Drone manufacturer expanding to Winchester

Heven AeroTech, a leading drone manufacturer, is expanding its network to Winchester with a 56,000 sq ft production facility.

The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Sterling.

Heaven AeroTech’s hydrogen-powered drones integrate AI and quantum capabilities for next generation flight.

This is Heven AeroTech’s first location on the East Coast and will help build on from its established manufacturing facility in the Columbia River Gorge.

The Winchester site serves as an operational blueprint for the company’s rollout of a network of facilities nationwide with state-of-the-art hydrogen propulsion manufacturing capabilities.

The network will create hundreds of jobs nationwide and recruiting is ongoing for manufacturing technicians, aircraft assembly, quality, operations, and supply chain roles.

President of Heven AeroTech USA Michael Buscher said, “By standing up our first East Coast facility within 90 days, we are proving that domestic UAS manufacturing can move at tactical speed to meet the immediate and emerging needs of those carrying out critical missions.”

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Coast-to-Coast American flag relay passes through Winchester and Berryville

The Relay for America will pass through Winchester and Berryville on their way to the National Mall to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this 4th of July.

Relay for America is a 3,000 mile coast-to-coast relay honoring 3,000 American veterans.

The journey began at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Flag Relay on Flag Day, June 14th, and hundreds of runners from states across the country will help complete the relay as they carry an American Flag from coast-to-coast.

The relay team will enter Frederick County along Route 50 before passing through Winchester and continuing on their journey along Route 7 to Berryville.

According to Winchester Mayor Les Veach, representatives of Relay for America anticipate the runners to pass through Winchester early in the hours of July 3rd and estimate an arrival between Midnight and 3 am.

The group must maintain a strict pace under 9 min 30 seconds per mile to make it to Washington, D.C. on schedule.

An online tracker of the relay’s movement is available HERE.

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

Valley Health Recognized Among Nation’s Top Health Systems

valley health covid-19 vaccine

Valley Health is being recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems.

The honor comes from Modern Healthcare and Premier Incorporated, which cited the Winchester-based system for strong clinical care, patient experience and operational performance — all while keeping costs below similar-sized systems.

President and CEO Mark Nantz says the award reflects the compassion and dedication Valley Health teams bring to patients and families every day across the region.

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

Spanberger announces $2.48 million in capital for underserved communities

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the strategic investment of $2.48 million through the Commonwealth’s Capital for Communities Fund to support six transformative projects for underserved communities across Virginia and here in the Shenandoah Valley.

The projects will deliver more than $3.8 million to over 120 borrowers, support 562 businesses with loans or technical assistance, create or retain more than 200 jobs, and accelerate the development of 250 new housing units.

Fauquier and Rappahannock counties will receive a portion of $436,000 in funds to help scale small businesses and provide microgrants.

Another $436,000 will go towards ECDC Enterprise Development Group’s expansion of microloan services for businesses in Virginia including Front Royal and Warren County.

$436,000 will also help launch People Inc’s rural community builder and entrepreneur’s initiative to address ownership and appraisal gaps in rural downtowns, especially on Virginia Main Street communities in Winchester, Frederick, Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock, Warren, and Clarke Counties.

To view the full announcement, click here.

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

Apple Blossom Announces A Prelate for 99th Coronation

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

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival announced Pastor Paul Wilde as Prelate for the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah the Ninety-Ninth. 

Wilde serves at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Winchester and holds a Master of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

He’s also a veteran of the Minnesota Army National Guard, with a deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn. 

The coronation is set for Friday, May first at John Handley High School.

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

Governor Abigail Spanberger Vetoes Proposed Fairfax Casino

Governor Abigail Spanberger has vetoed a bill that would have forced a casino referendum in Fairfax County.

The legislation would have required local officials to move forward with a vote on a proposed casino in Tysons Corner—even though the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors opposes the project.

Spanberger says the bill would undermine local decision-making and set a troubling statewide precedent.

She also raised concerns about expanding gambling without a single, independent regulator overseeing the industry.

The governor is calling for a unified statewide commission to ensure accountability and public safety.

Supporters of the casino effort say the issue should go to voters, but for now, the proposal is on hold.

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

Some Winchester Schools Closed April 21 for Voting

fiscal year 2021 budget

Winchester Public Schools says several schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, April 21st due to their use as voting locations.

The affected schools include Frederick Douglass Elementary School, John Kerr Elementary School, and Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School.

Officials say these are the only schools impacted. All other schools in the division will remain open and operate on a normal schedule.

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

Clarke County Shooting

Used with permission of Clarke County Sheriff Travis Sumption

The Clarke County Sheriff’s office reports an incident that occurred Thursday morning.

At approximately 5:20am, several residents of a home on the 8700 block of John Mosby Highway made emergency calls to the Sheriff Department and reported that a shot had been fired at the residence.

Upon arrival, units discovered multiple bullets had struck the exterior of the home.

At least one round penetrated the exterior wall.

There were no injuries.

The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff’s department does not believe this to be a random incident.

The Sheriff’s Department believes the event is linked to similar incidents in Frederick County, Virginia, and the City of Winchester on the same date.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have been traveling along John Mosby Highway (Route 50) between the hours of 5:15am and 5:30am, or anyone with home surveillance footage in that area, to contact the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office at 540-955-1234.

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

Throwing Shade Program

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

It’s planting season, and there’s never been a better time to grow native trees and shrubs!

The Throwing Shade VA program is back, offering retail customers $25 off eligible native plants valued at $50 or more.

The program runs through May 1 at participating nurseries across Virginia.

This year, the program has doubled in size to 31 locations, reaching more communities, that didn’t have access before.

Don’t miss your chance to bring more Virginia natives into your yard this spring!

Local participating nurseries include:

  • Meadows Farms in Winchester
  • Seven Bends Nursery in Berryville
  • The Woodstock Gardens

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