VSP launches 100 Safest Days of Summer campaign

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

The Virginia State Police will officially launch the 100 Safest Days of Summer campaign on Wednesday at 11 am with a ceremony at VSP headquarters in Richmond.

The initiative aims to transform the traditionally recognized “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” into the 100 Safest Days of Summer through:

  • education
  • awareness
  • prevention
  • technology
  • community action

The time frame between Memorial Day and Labor Day has historically seen increased travel, speeding, distraction, impairment, unlicensed driving that contributes to preventable crashes and fatalities, especially in teen drivers.

During the launch event, attendees will learn about the impactful work underway on Virginia’s roadways and how these life saving messages can be brought back and shared with local businesses, churches, schools, community organizations and other groups.

Following the program and featured guest speakers including Virginia DMV commissioner Saundra Jack and Senator Danny Diggs, attendees will have the opportunity to experience LifeSafer’s Intelligent Speed Assistance technology through hands-on demonstrations and test drives.

The safe driving campaign is in partnership with the Gweedo Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to educating new drivers and their parents on the dangers of destructive driving decisions.

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

Memorial Day Means Free Admission to Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

If you’re looking for a Memorial Day getaway, Shenandoah National Park will offer free admission Monday along the entire length of Skyline Drive.

Park officials say it should be a perfect day for a scenic drive, hiking, waterfall visits, or picnics at campground areas, with comfortable late-May weather expected across the region.

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

Celebrate Memorial Day in Warren County

thanksgiving activity boxes

This Memorial Day weekend, May 23rd through 27th, Warren County invites you to remember, reflect, and celebrate as we honor our heroes and enjoy all the region has to offer!

Start in downtown Front Royal with the 2nd Annual Salute to Service Memorial at the Main Street Gazebo, and don’t miss the Farm to Market on Main this Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM.

At Shenandoah River State Park, enjoy family-friendly events like a sunset hike, kids’ crafts, and patriotic nature programs all weekend long.

If you’re feeling adventurous, book a river trip or go skydiving with Skydive Front Royal!

Warren County remembers the brave and celebrates the free.

Have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

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

VSP urge safe driving for Labor day weekend

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

As the final major travel weekend of the summer approaches, Virginia State Police are
emphasizing the importance of safe driving practices to ensure everyone arrives at their
destinations safely.

This comes after a deadly start to the summer driving season, with state police investigating 25 fatalities in the week following Memorial Day.

Preliminary figures show highway fatalities in 2024 are nearly on par with last year, with 504 deaths reported as of August 15th compared to 514 at the same time in 2023.

To boost safety and reduce traffic fatalities over the Labor Day holiday, Virginia State Police will participate in the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E), a national program focused on decreasing crashes and fatalities caused by impaired driving, speeding, and failure to use seat belts.

The Labor Day enforcement period will run from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024, through midnight on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Increased patrols and visibility are expected on the heavy travel days of August 30 and September 2.

During the 2023 Labor Day weekend, Virginia State Police made 73 arrests for Driving While Intoxicated, cited 4,475 speeders, and issued over 1,900 reckless driving tickets.

Additionally, there were 491 seat belt violation citations and 150 child restraint violations.

Law enforcement investigated 14 fatalities over that holiday period.

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

The Boys Are Back In Town

views from the booth header v2

Greetings from The Booth!

Well, here it is, Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of Summer! It is, of course, a time of grillin’ and chillin’, and maybe even that first big trip to the beach. But let’s take a moment this weekend and remember what Memorial Day is all about. In some way, please honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy in the USA. Attend a Memorial ceremony, or simply fly the Red, White, and Blue.

This week, college baseball players will converge on the Shenandoah Valley to hone their craft, as another season of Valley League Baseball is about to begin on May 31st. The VBL, in case you are unaware, is an NCAA-sanctioned league that was formed in 1897, when it was actually a Class-D minor league. The Valley League currently has 12 teams, with clubs in Winchester, Charlottesville, Front Royal, New Market, Covington, Strasburg, Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Purcellville, Woodstock, and Culpeper.

The VBL is not called “The Gateway To The Majors” for nothing. Players who have gone on to “The Show” include Rick Honeycutt, Wayne Comer, Jimmy Key, John Kruk, Dan Pasqua, Steve Swisher, Johnny Oates, and one-time Washington National Daniel “Hits” Murphy. For area fans, the Valley League offers a chance to watch some great baseball at affordable prices, and say “I saw so-and-so when…” For players, it’s a chance to continue playing beyond the college season and maybe get a look-see by a pro scout.

What I really wanted to talk about, though, is housing. A Valley League tradition over the years has been the bonding of players and host families who house players every Summer. The stories are many of the lifelong friendships that are formed with these families and the players. This year, there is a housing crisis in some VBL communities, including the Winchester Royals. As of a few weeks ago, the team had found housing for only 15 of the 35 Royals players. In the event that host families cannot be found for all 35, Manager Mike Smith will have to release some of his roster and recruit local players. That’s a great opportunity for local players, but would make for a watered-down Royals squad. There is a certain talent level in the VBL, after all, and a majority of Valley League players come here from top-level college programs.

I’m not sure of the reason for the housing crisis this year. Maybe it’s the economy, and adding a few more members to an already strapped household is not feasible. Maybe it’s our ever-growing mistrust of strangers. I don’t know. I do know that for many families who have provided housing over the years to Valley League players, the positives have outweighed the negatives. So, if you can help, please contact a VBL team near you.

For schedules, team info and more, visit https://valleyleaguebaseball.com and get out to a game or two this Summer!

Until the next visit from the Booth…PLAY BALL!

RW

valley baseball league

Municipal offices closed for Memorial Day

A reminder that municipal offices throughout the region will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Schedules for services such as garbage collection have been adjusted for the coming week. Check with your local office or municipal website for updates.

Front Royal

Winchester

Stephens City

Middletown

Strasburg

Toms Brook

Woodstock

Edinburg

Mount Jackson

New Market

Luray

Berryville

There will be Memorial Day observances regionwide, including Middletown, which will have a remembrance and wreath-laying at 1 p.m. Monday at the Veterans memorial.

The Winchester Rotary Club will hold its Healing field of honor closing ceremony at 3 p.m. Monday at Handley High School.

Also, Virginia State Police urge motorists to use extra caution as the holiday combines with recent graduations to result in increased traffic.

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

Military Tribute Banner Program comes to Middletown

christmas parade canceled

The Town of Middletown announced their participation in the Military Tribute Banner Program.

Community leaders from Middletown and other areas of the Northern Shenandoah Valley came up with the plan as part of the Hometown Veterans Heroes Formation Committee.

The project aims to honor veterans who currently are or have been residents of the area with banners hung throughout the town’s Main Street.

The banners will be sponsored by individuals or businesses and hang from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.

Orders are accepted through March 1st.

For more information on the project or how to purchase, click here. 

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

Winchester Cemetery honors those who gave all

Yesterday Memorial Monday May 30 hundreds gathered to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice at Winchester’s National Cemetery (WNC).

Over 5,000 flags were placed at the headstones of those soldiers who are laid to rest at WNC.

The ceremony was organized by the American Red Cross of the Greater Shenandoah Valley with the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2123 co-hosting the event.

Lieutenant Colonel Joan K. Grewe U.S. Army Retired was the Keynote Speaker.

Karen Wallace Williams read the poem of remembrance.

Another co-host of the event, Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution set off a  volley of musket fire to honor those who sacrificed.

That was one of many ceremonies held across the region.

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) allowed the laying of flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier by the general public this year.

As always ANC with the help of volunteers placed flags at the headstones of those who are buried there.

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