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Lynchburg District Traffic Alert : October 7-11, 2013

Yvette Stafford
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LYNCHBURG DISTRICT TRAFFIC ALERT
October 7-11, 2013

LYNCHBURG – Highway work requiring road/lane./structure closures is scheduled, weather permitting. Traffic may be restricted. Items in italics contain new/updated information. For up-to-date information, call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org.

Amherst County: Don Austin, Residency Administrator
Route 29 North and South over Buffalo River (739 – 151) –All traffic using southbound lanes during bridge work; speed limit reduced to 50 mph. Detour has a lane width of 12 ft with 16 ft between the median curb and bridge parapet northbound and 19 ft between the median curb and bridge parapet southbound. Est. completion – 4/29/14.
Route 60 over Buffalo River (716-802) – Bridge reconstruction. A temporary detour with signage, flaggers and temporary traffic control will be constructed beginning Jan. 14. Detour will be in place in mid-February. The detour will be 22 ft-wide with a temporary signal and 25 mph speed limit. Est. comp. Dec. 6, 2013.
Route 641 over Dancing Creek – A signed detour using Route 610 and 643 will be in place during bridge superstructure replacement. Road will be closed from July 22 through October 18.

Appomattox County: Don Austin, Residency Administrator
None

Buckingham County: Kevin Wright, Residency Administrator
Various – Crews will boom axe, work surfaces, pull ditches, mow and respond to customer concerns.

Campbell County: Don Austin, Residency Administrator
Route 705 over Swan Creek – Bridge maintenance will require a temporary road closure between Route 824 and Route 821 beginning Sept. 9 and ending mid-December. Signed detour will be in place.

Charlotte County: Kevin Wright, Residency Administrator
Route 47 over Roanoke River – Bridge deck repairs.
Route 668 over Sandy Creek – Road closed 9/30 – 11/1 for culvert replacement. Detour via Route. 667.
Various – Crews will work surfaces, mow, boom axe, clean out driveway pipe (Phenix area) and respond to customer concerns.

Cumberland County: Kevin Wright, Residency Administrator
Various – Crews will work surfaces, mow, cut brush, clean pipe and ditches and respond to customer concerns.

Halifax County: Kenneth Martin, Residency Administrator
Route 360 over Wynn Creek (Route 626 to Route 614) – Crew will perform emergency bridge repairs through Oct. 18. A temporary traffic signal and 11-ft width restriction are in place; delays are likely.
Route 501(Volens) – Crews will perform ditch work.
Route 628 over Bradley Creek – Road will be closed to through traffic between Route 501 and Route 647 from Aug. 12 – Nov. 15, 2013 for structure replacement. Signed detour will be in place.
Bethel – Crews will work ditches on various routes.
Paces area – Crews will cut sight distance on secondary routes.
Various – Crews will mow and respond to customer concerns.

Nelson County: Don Austin, Residency Administrator
Route 29 South over Rockfish River – Bridge reconstruction will result in a temporary detour via Routes 6 & 6Y using signage, flaggers, temporary traffic control and temporary signal. The detour will have 12-ft wide lanes with a temporary signal. Est. comp. Nov. 20, 2013.
Route 151- Expect potential delays due to line painting and other maintenance activities
Route 664 (Route 151 to Blue Ridge Parkway) – Crew will be milling and paving until Oct. 18. Signs and other traffic control devices are in use and minor delays are expected.

Pittsylvania County: Kenneth Martin, Residency Administrator
Routes 29 and 58 (Brosville) – Crews will remove brush.
Route 643 (Gretna) – Rural Rustic project may result in delays.
Route 864 (863 – 41) – Crews will replace cross line pipe beginning Oct. 15. Road will be closed approximately 3 weeks. A signed detour will be in place.

Various – Crews will ditch, work surfaces and shoulders, cut brush, clean pipe, pick up debris, and respond to customer concerns.

Prince Edward County: Kevin Wright, Residency Administrator
Route 15 (Route 778 to Route 628)- Crews can expect potential delays through Dec. 6 for construction activities. Be alert to changes in traffic pattern.
Route 658 – Crews will replace pipe.
Various – Crews will work surfaces and shoulders, mow, cut brush, pick up trash, and respond to customer concerns.

City of Lynchburg: Don Austin, Residency Administrator
None

District-wide Bridge activities: Larry Nash, project manager
Bridge and guardrail maintenance – Crews will perform bridge and guardrail maintenance at various locations. Signs, flaggers and other safety devices will be used to alert motorists to these operations.

Special Grand Jury Indicts Lovingston Woman – Arson / Murder

Yvette Stafford
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Special Grand Jury Indicts Lovingston Woman – Arson / Murder
Click above for coverage on story from our media partner CBS-19
Click above for coverage on story from our media partner CBS-19
Photo via Nelson County Sheriff's Office : Linda Campbell Blackwell was indicted by a special grand jury on Tuesday - October 1, 2013 in Nelson County.
Photo via Nelson County Sheriff’s Office : Linda Campbell Blackwell was indicted by a special grand jury on Tuesday – October 1, 2013 in Nelson County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 2, 2013
RE: Nelson County Special Grand Jury indicts Lovingston woman
on charges in connection with several house fires.

FROM: ANTHONY MARTIN, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
CONTACT: 434-263-7010
Yesterday in Nelson County Circuit Court, a special grand jury indicted of 18 Creekview Lane, Lovingston, Virginia on charges of arson, obtaining money by false pretenses, and felony murder relating to a house fire that occurred on August 2, 2009. James Shelton, Sr. died from injuries sustained in the August 2nd fire.
Blackwell was also indicted for arson and obtaining money by false pretenses in connection with two (2) more house fires on the same property at Creekview Lane, one in February 2012 and the other in May 2013.
The indictments follow a Virginia State Police and Nelson County Sheriff’s Office investigation spanning several years.
Blackwell is currently being held without bond in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. An advisement hearing in the Circuit Court has not yet been scheduled.

WHSV: Skyline Drive Closes Due To Government Shutdown / Blue Ridge Parkway Roadway Open

Yvette Stafford
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WHSV: Skyline Drive Closes Due To Government Shutdown / Blue Ridge Parkway Roadway Open

Post by Blue Ridge Life Magazine.
According to a message earlier in the day on Tuesday - October 1, 2013 the Blue Ridge Parkway was open for travel. However later in the day Tuesday the NPS site had an unavailable message displayed above.
According to a message earlier in the day on Tuesday – October 1, 2013 the Blue Ridge Parkway was open for travel. However later in the day Tuesday the NPS site had an unavailable message displayed above.

Locals in the area along the BRP confirm they have been able to freely travel the parkway, but amenities such as visitors centers, restrooms, etc were closed.

Around 5:30 pm Tuesday our media partners at CBS-19 forwarded this release to us from the NPS ranger in charge of the BRP:

Government Shutdown Forces Closure of Blue Ridge Parkway Facilities
Asheville, NC – Because of the shutdown of the federal government caused by the lapse in appropriations, the National Park Service (NPS) has closed all 401 national park units, including the Blue Ridge Parkway. All visitor facilities including all NPS Visitor Centers, historic sites, park hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, picnic areas and restrooms – except for the main motor road, a thru way – are closed. These park facilities will remain closed until the government reopens.
Chief Ranger Stinnett said that park visitors in all overnight campgrounds and lodges will be given until 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, October 3 to make travel arrangements and leave the park. In addition, all park programs and special events have been canceled.
The Blue Ridge Parkway hosts approximately 70,000 visitors on average each day in October; nationally, more than 715,000 visitors a day frequent the National Park System. Nationwide the NPS stands to lose approximately $450,000 per day in lost revenue from fees collected at entry stations and fees paid for in-park activities such as cave tours, boat rides and camping. Gateway communities across the country see about $76 million per day in total sales from visitor spending that is lost during a government shutdown.
At the Blue Ridge Parkway, 195 National Park Service employees are on furlough because of the shutdown and approximately 200 concessions’ employees are similarly affected. 43 National Park Service employees remain on duty, providing law enforcement, security and emergency services.
Nationwide the shutdown has also furloughed more than 20,000 National Park Service employees; approximately 3,000 employees remain on duty to ensure essential health, safety, and security functions at parks and facilities. About 12,000 park concessions employees are also affected.
Because it will not be maintained, the National Park Service website will be down for the duration of the shutdown. NPS.gov has more than 750,000 pages and 91 million unique visitors each year.

Steve Stinnett
Chief Ranger
Blue Ridge Parkway
Ashville, NC

NPS Shutdown on the web: http://www.nps.gov/shutdown/index.html

Beautiful Scenes Emerging In Blue Ridge As Fall Takes Hold

Yvette Stafford
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Beautiful Scenes Emerging In Blue Ridge As Fall Takes Hold
©2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photo By BRLM Photographer Paul Purpura : Paul grabbed this stunning shot Sunday - September 29, 2013 from Fishers Gap overlook at Big Meadows.
©2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photo By BRLM Photographer Paul Purpura : Paul grabbed this stunning shot Sunday – September 29, 2013 from Fishers Gap overlook at Big Meadows.

Skyline Drive
Near Big Meadow

Fall in the Blue Ridge always brings beautiful sights. Though we are still 2-3 weeks from peak here in the Central Virginia Blue Ridge, there are some breathtaking views already. BRLM Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura grabbed a beauty Sunday afternoon along Skyline Drive at Fisher’s Gap. Just beautiful!

Nelson Museum Of Rural History: BRLM Columnist & October Featured Story Part of National Museum Day

Yvette Stafford
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Nelson Museum Of Rural History: BRLM Columnist & October Featured Story Part of National Museum Day
©2013 Bleu Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By BRLM Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : Lynn Coffey, former Backroads Newspaper founder, turned author, signs her forth book now in publication this past weekend at The Nelson Museum of Rural History.
©2013 Bleu Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By BRLM Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : Lynn Coffey, former Backroads Newspaper founder, turned author, signs her forth book now in publication this past weekend at The Nelson Museum of Rural History. Lynn was part of an event recognizing National Museum Day on Saturday -September 28, 2013

Arrington
Nelson County, VA
Nelson’s Museum of Rural History celebrated National Museum Day this past Saturday – September 28, 2013. For that one day admission was free to the museum highlighting the rich history of Nelson County. BRLM columnist Lynn Coffey was on hand autographing her 4th book recently released, Appalachian Heart. If you haven’t purchased one of these. Do it. All of Lynn’s books are keepsakes if you want to learn about life in the Blue Ridge from long ago.

In 1980, when Lynn Coffey moved to the tiny mountain hamlet of Love, Virginia, she realized the Appalachian culture was slowly ebbing away and somehow needed to be preserved. Without any formal training in journalism, Lynn started a newspaper called “Backroads” and began recording oral histories and taking photographs of her elderly neighbors, publishing their stories in the monthly newspaper. For the next twenty-five years (December 1981-December 2006) Lynn roamed the hills and hollers around Love, writing stories that captured the heart and soul of the Appalachian culture, lending dignity and importance to an oft-overlooked and misunderstood people and their rugged way of life. When Backroads ended, the cry of the mountain folks’ words, “Don’t let our stories die with your retirement,” haunted Lynn so she began compiling many of the articles from the former newspaper, putting them in book form.

Lynn’s first book, Backroads; Plain Folk & Simple Livin’ was published in November of 2009 and was an instant success. One year later, the second volume, Backroads 2; The Road to Chicken Holler came out to the delight of those who enjoyed the first book. The third book in the series, Backroads 3; Faces of Appalachia completes the Backroads trilogy.

Also on hand for the National Museum celebration was Ted Hughes.
Also on hand for the National Museum celebration was Ted Hughes.

Ted is known all across the area. Lynn writes about Ted in her October column in the magazine and our Marcie Gates tells his story in greater detail and pictures on page 38 of the October issue.

Ted Hughes in our October 2013 spread about his newly released hand illustrated map of Massies Mill before and after Camille, and about his buggy business. Click on the image above to read his story.
Ted Hughes in our October 2013 spread about his newly released hand illustrated map of Massies Mill before and after Camille, and about his Buggy Works. Click on the image above to read his story.

Sunny End To The Weekend Brings Several Accidents Across The Area

Yvette Stafford
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Sunny End To The Weekend Brings Several Accidents Across The Area
©2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine: Photo Courtesy of Bob Clouston : This RV caught fire just about a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sunday - September 29, 2013. It was above Montebello, VA
©2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine: Photo Courtesy of Bob Clouston : This RV caught fire just about a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sunday – September 29, 2013. It was above Montebello, VA

Central Virginia Blue Ridge
Because of cloudiness on Saturday, many folks stayed indoors. But Sunday, with full sunshine, everyone was out traveling the roads. Just after noon Sunday in Nelson County near Montebello, an RV caught fire on Route 56 between Montebello and the Blue Ridge Parkway. No one was hurt in the fire but the RV was pretty much totaled. And, Route 56 was closed down for much of the afternoon while the burned RV was removed. Just after 5PM Sunday the road was reopened for traffic.

Just an hour or later in Augusta County northward on the Blue Ridge Parkway around MP 3.8 a serious motorcycle accident sent patients to Augusta Health in Fishersville. National Park Police are investigating that accident.

Photo By Tommy Stafford : Back in Nelson County another motorcycle crash involving a female driver sent one patient to UVa Medical Center by helicopter.
Photo By Tommy Stafford : Back in Nelson County another motorcycle crash involving a female driver sent one patient to UVa Medical Center by helicopter.

Back in Nelson an additional accident in the afternoon around 4:30 PM sent another person to the hospital by helicopter. The single motorcycle accident happened on Route 151 in the vicinity of Brent’s Gap, south of Route 664. The female driver was airlifted from a landing zone in Nellysford. No word on her condition at this point.

Updates when we have them

Lockn’ Presents Checks To Non-Profits

Tommy
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Lockn’ Presents Checks To Non-Profits
Photo Via Lockn'
Photo Via Lockn’

Charlottesville
Albemarle County, VA

Press Release via Lockn’

Nine regional nonprofits were among the non-profit organizations to receive $2,688 each from the inaugural Lockn’ Music Festival, held early September at Oak Ridge Farm in Nelson County.

HeadCount.org coordinated the festival’s “Participation Row” – a collection of non-profit organizations present and exhibiting at the festival. The funds donated to these non-profits were raised through a silent auction organized by Head Count. Qello, a provider of full-length HD concerts and music documentaries, sponsored Participation Row and the silent auction.

In addition to the silent auction, 5,752 “actions” were taken at various non-profit booths during the festival’s four days to win a signed guitar. Also, $5000 dollars was donated to the Nelson County Pantry through FATE (Funding America Through Entertainment, http://supportfate.org/) organization along with 1500 pounds of food through the efforts of Conscious Alliance (http://www.consciousalliance.org/).
Nelson County Pantry’s Executive Director Marian Dixon said: “The Nelson County Pantry is very grateful for all the support we received from the Lockn’ Festival. Our local residents who are in most need are the beneficiaries.”

Funds were distributed to:
Appalachian Voices: http://www.appalachianvoices.org/
Feed RVA: www.feedrva.org
Instrumental Giving Fund: www.instrumentalgivingfund.org
Music Resource Center: www.musicresourcecenter.org
Nelson County Pantry Bureau: www.nelsoncounty-va.gov
North Branch School: www.northbranchschool.wordpress.com
Park School: www.parkschoolva.org
Wild Virginia: http://www.wildvirginia.org/: www.nelsoncountypantry.org
Nelson County Tourism

Lockn’ Music Festival featured over thirty local and national artists performing for an audience of 25,000 attendees, and offering never seen before musical collaborations. JamBase writer Bill Clifford said in a September online review, “they’ve [co-founders Dave Frey and Peter Shapiro] found what may be one of the most wonderful outdoor concert venues in the country.”

Happy Trails The Hook – Final Publication Thursday – September 26, 2013 – We Will Miss You

Tommy
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Happy Trails The Hook – Final Publication Thursday – September 26, 2013 – We Will Miss You
Images Copyright The Hook - Charlottesville, VA : Thursday - September 26, 2013 marks the final publication of The Hook that was launched back in 2002.
Images Copyright The Hook – Charlottesville, VA : Thursday – September 26, 2013 marks the final publication of The Hook that was launched back in 2002.

Charlottesville
Albemarle County, VA

Seldom do we ever highlight what another publication is doing, this Thursday we make an exception. Today marks the final issue of The Hook in Charlottesville. We are saddened to see them go, honestly. Though we are all competitors in this business, we get no pleasure in seeing a publication go dark. We have fond memories of working with The Hook over the years. A little known trivia, Hawes Spencer the former founder and publisher at The Hook gave me and Yvette lots of advice when we were thinking of launching then Nelson County Life back in 2005. His advice was invaluable, but his willingness to help out two strangers (and very green to the magazine biz) was humbling and refreshing. We have never, ever forgotten his generosity and wisdom.

To all of you departing The Hook, we commend the job you have done. And to Courtney Stuart, well done in these final months. You’ve got lots to be proud of, though we are again saddened to see The Hook go dark.

Best to all of you!

Tommy & Yvette Stafford
Publishers

UPDATE: Just In: Nelson Grand Jury Indicts Randy Taylor in Alexis Murphy Case

Tommy
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UPDATE: Just In: Nelson Grand Jury Indicts Randy Taylor in Alexis Murphy Case
Randy Taylor has been indicted in connection with the disappearance of missing teenager Alexis Murphy.
Randy Taylor has been indicted in connection with the disappearance of missing teenager Alexis Murphy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 24, 2013
RE: Randy Taylor indicted by Nelson County Grand Jury

FROM: ANTHONY MARTIN, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
CONTACT: 434-263-7010
This morning in Nelson County Circuit Court, a grand jury having determined that probable cause exists for a trial, has indicted Randy Allen Taylor on (2) felony charges , one for the abduction of Alexis Murphy in which he previously waived his preliminary hearing in August, and a new unrelated charge of possessing a stolen all-terrain vehicle.
Taylor’s next court appearance will be in the Nelson County Circuit Court on October 23, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. for a trial date to be set.
Law-enforcement officials cannot provide any further details at this time because the investigation is still-ongoing. Taylor continues to be held without bail at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Jail.

Massanutten: BRLM At GoRuck Nasty

Yvette Stafford
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©2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : All Photos By BRLM Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura: BRLM Publisher Yvette Stafford prepares to top one of the several obstacles this past weekend during the Go Ruck Nast at Massanutten, Resort, VA.
©2013 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : All Photos By BRLM Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura: BRLM Publisher Yvette Stafford prepares to top one of the several obstacles this past weekend during the Go Ruck Nasty at Massanutten, Resort, VA.

Massanutten, VA
For the past couple of years you’ve read all about BRLM’s publisher, Yvette Stafford competing in the extreme obstacle courses across Virginia. Her first was back in October 2011 when she and the then Nelson County Life team participated in Tough Mudder at Wintergreen Resort. Since then we have changed our name and expanded our territory. So has she and her teammates.

Yvette's buddy and teammate Monica from Crozet, VA scales one of the numerous obstacles at Go Ruck Nasty this past weekend at Massanutten, VA
Yvette’s buddy and teammate Monica from Crozet, VA scales one of the numerous obstacles at Go Ruck Nasty this past weekend at Massanutten, VA

Some 2000 people took to the slopes at Massanutten in the first ever Go Ruck Nasty. It’s a lighter version of the Go Ruck events held all across the country.

Yvette and her buddies completed the event and got back home on Saturday evening.

You can see the entire album of pictures from the even by heading on over to Paul’s Zenfolio page here.

We also have a few random pics in our Facebook album below.

Click on the image above to see more of the shots from GoRuck Nasty at Massanutten, VA in our Facebook album.
Click on the image above to see more of the shots from GoRuck Nasty at Massanutten, VA in our Facebook album.
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