Roseland
Nelson County, VA
The Festy is off and running. The three day music, food, beer and camping event held on the grounds at Devils Backbone Brewing got underway around noon Friday and runs through Sunday. We told you about the setup here in this story earlier in the week.
We’ll be there throughout the weekend positing random happenings from Festy!
Devils Knob
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Just under seven years ago we started pumping out data from our newly installed weather station mounted at The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen. We went online February 28, 2007 and with the exception of two past occasions (one a 110 MPH winds gust – no that’s no a typo) that took out our station, and the most previous one just died, we have been online providing data from the mountain 24 hours a day – 7 days a week.
The latest weather station is a joint venture between Blue Ridge Life Magazine and The Nature Foundation At Wintergreen. Josh Palumbo, Forest Management Coordinator, at the foundation and BRLM Publisher Tommy Stafford help maintain the station that gets thousands of views each month. “This is a very significant station to have online. There is another weather station on the mountain at Wintergreen Resort, but it’s closer to the resort. Ours has always been mounted on Devil’s Knob which is roughly one of the higher points in the general vicinity of the mountain village. It gives us a good look at what weather is doing there 24/7,” said Tommy.
Tommy was an on air weatherman in the Memphis, Tennessee television market for over a decade, along with regular appearances on The Weather Channel for breaking weather events between 1997 and 2004 before moving to Virginia. He now does Tommy’s Weather daily here on our website, that gives audio weather forecasts for the Central Virginia Blue Ridge area.
You can see the mountain weather station along with a few other independently owned stations around the area, by clicking here to head on over to our Weathernet Stations Page.
Roseland
Nelson County, VA
The Festy kicks off this coming Friday – October 11th and runs through the weekend. Preps have been underway for the festival that brings tons of great musicians together right here in Nelson where BRLM is based. Click here to see the lineup over the entire weekend. Festy was inspired by the Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival held back in 2009 on the grounds at Devils Backbone and became The Festy the very next year. Thousands attend the annual event.
Blue Ridge Life Magazine will be covering The Festy over the weekend and we’ll update you more as the weekend draws near!
Tyro
Nelson County, VA
For years we’ve been telling you about the annual Apple Butter Makin Festival at Flippin-Seaman in Tyro, VA. Just this year there’s been a tiny name change to Silver Creek and Seamans’ Orchards, Inc. Not to worry, nothing has really changed other than the name. The family’s and the feel are all still the same as you’ve come to expect! This past Saturday – October 5, 2013 the first of two festivals was held. The next one is later this month on October 19th.
Our BRLM Mountain Photographer came down off the hill to grab some shots at the first festival.
As we said, the next Apple Butter Makin Festival at Silver Creek & Seamans’ Orchards is Saturday October 19, 2013 beginning at 11AM.
Afton
Nelson County, VA
Via VSP Richmond:
Virginia State Police Sr. Trooper J.D. Allen responded to a single-vehicle crash in Nelson County Saturday evening (Oct. 5, 2013). The crash occurred at 7:40 p.m. on Route 250 approximately 200 feet east of Route 6.
A 1991 Toyota Camry was eastbound on Route 250 when it crossed the centerline, ran off the left side of the road and overturned. The car came to rest on its wheels.
The driver, Marion S. Martin, 79, of Shipman, Va., was injured in the crash. He was first transported to Augusta Health and then on to UVA Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Martin was wearing a seat belt.
The passenger, Josephine S. Brooks, 72, of Shipman, Va., died at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation at this time. Charges are pending.
Afton
Nelson County, VA
Back in August we told you about Robert Ballard’s fight against cancer. Robert is a noted musician and a member of The Central Virginia Blues Society. Back in our August story he was halfway through his chemotherapy treatment. Today he continues his comeback.
The old gymnasium at RVCC was packed with people showing up to help out with expense incurred as a result of Robert’s treatment and inability to work during the treatment.
The evening was one of fun and emotion as Robert took to the stage and thanked everyone for what they’ve done in supporting him in his battle.
“Hi, my name is Robert Ballard and I am on the road to being a cancer survivor.
I am so grateful to be here with you tonight-thank you!
Our good friend Gerry Bernard, recently loaned Susan and I a book titled Broken Open It is a collection of stories about people going through tough, life changing situations and how difficult times can help us to grow. In each case, there is a pattern of loss, discovery and renewal that exactly reflects my own recent experience. There are many analogies for this, such as the butterfly and its cocoon or the phoenix bird that rises from the flames and ashes.
The title, Broken Open, makes me think of an egg, cracked and spilled into a bowl where you can see what is inside. In my case, I found my bare soul. Here were my connections to everything and everyone. It was here that I was able to come to peace with it all and accept whatever was going to happen.”
You can read all of Robert’s remarks to the crowd here on the Beats For Ballard Facebook page.
Afton
Nelson County, VA
With fall in the air (at times) you know the Oktoberfest celebrations are in full swing across the Blue Ridge. Blue Mountain Brewery has been celebrating Oktoberfest with a variety of events over the past week. They continue through Sunday evening October 6, 2013. Our very own BRLM Publisher Yvette Stafford gave the keg toss a try on Wednesday night. Not first, or second, but she did make it a little over 13 feet in her toss!
For a complete list of events continuing at BMB through the weekend, click here.
Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
It’s been two months since Nelson 17 year old, Alexis Murphy, disappeared. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since. For Gil Harrington, the wait was over on January 26, 2010 when the body of her daughter, Morgan Harrington, was found at Anchorage Farm in Albemarle County, VA. October 17, 2009 is believed to be the date Morgan was abducted and killed. The moms of both Alexis and Morgan got together once again Friday in Lovingston for the event.
The get together Friday in Lovingston was part of Missing Persons tour 2013 coordinated in part by Community United Effort – Center For Missing Persons. The tour helps bring attention to missing persons across the country, like Alexis Murphy of Nelson County.
For a complete history of the Alexis Murphy case, click here.
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.
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.
