Local bartenders compete in Virginia Cocktail Games

emergency funding for homeless

The annual Virginia Cocktail Games hosted by Virginia Spirits is underway and one local establishment is represented in the finals which will take place in Richmond on September, 12th.

The Catamount Lounge in Front Royal secured a spot in the finals with their beverage called “Old Medicine” created by owner Shenan Hahn.

The moonshine-based cocktail pays tribute to folk medicine traditions of Appalachia and the Blue Ridge and blends smoky, bitter, and sweet flavors into an earthy and herbal beverage.

The Catamount Lounge had two other drinks selected for the semifinals including “The Royal Oak” which paid tribute to Front Royal’s colonial history with a Manhattan-inspired cocktail and the vibrant, tropical “Rum Shaker” inspired by Virginia’s music history.

Middletown’s Vault and Cellar also received two nominations for concoctions like “The Nutty Professor” which smells like fresh baked banana nut bread and “Aural Tradition”, a complex cocktail inspired by the folk song Rye Whiskey and musical traditions of Appalachia.

To check out all the submissions, click here.

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

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.

Killahevlin

Samuel Carson, an Irish immigrant who established the dominant Carson Lime Company in Riverton in 1868, commissioned this home as a physical symbol of his success. The location, overlooking the booming industrial center he helped create at the confluence of the Shenandoah River’s forks, was a statement in itself.

Killahevlin

New Jersey man taken into custody

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

A 52-year-old New Jersey man was taken into custody Friday afternoon following a police pursuit that began in Prince George County and ended in Sussex County.

Virginia State Police (VSP) was alerted around 11:45 a.m. of a wanted individual with possible mental health concerns traveling southbound on I-95 toward Richmond.

Troopers located the vehicle near Exit 45 and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop, leading to a pursuit.

The pursuit continued south into Sussex County, where the vehicle slowed.

During efforts to contain it, the suspect vehicle struck several state police vehicles.

Troopers were eventually able to stop the vehicle near the 21-mile marker.

The driver was taken into custody without further incident.

The driver was identified as Brian L. Weiner of Toms River, New Jersey.

He was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Charges are pending.

VSP report no troopers were injured.

The investigation is ongoing.

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

Laurel Ridge Community College offers new line worker program

Logo used by permission from Laurel Ridge Community College

Laurel Ridge Community College reports they are offering Express Way to Power a 14-week course offering electrical line training.

The training is offering students a chance to earn seven industry-renowned credentials in a full-time program.

Subjects covered include CDL, Heavy Equipment Operator, Power Industry Fundamentals, Power Line Worker Level 1, and more.

The course is the only course of its kind offered north of Richmond Virginia.

There will be an introductory event August 14 from 5 to 8 at the Middletown campus with registration for the class by September 1.

This program at  Laurel Ridge Community College is supported by the Northwest Virginia Power and Energy Consortium in collaboration with electric cooperatives throughout the region.

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

Throwing Shade VA update

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is proud to announce a successful Throwing Shade VA program!

Nearly 8,000 native trees and shrubs were planted across Virginia this spring through the DOF’s popular Throwing Shade VA program.

This year, 7,782 native trees and shrubs were planted, up from 5,500 last year and just over 1,500 in the program’s first year.

The program supports water quality and wildlife by promoting native species.

The program is funded through Virginia’s water quality improvement program.

The DOF reimburses participating nurseries.

Most of this year’s planting activity occurred near urban areas like Richmond, Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley.

Popular choices included Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Sweet Bay Magnolia, and Highbush blueberry.

DOF’s Urban Forestry Coordinator Molly O’Liddy says the program is growing steadily, from just three nurseries in 2023 to 15 this year, and all plan to return in 2026.

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

Help Virginia STOMP the spread!

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

The first adult Spotted Lanternflies of the season have been spotted in Virginia , with early sightings confirmed in Richmond and Lynchburg just last week.

These invasive pests are back, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is asking for your help to Stop the Spread.

Spotted Lanternflies pose a serious threat to Virginia’s agriculture, especially to trees and vines like grapevines and hardwoods.

They feed on sap, weaken plants, and can significantly damage crops and native ecosystems.

The best way to help is simple.

If you see one, STOMP it, and then report it.

Report What You See VDACS provides an Invasive Species Reporting Tool to make it easy for Virginia residents to report sightings of Spotted Lanternflies or other invasive species.

How It Works:

  • The reporting tool asks pest-specific questions to gather key information.
  • Although you can’t submit a photo through the form, you should take a clear picture of the pest. VDACS may contact you to request it later.
  • Submitting your contact information is optional, but helpful if follow-up is needed.

This tool is only for sightings within Virginia.

Other Invasive Species VDACS Monitors:

  • Spotted Lanternfly
  • Imported Fire Ant
  • Asian Longhorned Beetle
  •  Box Tree Moth
  •  Northern Giant Hornet (a.k.a. Asian Giant Hornet)
  • Yellow-Legged Hornet  Tier 1 Noxious Weeds
  •  Tier 2 Noxious Weeds
    View full noxious weed lists

Help Protect Virginia!

Every report helps scientists and agricultural professionals track the spread of these destructive pests.

Even if you’re unsure what species you saw, please report it.

VDACS staff will review and determine next steps.

Note: All information submitted is considered public record under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

Let’s keep Virginia’s landscapes healthy, see it, stomp it, and report it!

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

New VA law creates crime for distributing Fentanyl that leads to death

In Richmond on Friday, June 13th, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a new law aimed at curbing the deadly impact of fentanyl in Virginia (VA).

Senate Bill 746, sponsored by Senator Ryan McDougle, creates a new crime of involuntary manslaughter for anyone who knowingly manufactures, sells, or distributes drugs containing fentanyl, if that sale results in someone’s death.

Governor Youngkin called it a “crucial step” in Virginia’s effort to hold fentanyl dealers accountable. The new law is part of a larger four-part strategy by the Youngkin administration to combat the opioid crisis.

That plan includes:

  • Disrupting drug trafficking operations.
  • Increasing penalties for dealers.
  • Educating communities about the risks of fentanyl.
  • And providing tools like naloxone to reverse overdoses

Through Operation FREE, authorities have already seized nearly 800 pounds of fentanyl, with a street value approaching $4 billion.

And since 2022, more than 388,000 doses of naloxone have been distributed across Virginia, along with training for nearly 100,000 people on how to use it.

Senate Bill 746 officially takes aim at those profiting from fentanyl and the lives lost in its wake.

Virginia’s message is clear: if you sell fentanyl and someone dies, you’ll face serious consequences.

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

Virginia General Assembly recognizes SU’s sesquicentennial

The Virginia General Assembly recognized Shenandoah University earlier this week for the school’s 150th anniversary.

SU President Tracy Fitzsimmons was in attendance to receive a resolution presented by the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia at the State Capitol in Richmond.

The resolution mentions the school’s “humble beginnings” in Dayton and later becoming “an essential pillar” in Winchester and the Northern Shenandoah Valley through their contributions to the “cultural, social, and economic fabric of the region through community service, research, and development.”

Shenandoah University will continue to celebrate their 150th anniversary throughout 2025 with events like a Dayton Alumni Reunion in May and a Sesquicentennial Gala in September.

For more information on the resolution, click here. 

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

Major changes coming to region’s airports

Some major changes are coming to the region’s airports including Hagerstown, Dulles, and Richmond.

An announcement from Virginia’s senators yesterday included $40 million in federal funding for improvements to Washington Dulles International Airport.

The funds will support the construction of a new 14-gate, 400,000 sq. ft. terminal building with direct connections to the Aerotrain and an indirect connection to the Metro.

Richmond International Airport also received $2.25 million to design a consolidated Passenger Screening Checkpoint to improve passenger flow.

Hagerstown Regional Airport announced the introduction of a new parking fee for 2025.

The new fee will be $5 per day with the first hour free.

HGR announced the fee to support the airport’s growth including the construction of expanded parking facilities.

Revenue from the fees will also support law enforcement and emergency personnel support for each flight, staffing, terminal maintenance, and future commercial service improvements.

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