Peak fall foliage has arrived

The Virginia Department of Forestry would like to remind you that peak fall foliage has finally arrived.

In the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, maples, hickories and birches show vibrant reds, oranges and yellows.

In the Shenandoah Valley please be aware of increased traffic due to these mind blowing transformations. 

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

Weatherwise, October 2023…What’s an Extratropical Cyclone, what is our coming winter going to look like, and what’s with the game-day weather in Blacksburg?

Weatherwise, October  2023…What’s an Extratropical Cyclone, what is our coming winter going to look like, and what’s with the game-day weather in Blacksburg?

Weatherwise
Weatherwise
Weatherwise, October 2023…What’s an Extratropical Cyclone, what is our coming winter going to look like, and what’s with the game-day weather in Blacksburg?
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Last day to help the National Park

photo credit Scott Bradley Hesson with permission

Have you seen the Spotted Lantern Fly?

This is an invasive species to the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park is collecting data.

Through the end of the day, September 30th, you can report sightings of the species to the app iNaturalist.

Snap a photo of the Spotted Lantern Fly, and report when and where you found it.

If you do not have service at that time, that is not a problem, report it when you are back in service.

The Shenandoah National Park appreciates your help with this project.

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

VSP needs your help in cruiser competition

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey
Virginia State Police Encourages Virginians to Help Vote Virginia’s Cruiser the Best Looking 

 

The American Association of State Troopers (AAST) is conducting its annual “Best Looking Cruiser” contest for the 10th year in a row.  The contest began as a friendly competition between state agencies and proves time and time again that healthy competition between communities and departments are a great way for various states to interact with their law enforcement divisions. Various police cruisers from every state are photographed and sent towards the AAST foundation, and the public can vote on which photos showcase the police cruisers to the fullest. The 12 lucky photos that receive the most votes are featured in the AAST’s “America’s Best Looking Trooper Cruisers 2024 Wall Calendar.” The grand prize for the state police or highway patrol agency that receives the majority vote shall earn a “Best Looking Cruiser Award” and will win a place on the calendar’s cover. Calendar sales benefit the AAST Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to dependents of AAST member state troopers nationwide.

In the first year of the contest, the Virginia State Police (VSP) won a spot in the calendar and has worked hard on reaching that goal again. To emphasize the design of the cruiser and the beauty of our state, this year’s photo submission was taken outside Arlington National Cemetery on July 4, 2023. It features the Washington, DC skyline in all of its glory featuring our capitol in the distance and a brilliant display of fireworks above.

The public is invited to cast their vote and support the VSP in this upcoming vote.  To vote, access the website link through the Virginia State Police social media pages, as well as the AAST Facebook page, or click here and scroll through the state agency photos to find VSP’s cruiser. To cast your vote, scroll through the photos and at the bottom of the page select your favorite cruiser from the drop-down menu. Agency rankings are posted on the Facebook page daily at 4 p.m. Don’t delay in voting, however, as voting closes on July 31st.

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

Weatherwise For May-?Hurricane Season?

THIS MONTH ON WEATHERWISE , KEMP MILLER LOOKS AT  THE EL NINO WATCH, WE LOOK AT FIRST PREDICTIONS FOR HURRICANE SEASON AND WE’LL SEE HOW GEOSCIENCE IS HELPING US COPE WITH OUR CHANGING CLIMATE.

Weatherwise
Weatherwise
Weatherwise For May-?Hurricane Season?
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News Maker Tony Carter on Warren Heritage Activities

The Warren Heritage Society has a number of activities planned for spring and Summer.

They also have one last winter event on Mar. 15 with a celebration for their volunteers.

We spoke to archivist Tony Carter about it in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.

Tony tells us about the Mar. 15 event and that you can get in on it if you volunteer by Mon. Mar. 13.

He also tells us that you can do several different things as a volunteer.

Tony also tells us of the upcoming summer History Camp that you should start thinking about now as it fills up fast.

Click here for Tony’s news maker.

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

Fire Departments remind you to set your clocks and check your alarms

frederick county fire marshal's office

Fire Departments across the region are reminding citizens that we set our clocks ahead an hour this Sat. Mar. 11 Sun. morning Mar. 12.

As they so often do Fire Departments are also reminding us it is a good time to check your smoke alarms as well.

Winchester Fire and Rescue announced for instance that It is also a good idea to not just replace batteries but check the age on your smoke alarm as well.

If the alarm is over 10 years old it is a good and safer idea to upgrade to a new model.

Call your local Fire Department to find out the latest information on smoke alarms and in some cases get a free smoke alarm.

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

BRWC reminds citizens that some wildlife is illegal to keep

giving tuesday

The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center reminds citizens that it is illegal to keep a wild bird in captivity in the United States.

The issue arose when a well-intentioned individual couldn’t renest a nestling blue jay and tried to care for it.

Once the individual found out it was illegal, they took it to an authorized care facility.

The bird was found to be overweight with poor plumage and completely incapable of flight.

The facility is hoping to correct the situation with proper diet and rehabilitation.

Even with that the changes of the bird returning to the wild are poor.

Where it is illegal to keep wild birds in your care throughout all the United States and has been since 1918.

The regulations regarding amphibians, reptiles and mammals very state to state.

Even wildlife centers must have prior authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to care for wild birds.

In all cases it is never a good idea to try to keep and care for any wild animal it is always best to contact animal control to ensure proper care.

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

News Maker Todd Jones on the upcoming SRT meeting

A public meeting for input and information on the proposed Shenandoah Rail Trail (SRT) is scheduled March 23 at 7 p.m. at Samuel’s Public Library.

We spoke to Warren County’s Director of Technology Todd Jones about the meeting in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County Together We are Community.

Todd tells us the scope of the proposed project and money allocated to accomplish it.

He also tells us how important it is to attend the meeting and let our thoughts on the project be known.

Todd also has some information on projects at the county pool.

Click here for Todd’s news maker.

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

Connecticut homicide suspect is chased into Rockingham Co.

Virginia Authorities were made aware of a homicide suspect out of Connecticut possibly making his way to South Carolina.

The Daily News Record reports that a Rockingham County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the vehicle near Broadway the morning of Mar. 7.

Rockingham County Deputies and Virginia State Police began a pursuit which ended near the 254-mile maker on Interstate 81 South.

After securing the scene the suspect never exited his vehicle.

When authorities approached the vehicle, they found the suspect deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities have not released additional information currently as the investigation continues.

The Virginia Department of Transportation reported that the Interstate was shutdown at around 11:20 a.m. with one lane reopened about an hour later and all traffic cleared with both lanes back open shortly after 4 p.m.

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