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. 

Luray Police Department welcoming narcotics K9s

Used by permission by Luray Police Department Michael Wagoner

The Luray Police Department announced the finding of two nine month old chocolate labradors by the names of Summer and Skye who are both sisters and will become the departments newest narcotics K9s.

In the wake of K9 Boone’s passing the community around Luray Police Department generously donated a total of $19,000 to the Luray Police Foundation to purchase these two K9s.

“The loss of Boone was felt deeply by everyone here, but the outpouring of support from our community was incredible. Because of that, we were able not only to continue the program but grow it.” Said Chief Bow Cook.

K9 Summer and K9 Skye are training at Espial Canine Services in North Carolina and are expected to be certified and ready for service in March of 2026.

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.

Part of the Parkway reopens

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

The Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, which had closed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, reopened at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 11th.

This included the scenic byway stretching from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 – Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road, near Fancy Gap.

Visitor centers at Humpback Rocks, James River, and Peaks of Otter reopened, as power and water are restored to all facilities that were operational prior to the storm.

The Mabry Mill Cultural Site has opened as well, and the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet is operating daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Otter Creek Campground had closed for the season prior to the storm and will remain closed.
Peaks of Otter Lodge continued to operate without interruption.

The National Park Service expressed hope to reopen the remainder of the parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks.

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina continues to be closed as crews perform damage assessments following Hurricane Helene.

Updates are posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website and through the park’s social media platforms.

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

PCFA collected supplies for farmers in Ashville North Carolina

page county election coverage

The Page County Farmers Association announced that they were collecting needed supplies for farmers in Ashville North Carolina.

The Page County Co-op and Luray Southern States confirmed that they were accepting donations with trucks on site for loading.

PCFA President Jim Gochnour  made appropriate arrangements to have the items taken to the Asheville distribution site.

Trucks were on site at 201 Williams Street and 127 Big Oak Road both in Luray.

Most importantly feed for cattle, sheep, and goats were the items immediate need.

Temporary fencing supplies and electric fencing equipment would be most appreciated as well.

Monetary donations made out to PCFA was helping in the long road to recovery for farmers affected by Hurricane Helene in Ashville.

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

Pilots across the region make repeated trips to hurricane victims

A group from Warren County’s airport reports a flight  to Hurricane Helene victims with almost 700 pounds of supplies taken to Rutherford County North Carolina.

The pilots were able to bring needed supplies like water, blankets, and even a generator to victims of the storm.

The pilots were greeted by a grateful community and hundreds of other aircraft dropping off supplies.

Pilots out of Warren County are planning another trip down later in October.

Pilots out of Augusta County and Shenandoah Regional Airport reportedly have been making repeated trips down to the Carolinas with supplies donated by the community.

Supplies of water, canned goods, bug spray, and garden tools are the items that are in constant need in the hard-hit areas with supplies constantly being collected for repeated trips.

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

Scam Alert for the area

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department is advising citizens of a telephone scam that is reaching as far as North Carolina.

The caller is stating that he is “Captain Steven Owens” with Warren County/Front Royal calling people and stating that a warrant has been issued for missing jury duty.

He states that they must bring their driver’s license and money to the Sheriff’s Office.

This individual has a very southern accent, and the background noise sounds like a “police radio”.

Warren County Sheriff’s Office will not call you if you miss jury, nor ever ask you to bring money.

If you receive one of these calls, please hang up and do not engage. Notify the Sheriff Office immediately, 540-635-4128.

Youngkin announces major change to Commonwealth hiring practices

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a significant change on the Commonwealth’s hiring practices which will eliminate degree requirements or preferences from nearly 90% of state classified positions.

Governor Youngkin spoke on the decision stating, “This landmark change in hiring practices for our state workforce will improve hiring processes, expand possibilities and career paths for job seekers and enhance our ability to deliver quality services.”

Virginia joins states like North Carolina and Maryland, who recently cut degree and preference requirements while elevating the value of work experience.

The change will go into effect on July 1, 2023.

To view the Governor’s press release on the decision, click here.

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

EPA increases fuel supplies

emergency funding for homeless

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a fuel transportation waiver to increase the supply of fuel in Virginia.

Gov. Northam’s state of emergency declaration allows the waivers to ensure that adequate fuel is supplied during the cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) assures the state that there is an ample supply of fuel.

Panic buying would be the cause of any shortage.

Conserving fuel is a better alternative to panic buying.

One of the lines that runs from North Carolina to Maryland has already been restarted to add to the current supply.

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