Water lines serving the northbound and southbound Interstate 81 rest areas in Augusta County are scheduled to be turned off on Wednesday, January 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Augusta County Service Authority will be performing maintenance on the water lines during this time.
Portable toilets will be provided at both rest areas, which are located near mile marker 232 between I-81 exit 227 (Verona) and exit 235 (Weyers Cave/Grottoes).
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at http://www.511Virginia.org.
The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
On November 22, 2016, I was sworn in as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Nelson County. I believe It is important to let the citizens of Nelson County know how I have operated the office with which I have been entrusted. Over the next few weeks I will providing an end of the year review of the accomplishments of my office. For this week I am going to focus on first priority when I took office: Vigorous Prosecution of Drug Dealers.
My office has worked alongside the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office and the Skyline Task Force to vigorously prosecute the manufacturing and distribution of drugs. In pursuing charges, my office has thought outside of the box to ensure that drug dealers face substantial jail time. For the first time in Nelson County, and for the surrounding counties, my office has successfully prosecuted drug dealers for racketeering. More importantly, my office has forfeited drug dealer assets to ensure they do not have the means to continue to distribute drugs. In 2017, my office forfeited $172,408.14 in currency. A majority of these funds were forfeited to the Sheriff’s Office to provide for services or equipment that was not provided for within their budget. The funds forfeited represent the largest forfeiture by the Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office for a single year. Moreover, the 2017 forfeiture amount is larger than the amounts forfeited from 2009 through 2016 combined.
I am proud of the accomplishments by those in the law enforcement community. It has been my honor and privilege to work alongside them for the past year. As the Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will continue to prosecute those who distribute any narcotics within Nelson County vigorously and professionally.
Daniel Rutherford
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Nelson County
Photo courtesy of Richard Averitt : Protesters carrying signs walk along an access road in Buckingham County, Virginia near Yogaville, where workers were beginning to cut trees in advance of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline construction. Saturday – January 20, 2018.
Near Yogaville
Buckingham County, Virginia
BRL broke the story and confirmed that protesters have confronted trees cutters with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project. The encounter happened mid afternoon Saturday near Yogaville where the pipeline will cross and eventually run into Nelson County and beyond.
Our media partners over at CBS-19 were also able to independently confirm with Dominion officials that it was taking place.
#BREAKING: Tree felling for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline has begun in parts of Buckingham County. A spokesman from Dominion Energy says the work is only being done in places where agreements have been reached with landowners. https://t.co/hwhgQkzKZC
This is a verbatim press release from CVEC on Friday afternoon – January 19, 2018
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) has a growing need for high-speed communications to many points on its electric distribution system. With the addition of a fiber network, CVEC will be able to better incorporate smart grid technology into its daily operations, improve integration of distributed energy resources, and help lower power costs through interactive energy management programs. Increasing bandwidth for communications within CVEC’s system will improve efficiency, increase reliability, and expand security.
In addition to improving the electric distribution system operation, CVEC sees other needs that may be met with the new fiber network. There are few locations along CVEC lines where members have access to reliable broadband internet service of a comparable price and quality to that available in urban and suburban America. President and CEO Gary Wood explained, “CVEC believes that access to reliable, high-speed internet today is becoming as important as access to electricity in 1937. Given the great need for connectivity, CVEC will leverage its fiber network to provide a broadband internet solution that will serve the community now and for the future.” CVEC intends to make high-speed internet service available to all of its members using the CVEC fiber network.
CVEC is uniquely situated to provide broadband service in this area. The new cable will be installed on and adjacent to existing overhead and underground electric distribution lines. Utilizing the existing infrastructure will make economical installation possible. CVEC will install and own the fiber-optic cable, and offer internet services to its members through a subsidiary. The project will include a $100 million investment in new infrastructure and will add 20 to 25 new jobs to the central Virginia economy.
CVEC is developing plans for a five-year project to install fiber-optic cable across the entire 4600 miles of distribution lines. The CVEC Board of Directors has approved a one-year pilot program, to begin in 2018, and hopes to complete construction on a five-year timeline. Wood explained, “There are many hurdles to clear for the project to begin and then to be completed. The management and staff of CVEC are committed to meeting these challenges head-on and making world-class broadband internet service a reality for CVEC members.” CVEC is focused on service instead of profits, and can be patient in waiting for a return on the fiber investment.
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric utility serving more than 36,000 homes, farms and businesses in the rural portions of 14 Virginia counties. For more information, visit www.mycvec.com.
Photo courtesy of Jackie Clark Britt : Area fire departments responded to a house fire Tuesday evening – January 16, 2018 in Schuyler of East Nelson County.
At approximately 5:57pm Co. 1 was dispatched along with Faber VFD and Nelson County EMS for a reported chimney fire. Personnel arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the roof of the home and upgraded the call to a working structure fire. Additional units were requested to respond from Albemarle and Wintergreen to assist.
An aggressive interior attack was initiated by the first arriving fire truck to locate and contain the fire. Personnel worked tirelessly for several hours to extinguish the fire and check for any further extension. The fire was marked under control at approximately 9:00pm. Units were in service in their stations by midnight.
There were no injuries to citizens or fire personnel. The house is heavily damaged and the tenants are being assisted by family.
Companies present were:
Lovingston VFD
Faber VFD
Nelson County EMS
Wintergreen Fire
North Garden VFD
Scottsville VFD
A Special Thank You to Piney River VFD for making themselves available for Co. 1 calls and McDonalds for providing food for personnel.
We are told from fire officials the house was heavily damaged with lots of fire damage in the attic along with heavy smoke damage through the upstairs and water damage throughout.
For the absolute latest updates from NWS click on the image above.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
640 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018
Nelson-Albemarle-Orange-Spotsylvania-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
640 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY…
* WHAT…Snow occurring. Plan on slippery road conditions,
including during the morning commute. Additional snow
accumulations of up to two inches are expected.
* WHERE…Nelson, Albemarle, Orange, and Spotsylvania Counties and
the Central Virginia Blue Ridge.
* WHEN…Until noon EST today.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Be prepared for reduced visibilities at
times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
719 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018
…Accumulating Snow Today…
.A low along an arctic cold front will move off the southeast
coast this morning. This system will bring accumulating snow and
very cold temperatures to the foothills and piedmont today.
Increasing winds behind this system will result in low wind
chills tonight.
Surry-Stokes-Wilkes-Yadkin-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-
Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-
Including the cities of Dobson, Danbury, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville,
Stuart, Rocky Mount, Bedford, Amherst, Martinsville, Lynchburg,
and Appomattox
719 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON…
* WHAT…Snow occurring. Travel will be very difficult,
including during the morning commute. Additional snow
accumulations of 1 to 4 inches are expected.
* WHERE…Portions of southwest Virginia and north central and
northwest North Carolina.
* WHEN…Until 3 PM EST this afternoon.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Be prepared for reduced visibilities at
times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Snow is forecasted for much of Virginia late Tuesday into Wednesday. On Monday, January 15, the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District began pretreating interstate roads and some primary roads in the Shenandoah Valley in preparation for this winter weather event. Motorists are reminded that these are slow moving vehicles and drivers should give plenty of room to the brine trucks.
Travelers are asked to monitor local weather forecasts and to avoid driving if possible during the snow storm. VDOT crews will be out to plow and treat roads as the winter weather begins.
Road conditions and traffic cameras can be found on the VDOT 511 website at http://www.511Virginia.org, Roads with snow conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.
Road condition definitions:
Closed – Road is closed to all traffic.
Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.
Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush. Driving with caution is recommended.
For a text listing of winter weather road conditions go to http://www.511Virginia.org, look at the orange bar on the top of the page and click on “Text Views” and then click on “Road Condition Table”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions. In this box individual counties can be chosen to view.
On the go? Then visit VDOT’s Free Virginia 511 Tools to get your 511 app for android or iOS. Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.
The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).
The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.
VDOT statewide Twitter messages can be found at @VaDOT. The nine districts can be found at:Hampton Roads @VaDOTHR; Richmond @VaDOTRVA; Northern Virginia @VaDOTNOVA; Fredericksburg @VaDOTFred; Culpeper @VaDOTCulp; Lynchburg @VaDOTLynchburg; Bristol @VaDOTBristol; Salem @VaDOTSalem; Staunton @VaDOTStaunton.
VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
#
Road condition definitions:
Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.
Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush. Driving with caution is recommended.
Photo courtesy of RVCC : New solar panels are going up at RVCC as part of their project installation.
Greenfield / Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
Rockfish Valley Community Center’s “Rock & Sol” solar energy pilot project, for which fundraising began over a year ago, became very real on Monday, January 8 with the beginning of the solar panel array installation on the East roof of the Center in Afton.
The project, which was initially designed by project collaborator SunTribe Solar, LLC as a 24-panel array of photovoltaic cells, was the brainchild of a then-15 year-old NCHS rising sophomore named Arlo Bloom, who dreamed of making a positive impact on his community through a project that would reduce its carbon footprint and promote alternative energy generation.
Teaming up with the Center’s Building & Grounds Committee, Arlo helped persuade the facility’s Board of Directors that a solar energy project would be a productive, cost-effective and well-received follow-up effort to the Center’s “Green Initiative” project, which restored or replaced all of the windows in RVCC’s main building, rehabilitated its geothermal heating and cooling system and completed the re-insulation of all of the steam pipes beneath the Center’s floors.
Throughout the fall of 2016 and the spring of 2017, Arlo worked closely with Center staff in the development of the fundraising and marketing campaign for Rock & Sol, developing a Power Point presentation for potential donors and traveling as far as the Canaan Valley in West Virginia to promote the project to prospective foundations. He also took an active role in direct fundraising appeals for project donations locally.
The project’s initial fundraising goal of $18,144, including $3,000 to be raised from local donations, was exceeded by early April of last year, with a $20,000 gift from an anonymous foundation. Additional grants from the Schaeneman Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and the Bama Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band, plus an outpouring of over $5,000 in support from the local community, swelled total project receipts to more than double the fundraising goal.
The success of the fundraising effort has enabled project engineers to greatly expand the planned array to 44 panels, with the potential of generating over 17,000 kWh – equating to over 11% – of the Center’s growing annual electrical needs. Once inspected and approved, the project is expected to be fully operational in mid-February.
In the middle of his sophomore year, and in the midst of the Rock & Sol fundraising effort, Arlo’s commitment to environmental sustainability led him to apply for admission to the United World College – a consortium of 17 schools and colleges on four continents – to continue his high school studies. He was awarded a full scholarship and enrolled at the UWC campus in Duino, Italy in August 2017, becoming one of 9,500 such students worldwide. His first return trip to the US was for the semester break over the holidays, and by a stroke of good fortune, SunTribe scheduled the solar array installation to begin on the day before he returned to Italy for his second semester, allowing Arlo to see his dream begin taking shape.
“It seems like it’s been forever that we’ve waited to move up the list on SunTribe’s busy installation schedule,” said RVCC’s Stu Mills “but we’re very excited to see the project underway, at last. And I couldn’t have been happier that Arlo got to see the project getting started before he had to return to school. He was clearly the heart and soul of ‘Rock & Sol’ and it was great to see his pride as we watched the installers start hauling the solar equipment up onto the roof on Monday.”
Throughout the planning and fundraising effort, the RVCC Building and Grounds Committee relied on the expertise of local solar expert Kelly Faust, who joined the SunTribe Solar team as VP of Field Operations in 2016. Sharing RVCC’s enthusiasm, Faust added, “This has been long awaited and I’m so excited as a Nelson County resident and solar advocate. This is only the beginning for solar at RVCC and the community as a whole. Many thanks need to go to all involved in the efforts and donations to make this dream come true.”
Photo Via VSP : What’s left from the fire that was first reported at 10:12 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 6, 2018) at a construction site for an assisted senior living facility on Pinnacle Drive in Fishersville.
Fishersville
Augusta County, Virginia
The Virginia State Police is seeking the public’s assistance with an ongoing investigation into a fire that destroyed a building still under construction in Augusta County. The fire was first reported at 10:12 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 6, 2018) at a construction site for an assisted senior living facility on Pinnacle Drive in Fishersville. Fire crews responded and extinguished the fire, only to have a second one start a short time later. Fire crews responded again to the scene and successfully put that fire out – despite the challenges they faced in the dangerously cold temperatures overnight.
The investigation, being conducted by a fire investigator with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office, remains ongoing at this time into the cause and origin of the blazes. State police are asking anyone in the area of Pinnacle Drive Saturday night who might have seen any individuals and/or vehicles on the property prior to fire to please call the Appomattox Division at 434-352-7128 or contact us by email: questions@vsp.virginia.gov
