraphernalia as well as U.S. Currency.

The suspect behind the wheel was identified as Eyob Tsegaye Tekeste of Rockville, Maryland. The three passengers were identified as Galdy Nelson of Silver Spring, Maryland, Paulos Abenet Bekele of Burtonsville, Maryland, and Reginald Maurice Diamonte Simmons of Silver Spring, Maryland.

The charges placed as follows:

Eyob Tsegaye Tekeste: 18.2-250: Possession of a Sch. I or II Controlled Substance.

Galdy Nelson: 18.2-250: Possession of a Sch. I or II Controlled Substance, 18.2-256/18.2-248: Conspiracy to Distribute a Sch. I or II Controlled Substance.

Paulos Abenet Bekele: 18.2-256/18.2-248: Conspiracy to Distribute a Sch. I or II Controlled Substance.

Reginald Maurice Diamonte Simmons: 18.2-248: Distribution of a Sch. I or II Controlled Substance.

The occupants of the vehicle were transported to Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail and additional charges are pending.

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WCSO charges man with attempted murder in road rage incident

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (MD) reports the charging a Tennessee man with attempted murder in connection with a road rage incident.

On September 10th authorities were dispatched to AC&T Fuel Center at Hopewell Road in Hagerstown to a report of shots fired.

This incident began as a road rage confrontation between a pickup truck and tractor-trailer starting on Interstate 70. The incident continued to Interstate 81 prior to exiting the highway.

The driver of the tractor trailer fired shots at the pickup truck with three bullets striking the truck and there were no injuries reported.

The tractor-trailer driver Willie Laurence Wooten Jr was identified and taken into custody.

Authorities discovered a firearm on the floorboard of the tractor-trailer.

Wooten is being held at Washington County Detention Center.

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

Virginia State Police graduates 32 new troopers

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

The State of Virginia graduated the 143rd generation of Virginia State Troopers on August 22nd Virginia State Police reported by email.

There were 32 new State Troopers that received their diplomas at the State Police Training Academy in North Chesterfield County.

These new troopers received over 1,300 hours of classroom and field instruction in more than 100 different subjects.

Graduates came from numerous areas in Virginia along with Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington DC and Wisconsin.

The newly graduated troopers will report to their individual duty assignments for their final phase of training and will spend six weeks with a Field Training Officer.

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

Maryland man accused of forging signatures to steal over 130 properties

West Virginia state seal. Used by written permission by Chief Deputy and Chief of Staff of West Virginia Chuck Flannery

A Maryland man is facing serious accusations after allegedly forging signatures to fraudulently obtain ownership of more than 130 parcels of land, some of which still legally belong to other families.

Among the victims is a Texas woman whose property was transferred without her knowledge or consent.

The accused, William Scrivener of Hagerstown, reportedly claimed he paid over $150,000 for the Texas woman’s land and involved the law firm Pill & Pill, based in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in the transaction.

However, the victim’s family says her signature was clearly forged and that she never agreed to sell the land.

The family flew the rightful owner to West Virginia, where they confronted Scrivener and his attorney.

Despite presenting clear evidence that the signatures do not match the legitimate ones, Scrivener has refused to take responsibility.

Two other families have also come forward, claiming they were victims of similar property theft by Scrivener.

Help spread the word to prevent further fraud.

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