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VDOT : Public Hearing July 16th On I-64 Afton Mountain Lighting
Nellysford : Familiar Faces – Bank Of The James Opens New Branch
Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
To say the newly opened Bank Of The James (BOTJ) branch it’s a homecoming for Mike Manthey would be an understatement. “It was one of the major factors in me coming back. The commute to Charlottesville was a little tenuous and stressful on my growing family. It’s just great to be back and support the community that I originally started with.” You may remember Mike’s face way back 2004 and days of Wachovia, then Wells Fargo, when those banks operated in Nellysford. Mike was there until they closed. He then shifted to the WF Albemarle branches. He’s now the newly named VP and Branch Manager of BOTJ in Nellysford.
Sarah’s face is likely familiar to people banking in the Amherst branch, or if you jump in the time machine way-way back, she once worked at Mac’s Market in Roseland before she later went into banking. She and her family live in the Lowesville area. “I’m excited, very excited to be working in the county I live in and seeing people I know.”
The decision to open in Nellysford wasn’t difficult says Brandon Farmer, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer of BOTJ. “I think the attraction, we felt like, it was an under banked market, underbanked community with Wells pulling out and only having the UVA Credit Union there. We saw that as a great business opportunity.”
Brandon says unlike a lot of banking operations everyone on the inside is available to all. “Every door is open to every customer, from a branch manager to the CEO. We’ve already got some customers in the area, so it really helps to have a presence in the area. We’re really excited about the possibilities of all of the residents of Stoney Creek and Wintergreen, and all of the people that Mike knows.
BOTJ in Nellysford officially opened on July 8th. A formal grand opening will be announced in the coming weeks. The new branch is located in the Valley Green Shopping Center just to the left of Chirios Pizza.
Bank of the James currently operates 26 regional offices, with its newest locations in Buchanan and Nellysford, Virginia.
Bank Of The James on the web by clicking here.
Video – Army National Guard Practices Helicopter Water Drops At Wintergreen
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
If you were anywhere near Beech Grove, Wintergreen, Nellysford and other areas close by Monday morning you probably noticed an army helicopter carry a huge red bucket of water. The exercise was practice for the VA Army National Guard. They were honing their skills to be ready in the event of a real forest fire here in the mountains.
As you can see from the video above shot by BRL Mountain Photographer, Paul Purpura, they were dipping the 500 gallon bucket into the water reservoir at Wintergreen Resort, then flying off with it to a practice drop zone on Fortune’s Ridge not too far away from Beech Grove Road in the valley.
Down below are more of Paul’s photos from Monday morning, July 8, 2024.
Chief Sheets also told us that only about 1% of the capacity in the 5 million gallon tank was used for the water drop exercise Monday morning.
Wintergreen : Annual Fireworks On Mountain Caps Off Area 4th Of July Celebrations
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Since the 4th of July fell on a weekday this year the holiday extended into the weekend for many folks. Wintergreen Resort held their annual 4th of July fireworks (see past ones here) display this past Saturday night on July 6th.
BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura has been capturing the fireworks for well over a decade. More of his photos are below in the gallery.
Other parts of Nelson were celebrating the 4th of July as well. Below, Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department coordinated a huge fireworks display at Oak Ridge Estate on the night of July 4th.
The fireworks display was bookended by a few days of the Stars and Spurs Rodeo that was also held at Oak Ridge. The event also included a monster truck show, below.
Several other counties held their fireworks displays over the extended holiday, including this one in at Winton in Amherst County.
Everyone have a safe and fun rest of your summer!
New Rules for Farm Use Vehicles Begins July 1, 2024
From VSP & DMV:
“New Rules for Farm Use Vehicles on July 1
~ Vehicle owners must purchase and display DMV-issued placard before July 1 ~
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Virginia State Police (VSP) encourage farmers to ensure their eligible farm use vehicles are compliant with the new farm use tag required by Virginia law that becomes effective on July 1, 2024. The new law requires unregistered farm use vehicles to display a DMV-issued permanent farm use placard on panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 7,500 pounds.
The change was passed by lawmakers in 2023 with a one-year grace period for vehicle owners. Placards cost $15 and are good for the lifetime of the vehicle. Unofficial farm use tags will no longer be acceptable for these vehicles effective July 1, 2024.
“As farm vehicles are key to agricultural productivity, it is important that Virginia farmers can continue to use them in their operations while preventing farm use tags from being used on other vehicles inappropriately,” said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. “We hope those who have not already done so will apply for their DMV-issued permanent farm use tag today.”
Anyone who owns or leases an eligible farm use vehicle must return the application form to their local vehicle-only DMV Select or full-service DMV location and pay the $15 fee. An additional $15 may be required if the owner does not already hold a title for the vehicle. Information must be provided related to the farm location, size, and commodities, along with signed statements confirming its exempt use and that the vehicle is insured. The placards are non-transferrable and must be returned to the DMV within 30 days of the vehicle being sold or no longer used for exempted purposes.
“It is our hope that these placards will help ensure the proper use of farm use tags and, most importantly, make Virginia’s roads safer,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey. “There is not much time left before enforcement begins, so we encourage farmers to bring their filled-out applications to their local vehicle only DMV.”
As of July 1, placards must be displayed on the front and back of vehicles at all times. A first violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $250, a second or subsequent violation shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $250.
“We are hopeful that the 12-month grace period has allowed farmers the necessary time to familiarize themselves with these farm use tag changes,” said VSP Superintendent, Colonel Gary Settle. “State police looks forward to working with the farming community to gain full compliance and ensure all vehicles have their proper tags on display.”
Unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickups trucks, and sport utility vehicles obtaining a DMV placard must meet certain conditions:
• Used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes on lands owned or leased by the vehicle’s owner, and not operated on or over any public highway except for specific purposes.
• Used by the farm owner or lessee on a seasonal basis in transporting farm produce and livestock along public highways for a distance of no more than 75 miles or to a storage house, packing plant or market.
• Owned by a farm owner when the vehicle is operated or moved along a highway for no more than 75 miles between a sawmill or sawmill site and their farm to transport sawdust, wood shavings, slab wood, and other wood wastes.
• Drawn by a farm tractor, used by a farmer, their tenant, agent, or employee or a cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor to transport unginned cotton, peanuts, or fertilizer owned by the farmer, cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor from one farm to another, from farm to gin, from farm to dryer, from farm to market, or from fertilizer distributor to farm and on return to the distributor.
• Making a return trip from any marketplace, transporting back to a farm ordinary and essential food, including procuring a meal for a farmer or his employees, and other products for home and farm use while engaged in activities stated above, or transporting supplies to the farm.
Placard requirements do not apply to vehicles with a securely attached machine for spraying fruit and other plants, farm machinery or tractors operated on a highway between two tracts of land or traveling to and from a repair shop for repairs, farm vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds, or farm trailers and semitrailers.
Detailed conditions and more information can be found on the DMV website. Visit this helpful chart to help determine which plate or placard is right for you.
# # #
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”
VDOT : Scheduled Construction & Maintenance Work – Week of July 1, 2024
SCHEDULED CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORK
CULPEPER DISTRICT: July 1-5, 2024
CULPEPER — The following highway work is scheduled, weather permitting, in the Culpeper District during the next week. Traffic movements may be restricted and speed limits reduced in work zones. (NEW) or(UPDATE) indicate revisions since last week’s report.
To ease travel for the Fourth of July holiday, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will suspend many highway work zones and lift most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Wednesday, July 3 until noon on Friday, July 5.
Culpeper District traffic information is also available on Twitter at @VaDOTCulp and on VDOT’s website athttp://www.virginiadot.org/travel/travel_alerts/culpeper/default.asp.
Albemarle County
(NEW) Turn lane construction – Expect lane and shoulder closures in the following areas, daily:
- Route 20 (Scottsville Road), Expect right shoulder closures between Route 742 (Avon Street Extended) and Route 1801 (Forrest Road) in the southbound lanes, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Route 1403 (Berkmar Drive), right lane and right shoulder closures between Route 1437 (Hilton Heights Road) and Route 1417 (Woodbrook Drive) in the southbound lanes, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(NEW) Bridge superstructure repairs/replacement – Expect lane and shoulder closures in the following areas.
- Route 20 (Scottsville Road), Temporary traffic signal with new traffic pattern at Route 708 (Red Hill Road). Route 708 is narrowed to one lane for construction on the bridge over the North Fork Hardware River in the southbound lanes. Please expect delays during high volume times of the day. Project completion date, Dec. 4, 2024.
- Route 810 (Boonesville Road), Road closed at Route 628 (Simmons Gap Road) for
rehabilitation of bridge over the Lynch River. Follow signed detour around the work area. Project completion date, August 20, 2024.
(UPDATE) Bridge repairs – Expect alternating lane closures, daily through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the following areas:
- Route 637 (Dick Woods Road), between Rock Mills Road and Route 177 (Langford Drive) in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Route 691 (Greenwood Road), between U.S. 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) and Route 690 (Greenwood Station Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
- Route 744 (Hacktown Road), between U.S. 250 (Richmond Road) and Route 731 (Keswick Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
(UPDATE) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane and shoulder closures, daily, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the following areas:
- U.S. 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike), alternating lane closures between Route 240 (Crozet Avenue) and Route 797 (Hillsboro Lane) in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Route 240 (Three Notch’d Road), alternating lane closures between Route 240 (Crozet Avenue) and U.S. 250 (Ivy Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Route 240 (Crozet Avenue), alternating lane closures between Route 691 (Tabor Street) and Route 240 (Three Notch’d Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
- Route 797 (Hillsboro Lane), right shoulder closures between U.S. 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) and Route 684 (Half Mile Branch Road).
New Roadway Construction – Construction of a roundabout at Route 743 (Hydraulic Road) and Hillsdale Drive. Expect lane and shoulder closures with flaggers in the following areas nightly, Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., 10 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, through May 5.
- Route 743 (Hydraulic Road), between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Brandywine Drive, nightly in the southbound lanes.
- Route 743 (Hydraulic Road), between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Cedar Hill Road in the northbound and southbound lanes.
(NEW) Interstate 64 – Other maintenance. Expect right shoulder closure between mile marker 229 and mile marker 131 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(UPDATE) Interstate 64 – Ditch cleaning. Expect right shoulder closures between mile marker 100 and mile marker 118, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route 641 (Frays Mill Road) – Other bridge work. Road closed at Route 743 (Advance Mills Road) for replacement of bridge over Marsh Run. Drivers on U.S. 29 (Seminole Trail) who need to access Route 743 north and west of the closure should use Route 607 (Cedar Grove Road). Expected completion date, Dec. 5, 2024.
(UPDATE) Route 649 (Proffit Road) – Roadway sweeping. Expect mobile work zone with lane and shoulder closures between U.S. 29 (Seminole Trail) and Route 606 (Dickerson Road) in the northbound lanes, Monday and Tuesday, 3:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Route 797 (Hillsboro Lane) – Rehabilitation project. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 684 (Half Mile Branch Road) and U.S. 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
City of Charlottesville
Road improvements — Expect lane and shoulder closures with flaggers Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., 10 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, nightly in the following areas:
- U.S. 250 (Bypass Expressway), between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Dairy Road in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Route 743 (Hydraulic Road), between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Brandywine Drive in the northbound and southbound lanes.
Culpeper County
(NEW) Pavement marking repairs – Expect mobile, alternating lane closures, Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the following areas:
- U.S. 522 (Sperryville Pike), between the Culpeper Town line and the Rappahannock County line in the northbound and southbound lanes.
- Route 3 (Germanna Highway), between the Culpeper Town line and the Orange County line in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Route 229 (Madison Road), between U.S. 15 (James Madison Highway) and the ramp to Business U.S. 29 (Madison Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
Road widening projects – Expect shoulder and lane closures in the following areas:
- Route 3 (Germanna Highway), right lane and right shoulder closures between Route 739 (Clay Hill Road) and Route 669 (Carrico Mills Road) in the eastbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Route 646 (Old Stillhouse Road), alternating lane closures between Route 628 (Weslyn Drive) and Route 635 (Hazeland Lane) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(UPDATE) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect alternating lane closures in the following areas:
- Route 667 (Nalles Mill Road), alternating lane closures between Route 799 (Keyser Road) and the Culpeper Town line in the westbound lanes, daily through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Route 669 (Carrico Mills Road), alternating lane closures between Route 3 (Germanna Highway) and Route 672 (Stones Mill Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fauquier County
(UPDATE) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane and shoulder closures, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the following areas:
- Route 55 (Main Street), mobile, alternating lane closures between Route 626 (Loudoun Avenue) and Route 698 (Obannon Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Route 690 (Bear Wallow Road), alternating lane closures between Filly Lane and the Warrenton Town line in the northbound and southbound lanes.
(UPDATE) Roadway improvements – Expect lane and shoulder closures, daily and nightly, in the following areas:
- U.S. 17 (Broadview Avenue), right lane and right shoulder closures between Hospital Drive and Winchester Street in the northbound lanes, Sunday through Wednesday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- U.S. 211 (Waterloo Street), road closed between U.S. 17 and Sullivan Street, Sunday through Wednesday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please following detour using Sullivan Street and Church Street.
Interstate 66 – Bridge deck repairs. Expect lane closures at the exit to Route 245 (Old Tavern Road) and between mile marker 32 and mile marker 34 in the westbound lanes. Please use caution through the work zone and expect delays. Use alternate routes if possible. Daily and nightly through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 1 p.m.
(NEW) Interstate 66 – Bridge inspection. Expect right lane and right shoulder closures between mile marker 32 and mile marker 34 in the eastbound lanes, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Interstate 66 – Tree trimming. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between mile marker 18 and mile marker 21 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(UPDATE) Interstate 66 – Ditch cleaning. Expect alternating lane closures between mile marker 22 and mile marker 30 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Route 616 (Bristersburg Road) – Paving. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 806 (Elk Run Road) and Route 1630 (Beaver Dam Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Route 651 (Sumerduck Road) – Bridge superstructure repairs/replacement. Road closed between U.S. 17 (Marsh Road) and Route 615 (Ephraim Road) Please follow detour signs. Expected completion date is July 12.
Louisa County
Construction of a new roundabout – Expect alternating lane closures daily, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the following areas. Project anticipated completion date, Jan. 31, 2025.
- U.S. 522 (Zachary Taylor Highway) between Route 623 (Chopping Road) 0.3 miles north of Route 208 (New Bridge Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
- Route 208 (New Bridge Road) between U.S. 522 (Zachary Taylor Highway) and Alma Gaynelle Drive in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
(UPDATE) Interstate 64 – Line painting. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between mile marker 131 and mile marker 136 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily and nightly through Friday, 7 p.m. to 1 p.m.
(NEW) Interstate 64 – Shoulder repairs. Expect right shoulder closures between mile marker 136 and mile marker 144 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Route 652 (Kentucky Springs Road) – Paving. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 208 (New Bridge Road) and Route 614 (Carrs Bridge Road) in the northbound lanes, daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Madison County
U.S. 29 (South Seminole Trail) – New roadway construction. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 662 (Shelby Road) and Route 677 (Estes Lane) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Orange County
(NEW) Soil borings – Expect alternating lane closures, Monday through Wednesday in the following areas:
- Route 231 (West Gordon Avenue), between Route 1003 (Wright Street) and Route 1021 (Faulconer Street) in the northbound and southbound lanes, 9:30 to 3:30.
- Route 1006 (North High Street), between Route 231 (West Gordon Avenue) and Route 1008 (West King Street) in the northbound and southbound lanes, 9:30 to 2:30.
(UPDATE) Route 20 (Constitution Highway) – Other construction. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between Route 741 (Lafayette Drive) and Route 621 (Pine Stake Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily through Monday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route 678 (Governor Barbour Street) – Bridge repair. Road closed between Route 777 (Vineyard Road) and Mansion Road. Please find alternate route around the work area. Expected completion date, August 30.
Rappahannock County
(NEW) U.S. 522 (Sperryville Pike) – Pavement marking repairs. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between the Culpeper County line and U.S. 211 (Lee Highway) in the northbound and southbound lanes, Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Road conditions and other real-time travel information can be found on the 511 Virginia website,
the free VDOT 511 mobile app or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. VDOT updates are also on theCulpeper District Facebook page and the district’s Twitter account, @VaDOTCulp.
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Nellysford : Belties Begins Pouring Footers For Construction
Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
For months now folks passing up and down 151 in Nellysford have been wondering when Belties would begin construction. Wait no longer! Definite signs of construction were well underway Friday morning as footers were being poured. The first step in real construction to follow.
We first told you about John Washburn over a decade ago back in August of 2011 when he and business partner Brian Shanks were in the process of building Bold Rock Hard Cider just south of Nellysford. John and Brian eventually sold Bold Rock to a larger company.
It’s been a long time since Nellysford has had a dine in restaurant devoted exclusively to breakfast. Its been a really, really long time.
Ironically Belties will be just across the street from the old location of Truslows which has been Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant for many years.
Both co-founders of Belties say they want to “Combine authentic country charm, savory breakfast drinks and food,” at the new restaurant.
The best guess for opening is late 2024, all depending on weather and such! Still exciting none the less!
To learn more about the entire project, you can head on over to the Belties about page by clicking here.
Amherst : VSP Investigating Fatal Crash
Amherst County, Virginia
“Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Saturday (June 15, 2024) at 7:44 p.m. at intersection of Elon Road and Mt. Tabor Drive in Amherst County.
A 2003 Lincoln Navigator was heading westbound on Elon Road when it was unable to avoid striking a 2022 Dodge Challenger which had entered the intersection from Mt. Tabor Dr. Both vehicles then overturned and ended up in a ditch off of Elon Road.
The driver of the Challenger, Robert J. Mihalik, 62, of Monroe, Va., was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A passenger, Tina M. Mihalick, 63, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Both were wearing their seatbelts.
The driver of the Navigator was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation.
Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police“
Covesville : Person Dies In Weekend Housefire
Covesville
Albemarle County, VA
From Albemarle County Fire Department
“On Saturday, June 8, 2024, at approximately 5:10 pm, career and volunteer units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 6000 block of Monacan Trail Road.
The first apparatus arrived on scene 16 minutes after dispatch to discover a heavily involved single-family residence. At the time of the fire, one resident was home and suffered fatal injuries. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The identification of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. The fire does not appear suspicious.
Albemarle County Fire Rescue would like to remind the community to have an evacuation plan for your home in place. When you hear your smoke alarm, get out and stay out. Visit www.Albemarle.org/SafeAtHome for resources.”
Paving Project To Begin On Portions Of Blue Ridge Parkway Near Montebello & South
Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia
Near Montebello & Points South Along BRP
Pavement Preservation in VA🚧
The National Park Service announced today that over 38 miles of the Parkway in Virginia will be resurfaced this summer as part of a pavement preservation program. Work is expected to start next week and continue through this September. Visitors that encounter active work zones can expect short duration, single lane closures.
Work will take place in the following locations, including paved overlooks.
Milepost 27.3 to 37.6, Whetstone Ridge / Montebello area (10 miles)
Milepost 64.6 to 86.2, James River to Peaks of Otter area (22 miles)
Milepost 89.1 to 97.2, Powell Gap to Taylors Mountain Overlook area (8 miles)
More information in the Facebook post below:
