For over 3 decades Dobie Fish has been on the job at Wintergreen Fire & Rescue. This month Dobie (Chief 2 – the assistant fire chief) is putting down the helmet and retiring. He’s been the asistant chief since 2009.
Above, our April 2009 (from then Nelson County Life Magazine) story on Dobie Fish celebrating 30 years on the job. Click above to read.
Great showing for the retirement party for Chief 2…
Recently all of Dobie’s friends and coworkers held a retirement dinner for him and presented him with an encased fire ax as a parting gift. See WF&R pics above from their Facebook album.
Above more photos from our April 2009 photo shoot with Chief 2 Dobie Fish and some other photos by WF&R of events Chief Fish was on the scene of.
Listen to Tommy’s weekend weathercast below. Saturday and Sunday are great, possible light snow back by Monday night with much colder temps all of next week.
The planned closure of Route 60 (East 29th Street/Midland Trail) in Buena Vista has been postponed until Thursday, February 4, because of expected rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday. The city has scheduled this closure from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. while a contractor replaces a drainage pipe near the eastern city limits. All work is weather permitting.
The work zone is near a runaway truck ramp at the base of a steep mountain grade. To help ensure worker safety, the contractor consulted with the Virginia Department of Transportation to set up a roughly 20-mile traffic detour through Rockbridge and Amherst counties.
Signs will guide all traffic through one of the following detours:
Eastbound Route 60 traffic will turn south on Route 501 (Magnolia Avenue/Glasgow Highway), continue straight onto Route 130 (Elon Road), and then turn north on Route 635 (Buffalo Springs Turnpike) to return to Route 60.
Westbound Route 60 traffic will turn south on Route 635 (Buffalo Springs Turnpike), west on Route 130 (Elon Road) and continue straight onto Route 501 (Glasgow Highway/Magnolia Avenue) to return to Route 60.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.
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 www.VirginiaDOT.org.
Devils Backbone Brewing Company and Justin Billcheck Productions present the Hoopla, a new festival that will bring folks together to craft an adventure at Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows (200 Mosbys Run) starting Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 2. Devils Backbone Hoopla attendees can camp out, enjoy workshops and outdoor activities alongside an incredible lineup of live music, award-winning craft beer and great eats. Tucked away in the valley of Nelson County on 100 acres surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountains, Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows provides a picturesque backdrop for the four-day event.
“Throughout the weekend, the Hoopla will celebrate all the elements that make up our Devils Backbone culture. At every turn there will be something to check out, like a new band, going on a trail run or mountain bike ride, eating some local fare or learning how to brew beer. We invite everyone to come to Basecamp to be a part of the Hoopla adventure,” says founder Steve Crandall, who along with his wife Heidi, opened Devils Backbone in 2008.
The campground gates will open in the afternoon on Thursday with music and activities beginning on Friday. Full festival, camping and daily tickets will be available. Final event information and tickets will be released in March, online at www.dbbrewingcompany.com. You can also follow along on social #DBHoopla on Facebook/devilsbackbonebrewingcompany, Twitter @dbbrewingco and Instagram @devilsbackbonebrewingcompany for updated event information.
About Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Devils Backbone operates two breweries in the heartland of Virginia, the original Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows and Outpost Brewery & Tap Room (50 North Wind Lane, Lexington, VA.) Devils Backbone beers are inspired by the great brewing traditions of Europe and the ingenuity of modern craft brewing and have earned numerous accolades excelling in the art of lager brewing in an ale dominated industry.
Basecamp Brewpub is home to the original pilot brewery, a “test kitchen” for beer recipe formulation. The pub’s 16 taps pour fresh craft beer to compliment a menu of award-winning smoked meats and pub fare. The Meadows offers an outdoor experience at Basecamp including hiking trails, bike races and camping. Guests can enjoy wood-fired dishes from the Oak Grill, grab a beer from one of the 20 outdoor taps and sit in Adirondack chairs around the campfires while looking out over the stunning Three Ridges Skyline.
About Justin Billcheck Productions
Justin Billcheck Productions is an event production company based out of Central Virginia with over 10 years of experience producing large outdoor events. Justin has a long history of producing events at Devils Backbone Brewing Company since 2009 and is co-founder of the Virginia Craft Brewers Festival and The Festy Experience. In addition to producing events at Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Justin is also the producer for LAVA Music Festival (Suffolk, VA) and an operations manager for The Bonnaroo Music Festival (Manchester, TN), Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival (San Francisco, CA), Life Is Beautiful (Las Vegas, TN) and The Foxfield Races (Charlottesville, VA).
Publicity Photo : Local Nelson Attorney Daniel Rutherford says he will seek the vacant seat opening up as the result of Anthony Martin’s resignation. Martin was recently reelected to the office but says he will leave in a few weeks.
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Daniel Rutherford says he’s definitely going after the Commonwealth Attorney’s (CA) seat being opened up as a result of current CA Anthony Martin’s pending resignation. As BRL and our media partners over at CBS-19 first broke last week, Martin says he will resign soon.
We were able to confirm that Rutherford was still interested in the seat last Friday.
Nelson Atty Daniel Rutherford & 2011 challenger to current CA Attorney Anthony Martin, confirms to BRL he will seek the seat being vacated.
Rutherford ran against Martin in 2011 as the republican contender but fell short of the win. When contacted over the weekend, Rutherford said with Martin now leaving office, it’s a natural to go after the seat he originally wanted. “If elected I want to maintain the ongoing professionalism within the Commonwealth Attorney’s office. The past few years since my original run have given me lots of additional experience. Along with a successful legal practice in criminal defense that’s put me in the courtroom very often I have been serving as Chief of Military Justice (lead prosecutor) in my army reserve brigade.” He also has served as the special trial counsel (prosecutor) for his brigade’s higher command often, being called in on military cases in Atlanta in his capacity as a reservist.
Rutherford says whenever discussing prosecutorial experience in the military he has to be clear that,
“The military information provided does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or their particular Military Department to this campaign.”
One big thing Rutherford wants out front is his opposition to the current pipeline proposed to run through Nelson County. “This is a clear property rights issue and one I am opposed to. I’ve already been representing my own family in this fight in my law practice and my position won’t change as Commonwealth Attorney if I am successfully elected.”
Jerry Gress the current Assistant Commonwealth Attorney will serve as the interim Commonwealth Attorney until a special election is held to pick a successor to the office permanently.
BRL is hearing others are interested in seeking the office, but Rutherford is the only one that has confirmed it so far. He says he will have an official announcement in the coming days. As soon as others announce or reach out to us, we will post their information.
In full disclosure, The Rutherford Law Firm is an active advertiser in the printed edition of Blue Ridge Life Magazine.
Carlton Gregory Currier is a person of interest wanted by the Nelson County, Virginia Sheriff. Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
A Virginia State Police criminal investigation unit and local Nelson sheriff’s units on the scene where the shooting took place earlier on Friday January 29, 2016. The shooting took place on River Field Farm Lane off of Route 6 River Road.
3:39 PM
Nelson County, VA Sheriff David Hill says Currier has been located and is in custody in Fluvanna County.
Release from Nelson County Sheriff David Hill original post at 11:14 AM:
On 1/29/2016 the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office responded in the area of River Field Farm Lane and River Rd for a “shots fired” call. Upon arrival there was one victim of a gunshot wound who was transported by Nelson Rescue for non-life threatening injuries. Currently there is an ongoing investigation regarding this incident.
Person of Interest/Wanted: (Considered Armed and Dangerous) Do NOT approach, contact Law Enforcement.
Carlton Gregory Currier
Currently Wanted:
22 year old male, 5’9”, 165lbs, brown hair, green eyes.
Currently wanted on felony charges from another jurisdiction, unrelated charges to this incident.
Possibly driving a 1998 4dr Toyota Camry VA License: AEP-4099 – Tan In Color
BRL has learned that Anthony Martin has resigned from his position as Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney.
According to media partner CBS-19 Newsplex, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jerry Gress will be filling in until a special election is held to determine Martin’s replacement:
NELSON COUNTY, VA ( The Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney has resigned.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Anthony Martin submitted his letter of resignation Tuesday.
Martin was the Prosecutor in the case against Randy Taylor, who is serving time for the death of Alexis Murphy.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jerry Gress will serve as the interim Commonwealth’s Attorney until a special election can be held to elect a permanent replacement.
Martin was just re-elected to the post in November. He was unopposed.
Photo By Marion Kanour : Steve Aldefer of Faber, Virginia clears the way with his snowblower for nearby neighbors this past Sunday afternoon – January 24, 2016
Central Virginia Blue Ridge
For the first time since the heavy snow fell across the area on Friday and Saturday, the sunshine came out on Sunday. That allowed people to begin digging out.
Photo By Marion Kanour : Barbara Heyl of Faber, Virginia gives her snazzy snowblower a run this past Sunday afternoon – January 24, 2016
Great progress was being made on area roadways by Sunday. Though many roads were still snow packed, folks were able to start getting around.
Photo By Heidi Crandall : Obviously it will be days if not weeks before the Blue Ridge Parkway is reopen. Many areas at that elevation got upwards to near 3 feet of snow in the highest of elevations.
Digging out up top. Thanks to Tori Mininger for the photos. The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen
There's no easy way to say this. Waynesboro's beloved Wayne Lanes bowling alley has collapsed under the weight of the snow and has been condemned.Photo courtesy: Lisa Davis Lotts
Though some rain and snow showers are in the forecast over the coming days, much milder temps are headed our way by the end of the week. That combined with lots of sunshine should allow for good melting of snow for several days.
Photo Courtesy of Sheriff David Hill Nelson County : Route 29 Northbound in Arrington near Tye River Elementary was snow covered and hazardous early Friday afternoon as snow started across the area. – January 22, 2016
Central Virginia Blue Ridge
By late morning Friday snow started falling over most of Central Virginia with many roads covered across the area. Winds also added a mix of blowing snow in.
Gusty winds blow snow in Roseland of Nelson County on Friday afternoon just before dark.
By Friday evening around 8″ if snow had fallen in the lower elevation of Nelson County with locally higher amounts. On the mountain at Wintergreen, around 10″ had fallen by 7PM.
By 10 PM Friday night CVEC’s automated reporting system showed only a handfull of outage across their system. High winds overnight may drive those numbers up.
More snow is likely through Saturday with the heaviest falling by noon Saturday and then tapering off with some clearing likely by the predawn hours on Sunday. And sunny skies on Sunday. Temps will climb to the upper 30’s and even middle 40’s in the coming days.
Via NWS Sterling / DC : Winter Storm & Blizzard Warnings have now been hoisted across the area. The brunt of the winter storms will affect the area by noon Saturday.
Central Virginia Blue Ridge Area
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
738 PM EST FRI JAN 22 2016
LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST WILL TRACK NORTH WHILE
CONTINUING TO INTENSIFY…MOVING OFF THE SOUTHERN DELMARVA COAST
BY SATURDAY MORNING.
VAZ025-026-036>038-503-504-WVZ505-506-230900-
/O.CON.KLWX.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-160124T1100Z/
AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-WESTERN HIGHLAND-
EASTERN HIGHLAND-WESTERN PENDLETON-EASTERN PENDLETON-
738 PM EST FRI JAN 22 2016
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SUNDAY…
* HAZARD TYPES…HEAVY SNOW AND WIND WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.
* ACCUMULATIONS…SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 24 TO 30 INCHES.
* TIMING…HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. THE
COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW… STRONG WINDS…AND POTENTIAL LIFE
THREATENING CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS…HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE DANGEROUS
CONDITIONS AND WILL BE A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. TRAVEL
IS EXPECTED TO BE SEVERELY LIMITED IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE DURING
THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY.
VISIBILITY WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO AT TIMES IN WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS.
* WINDS…NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH…
BECOMING NORTH SATURDAY AND NORTHWEST SATURDAY NIGHT.
* TEMPERATURES…LOWER TO MIDDLE 20S.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…HAVE
A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED…STAY WITH
YOUR VEHICLE. PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF POWER OUTAGES DURING
SNOWY AND COLD CONDITIONS.
VAZ508-231000-
CENTRAL VA BLUE RIDGE-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF…WINTERGREEN
927 PM EST FRI JAN 22 2016
…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SUNDAY…
.REST OF TONIGHT…SNOW. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. BLOWING SNOW.
SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 12 TO
18 INCHES. WINDY WITH LOWS AROUND 18. NORTH WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH.
GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH…INCREASING TO 50 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW NEAR
100 PERCENT. WIND CHILL VALUES AS LOW AS ZERO.
.SATURDAY…SNOW WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW
MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES. VISIBILITY ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT
TIMES. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION MORE THAN 2 FEET. WINDY WITH HIGHS
IN THE MID 20S. NORTH WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH…
DECREASING TO 40 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF SNOW NEAR
100 PERCENT.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…SNOW…MAINLY IN THE EVENING. BLOWING SNOW.
SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES. VISIBILITY ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS
AT TIMES. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 1 INCH. BLUSTERY
WITH LOWS AROUND 19. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO
40 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW NEAR 100 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH IN THE MORNING.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING…THEN BECOMING
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.MONDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S.
.WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 20.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW
SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE MID 20S.
.FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S.
Earlier Post
As I have been discussing for days, a major winter storm is about upon us. By Friday evening heavy snow should be well underway. We will get a brief break in the snow toward Saturday, then additional heavy snow will begin falling. Ending late Saturday. (given current projections)
Numerous watches and warnings will go into effect over the next several hours. By Friday everyone will be under warnings.
Below our media partners over at CBS-19 The Newsplex go into more detail on the impacts.
*UPDATED* Video forecast here with new snowfall forecast and timing! -James
