Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia
The cool nights of fall have arrived across the Central Virginia Blue Ridge and much colder weather is on the way by week’s end! BRLM Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura grabbed this fantastic shot of what’s called the Harvest Moon this past Friday night – October 18, 2013 from an overlook facing east at Wintergreen Resort. There was even a small lunar eclipse accompanying the harvest moon, but you really couldn’t tell it due to cloudiness.
A closeup of the Harvest Moon over the Blue Ridge this past Friday – October 18, 2013
Tommy talks about the much colder weather on the way for the second half of the week down below!
The general area above on Bobs Creek Lane near Lake Nelson where investigators have been working a camper fire Sunday evening – October 20, 2013 – Click to view in Google Maps.
Arrington
Near Lake Nelson
Nelson County, VA
On Wednesday – October 23, 2013 Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks released the ID of the two that died in the fire:
Confirmed ID of persons killed in the firConfirmed ID of persons killed in the fire:
Marvin Ernest Boggs. 68 years old of 16 Bobs Creek Lane. Arrington
Barbara Jean Beach. 75 years old of
11598 Howardsville Road
Buckingham Va
Here’s an update from Virginia State Police Updated: 3:30 PM 10.21.13
:
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE INVESTIGATING FATAL
NELSON COUNTY FIRE
ARRINGTON, Va. – Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal fire that occurred Sunday night (Oct. 20) in Nelson County. Fire investigators with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office returned to the scene Monday to continue their investigation into confirming the cause of the blaze.
The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office was first notified of the fire at 9:23 p.m. Sunday. State police special agents, with the assistance of the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, have determined the fire started inside the motor home on Bobs Creek Lane in the Arrington community. Once the fire was extinguished, two bodies were discovered inside.
The bodies have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for confirmation of identification, examination and autopsy.
The motor home was set up on blocks and was without electricity. At this stage of the investigation, it is believed the fire was accidental and started from sort of a heat source used to warm the inside of the motor home. State police are still in the process of determining that source and the cause of the fire.
Nelson Sheriff Brooks:” I can confirm that two bodies have been pulled from the fire. We are sending them to the medical examiner for identification. The cause of the explosion / fire is still being investigated,” Sheriff Brooks told us just after midnight Monday morning.
Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks along with other authorities have confirmed to BRLM late Sunday evening that investigators are on the scene of a camper fire in the Bob’s Creek area near Lake Nelson. That’s in southeast Nelson County in Arrington. “We have investigators trying to get into what remains of the camper to see if there were any victims. We don’t have absolute confirmation at this hour because the scene has been too hot,” Sheriff Brooks told us around 11:30 PM Sunday night.
Other reports of explosions around the camper were reported during the fire in Facebook posts. Likely propane tanks it’s believed. “The explosion sounds were nuts. Sounded like someone shooting a gun over and over.” one person posted to our BRLM Facebook page. early Monday morning.
Numerous fire agencies are on the scene with lawmen as the investigation continues.
“As of late Sunday night we still don’t know the cause of the fire,” Sheriff Brooks added.
Fans of the TV series check out some of the photos and memorabilia this past Saturday – October 19, 2013 at the Walton’s Mountain Museum in Schuyler, VA.A new addition to the museum that opened during the 21st anniversary is a military room with endless sorts of items found from the time period the Waltons series is set.Fans pose for a camera shot in from of the museum’s sign out front during the 21st anniversary celebration.Trailer rides drawn by a team of horses was part of the celebration this past Saturday – October 19, 2013 at the 21st anniversary celebration at The Waltons Mountain Museum in Schuyler, VA
Faber
Nelson County, VA
Crews are currently working an accident scene on Route 6 East near Duncan Hollow Loop. Initial information is that a pedestrian has been hit by a car.
The accident does not appear to be life threatening.
Avoid area if possible. Expect delays.
Scene was cleared within an hour – all traffic normal.
The Nelson County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Business Awards that were presented at the Annual Dinner Meeting held on Tuesday, October 15th. The Co-Sponsors for the dinner were Union First Market Bank and Piedmont Virginia Community College. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Nelson County High School Senior Rachel Maurhoff.
Nominations were solicited for favorite Nelson County businesses in three categories – Small Business, Large Business and Nonprofit Business.
The following nominees were selected as finalists and recognized at the dinner by President Julia Rogers:
• Nonprofit Business
• Grand Squares of Nelson
• Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County
• Nelson County Farmers’ Market
• Nelson County Pantry
• Nelson County Rotary Club
• Rockfish Valley Community Center
• Small Business
• The Apple Shed
• BP Colleen
• Bell’s Septic Tank & Portable Restroom Service
• Blue Ridge Life Magazine
• Democracy Vineyards
• Oak Ridge Estate
• Large Business
• American National Bank
• Arboristry Associates, Inc.
• Food Lion
• Veritas Winery
The winner of the Nonprofit Business Award was the Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County which operates the Almost Home Adoption Kennel and the SPCA Thrift Store and has been recognized as one of the leaders in no-kill shelters in Virginia.
The winner of the Small Business Award was Bell’s Septic Tank & Portable Restroom Service which is renowned for their community service and meeting an essential business need.
The winner of the Large Business Award was Veritas Winery which provides excellent jobs for dozens of county residents and is known for being one of the first agritourism sites in Nelson County.
Each of the winners received an honorary plaque and a one-year membership award in recognition for their achievements.
The Nelson County Chamber of Commerce has been serving the region since 1955. We are an association of business leaders working to foster an environment that is conducive to prosperity for all. The Chamber was organized to advance the general welfare of Nelson County by promoting just and equitable principles in trade and by cultivating social relations among its members and the community.
17 year old Alexis Murphy has been missing since August 3, 2013. Wednesday, Nelson Sheriff’s Investigators put out a request to hunters to be alert and help in the search.
Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
Deer hunting season is getting in gear across the Central Virginia Blue Ridge and Nelson sheriff’s investigators know they cover a lot of ground during the season. “We’re simply asking hunters to be more alert this season. As leafs start dropping from the trees and things become more visible, we want them to let us know if they see anything that might help out,” Nelson Sheriff’s Investigator Billy Mays told BRLM Wednesday morning.
Screengrab: CBS-19 Gray Television, Inc: View the TV news story via our media partners at CBS-19 in Charlottesville by clicking on the photo above.
Some early archery deer hunts got underway in early October and other deer and bear seasons will be opening in the coming weeks as fall and winter come on.
“Hunters can be a great help to us in the upcoming seasons, they may see a piece of clothing of something that helps give us more clues in locating Alexis,” Investigator Mays continued.
Anyone with information in the case of missing Alexis Murphy is urged to call the Nelson Sheriff’s Department at 434-263-7050
Near Nellysford
Nelson County, VA
After great anticipation a brand new foot bridge over Spruce Creek behind the Natural History Center south of Nellysford has been opened. “Funding from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation along with recreational trails fund and BamaWorks, (a charitable fund of the Dave Matthews Band) helped make it happen. The bridge is being restored as ADA accessible and is named in honor of Gordon Miller in appreciation of his work to restore the bridge and in appreciation of his gift of labor and materials,” said Peter Agelasto, founder of The Rockfish Valley Foundation that oversees the History Center, Spruce Creek Park, along with the Rockfish Valley Trail.
Roseland
Nelson County, VA
With raindrops abound The Festy 2013 is done until next year. A stubborn area of low pressure off of the eastern seaboard kept clouds and drizzle over the festival for most of the three days it was held here in Nelson. “We plan for this and in spite of the rain we had a tremendous response from our campers. Where the weather can make a difference is with those visiting for just a day,” said Justin Bilcheck, co-promoter, from Cerberus Productions.
@2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine Photo By Tommy Stafford : In spite of gray, rainy skies for most of The Festy 2013, people took it in stride and enjoyed the annual music festival.
Arrington
Nelson County, VA
We got a visit the other day from a nice guy at CVEC saying he was here to replace the electric meter with a new one. “In addition to annual visual reads by a serviceman, CVEC has a regular schedule for retrieving and testing meters to verify their accuracy. When we retrieve a meter in the field for testing, we leave a new or a reconditioned meter. Your meter is new as are the others being installed since it is now more economical to replace a meter than to recondition one,” says Greg Kelly with Central Virginia Electric headquartered in Arrington, VA.
One of the curiosities we had is whether or not the replacement meter was the newer smart meter variety.
A smart meter is usually an electrical meter that records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes.[7] Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the central system. Unlike home energy monitors, smart meters can gather data for remote reporting. Such an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from traditional automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communications with the meter.
“The meter does not have the capability of interacting with internal household circuits or appliances and has no wireless communications component. The PLC module is fairly simple and either transmits a meter reading or it doesn’t. A firmware upgrade would not change or increase the meters functional capability,” Greg continued.
“This is part of our normal system maintenance, just like replacing old poles and wires. No one makes mechanical meters any more. Shame really, as they were very sturdy,” CVEC’s CEO Gary Wood added in an email to us.
So if you see the new digital meter being installed at your place, there’s the answer!
Thanks to CVEC for giving us the scoop and all of the details!
Photo: Publicity : The Devils Backbone team and owners from Nelson County, Virginia pose for a shot this past Saturday – October 12, 2013 right after winning 2 gold, 2 silvers and 2 bronze medals at The Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.
Denver, Colorado Devils Backbone Brewing, based here in Nelson County, knocked it out of the park at The Great American Beer Festival held in Denver over the weekend. For the second year in a row the soon to be 5 year old brewery (next month in November) and brewpub also won Small Brewpub & Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year, and they are headed home with 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals for their craft beers.
Graphic via GABF: Al of the Virginia craft brews winning medals in Denver over the weekend. Click image to enlarge.
Three Brothers Brewing in Harrisonburg (our March 2013 cover story here on 3 Brothers), a newcomer to the craft brew scene, also captured a bronze for their Rum Barrel Belgian Dubbel Style Ale
