VSP investigate fatal crash in Rockingham County

Virginia State Police, VSP, Used by permission of VSP

Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash Friday morning on Coopers Mountain Road in Rockingham County.

Police said a 2006 Jeep Liberty was traveling northbound when it crossed the road and struck a southbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The driver of the Liberty, 28-year-old Danielle Smith, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and later died.

An infant involved in the crash did not appear to be injured but was taken to the hospital for observation.

The driver of the Grand Cherokee also was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation, according to the press release.

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

 

VSP arrest Rockingham County man

Virginia State Police, VSP, Used by permission of VSP

Virginia State Police (VSP) have arrested a Rockingham County man accused of pointing firearms at another driver on I-81 in Frederick County.

The victim reported that a driver in a white SUV waved at least 2 firearms at hime the two vehicles were traveling southbound near mile marker 308.

The incident happened Monday, August 3rd, about 6 pm.

Troopers caught up with the SUV and arrested 23 year old Jose A. Simon of Rockingham County.

Police found multiple firearms and a reported grenade inside the vehicle.

A bomb squad was called to the scene and determined the grenade was inactive.

Simon is charged with 2 counts of brandishing a firearm and illegally wearing a mask.

He is being held at the Northwest Regional Adult Detention Center in Winchester.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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

VSP investigates fatal crash in Rockingham County

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

Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 2:35 p.m. Monday, July 14, on Fox Mountain Road in Rockingham County.

A Chevrolet Cobalt was travelling southbound on Fox Mountain Road, and a Chevrolet flatbed truck was heading northbound, when the two vehicles struck head-on.

The driver of the Cobalt, Dylan Hartman, 22, of Elkton, died at the scene.

Two passengers in the Cobalt suffered serious injuries and were transported to UVA Medical Center.

The driver of the flatbed also suffered injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The crash remains under investigation.

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

Buc-ee’s opens 1st VA location

Virginia officially welcomed its first Buc-ee’s travel center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Governor Youngkin, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and other federal, state, and local leaders.

The event marked the opening of the Texas-based chain’s most northeastern location to date.

The 74,000-square-foot facility is situated at the intersection of Mt. Crawford exit and I-81 in Rockingham County.

The project represents a $60 million investment and is expected to create more than 200 new jobs in the region.

The addition of Buc-ee’s continues Virginia’s trend of attracting major businesses and investments.

Since January 2022, the state has seen significant job growth and capital investment, contributing to economic development across the Commonwealth.

Local and state leaders emphasized the importance of the project for both Rockingham County and the broader Shenandoah Valley, citing the creation of jobs and increased tourism as key benefits.

Buc-ee’s arrival also signals the growing national reach of the popular travel center brand, known for its expansive stores, food offerings, and unique customer experience.

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

VSP investigates vehicle crash in Rockingham County

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

Virginia State Police reported by email it is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash in Rockingham County.

The crash occurred Tuesday (Feb. 18), between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the 12000 block of Alta Vista Lane.

A 1996 Jeep Cherokee was on private property traveling through a field when it went down an embankment and overturned.

The driver of the Jeep, Richard L. Showalter, 76, of Linville, Va., died at the scene.

He was not wearing a seatbelt.

A passenger in the Jeep, a 73-year-old female from Linville, Va., suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Sentara RMH Medical Center for treatment.

She was not wearing a seatbelt.

The crash investigation remains ongoing.

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

VSP investigates vehicle crash in Rockingham County

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

Virginia State Police reported through email it is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in Rockingham County.

The crash occurred (Jan. 23), when A 2006 Honda Civic was traveling east on Route 33 and failed to stop at a red light and collided with another vehicle attempting a left turn.

The driver of the Honda suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Sentara  Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

She was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Ford, a 21-year-old male from Elkton, Va., suffered minor injuries and was transported to Sentara RMH Medical Center for treatment.

He was wearing a seatbelt.

The crash remains under investigation.

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

PCSO confirm the apprehension of a wanted dangerous fugitive

The Page County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) repots that Todd Shifflett has been apprehended in Rockingham County.

The investigation began after the report of  a domestic situation between a male and a female December 27 in Page County.

Authorities were able to track Shifflett to a location in Stanley on December 31.

Shifflett was able to avoid being captured during that initial encounter by brandishing a weapon towards deputies.

While taking cover deputies lost sight of Shifflett but no shots were fired the incident.

The man hunt intensified with the use of drones and canine units and a shelter in place order being issued for the Deerfield Estates area of Page County.

Shifflett was considered armed and dangerous with outstanding warrants from the Rockingham County area.

Additional charges were added out of Page County including assault, brandishing, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

After being on the run for approximately 9 days PCSO confirmed that Shifflett was taken into custody early January 5 in Rockingham County.

Shifflett already had warrants issued out of Rockingham County previously including assault and battery while armed and other charges.

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

15 Virginia localities are now eligible for emergency assistance

The United State Department of Agriculture announced that 15 localities are now eligible for drought emergency assistance in Virginia.

Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudon, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren Counties, and the City of Winchester are among the 15 localities.

Those  localities and more have received primary natural disaster designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to the drought.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is offering emergency loans for famers.

Certain criteria must be met and will be reviewed individually with consideration for specific circumstances and needs.

Farmers in any of the 15 localities have 8 months from the disaster declaration to apply for these emergency loans.

Specific information and application details are available here.

Qualifications and additional details are found here.

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

Flood watch in effect for much of listening area

lightning

A flood watch remains in effect for much of the listening area until 10 a.m., while a flood warning is in effect for southeastern Rockingham and northeastern Augusta counties until 11:15 a.m.

The National Weather Service says repetitive rounds of rain and runoff into rivers and streams could cause flooding, especially in low-lying or poor-drainage areas.

Officials recommend monitoring weather forecasts, being ready to take action should flooding occur and, of course, not driving through when water is covering the road.