Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia
Nothing to get excited about, but a little bit of snow fell Friday night up at Wintergreen. NCL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura grabbed a shot of a dusting up there.
Opening day for ski season is Saturday – December 17th – Temps over the weekend will actually be colder at night!
Enjoy!
Near Lexington
Rockbridge County, Virginia
In under a year since construction began, Devils Backbone Outpost Brewery in Rockbridge County is now brewing beer! “We’ve neem brewing nonstop. Last night the brewers worked until 2:30am brewing batches of Vienna Lager and then started again Friday,” said Heidi Crandall, marketing director with the breweries.
Heidi also tells us draft distribution to hit retailers January 18th!
Congrats guys!
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Present: Mr. Joe Dan Johnson, Mr. Tommy Bruguiere, Mr. Allen Hale, Mr. Tommy Harvey and Ms. Connie Brennan
PUBLIC COMMENT:
MR. MARK SHACKMAN, Afton, said that he is concerned about the tower proposed for the old fiber factory in Afton. He said that the community fill fight the tower, in the Board room and in court. Mr. Shakman said that the people deserve the broadband service but the proposed tower is not in the right place. He said that the firehouse or medical center property would be better for this tower.
MR. MARK ROSENTHAL, Afton, said that he opposes the proposed tower in Afton.
MS. ELEANOR AMIDON, Afton, said that she is concerned that the Virginia legislature will lift the ban on uranium mining in Virginia. She said that one problem is what to do with the residue on site after the uranium is extracted. Ms. Amidon said that sites must be monitored for centuries, with some becoming superfund cleanup sites, with cleanup paid for by taxpayers. She said that tax revenues are only projections and there are many concerns for communities. Ms. Amidon asked Supervisors to pass a resolution requesting that the ban on uranium mining remain in place.
MS. JANE TAYLOR, Afton, expressed opposition to uranium mining in Virginia.
VDOT REPORT: Supervisors directed staff to request that VDOT send a representative to the first meeting of every month.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF SOLID WASTE TIPPING FEES: Mr. Jim Taggart, representing Rebuilding Together, said that the group works to do home repair and improvements for low income and disadvantaged families in Nelson. He asked that the county consider waiving tipping fees for the group in order to allow them to spend more of their money on improvements. Supervisors voted unanimously to waive fees up to $2,500.00 annually.
AUTHORIZATION FOR PUBLIC HEARING, DISPOSITION OF COUNTY PROPERTY: Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise a public hearing on disposition of the Heritage Center (former Nelson Middle School) to the Milennium Group; and the Gladstone Fire & Rescue Squad building.
REAL PROPERTY TAX SALES, UNCLAIMED SURPLUS: Mr. Payne, County Attorney, reported that proceeds from the auction of real estate for delinquent taxes have been held the required two years. He explained the process, noting that the county would need to decide what action to take regarding claimants. After discussion, Supervisors voted unanimously to choose to grant no relief to claimants after the notification and two-year process.
DRAFT JOB DESCRIPTION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR: Supervisors tabled discussion and review until their January meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER ORDINANCE: Supervisors voted 4-1 (Mr. Johnson voting no) to table discussion and review until their January meeting.
CLOSED SESSION: Supervisors met in Closed Session to discuss personnel issues.
COUNTY ATTORNEY: Supervisors voted unanimously to contract with Mr. Phil Payne as County Attorney effective January 1, 2012 at the rate of $200/hour ($180/hour at Board meetings) with continued health care coverage.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Mr. Carter reported on the following:
– Courthouse Project – General District & J&DR courts relocated on November 21st, security screenings began on the same date. Renovation of the Jefferson Building is ongoing as is the construction of the second floor bridge. Project completion is now scheduled for first quarter of 2012.
– A contract has been executed with Daggett and Griggs to complete the design and construction drawings for relocation of the Health Department to Blue Ridge Medical Center.
– Broadband Project – installation of the fiber optic backbone has begun with a four-month completion projected. Tower(s) construction is projected for the first quarter of 2012.
– 2012 General Reassessment – property assessment notices were mailed the week of December 5th with assessors’ hearings to be conducted through December 22nd.
– Animal Control – Per the county’s response to violations, the monetary penalty has been reduced from $111,800 to $3,700.
GLADSTONE OPEN-TOP CONTAINER: Ms. McSwain reported that the county spent $348 more to operate its trucks during the 2 months with an open-top than it spent to cover 9 months without an open-top. She noted an average monthly operating cost for the 9 months (January-September) of $154 but that the average monthly operating cost increased 527% to $969 for October and November with the open-top container (without including additional driver time). Ms. McSwain reported that transportation costs during October & November were $1,738 vs. the same two months of 2010 which cost $261. She said that hauling 4 couches and 1 over-stuffed chair from Gladstone (as placed in the open-top during that time period) to the Transfer Station cost taxpayers $1,477, or roughly $300 per item. Supervisors tabled a decision and further discussion to allow the new South District Supervisor to consider the issue.
APPOINTMENTS: Supervisors unanimously reappointed Ms. Susan McSwain to the Keep Nelson Beautiful Council.
REZONING/THE HOPE FOUNDATION: The applicant is requesting a rezoning of two parcels of land located on the east side of Thomas Nelson Highway north of Lovingston from Residential R-1 to Agricultural A-1 to permit the sale of the properties and the placement of a single-wide manufactured home on one lot. Mr. Boger noted that the Planning Commission recommended denial of the rezoning, noting that the rezoning would change the pattern of the entire district; there was no justification for the rezoning since the applicant could apply for a permit to place a doublewide manufactured home on the property; and approval of the application would benefit a single individual as opposed to the community’s interest and would qualify as “spot zoning”.
Ms. Cynthia Hash, a realtor representing the Hope Foundation, said that a rezoning would not be a spot zoning as half the property is already zoning A-1. She said that the property is unsellable without a rezoning to allow for the singlewide.
With no public comment, Supervisors voted unanimously to deny the rezoning for the same reasons stated by the Planning Commission.
CLASS III COMMUNICATION TOWER/TALON SOLUTIONS & SERVICES: The applicants, represented by Mr. Sam Eggleston, applied for a permit to construct a 115-foot metal tower with a five-foot lightning rod at the top. The total tower height is 120 feet. The tower would be located at 16 Old Thirteen Lane in Gladstone. The application includes a request for an exception to Section 20-7-2a dealing with the fall area as the tower will be designed to collapse with the property line.
With no public hearing, Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the tower with the exception requested.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMITTAL OF LANDOWNER OR LESSEES APPLICATIONS FOR EQUALIZATION OF REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENTS TO THE NELSON COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: With no public hearing, Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution establishing April 13, 2012 as the deadline date for applications for equalization; and June 1, 2012 as the deadline date for the Board of Equalization to have disposed of all applications for equalization.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REENACT ARTICLE I, IN GENERAL, SECTION 2-1, PURCHASING PROCEDURES AND POLICIES OF THE CODE OF NELSON COUNTY, VIRGINIA: With no public comment, Supervisors voted unanimously to repeal and enact the purchasing procedures.
JEFFERSON BUILDING: Supervisors voted unanimously to contract with Mr. Halleck to document the history of the Jefferson Building for a cost not to exceed $2,400 with the participation of the Nelson County Historic Society.
REGISTRAR’S OFFICE: Supervisors voted unanimously to relocate the county Registrar’s Office to the Jefferson Building upon completion of the renovations.
Meeting adjourned.
Arrington/Colleen
Nelson County, VA
After months and months of construction Blue Ridge Medical Center is mere days from opening its new facility to the public. We recently reported they were almost done and will open the new 28,600 square facility on Tuesday – December 20th 2011.
An official grand opening for the new facility will be held in early 2012.
Near Elma
Nelson County, Virginia
Updated for bond information 12.15.11 @ 4:08 PM EST
12.15.11 – 4:08 PM EST
Nelson Sheriff Brooks said after Quiors appeared for an advisement hearing, he is being held without bond with the next court appearance scheduled for February 22, 2012
On 12.15.11 CBS-19 Reporter Chris Stover looked over the search warrant involved in this case. Here are some brief highlights of things revealed in that warrant:
– Quiors made 911 call saying he thought he had just killed someone
– authorities found female body in living room
– Quiros had what appeared to be blood on his body and clothes
– after further investigation Quiors admitted that he killed Amy Holden
– lead investigator at medical examiner’s office in richmond today to get cause of death
– no gun involved
Additionally on Thursday afternoon, Nelson Sheriff David Brooks told NCL that blunt force trauma was visible at the scene of the crime on the victim. “We won’t know the exact cause of death, however, until the medical examiner in Richmond finishes the autopsy which could be a week or so,” Sheriff Brooks added.
NCL has learned that 39 year old Francis Quiros (pictured above) also of 617 Ball Mountain Road has been charged with 1st Degree Murder in the case.
Earlier Post(s)
Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks confirms to NCL that his department is investigating an early morning murder of 42 year old Amy Holden at the address of 617 Ball Mountain Road in Eastern Nelson county near the small community of Elma, or north of Shipmen, “We took a suspect in custody at the scene,” said Sheriff Brooks. He went on to say there is no danger to the public.
This is the same mother of 8 year old Jackie Holden that was found dead back in 2000 after going missing for several days, as reported in this Daily Progress archive at UVA. A massive manhunt later located the little girl’s body. Then, Sheriff Gary Brantley, said no foul play was suspected. Additional archive here from NBC-12
View General area Of Ball Mountain Murder Scene in a larger map
Few details are being released as of Wednesday evening, but authorities tell NCL they expect formal charge to filed Wednesday night. Investigators have been at UVA Medical Center most of the morning with the murder victim. Additional investigators cordoned off the area and searched for evidence. Sheriff Brooks also said the Virginia State Police is assisting in the investigation with agents on the scene.
Our News Partner CBS-19 is working the story their coverage is here.
Arrington / Colleen
Nelson County, Virginia
The Blue Ridge Medical Center will open a new, 28,600 square foot medical facility on Tuesday, Dec. 20, adjacent to its existing building on U.S. 29 in Colleen, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville. “The new facility enables BRMC to better serve the growing numbers of patients and will add needed services to accommodate the medical needs in the surrounding communities,” said Peggy Whitehead, executive director.
The new facility will increase the number of exam rooms from the current 13 to 21. The exam rooms will be organized into a system of “pods” to improve patient flow and allow more patients to be seen more efficiently with a better quality of care, Whitehead said. The lobby will seat more patients and include a section designed for children. Improved layout will improve privacy for registration, check-out, and other patient services.
Click on the video above to learn more about the history and expansion of BRMC in Arrington, VA
The pharmacy will expand to provide more inventory and work space, improved efficiency and security, and increased office space for the Medication Assistance Program, Whitehead said. Telemedicine services currently offered will expand and pediatric services will be added.
The existing 8,000 square foot facility will be renovated to house a new six operatory dental clinic, and the Rural Health Outreach Program’s Nelson Office, which is currently located in Lovingston, Whitehead said. The reconstructed building will also provide needed space for training patients and staff. Reconstruction of the existing building is scheduled to begin in early 2012 and completion is scheduled for summer 2012.“BRMC staff and board members have been planning and dreaming for years to bring this expansion to our community. We are grateful to people in the community who have participated in focus groups, the Stakeholder’s Advisory Committee and Management Team, and the Capital Campaign Advisory Committee. Community input has been essential to designing the expansion to specifically address needs in our service area,” said Whitehead.
According to Whitehead, both Nelson and Amherst Counties are federally designated “medically underserved areas” (MUAs). BRMC’s service area exhibits higher rates of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes compared to other areas of Virginia. Health literacy is an issue for the 25 percent of service area adults who did not complete high school. There are no hospitals in Nelson or Amherst Counties, and no providers in Amherst County accepting new Medicaid patients., Currently, there are no pediatricians operating in Nelson County.
BRMC is a Federally-Qualified Health Center overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors, most of whom are patients of the center. Its mission is to “provide quality health care accessible to all people of Nelson County and neighboring communities; and to improve their general health and well-being through prevention, education, and treatment.” The center opened in 1985 with one doctor and three support staff and has operated continuously for the past 26 years. Today, BRMC has over 80 staff members, including 10 medical care providers. It maintains over 18,000 patient records and provided medical care to nearly 2,200 new patients during the past two years.
The ongoing BRMC expansion is part of the 20-year Strategic Plan of the BRMC Board of Directors. Funding for the project has been provided by federal, state, and private foundation grants, as well as contributions and pledges from a large number of community members. Working with plans designed and engineered by Daggett and Grigg Architects, C.L Lewis served as the general contractor for the new building. Pohl Consulting, LLC is serving as the owner’s representative and project manager. The process of selecting a general contractor for the second phase reconstruction of the existing building is currently underway.
An open house will be held on Wednesday – December 14th from 4PM until 6PM .
Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia
In just a few days Wintergreen Resort plans the opening pf some slopes on Saturday the 17th. For the past several days snowmaking has been in full gear at Wintergreen. NCL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura went to check out the progress Monday afternoon and found they’ve made tremendous progress.
According to the resort’s Mountain Message blog :
The Ski Area will open this Saturday, December 17th. We will Ski and Ride on 5 slopes and operate the Blue Ridge Express and Big Acorn lifts. We will be open for both day and night sessions.
You can keep up with the latest conditions and slope openings on Wintergreen’s Slope Report by clicking here.
Greenfield
Nelson County, Virginia
Every once in awhile you get lucky when taking a picture. We did just that Sunday night as the moon was just starting to come up over NCL here in the Rockfish Valley. I was actually heading out to grab some more firewood and noticed the spectacular moon rising over the roof with the smoke coming from the chimney. With a little work on a tripod and a timed exposure the picture turned out pretty good.
Does make for a beautiful evening here in Nelson!
Near Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
One of the most highly anticipated events put on by Wintergreen Performing Arts is their annual Christmas music. This year WPA organized The Virginia Consort – A Blue Ridge Christmas. NCL”s Valley Photographer Hayley Osborne attended Sunday’s performance and grabbed some of the shots you see here.
According to WPA’s website:
A Blue Ridge Christmas, concert-goers heard the Consort’s signature mix of music written to celebrate the Christmas season, spanning five centuries and three continents, and including 21st century settings of Medieval chants, a Baroque-era motet, well-loved carols, engaging folk-hymns, and rousing spirituals.
Colleen
Nelson County, Virginia
After nearly years in planning, construction officially started this past week for an ultra high speed fiber broadband network that will dramatically improve existing service for many Nelsonians, and bring service to many that don’t have it at all. The construction of the buried fiber line is starting in Colleen near Central Virginia Electric and will eventually end along Route 151 in Afton.
MasTec Engineering and Construction based in Newport News will be burying the fiber optic cable along the route. Michael Hansbrough, the project supervisor, says it will take around 6 weeks for the entire route to be buried depending on weather and other conditions.
In areas that can’t be directly connected to the fiber, wireless towers will help fill in the gaps. This is the first widespread true high speed initiative in Nelson County that will serve locations beyond densely populated areas such as Lovingston, Nellysford and Wintergreen.
One the cable is in the ground the next phase of getting service to businesses and residents will start. High speed fiber service should be available to customers starting in the first 3-4 months of 2012!
