Motorcycle accident closed 66 Wednesday
I-66 West was shut down by an accident involving a motorcyclist with significant injuries.
The call came in after 3:30 pm Wednesday afternoon near the 10 mile marker in Warren County.
When personnel arrived, they found a bystander rendering aid to a motorcyclist who was down in the roadway.
Emergency Medical Services personnel provided immediate aid and determined air medical transport to a trauma center was needed.
I-66 West was shut down temporarily to allow the arrival of Air Care 4 out of Front Royal.
Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Transportation assisted in traffic control and offered additional assistance throughout the incident.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WCSO auctions unclaimed property
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) announced that an online only auction for unclaimed property will run until 1/27/23 at 10 AM.
All sales are final and must be picked up from the Sheriff’s Office within 7 days of purchase.
Any items not sold or picked up on time will be donated or destroyed.
Over 25 items are available for auction including an Xbox One, Laptop, sporting goods, a kayak, car stereos, and more.
All items can be viewed on the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or website with bidding taking place on publicsurplus.com.
All items listed are subject to being claimed by the owner.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WCSO announce the sudden death of a Deputy
Warren County Sheriff’s Office announced the sudden passing of Deputy Jesse Walker Dove.
Where details are pending further investigation into the Officer’s death he was lost while duck hunting in Kansas.
Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Rescue and Front Royal Police Department all announced that a procession to honor the Officer arrived in Front Royal around 8 a.m. Dec. 5.
The procession traveled from the Route 66 exit 6 location down Shenandoah Ave. to W. 14 Street to N. Royal Ave. then Main St. and finally to Maddox Funeral Home.
The community was invited to honor this second-generation deputy and lifelong county resident by lining the route for his arrival.
American flags were requested from those lining the route to honor this deputy who loved and served his country and county in a variety of ways.
Additional details and updates are available here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WCSO fights drunk driving this holiday season
Warren County Sheriff’s Office along with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are preparing for the holiday season’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
Driver’s will notice an increased presence starting December 16th through New Year’s Day.
Over 11,000 people died in accidents involving an impaired driver in 2020 which comes out to one person every 45 minutes.
The initiative hopes to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal but a matter of life and death.
Other outcomes of drunk driving can include the loss of your drivers license and vehicle, up to $10000 in attorney fees as well as fines, higher insurance rates, and lost wages.
Remember to use a ride sharing service, taxi, or sober friend to get home and if you have a friend about to drive drunk, take their keys and help them find a way home.
For more information on the campaign, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Local law enforcement aids in National Drug Take Back Day
The DEA and local law enforcement agencies are partnering for the 23rd National Drug Take Back Day.
From 10 am to 2 pm today, over 4000 locations across the country will accept the anonymous disposal of any unwanted, unneeded or expired medications.
These medications are the most susceptible to theft, abuse, or poisoning.
Last year, over 107,000 Americans died of drug poisoning.
Collection sites will not collect syringes or illicit drugs.
Vapes are now accepted along with their cartridges as long as the lithium battery is removed.
Click here to locate the nearest drop-off location.
Over 15,000 hospitals, pharmacies, businesses, and local police departments also offer year round disposal locations.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WCSO joins National Seat Check Saturday
National Seat Check Saturday is today and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office is offering free car seat checks.
From 10 am to 1 pm today at their office on Skyline Vista Drive, they will have certified technicians checking car seats and educating parents and caregivers of the importance of a proper car seat.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has found that 46% of car seats are misused or an inappropriate size.
Children 8-12 are especially at risk as many parents skip the booster seat step when moving on from a car seat.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WCSO warns of a scam reported in the county
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) reports receiving calls about an individual placing calls and impersonating an actual Warren County Deputy.
Once again the scammer will tell the intended victim that they have missed jury duty and must pay a fine using a gift card to avoid arrest.
No law enforcement agency anywhere will ever contact you in this manner.
If you receive a call like this hang up and call your respective law enforcement agency in your region.
You can make that call to both report the incident and or verify its authenticity if you wish.
The WCSO ask that you spread this word to protect those family members and friends who might be venerable to such a scam.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Terry Fritts on the Triad Contract signing
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office will host the Triad Commission signing Ceremony on Sept. 1.
This event features keynote speaker Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares.
The event also features representatives of all Law Enforcement and the Fire Department personnel.
We spoke with Deputy Terry Fritts about the event in our latest news maker.
News makers are brought to you by Warren County Together We are Community.
Terry tells us about the ceremony being about helping our seniors recognize and fight scams.
He also tells us about the event being about caregivers for seniors.
Terry reminds us that the signing is open to the public but with limited seating.
Click here for Terry’s interview.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
WCSO warns of Truist Bank message scam
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office wants to make citizens aware of a scam involving a fake Truist Bank message.
A text was received by a resident that read TR_UISTCARD and stated the person’s online ID is suspended due to fraudulent activity.
Then they ask you to follow an attached link to securely update your information.
The Sheriff’s Office warns that you should not click the link and delete the message.
If you think something is legitimately wrong, call your bank to confirm.
Do not divulge any information before verifying their authenticity.
If someone asks that you verify your information, ask them what information they have first.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Roger Smelser receives Larry M. Funk Award
The Warren Coalition awarded the Larry M. Funk Award for Outstanding Service to Children in Warren County to Roger Smelser.
This is a new award honoring the former Vice President and President of the organization who also served as the DARE instructor for the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
Roger Smelser was honored for his work with Front Royal Little League as a coach, manager, and president for over 30 years.
Nearly a third of nominations for the award named Smelser.
They brought up his commitment to the children in his league and passion for volunteer service.
He was also an instrumental part in bringing Little League Baseball back to the WFTR airwaves.
He received an engraved crystal award and $500 cash.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.