Sports Dogs Podcast: HS Football Week 1 Preview

It’s that time of year! The Sports Dogs Podcast becomes the Sports Dogs High School Football Podcast.

Listen to the latest episode HERE.

Randy and Ryan unveil our first Power Five rankings of the season and preview:

  • Skyline vs Strasburg- The Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill
  • Loudoun Valley vs Millbrook
  • Clarke County vs James Wood
  • Sherando vs Amherst
  • Central vs Stuarts Draft
  • Warren County vs Rock Ridge
  • Handley vs Eastern View

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

Frederick County announces leadership changes

Used by permission Frederick County Virginia Government

The Frederick County government announced some key leadership changes on July 1st.

Wyatt Peterson was promoted to Deputy County Administrator after most recently serving as the county’s Planning and Development Director.

John Bishop will take over for Peterson as Planning and Development Director and will continue as Deputy director for the department until August 1st.

Pearson will have oversight of major initiatives, organizational management, and cross-departmental coordination.

He has a strong background in public service and has held the position of Planning Director since 2021.

Previously, he was the Planning and Zoning Administrator and Town Manager in Strasburg.

Bishop joined Frederick County in 2006 and has led regional transportation planning, public private partnerships, grant development efforts and infrastructure improvements across the County.

Mike Bollhoefer, County Administrator, said, “Wyatt and John have been key contributors to the County’s planning and development efforts. Their promotions provide continuity in leadership and ensure we remain well positioned to manage growth, advance major projects, and support effective service delivery for our residents.”

To view the full release, click here.

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

Stephens City man charged following fatal crash of Strasburg resident

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

The Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two vehicle accident that occurred on Tuesday, June 23rd at approximately 11:35 pm on Route 11, Old Valley Pike, in Shenandoah County.

A 2007 GMC Envoy SUV was traveling westbound on Old Valley Pike when it struck a 2013 Ford Fusion that failed to come to a complete stop at the end of the I-81 southbound Exit 298 ramp.

The Fusion was then pushed into a travel lane on Route 11 while the GMC came to a stop on the right shoulder.

The driver of the SUV was identified in the press release as Nicholas Brill, 29, of Stephens City.

Brill suffered minor injuries during the crash and he was charged with driving under the influence.

The driver of the Ford, Nichole Sine, 39 of Strasburg, died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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

Drug investigation leads to interstate pursuit

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

A Harrisonburg man is behind bars following a drug investigation and high-speed chase through Warren and Shenandoah counties.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office says Brian Terrell Richardson fled from deputies on Interstate 66 Thursday, striking another vehicle and driving recklessly before being stopped with a PIT maneuver near Strasburg.

Investigators recovered approximately 690 grams of methamphetamine, 82 pressed fentanyl pills, and more than $4,300 in cash.

Richardson faces multiple felony charges, including drug distribution, felony eluding, and hit-and-run.

He is being held without bond at the RSW Regional Jail.

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

WVA man pleads guilty in fatal Shenandoah County crash

Virginia State Police, VSP, Used by permission of VSP

A West Virginia man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from a three-vehicle crash in Shenandoah County last year that killed a Strasburg woman.

Roy Jesse Mongold Jr., 45, of Fisher, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, DUI-related involuntary manslaughter, and driving under the influence of drugs in connection with an April 25, 2025, crash.

Investigators determined that Mongold crossed into oncoming traffic, striking one vehicle before colliding head-on with a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Alysia M. Coffelt of Strasburg.

Mongold admitted to using methamphetamine on the morning of the crash in an effort to stay awake while driving.

Toxicology testing later confirmed the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system.

Coffelt was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two dogs that were traveling in her vehicle survived the crash.

Mongold remains incarcerated while awaiting sentencing.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 30, 2026.

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

Suspicious package discovered in Strasburg

Strasburg Police Department logo

Authorities say a suspicious package was discovered Friday morning at a car wash on East Washington Street in Strasburg.

Strasburg Police responded to the scene along with the Shenandoah County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Virginia State Police and the State Police Bomb Unit also assisted.

A safety perimeter was established, and nearby residents were temporarily evacuated while the package was examined.

Ultimately, the package was determined to be non-explosive.

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Shenandoah County Fire Marshal’s Office at 540-465-5230 or 540-459-8609.

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

Today is drug take back day!

edinburg resident

Communities across the Valley are coming together this weekend to promote safe medication disposal as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Today’s event is organized nationwide by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to help prevent misuse of prescription drugs and keep them out of the wrong hands.

Locally, collection sites are set up in Warren County, Frederick County, and Strasburg.

Residents have a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

Officials say the initiative helps combat prescription drug abuse, which often starts with medications at home.

Residents are encouraged to bring tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs for proper disposal.

Liquids, needles, and sharps are typically not accepted.

Take Back Day events are free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Law enforcement agencies say even small actions, like cleaning out a medicine cabinet, can make a big difference in protecting families and communities.

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

Child predator arrested in Strasburg

Strasburg Police Department logo

A child solicitation arrest in Strasburg is drawing significant attention online after a self-described “sting” group caught the incident on camera.

The group “Predator Poachers” contacted the Strasburg Police Department (SPD), claiming they were tracking an alleged predator in town.

Officers met the group at the 7-11 on Washington and Massanutten Streets and detained Harvey Palmer.

Palmer was arrested and charged with child solicitation.

While the “Predator Poachers” group has already posted video of the encounter to their Facebook page.

The SPD has no affiliation with the group nor control over their output. 

 Detectives say the investigation is still very active and more charges could be filed as they review evidence from Palmer’s phone.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Strasburg Police Department at 540-465-5230.

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

Strasburg takes on Glenvar in Class 2 State Title

The Strasburg Rams are playing in The Class 2 State Title Game later this morning against the Glenvar Highlanders.

Just one year after falling to Graham in last year’s State Title, Strasburg returns to Salem once again.

This will be the sixth time the Rams have appeared in a State Title Game and they have not won in previous championship matchups.

Randy Woodward and Ryan Rutherford have the call on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 App with coverage starting at 10:45am and kickoff at 11:30am. 

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

Missing hunter found safe after night in the woods

Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office

A 73-year-old hunter who went missing Tuesday evening in Shenandoah County was located safe and sound Wednesday morning, thanks to a massive overnight search effort.

Thomas Kaschak, 73, of Hanover, was last seen by his hunting party at 7 a.m. Tuesday near their campsite in the Zepp area, northwest of Strasburg.

The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office began a search Tuesday night after receiving a report he was missing.

According to Capt. Wesley Dellinger of the Sheriff’s Office, Kaschak made a final contact with his party via cellphone around 6 p.m. before the battery died.

After battling thick fog, darkness, and rain, search teams successfully located Mr. Kaschak around 9 a.m. Wednesday, less than a mile from the search perimeter.

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