Central Virginia Blue Ridge
With a warmer day here and there thoughts are turning to longer days. Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday – March 11th at 2AM. But for those of us that don’t party until that hour, your best bet is to move your clock ahead one hour before turning in on Saturday night. Then you’re all taken care of until Sunday – Nov 4, 2018 when we go back to standard time.
Until then, enjoy those longer and warmer days to come!
Piney River
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
The latest Dollar General store in Nelson County is now under construction in Piney River of Southern Nelson County. It’s expected to open later this year.
“At this time, a grand opening is slated for late summer 2018, but understand that construction progress may alter this date,” Angela Petkovic from Dollar General’s Corporate Headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Once completed the Piney River Dollar General joins the most recent one in Nelson that opened last year in Nellysford.
“When choosing store locations, meeting customers’ needs is Dollar General’s top priority. The company looks for places where we can offer customers an easy and convenient shopping choice. We know convenience is a major factor in our customers’ shopping decisions as we generally serve customers within a three to five mile radius, or 10 minute drive. We also take demographic trends, competitive factors, traffic patterns and community concerns into consideration.
The store will employ approximately 6-10 employees, depending on the individual needs of the store. Anyone interested in joining one of America’s fastest-growing retailers may apply for available positions online at www.dollargeneral.com/careers, Ms. Petkovic continued.
We’ll update more as progress continues with the construction.
Beech Grove
Near Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Passing motorists tell BRL a heavier than normal Virginia State Police presence was observed in the general area of Wintergreen Resort and The Fenton Inn’s entrance early Tuesday morning. Over the past several days crews marked trees that had been approved for removal as part of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Construction.
This morning WPOA’s Executive Director, Jay Roberts released the following statement:
“ACP contractors arrived this morning to begin cutting trees on WPOA property. The Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA), while opposed to the location of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, understands and abides by the legal process that has led to the commencement of tree removal on WPOA property. While disappointed, the beginning of construction only increases our resolve to hold Dominion accountable for the financial and non-financial implications placed on our community by the presence of the pipeline. WPOA is committed to the best possible outcome for our community; one that provides fair treatment and security for our owners, employees and guests.
WPOA remains committed to holding Dominion accountable for the taking of our property and the burden this project places on our community going forward.”
Video uploaded by Richard Averitt of Nellysford and shared from his Facebook post.
More updates as we know.
Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
In a move to keep the memory and legacy of Earl Hamner alive, the official groundbreaking of Earl’s Meadow took place this past Sunday in Schuyler. That’s the birthplace of Earl Hamner, Jr., the creator of the highly popular 70’s CBS television series, The Waltons. The show was based on Hamner’s childhood experiences growing up in Schuyler. Earl also wrote many articles and poems in our magazine when we first started back in the mid 2000’s. He died two years ago this month in March of 2016 at the age of 92.
“We expect the replica to be completed by Fall 2018 and Earl’s Meadow to be completed in 2019.” Ray Castro tells us. He and business partner Carol Johnson are developing the project. They bought the original Hamner family home last year and have turned it into a museum.
Castro and Johnson purchased the property known as the Giannini house nearby to the old Hamner home. They determined the house was in such bad shape that it was eventually leveled and plans for Earl’s Meadow began.
You can learn more about the plans surrounding Earl’s Meadow and details on another reunion of The Walton’s stars planned this summer in June by heading over to The Waltons Hamner House on Facebook.
Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
It was a slow go for folks driving along Route 664 in Beech Grove just after noon Sunday. A refrigeration truck overturned near Cub Creek Road completely blocking one lane and slowing traffic down until the truck could be removed.
It’s not believed anyone was seriously hurt. Passing motorists saw the driver out walking around and talking to emergency crews.
The accident was quickly cleared up and the road reopened to normal traffic.
Elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1138 AM EST Sun Mar 4 2018
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-
Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-
Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
Including the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft,
Harrisonburg, Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market,
Winchester, Luray, Shenandoah, Stanley, Front Royal, Berryville,
Lovingston, Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Madison, Washington,
Orange, Gordonsville, Culpeper, Big Meadows, and Wintergreen
1138 AM EST Sun Mar 4 2018
…Elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon…
Several days of strong northwest winds have reduced fuel moisture
across the region. This combined with sustained northwest winds
of 15 mph gusting to around 30 mph and minimum relative humidity
values between 25 and 30 percent could contribute to increased
fire spread with any fires that develop.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1221 PM EST Sun Mar 4 2018
Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Roanoke-Botetourt-
Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-
Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-
Including the cities of Dobson, Danbury, Eden, Yanceyville,
Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Roanoke, Salem, Fincastle, Lexington,
Buena Vista, Stuart, Rocky Mount, Bedford, Amherst, Martinsville,
Danville, Lynchburg, Appomattox, South Boston, and Keysville
1221 PM EST Sun Mar 4 2018
…Increased Fire Danger for This Afternoon and Evening…
Dry fuels, such as dried leaves, dormant grass, sticks, and twigs,
combined with low relative humidity values in the 20 to 25% range
and north to northeast winds of 15 to 20 mph with occasional
gusts of 25 to 30 mph will result in increased fire danger this
afternoon into the early evening across the Virginia and North
Carolina Piedmont areas, thus mainly east of the Blue Ridge from
Lexington, to Roanoke, to Wilkesboro.
Ignition sources must be extinguished before being discarded.
Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Make every effort to
avoid the development and spread of wild fires.
Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
Via WFD at 2:45 PM:
“The fire near Wintergreen is under control. Wintergreen fire crews have cleared the scene. The Virginia Department of Forestry will remain on the scene to monitor any hot spots.”
Numerous fire crews from around the area are fighting a forest fire on the side of a mountain near the Tectonics II office building in Beech Grove. “Downed power lines sparked the fire. We’ve got about 25 firefighters on the scene now along with the Virginia Department of Forestry and Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department giving assistance,” Chief Curtis Sheets told us early Saturday afternoon.
As of this post around 1:45 PM Saturday, firefighters had the fire surrounded and it was not affecting large trees, but was low level.
Above our live BRL SkiBarn WeatherNow weather station near the fire scene. Generally the winds have been gusting between 10-20 MPH with gust as high as 40 MPH this afternoon. Click on the image above to see more data.
As of early Saturday afternoon there was no danger to the public and crews were confident of getting the fire out.
Central Virginia Blue Ridge
As Tommy had been discussing in his weather updates over the past few days, the expected high winds arrived late Thursday night causing widespread damage and power outages across the area.
In our conversation with Melissa Gay of CVEC Friday afternoon she told us some customers need to be prepared to be without until Saturday evening. “We have some very hard hit areas like the Whitehall Substation where 100 percent of the customers were out. There’s lots of poles broken and that will take a more time to fix.”
Numerous roads and highway were blocked across the area due to downed trees and powerlines.
The highest recorded wind gust we could find in our BRL WeatherNow network was 60 MPH at our Ski Barn location at the Route 664-151 intersection near Devils Backbone.
In addition to many downed trees and powerlines area fire crews had spend much of the day Friday and the evening fighting brush fires being fanned by the continued high winds.
Tommy says we can look forward to a much quieter weekend with the winds finally relaxing throughout the afternoon Saturday.
Roseland
Nelson County, Virignia
Coming in like a lion with the March Issue, read about the masters plaster at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Yak Meets Wolf ( Wild Wolf Brewing Company ), Twin Warriors in Esmont, and more!
Click the digital magazine above to read online!
Grab a copy at a stand areawide (from Harrisonburg to Peaks Of Otter to Charlottesville and beyond) or read about it now, online. Enjoy!
Here’s to March and spring just around the corner!
Yvette, Tommy, Adam & Peyton
EXPIRED – EXPIRED – EXPIRED
HIGH WIND WARNING
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
812 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018
Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Orange-Culpeper-Spotsylvania-
Including the cities of Lovingston, Charlottesville,
Stanardsville, Madison, Orange, Gordonsville, Culpeper,
and Fredericksburg
812 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018
…HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
MIDNIGHT EST FRIDAY NIGHT…
* TIMING…Midnight tonight to midnight Friday night.
* WINDS…Northwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. The
strongest winds will be Friday morning through Friday
afternoon.
* IMPACTS…Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected
or occurring. Gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property
damage.
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
812 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018
Washington-Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany-
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-
Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-
Central Virginia Blue Ridge-Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-
Hardy-Western Grant-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-
Western Pendleton-Eastern Pendleton-
Including the cities of Hagerstown, Frostburg, Cumberland,
Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, Harrisonburg, Strasburg,
Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market, Winchester, Luray,
Shenandoah, Stanley, Front Royal, Berryville, Hightown, Monterey,
Big Meadows, Wintergreen, Romney, Paw Paw, Martinsburg,
Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Moorefield, Bayard, Mount Storm,
Petersburg, Elk Garden, Antioch, Keyser, New Creek, Ridgeville,
Russelldale, Headsville, Fort Ashby, Riverton, Brandywine,
Franklin, Oak Flat, Ruddle, and Sugar Grove
812 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018
…HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SATURDAY…
* TIMING…This evening through Friday night.
* WINDS…Northwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts around 60 to 70 mph.
The strongest winds will likely occur Friday morning.
* IMPACTS…Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected
or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts
of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
605 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018
…Damaging Winds Expected Tonight into Saturday morning…
.Very strong to damaging northwest winds will follow a passing
cold front this evening and then persist through Friday across
the entire area, though will linger into Saturday morning. Wind
gusts of 50 to 60 mph can be expected across much of the area
overnight through Friday, with even higher speeds possible along
the ridges.
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-
Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-
Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-
Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-
Including the cities of West Jefferson, Sparta, Dobson, Danbury,
Boone, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Tazewell, Marion, Bland,
Pearisburg, Wytheville, Radford, Pulaski, Blacksburg,
Independence, Whitetop, Troutdale, Volney, Galax, Floyd,
New Castle, Clifton Forge, Covington, Hot Springs, Roanoke,
Salem, Fincastle, Lexington, Buena Vista, Stuart, Rocky Mount,
Bedford, Amherst, and Martinsville
605 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018
…HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EST SATURDAY…
* Locations…Along and either side of the Blue Ridge in
Virginia and North Carolina.
* Hazards…Very strong to damaging northwest winds.
* Winds…Northwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 60 mph, or
stronger at higher elevations.
* Timing…Starting this evening continuing into Saturday
morning. Strongest winds late tonight through much of Friday.
* Impacts…Numerous downed trees and power outages likely.
Minor structural damage possible. Winds this strong can also
make travel difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected
or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts
of 58 mph are likely to cause power outages…fallen trees…
property damage…and dangerous driving conditions for high
profile vehicles. Move unfastened items…such as garbage cans
and deck furniture…indoors.
