BRL received the following release today from Lockn’:
“We are honored to have Willie Nelson at Lockn’ Festival this year! Willie Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, philanthropist and activist. Willie Nelson has written more than 2500 songs and released close to 300 albums. He has won numerous awards, including seven Grammy Awards and 12 Country Music Awards, including 2012’s lifetime achievement award. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993. He is a 1998 recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. He is recognized world wide as an American troubadour and icon, as one of the most versatile, enduring, and influential talents in late twentieth-century music. For a detailed look at his accomplishments and influence, both musically and socially, read his bio at the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Wintergreen
Nelson County, VA Wintergreen Fire & Rescue recently unveiled a striking video produced by a student at JMU in Harrisonburg. The production lasts just under 5 minutes and is worth every minute you watch. Having come from a video and television news background of 15 years, I can tell you the job this person did on putting this video together is stellar.
“They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. If that’s the case, a 5 minute video should speak volumes. Having been at Wintergreen for 15 years, I recognized that something clearly is different, and I needed to document the progress. The video produced by Riley Hanlon and his team from James Madison University. Film crews were with us for just 14 hours,” WF&R Chief Curtis Sheets said.
Near Covesville
Albemarle County, VA
A semi truck carrying big rolls of paper flipped early Wednesday morning on Route 29 southbound near Covesville blocking traffic on that side and requiring police to divert drivers to the northbound side at Cove Creek Industries. “Power crews are on the scene putting in a new pole and hazmat teams are cleaning up diesel fuel that spilled. It appears to be only minor injuries to the driver of the truck,” Sgt Jerry Utz with ACPD tells BRL.
The area along Route 29S where the semi flipped on the nearby embankment.
Residents living west of Route 29 near Heards Mountain have been told to expect power to be restored no later than 2PM this afternoon. Traffic will return to normal as soon as crews have finished their cleanup. Sgt. Utz adds that Comcast will have to repair a fiber optic cable in the area, they will have their own traffic crews and their work is expected to take around 6 hours.
At about 11:30 p.m. Friday (Feb. 21), Virginia State Police initiated a traffic stop on an Chevrolet Blazer on Route 60 in Nelson County. The driver of the vehicle, Jason T. Cash, 35, of Buckingham County, Va., refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued through Nelson County, during which two state police patrol cars were damaged by the suspect’s vehicle. As the suspect vehicle traveled down Norwood Road it crashed and Cash then fled on foot. State police and the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter to search for the pursuit suspect. An extensive search of the area failed to locate Cash.
Later it was discovered that after Cash ran from the scene on foot, he stole a vehicle from a residence and left the area. Further investigation by state police led investigators to a residence Saturday (Feb. 22) in the 4700 block of Green Creek Road where Cash was taken into custody without incident. Cash is currently being held on previous outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Charges related to Friday’s incidents are still pending at this time. The incident remains under investigation
Via Nelson County Sheriff’s Department. Kenneth Spratt has been arrested on 37 felony warrants for sexual crimes against minors.
Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
Press Release Verbatim from Nelson County Sheriff’s Office:
“On February 18, 2014, The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office obtained 37 felony warrants on 56-year old Kenneth Alan Spratt. Spratt was arrested in Maryland, where he waived extradition and was transported back to Nelson County.
The following warrants were obtained on Kenneth Spratt:
7 felony warrants – Animated object sexual penetration with child less than 13 years of age
13 felony warrants – Sodomy with child less than 13 years of age
3 felony warrants – Possession of child pornography
8 felony warrants – Soliciting child porn less than 15 years of age
6 felony warrants – Rape of child less than 13 years of age
If anyone has had contact with Kenneth Spratt, please contact the Nelson County Sheriff’s office. (434.263.7050) Investigator Billy Mays is in charge of this ongoing investigation.
“Kenneth Alan Spratt is being held in the Albemarle, Charlottesville Joint security Complex. Held without bond…”
Waynesboro
Augusta County, VA
With temperatures hanging around 50° & full sunshine, it was the perfect day for the annual Mad Anthony Mud Run held in Waynesboro on Saturday – February 22, 2014. Blue Ridge Life Magazine is an annual sponsor of the race. Our Shenandoah Valley Photographer Norm Shafer went along the capture the race. We’ve included some preliminary photos here and over in our Facebook album.
BRL Publisher Yvette Stafford scales one of the many obstacles during the annual Mad Anthony Mud Run held Saturday – February 22, 2014 in Waynesboro, VA.
BRL Publisher Yvette Stafford participated in the race and came in 10th in her category out of hundreds in the race. She was 81 overall.
Te see all of the race results from the 2014 Mad Anthony click on the image above.To see lots more pictures by Norm, click on the thumbnail image above to head on over to our Facebook Album.
Larry Alan Smith, Artistic and Executive Director for Wintergreen Performing Arts says he will leave the post by the end of 2014 after serving in that capacity for 8 years.
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Press release via Wintergreen Performing Arts:
Wintergreen Performing Arts (WPA) announces that Larry Alan Smith, its Artistic and Executive Director for the past eight years, will step down later this year, following the successful completion of the 2014 Wintergreen Summer Music Festival, to pursue new and expanding professional and personal activities. His official resignation date, pending the naming of his successor, could be as early as 30 September 2014 but no later than 31 December 2014. A committee from WPA’s Board of Directors will begin a search for his replacement within the next month.
Dr. Smith is an internationally recognized composer who has also had a distinguished career as an educator and arts executive. He earned his D.M.A. at The Juilliard School, where he trained with Vincent Persichetti, and later taught. He is a former Dean of the University of Hartford’s Hartt School in West Hartford, Connecticut, where he is currently Professor of Composition. He has also served as the President of the School of American Ballet in New York City, and Dean of the School of Music at the North Carolina School of the Arts.
“Larry has been a fabulous artistic and executive director, who has brought Wintergreen Performing Arts and the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival and Academy to a high level of excellence that is recognized nationally and greatly appreciated by his many friends and admirers here in Central Virginia. We are sad that he is leaving but are so happy to have had him with us these past eight years,” remarked Tom Steele, the current President of Wintergreen Performing Arts.
The upcoming 2014 Wintergreen Summer Music Festival and Academy is scheduled to run from July 7-August 3 at Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Nellysford, Virginia. This year’s theme is “Amazonas: The Rhythms and Colors of South America.”
Wintergreen Performing Arts says they will begin an immediate search for his replacement.
Lots has happened over the years and now another milestone took place Wednesday as the brewery in conjunction with Old Dominion Mobile Canning filled their millionth beer. “We were the first company in Virginia to run with Mike, we did can number one with them. We got to do his first can and now his millionth can,” said Danny Wolf the brewmaster at Wild Wolf.
Danny Wolf (far right) brewmaster at Wild Wolf talks about the canning of beers taking place Wednesday afternoon with the crew from Old Dominion Mobile Canning.
On April 18th 2013, Wild Wolf became the first client of Old Dominion, canning 400 cases of its flagship Alpha Ale. Since then, the mobile cannery has grown to service 8 breweries in Virginia and North Carolina including 16 craft beer labels and hopes to double those numbers in 2014. “This growth is proof-positive of our business model and the growing acceptance and movement to cans in the craft beer industry” said Old Dominion Founder and Managing Director Michael Horn.
Wild Wolf’s Blonde Hunny is one of three varieties canned Wednesday at Wild Wolf in Nellysford.
More info on the canning event:
“Mobile Canning has gained popularity in the craft beer industry for a number of reasons: It gives smaller breweries the ability to distribute without investing unnecessary capital and dedicating valuable floor space to a canning line. It enables companies to increase brand awareness in a competitive market and it provides an opportunity for breweries to join the developing trend from bottles to cans in craft beer.
Wild Wolf Brewing Company made a calculated decision to can, rather than bottle, its 12oz house beers. “It was a very difficult decision” said owner Mary Wolf, “but in the end cans were the right choice because of their environmental qualities, and most importantly, their ability to uphold the freshness and integrity of our beer.”
Wild Wolf and Old Dominion are two pioneers, among many in the Virginia craft beer industry, that are paving the way for companies nationwide. Premium craft beer is popping up in cans all across the state. The negative connotation once associated with canned beer is beginning to unravel as brewers and consumers alike realize the benefits and potential. Old Dominion has canned one million beers in just under a year. That is 41,667 cases, 167,667 six packs, or quite simply, a LOT of canned beer.
About Wild Wolf Brewing Company
Wild Wolf Brewing Company is one of just a few mother son breweries in the country. The 6000+ square foot facility is located on ten acres in the heart of Nellysford, VA. The property features a brewpub, housed in a 105-year-old renovated school house, a new building housing the brewery and a sports pub, as well as five tobacco barns which have been converted into boutique shops. Brewmaster Danny Wolf is constantly working with his team to create fresh batches of Alpha Ale, Blonde Hunny, American Pilsner and a variety of innovative seasonal and specialty beers. Wild Wolf is open daily from 11:30 am to last call on weekdays and 11am to last call Saturdays and Sundays and serves a full menu as well as brunch on Sundays, 11am – 2pm.”
