Photo courtesy of WSET.com Lynchburg, VA : 7 year old Connor Craig that died from a tragic hunting accident over Thanksgiving weekend.
An informal group of people have decided to pay tribute to Connor this coming weekend to coincide with the Lovingston Annual Christmas Parade Saturday December 4th at 4PM.
A special Facebook page titled, Light A Candle For Connor, has been set up asking people to light and display a candle this Saturday night at the Lovingston Christmas Parade and at homes in the county.
“A plea to you and your family and asking you to light a candle on Saturday night, December 4th at 6pm and place it in a window where it can be seen. Ask your friends and neighbors too, re-post it on Facebook, text it, Tweet it, Myspace it! How nice would it be to look out our windows Saturday and see a glow, a show of lights as a small gesture to say as a community Connor is in our hearts and will not be forgotten!
UPDATE (12/1): Anyone attending the Lovingston Christmas Parade at 4pm are also encouraged to have a lighted candle (traditional or electric) during the parade.
Let’s make sure every house has a candle in it this coming Saturday night!
Afton
Nelson County, Virginia Updated 1:09 PM EST
Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks tells NCL the search for the two suspects in Afton has been called off. The sheriff says his men will remain at Rockfish River Elementary School through the end of the school day simply as a precaution. As of this post the two have not been apprehended.
Updated 11:52 AM EST CBS 19 in Charlottesville tweets: “Suspect arrested in Afton search, Jose Rodriguez, tells #CBS19 truck accidentally slid into VSP car, doesn’t know why other two guys ran. – Rodriguez says he’s only charged with failure to wear seat belt. Ruth Showalter talking to cops now, more details shortly”
Still nothing new at this hour, building, barn and woods near the area continue being searched. K-9 dog is now being used for tracking.
Updated 10:39 AM EST
Sheriff Brooks, “A search of barns and buildings in the area is underway where suspects could hide.” VA State Police chopper now searching general area around Chapel Hollow Road. We continue to stay on scene at school as a precautionary measure to keep suspects from possibly entering.”
Updated 10:18 AM EST
Nelson Sheriff David Brooks confirms a VA State Police Chopper is on the way to the scene as well as a K-9 tracking dog. “We’re looking for a black male and a Hispanic male. One is wearing a green jacket and the other is wearing tan pants. They may have been spotted earlier in the area of Pounding Branch Road. The state trooper was attempting to make a traffic stop when the driver backed up striking the trooper’s car. Two of the people in the car fled on foot, the trooper apprehended the third,” Sheriff Brooks tells NCL.
Deputies are on scene at Rockfish River Elementary School as a precaution to make sure the suspect don’t enter there.
Updated 9:48 AM EST
Virginia State Police and Nelson County Deputies are on the hunt at this hour for two men that apparently hit a state police car and ran. A total of three people were involved, but state police have one in custody. “A search is underway in the area of Afton Family Medicine,” says Nelson Sheriff David Brooks.
Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
In just three short years Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton is already feeling growing pains, in a great way! “We needed more seating in the cold weather and we finally closed on some land behind us so we are going forward with our expansion. It will be next fall before that’s up, so we’re in the emergency procedures for the cold weather,” said Taylor Smack, co-owner and brewmaster at BMB in Afton.
What was a small deck style porch at the entrance has now been enclosed so people can be out of the weather even during overflow crowds. Blue Mountain Brewery opened its doors for business October 24, 2007
Nelson’s first microbrewery opened back in the fall of 2007. Since then the business has grown leaps and bounds. “We grew between ’08 and ’09 a 35% increase and we’re up 65% this year over last year,” Taylor continued. The original 5000 square foot building has already become a tight squeeze for the booming operation. Enclosing the front porch gives BMB a little time before they double the square footage by next fall. It’s about a 5000 square foot customer sized addition, so it will basically be bigger than what we have now. More customer space, offices, cathedral ceilings, same farm house style with the gabled roofs. Virginia Frame’s doing it again. It’s big time,” Taylor grins.
Taylor just bottled the very popular Dark Hollow #11 that will be released on December 7th.
Over the past 3 years Taylor and the crew at Blue Mountain have added several things to keep people coming back, and admits he’s learned along the way. “We kind of didn’t know what we were doing in the beginning and let people kind of guide us by wanting more food, entertainment, etc,” Taylor adds. Just in the past few weeks they have added Tuesday Tastings, featuring not only local Virginia brews but ones you can’t get from anywhere around here. “Every Tuesday we are doing a new beer style, often to highlight the release of one of ours, but we do others, like English Pale Ales, kind of the best in the world. We taste about 6 different types.” The tastings have already been very popular with as many as 20 people attending the free tastings of unique beers.
By fall of 2011 Blue Mountain's current space will double in size.
Radar image via wundergroud.com : A look at the radar just after 3AM Wednesday morning as severe storms were approaching Nelson County.
Nelson County, Virginia
For the first day of December 2010 the weather went into overdrive during the very early morning hours here in Nelson and much of Central Virginia. A Tornado Watch was issued at 2:15 for the area in addition to High Wind Advisories, Flood Warnings, even a brief Tornado Warning was issued for Nelson. Some of those were already being canceled around daylight with other slowly being peeled back throughout the mid-morning hours
The tornado watch area that was issued at 2:15 Wednesday morning 12.1.10
For the 24 hour period ending at 6AM Wednesday morning, some areas of Nelson County have seen 5+ inches of rain. Click image for larger view
By daylight the severe weather threat was moving south and east of Nelson with much colder temperatures to follow later in the day. Look for mountain temps to easily slide into the 30’s by the afternoon hours.
A Flash Flood Watch goes into effect for the areas shaded in green beginning Tuesday evening through Wed afternoon. Click on image for latest updates.
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
851 PM EST TUE NOV 30 2010
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-
HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE GEORGES-
ANNE ARUNDEL-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-LOUDOUN-
ORANGE-CULPEPER-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-
SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…WASHINGTON…FREDERICK…WESTMINSTER…
GAITHERSBURG…COLUMBIA…BALTIMORE…ANNAPOLIS…
CHARLOTTESVILLE…LEESBURG…CULPEPER…MANASSAS…
MANASSAS PARK…FAIRFAX…ALEXANDRIA…FALLS CHURCH…WARRENTON
851 PM EST TUE NOV 30 2010
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST WEDNESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON…
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF MARYLAND…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND VIRGINIA.
* FROM 1 AM EST WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
* A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION
TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING. STEADIER RAIN IS EXPECTED TO
OVERSPREAD THE AREA OVERNIGHT…WITH THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL OCCURRING
EARLY WEDNESDAY. RAIN AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE EXPECTED.
THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN MAY CAUSE SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS TO RISE
OUT OF THEIR BANKS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD
FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
This year NCL is teaming up with one special individual that's returning the favor to familes needing a little help this Christmas.
Nelson County, Virginia Nelson County’s Emergency Services Coordinator, Ray Uttaro, is enjoying life. You see Ray quoted many times here in news stories affecting the county. He has a tremendous family including fantastic grandchildren! But, Ray tells us things weren’t always as good as they are now. “When I first got to Nelson it was a tough time, I had very little. There were people that stepped up and helped me out way back then. I have never forgotten it. I always said if I had the chance later in life to help people out I would,” Ray told us while chatting over coffee a few days ago in Nellysford.
Since those early days as things got better, Ray has quietly been picking out families that need help during the holidays. It’s generally two or three families, but he makes sure they have a BIG Christmas. “There’s no administrative cost, no red tape, I just try to make a list of what’s needed and see if I can get people to pitch in. I really want to make sure the kids have a great Christmas. Every child should be able to enjoy Christmas, even in tough times,” Ray continues.
This year Ray is asking for your help. He’s already got one family taken care of, but two others are on the list. NCL is a drop point on the west side of Nelson. Ray can accept donations at his office in Lovingston for folks near there. His office is located in the Nelson Sheriff’s Office in the communications center. We will forward all of the items to Ray who will make sure they get to the two families in need this year.
Here’s what Ray says the needs are:
Family #1
Family of 5
Father is working part-time & so is the mother.
The each split shifts to care for the children. Father was working full-time until about 6 months ago when he was laid off.
Father is 30 years old who wears an XL in tops and about a 38/32 in slacks.
Mother is 29 who wears a M/L in tops
Ray tells us neither parent wanted any help for themselves, but wanted to make sure the kids had a good Christmas. Ray says let’s make sure they all have a good Christmas! Ray wanted to supply a Christmas meal and gifts for everyone.
The Children:
5 year old girl, average size. She loves books and being a princess. She’s not seeking anything in particular this year, just a happy littel 5 year old.
3 year old boy, average size. Loves trucks or any other type of educational toys. His parents have indicated he has a learning disability and is getting help in special education.
1 year old boy. Average size. Loves to get around and play.
Ray says this family was generous enough to help out a less fortunate family about four years ago and now wants them to have a special Christmas!
Family #2
Family of 4
Both parents have been laid off and the mother is working part-time to make ends meet. They are long time residents of Nelson County living a very modest lifestyle with no luxuries, computers, cable, games, etc.
The family is seeking assistance in obtaining a meal for Christmas Day. Other than their immediate household family – they have no other family left in Nelson and are not able to travel to see other relative who now live out of the state.
Again, the parents have asked for nothing, but wish something for their children. But we know the mom is a large and the dad is a medium, so let’s make it happen anyway!
The children:
A 12 year old boy normal weight and height
The other child is a 10 year old boy who is a little small for his age, but about average.
Ray and our wish for the family is to help them have a big Christmas! Santa’s helper tells us the kids would love a Wii but would never make such a request. Ray says this is a big order, but says the gift would be so very special to all of them.
This is a tough time for just about everyone, but many are so less fortunate than all of us. Let’s make this happen and give these two Nelson families a Christmas they will never forget!
All items are listed above are encouraged, but please no cash or checks, gift cards are welcome!
You can mail gift cards or certificates to: A Family Christmas
C/O Nelson County Life Magazine
P.O. Box 455
Wintergreen, Virginia 22958-0455
We will have a large box/trunk set up here at our Afton Group/NCL offices in Greenfield (6222 Rockfish Valley Highway) – right on the front porch, just drop your donated items in there. If it’s a perishable food item please email us first to make prior arrangements. We’ll make sure Ray gets them and on to the families.
Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia
Temps near 20 degrees over the past couple of nights continue making ideal conditions for the crews at Wintergreen Resort to keep pumping out the snow. Our NCL Mountain Photographer, Paul Purpura, grabbed these shots early Sunday morning.
The resort has added many new snow guns to their arsenal for the upcoming season, allowing for faster snow making.
Wintergreen says, Eagles Swoop, Upper and Lower Dobie, Lower Wild Turkey, and The Plunge Tubing Park, all have snow making underway as of Sunday morning.
According to Wintergreen's site: Opening Day is only 2 weeks away; we plan to ski, ride and tube on December 10th. Cross your fingers and toes for cold weather. If Mother Nature cooperates, we will try and get you on the snow before the 10th - Excellent!
We’ll also have a handy link you can always go to under The News And Weather Alerts tab at the top left of our web page. That will be in place shortly.
Updated 10AM EST 11.28.10 to include statement from VA Dept of Game & Inland Fisheries
Updated 8PM EST 11.27.10
Nelson Sheriff David Brooks, sadly, tells NCL this evening the 7 year old that was shot in an accidental shooting Saturday afternoon has died. Sheriff Brooks says the tragic accident happened when the 7 year old and his 10 year old brother were hunting in the eastern section of Nelson County.
The case was turned over to the VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries, here is their statement:
Nelson County
Single Hunting Fatality involving Two Juveniles
At approximately 4 p.m. today, November 27, 2010, on private property in the Wingina/Warminister area of Nelson County, two juveniles were involved in a single fatal hunting incident. A father took his 7-year-old and 10-year-old sons hunting. The 7-year-old shot at a deer with a pellet gun. He did not strike the deer. The 10-year-old went to shoot with a 410 shotgun and as he raised the firearm the 7-year-old ran into the line of fire and was struck in the back by a single shot. The child was transported to UVA Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. No names are being released since the incident involved juveniles. Conservation Police Officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are still at the scene and investigating the incident.
Our NCL thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Original Post @ 4:30 PM EST Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks tells NCL that his agency and rescue officials are working a serious call at this hour in the Wingina area of Nelson County. That is near the James River. According to Sheriff Brooks the victim is a 7 year old boy who is believed to have been accidentally shot while on a hunting trip in the Warminster area of the county.
As of this post, Nelson Sheriff Brooks confirms rescue is underway along with a medivac helicopter enroute to the area for transport.
Steal the Glass at Blue Mountain Brewery. Every First Thursday of the Month buy a $5 beverage and keep the logo glass it comes in. No limit on glassware.
