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Weather Bulletin : Winter Storm Warning (CANCELED)

Tommy
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Weather Bulletin : Winter Storm Warning (CANCELED)

WINTER STORM WARNING
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
931 AM EST Fri Jan 5 2024

Augusta-Nelson-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
931 AM EST Fri Jan 5 2024

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 PM EST
SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet
accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, and ice accumulations of around
one-quarter of an inch.

* WHERE…Augusta and Nelson Counties, and Central Virginia Blue
Ridge.

* WHEN…From 4 AM to 7 PM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the
ice. Travel could be nearly impossible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Precipitation is expected to begin as a mix
of snow and sleet between 4 and 7 AM, then change to freezing
rain between 7 and 10 AM. Precipitation may change to rain late
in the afternoon before ending during the early evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on
steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery,
increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
432 AM EST Fri Jan 5 2024

Floyd-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-
Including the cities of Floyd, Roanoke, Salem, Fincastle,
Lexington, Buena Vista, Rocky Mount, Bedford, and Amherst
432 AM EST Fri Jan 5 2024

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 PM EST
SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Mixed precipitation of snow, sleet, and freezing rain
expected. Total snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches
with ice accumulation up to two-tenths inch.

* WHERE…Portions of central, south central, southwest and west
central Virginia.

* WHEN…From 4 AM to 7 PM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Untreated roads and sidewalks will become slick
and hazardous. Bridges and overpasses will be most susceptible
to ice. Ice accumulations on trees and power lines may result
in downed tree limbs and scattered power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Plan on hazardous travel conditions. Reduce speed and allow extra
time to reach your destination. Postpone travel if possible.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Tense Moments After Propane Truck Partially Falls Through As Bridge Collapses

Tommy
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Tense Moments After Propane Truck Partially Falls Through As Bridge Collapses

Beech Grove
Nelson County, Virginia

One can only imagine what went through the mind of the driver of this propane truck that partially fell through a bridge Thursday afternoon in Beech Grove. The truck was on a bridge that connected to a home when the back end of the propane truck fell through the bridge leaving it hanging just above the creek.


Photo courtesy of Wintergreen Fire & Rescue : The driver of this propane truck was apparently backing into a residence for a delivery, sitting on the bridge, or leaving as it gave way and the back portion of the truck fell through.

Wintergreen Fire and Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets told us though the collapse looked intimidating, there was never a great danger given the way the truck stopped. Wrecker crews immediately responded to pull the truck out.

WEATHER BULLETIN : Winter Storm Watch : (CANCELED)

Tommy
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WEATHER BULLETIN : Winter Storm Watch : (CANCELED)

WINTER STORM WATCH
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
221 PM EST Thu Jan 4 2024

Augusta-Nelson-Albemarle-Western Highland-Eastern Highland-
Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
221 PM EST Thu Jan 4 2024

…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow
accumulations in excess of five inches, and ice accumulations
in excess of one-quarter of an inch are possible.

* WHERE…Portions of central and western Virginia.

* WHEN…From late Friday night through Saturday evening.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
224 PM EST Thu Jan 4 2024

Giles-Montgomery-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-
Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-
Including the cities of Pearisburg, Blacksburg, Floyd,
New Castle, Clifton Forge, Covington, Hot Springs, Roanoke,
Salem, Fincastle, Lexington, Buena Vista, Stuart, Rocky Mount,
Bedford, and Amherst
224 PM EST Thu Jan 4 2024

…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet
accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of
around two tenths of an inch possible.

* WHERE…Portions of central, and southwest central Virginia.

* WHEN…From late Friday night through Saturday evening.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow…sleet…or ice accumulations that may impact travel.

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Saying Goodbye To My Friend Tom Powell

Tommy
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Saying Goodbye To My Friend Tom Powell

Nelson County, Virginia & Towson, MD
By Tommy Stafford

All too often I find myself penning a remembrance about someone that passed through my life after moving here to Nelson County. The list is long. Many of them have passed on. Bob Ward comes to mind. So does Ed Dinwiddie,  Frank Ott, Brian O’ Rourke, Tom Marker, and Steve Crandall, just to mention a very few.

I can never, ever, walk into Basic Necessities in Nellysford without thinking of Tom Powell. Or his late wife Barbara as well. The last 20+ years of my life has been spent in and out of Basics as we call it locally. Heck, my kids grew up in that place from the days of a car seat in the corner, to the teens they are today.

Just like normal I was in Basics in late December 2023 getting ready for lunch and Mae Collins, who might as well be my sister now, told me. “Tommy, we got a phone call yesterday, Tom Powell is gone.”

 


Above the crew at Basic Necessities give a big sendoff to Tom Powell just before he moved to Maryland in 2018. (Click on image directly above to see the photos and video)

You see, Tom has been gone from here for several years. Five years to be exact. After his wife Barbara died many years ago, Tom thought it was time to move on and not be wandering around alone in their home back in Stoney Creek. He stuck it out here longer than any of us thought he would. But eventually, he sold the house and moved closer to sister in Maryland.

Photo by Tommy Stafford : Tom Powell (2nd from right) and his wife Barbara (on left next to post looking at camera) during a farewell party for longtime Basics’ Manager, Sarah Leake. (looking away in foreground) March 28, 2013

Tom was so popular at Basics they named a sandwich after him. The Powell! Later he and I laughed because I hacked his sandwich and then named mine the Tommy Panini! I still get that sandwich to this very day. Thank you Mae.

Tom was an interesting man. I loved sitting and talking shop with him. So was his wife Barbara. She was a big time lawyer for Shell, Tom was a photo editor for National Geographic for over two decades. Before that he was a real newsman in the family newspaper business back in Iowa. Both of them spent most of their final years here in Nelson. They were world travelers, great art collectors and more.

Tom got the chance to make one more international trip late last year before he returned back to Maryland and passed away after a brief illness.

Even though Tom hasn’t lived here for years and he physically hasn’t been in Basics during that time, he was always present. He still will be even after his passing …just in a different way.

I’ll break tradition Tom the next time I am there and have a Powell, and raise a glass in your remembrance.

It was a good run my friend. Fly high!

Here’s Tom’s official obit from Maryland.

Happy New Year 2024!

Tommy
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Happy New Year 2024!

Central Virginia Blue Ridge
Nelson County, Virginia

Here we go, welcome to 2024! Hard to believe we’ve been at this, either in print, or here on the web for 19 years!

Let’s get started!

Happy New Year!

Nelson : Car Accident Shuts Down Route 151 in Nellysford Wednesday Night

Tommy
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Nelson : Car Accident Shuts Down Route 151 in Nellysford Wednesday Night

Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia

Route 151 in Nellysford was closed Wednesday evening after a significant one car accident caused response crews to shut it down.

Here’s the verbatim preliminary release from VSP on Thursday morning:

“Virginia State Police is investigating a one-vehicle crash that occurred at 6:31 p.m. on Rockfish Valley Highway (Route 151) in Nelson County on Dec. 27, 2023.
A vehicle struck a utility pole at the intersection of Route 151 and Adial Road and overturned.

There was at least one reported injury.

Matthew Demlein
Public Relations Manager
Virginia State Police”

A Christmas Memory : The Late Earl Hamner (John-Boy) Of Nelson Co, VA : Merry Christmas 2023!

Tommy
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A Christmas Memory : The Late Earl Hamner (John-Boy) Of Nelson Co, VA : Merry Christmas 2023!


Click on the orange and white arrow play button above to listen now.

Schuyler, Virginia & Memphis, Tennessee

In what’s become our annual tradition here at BRL, enjoy this special radio interview from the December 2011 (Well over a decade ago!!) Christmas season as Nelson native Earl Hamner, Jr. talks with BRL Publisher Tommy Stafford and Memphis KWAM 990 Radio host, Earle Farrell. Earle continues his radio show to this day. Press the orange play button above and listen for over an hour as Earl reminisces about his career, life in the Virginia Blue Ridge and more.

And be sure to check out one of our favorite recipes for the Christmas season. Applesauce cake made by Earl’s mother. Click here to view that.

Be sure to listen toward the end as Earl reads a special Christmas tribute remarking about the late Will Geer who played Grandpa Walton.

Enjoy & Merry Christmas!
Tommy, Yvette Adam & Peyton

Sheriff Elect Mark Embrey, Officers Formally Sworn In : Take Office January 1

Tommy
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Sheriff Elect Mark Embrey, Officers Formally Sworn In : Take Office January 1

 

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia

By Tommy Stafford

We first told you about Mark Embrey’s win in the Nelson County Sheriff’s election in this post back on November 7, 2023.

Since then Embrey has been busy putting together his team that will officially assume office at the same time he does just after midnight on December 31st.

According to various sources we have talked to, there has been no productive transition communication between outgoing Sheriff David Hill and Embrey.

Updated 5:45 PM – After reading our initial story here in this post, above, current Sheriff David Hill called me personally. He refuted the statement that there’s been no productive communication between he and his successor. Sheriff Hill said he and another family member have been out sick with Covid at home but he’s been replying to phone calls and emails with Embrey.

Source : Nelson Co Sheriff David Hill : Above is an email Sheriff Hill sent to me and requested I post to show he has in fact been communicating. In fairness we want the record straight and have posted this above. Click to enlarge.

Sheriff Hill also provided a voice mail response from Sheriff Elect Embrey discussing a K9 officer and agreeing to carry the officer over into the new administration. “We can’t just turn over the agency today, I am sheriff until December 31 and I am responsible for everything until that point. I want to make it clear we have been communicating,” Hill told me in a Wednesday night call from his home.

Editorial note: It was not my intention for this post to turn into such a story, but in fairness as we have always done, both sides should and will be told. 

Embrey’s number 2 in his administration (left in gray suit) Chief Deputy Glenn Phillips looks on with Embrey as Judge Doucette gives the oath of office to all deputies and commissioned officers that will go into service January 1, 2024.
Sheriff Elect Mark Embrey thanks a packed courtroom of officials and supporters for attending his swearing in ceremony. Wednesday – December 20, 2023

Embrey told the crowd it was an honor and a privilege to be elected to the office and he looks forward to getting to work January 1.

BRL archives on Sheriff Elect Embrey by clicking here.

High Winds Cause Power Outages For Some

Tommy
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High Winds Cause Power Outages For Some

Central Virginia Blue Ridge

As of 9:15 Monday morning CVEC still showed a few hundred people without power on their system after very high winds overnight moved into the area.

AEP is showing some additional outages here on their outage map.

Click on the image above to see the latest outages from Dominion Power.

Winds are expected to be gusty at times for the remainder of Monday even into Tuesday, but do begin to ease off during the afternoon and evening on Tuesday.

VDOT Lifting Most Lane Closures To Make End Of Year Travel More Delightful

Tommy
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VDOT Lifting Most Lane Closures To Make End Of Year Travel More Delightful

 

RICHMOND, Va. – To help make end-of-year holiday travel more enjoyable, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, Dec. 22 until noon on Tuesday, Dec. 26 and from noon on Friday, Dec. 29 until noon on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.

Additionally, VDOT offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time.
TRAVEL TRENDS MAP HELPS PREDICT PEAK CONGESTION

VDOT’s online, interactive travel trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period. Click on the link Christmas trend or New Year trend to toggle between the periods of travel influenced by these holidays.

Based on pre-pandemic and the last two year’s travel patterns, periods of heavy congestion are most likely to occur from mid-morning to evening on Friday and Saturday before Christmas, as well as Tuesday through Thursday the following week due to a combination of holiday and commuter traffic before the New Year. Some notable areas are:

 

  • I-95 northbound and southbound in the Fredericksburg area: Since this map uses historical data it does not consider the recent extension of express lanes. However, based on the general traffic shifts in the post pandemic period, heavy congestion may still be expected during the periods mentioned above in the Fredericksburg area.
  • I-395 northbound and southbound in the Arlington area is expected to be busy throughout the holiday period.
  • I-77 northbound and southbound near the Big Walker Tunnel is expected to have heavy traffic in the morning hours of Friday before Christmas.
  • Hampton Roads area: Heavier congestion is possible on I-64 due to lane and shoulder closures related to various construction activities including Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT).
PLAN AHEAD WITH VDOT 511: REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFO AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

 

VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and more. Use 511’s “speak ahead” option for hands-free and eyes-free audible traffic alerts for incidents and construction along your route. Traffic information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA EXPRESS LANES SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION

  • All rush-hour tolls on the I-66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway will be lifted onMonday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1.
  • Find directional schedules for the reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes, and information for the I-495 Express Lanes at www.expresslanes.com.

HAMPTON ROADS HOV SCHEDULE, TUNNELS AND OTHER INFORMATION

  • I-64/I-264/I-564 HOV Diamond Lanes and 64 Express Lanes – HOV restrictions and Express Lanes tolls will be lifted on Monday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1.
  • Traveling through Hampton Roads – For end-of-year holiday travel requiring water crossings between the Hampton Roads Peninsula and Southside during construction of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes such as the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT), the Route 17 James River Bridge, the free Jamestown-Scotland Ferry or I-95 to minimize potential delays.
STAY SAFE

It’s everyone’s responsibility to drive responsibly. Do your part to make travel safer for all:

  • In the event of any winter weather threat, travelers should pay close attention to forecasts, official announcements and advisories, and should adjust travel based on conditions
  • Keep an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle in case of a breakdown in the cold
  • Buckle up and ensure passengers and car seats are secured
  • Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you
  • Use your signals for lane changes and turns
  • Don’t drive distracted, and speak up if someone else is doing so
  • Drive sober and contact law enforcement if you see a drunk driver

Beginning July 1, 2023, Virginia’s ‘Move Over’ law expanded to include ALL vehicles on the side of the road with flashing lights, flares or warning signs. Drivers must now move over or slow down when a vehicle is stopped on the side of the road.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
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