Virginians collected a whopping 13 tons of acorns, chestnuts and walnuts for Department of Forestry’s (DOF) annual collection.
If you remember back in October they asked for help collecting the seeds.
The numbers are in and there is enough to grow 500,000 native trees!
Thank you for helping DOF grow the forests of tomorrow.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The ongoing government shutdown struck Shenandoah National Park during its busiest month.
October usually brings nearly 25% of the annual visitors.
The Park remained open, but with severely reduced staffing.
The Park is set to lose an estimated 2 to 3 million dollars because it stopped collecting entrance fees.
This is a potential 10% cut to next year’s operating budget.
Funds for vital projects like trail restoration and bear box installation are being diverted to keep basic services running.
The Shenandoah National Park Trust is raising awareness and urging visitors to donate their usual entrance fee to help mitigate the long-term damage to the Park’s budget and conservation efforts.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Virginia State Police (VSP) is issuing a critical safety reminder to parents and teen drivers across the Commonwealth: October is statistically the most dangerous month on Virginia roadways for all crash fatalities, including those involving young, inexperienced drivers.
While the summer months are often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teens, VSP data support a focus on autumn, as environmental and seasonal factors make October an especially risky time for fatal crashes statewide.
Over the last decade, Virginia has recorded a higher percentage of crash fatalities in October than in any other month.
The increase in crashes during the fall is often linked to: Diminishing daylight, deer collisions, and inclement weather conditions.
The VSP stresses that inexperience, distraction, speeding, and failure to wear a seatbelt remain the top factors in crashes involving teenagers.
As many teen drivers are settling into new school-year routines, the Virginia State Police reminds parents to actively monitor their children’s driving habits and reinforce safe behaviors:
Parents are encouraged to use National Teen Driver Safety Week (held the third week in October) as a formal opportunity to review driving rules and sign a parent-teen safe driving agreement.
Working together, law enforcement and families can help reduce the alarming statistics for Virginia’s youngest drivers.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Page County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you that domestic violence affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Remember, abuse isn’t always physical; it can take many forms.
Knowing the warning signs is the first step toward saving a life.
Warning signs of abuse may include: Controlling finances or restricting access to money; constantly checking your phone, messages, or location; isolating you from family, friends, or community; verbal abuse such as insults, humiliation, or threats; and physical harm, intimidation, or destruction of property.
No one deserves to feel unsafe in their own home or relationship.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, you are not alone, and help is available.
Please reach out for confidential support:
Together, we can raise awareness, support survivors, and work to break the cycle of violence.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Governor Glenn Youngkin reports that there will be three new grant awards to expand access to crisis services for Virginians who are experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
These awards are apart of “Right Help, Right Now” and the funding will support development of of crisis receiving centers and crisis stabilization units.
The projects will include the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board which will receive 1 million dollars in funding, Fairfax-Falls Church CSB will receive 6.5 million and Rappahannock Area CSB will receive 5.5 million in funding.
Governor Youngkin started “Right Help, Right Now” in December of 2022 and received previous grant awards in December of 2023 and March and October of 2024.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Embarking on its 29th season, the Clarke County Farmers’ Market kicks off on today, Saturday, May 4th.
Running from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, rain or shine, until October, you can find it nestled in the parking lot of the school administration building at 317 W. Main St. in Berryville.
A multitude of Clarke County farmers, bakers, and artisans will be on hand, offering an enticing variety of fresh produce, honey, flowers, eggs, cheese, meat, baked goods, prepared meals, and crafts.
Plus, indulge in live music performances every Saturday.
This weekend you can pick up FREE seedlings, too.
The Berryville Tree Board is giving away 100 seedlings, Franklin tree,
flowering Dogwood, and American beautyberry, donated by Bartlett Tree Experts.
Originally inaugurated on June 3, 1995, at the Coiner’s Hardware store parking lot on Berryville’s East Main Street, the market has shifted locations over the years, finding its current home at the former Berryville Primary School site since 2020, after a stint on South Church
Street.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has issued a complete ban on any open air burning, such as campfires and grills, on all DWR properties west of Interstate 95 effective immediately.
This ban will remain in effect until further notice due to the extremely dry conditions that began in October.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
The American Red Cross is requesting your help.
Blood donations are needed now of all blood types.
The Red Cross has responded to more requests than ever this year and donations are low.
They need to collect 10,000 additional blood products this month to help the blood bank rebound.
Book your appointment today at redcross.org because seasons may change, but the need doesn’t.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
According to a report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VDMV) October is statistically the most dangerous month to drive in Virginia.
Over the last 10 years, 8,034 people were killed on Virginia’s roads with 10% of those coming in October.
In 2021, 86 people were killed and 5,200 injured in nearly 12,000 crashes.
In nearly half of deaths, those killed were not properly restrained with a seatbelt, car seat, or booster seat.
19 law enforcement agencies from around the Commonwealth as well as the Virginia State Police will participate in Operation Crash Reduction this holiday weekend.
The awareness campaign by the NHTSA encourages drivers to buckle up, slow down, and practice safe driving behaviors.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) is celebrating National Cooperative month.
As we do the first Fri. of every month we are talking with SVEC.
This month the President and CEO of SVEC Greg Rogers is with us in our latest news maker.
News makers are brought to you by Warren County Together We are Community.
Greg tells us about National Cooperative month.
He also explains the advantages of being a member of a cooperative.
Greg also explains that one of the codes of being in a cooperative is working with each other to correct problems that might occur as in the recovery from Hurricane Ian.
Click here for Greg’s interview.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
