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Nelson : Perfect Weather For Rockfish River Rodeo This Past Weekend

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Nelson : Perfect Weather For Rockfish River Rodeo This Past Weekend

Roseland / Beech Grove
Near Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia

After days and days of rain, the weather finally broke and it was a perfect Saturday for the Rockfish River Rodeo held Saturday – May 31st on the grounds of Blue Toad Hard Cider in Beech Grove just south of Nellysford.

Photo By BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : The Rockfish River Rodeo is relatively new but has become a favorite for locals and visitors across the area. Saturday – May 31, 2025

The three hour long event included, blue riding, barrel racing, ranch broncs, mutton busting  and more! There was plenty of food and music on hand as well.

See more of Paul’s photos in the gallery below.

Here’s some photos from last September 2024’s event by clicking here.

Another rodeo is always held in the fall of each year as well.

More at : https://rockfishriverrodeo.com/

Nelson : Arrington : Built to Climb, Wired to Win: CVEC Linemen Bring Home the Hardware

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Nelson : Arrington : Built to Climb, Wired to Win: CVEC Linemen Bring Home the Hardware

Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia

From CVEC:

Six linemen from Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) showcased their exceptional skills, speed, and safety at the annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman Rodeo held in Doswell, VA on May 16 and 17. Competing against teams from across the region, our linemen demonstrated why they’re among the best in the business.

More than just a competition, the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo serves as a celebration of the trade. It highlights the skill, discipline, and teamwork that define the lineman profession while emphasizing the importance of safety and precision in every task. Events are judged not just on speed, but on technique and adherence to safety standards—reflecting the real-world demands of the job.

CVEC Photo : Zach Morris, an apprentice with CVEC, at the annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman Rodeo held in Doswell, VA on May 16 and 17. Zach Placed 10th overall out of over 160 apprentices.

Competition Highlights:

• Brandon White, Journeyman (Amherst)
Placed 1st in the Drone Competition

• Daniel Bradbury, Apprentice (Louisa)
Placed 3rd place in the Dead End Transfer event

• Ethan Yancey, Apprentice (Scottsville)
Took 1st place in the Hurt Man Rescue event and 2nd place in the Climbing Skills event

• Zach Morris, Apprentice (Afton)
Placed 10th overall out of over 160 apprentices

As the final scores were tallied and trophies awarded, one thing was clear: the lineman rodeo is more than just a competition—it’s a testament to the dedication and grit of those who climb high to keep the lights on.

“These results are a testament to the commitment our linemen bring to the job every single day,” said Gary Wood, President & CEO of CVEC. “They don’t just power homes—they power our community with pride, professionalism, and heart.”

CVEC is proud of our linemen for their outstanding performance and commitment to excellence. Their hard work not only powers our communities but also represents the best of what it means to transform lives and serve our members.

About CVEC: Central Virginia Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric utility serving 39,000 homes, farms, and businesses in the rural portions of 14 Virginia counties. CVEC connects its members and communities through reliable power and broadband services, delivering world-class, high-speed internet service through its subsidiary, Firefly Fiber BroadbandSM. CVEC and its subsidiary are equal opportunity providers and employers. For more information, visit www.mycvec.com.

About VMDAEC: Headquartered in Glen Allen, Va., the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives provides safety and training, communications, regulatory, and legislative services to 16 electric cooperatives serving the three-state Mid-Atlantic region. For more information on VMDAEC and the scholarship program, visit www.vmdaec.com or www.co-opliving.com.

Nelson : Crabtree Falls : Memorial Weekend Hike Deadly For One – Critically Injures Another

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Nelson : Crabtree Falls : Memorial Weekend Hike Deadly For One – Critically Injures Another

Crabtree Falls
Nelson County, Virginia

Verbatim release from NCSO:

“On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Nelson County Deputies and Emergency Medical Services responded to Crabtree Falls for a report of two hikers that had fallen off of the walking trail into the water.

Upon arrival, Nelson County Deputies located a single female that was in the water, holding onto a rock to avoid being swept away by currents. The deputies navigated their way down a 75-foot embankment to where the female was located in the water. Using a 30-foot ‘dog-lead’, the Deputies were able to bring the female out of the water to safety. The female was identified as Keturah Hendricks of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Photo by WF&R : A medical helicopter readies for takeoff Saturday night after two people fell into the water at the falls. One person died and another was severely injured. Saturday – May 24, 2025

Approximately one hour after the rescue of Ms. Hendricks, EMS personnel located the second hiker who had fallen an additional 150 feet to a lower set of waterfalls. EMS personnel was able to navigate the second hiker out of the water and to an ambulance that was staged in the parking area at the Crabtree Falls entrance.

EMS personnel provided resuscitation efforts to the hiker, however, this individual did not regain consciousness and was pronounced deceased at 12:32 A.M. by a UVA Medical Center physician. This individual has been identified as Ms. Taniya Flowers of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ms. Flowers’s family has been notified of this incident.”

“I believe the count is now over 40,” Wintergreen Fire & Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets told us Sunday afternoon referring to the total count of people that have died as a result of falling at the Crabtree Falls area.

Additional scene info in the post immediately below from Wintergreen Fire & Rescue.

Nelson : Couple Charged With Child Abuse And Homicide In Connection With Death Of Infant

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Nelson : Couple Charged With Child Abuse And Homicide In Connection With Death Of Infant

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia

Verbatim press release from Nelson County Sheriff’s Office:

“On December 10, 2024, Nelson County Deputies and Emergency Medical Services responded to a residence on Taylors Creek Road in Afton, Virginia, for an unresponsive six-week old child. Emergency Medical Technicians performed CPR for several minutes, and the child was transported to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville for further treatment.

On December 14, 2024, the child was pronounced deceased at UVA Medical Center, and an autopsy was completed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner located in Richmond, Virginia. The autopsy results were finalized in March 2025.

On May 16, 2025, UVA Medical experts reviewed the UVA medical records, as well as the report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. As a result, it was determined that the injuries that were present on the child on December 10, 2024, were consistent with child abuse.

On May 20, 2025, Investigators with the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for the biological parents of the deceased child. The parents are identified as Mr. Ethan Garfield and Ms. Autumn Woods.

On May 20, 2025, Mr. Garfield and Ms. Woods were taken into custody by Nelson County Deputies, and both have been charged with the following offenses:

18.2-371.1 Felony Child Abuse/Neglect
18.2-33 Felony Homicide

Mr. Garfield and Ms. Woods have both been held without bond, and they have been transported to the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Sheriff Mark E. Embrey”

Nelson : After 6 Year Hiatus James Beazell Wintergreen Ascent Returns

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Nelson : After 6 Year Hiatus James Beazell Wintergreen Ascent Returns

Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia

After a long six years The James Beazell Wintergreen Ascent bike race returned this past weekend here in Nelson County. We’ve been telling you about this highly popular, and challenging, race for well over 15 years now.

Our BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura shot all of the past events and was back this weekend to grab the return.

Here’s some of the shots from the 2025 race. Click on any photo to enlarge.

Additional hard link here to race results.

Nice to have the race back after all of this time and congrats to everyone participating and all of the winners!

See you next year in 2026!

Albemarle : ACFR Concludes Water Search For Missing 12 Year Old

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Albemarle : ACFR Concludes Water Search For Missing 12 Year Old

Near Greenwood
Albemarle County, Virginia

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, career and volunteer units with Albemarle County Fire Rescue and officers with the Albemarle County Police Department were dispatched to the area of Newtown Road and Valley Green Drive for a swift water rescue. A 911 caller reported that a 12-year-old male was walking outside when he was swept away by rushing water that had overtaken the roadway from a nearby creek.

Following more than three hours of water operations, first responders paused the search due to limited visibility in the overnight hours and the safety of all those involved. The search resumed during daylight hours on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

At approximately 8:45 a.m. on May 14, search crews in the area of Newtown Road located a deceased individual, believed to be missing 12-year-old Jordan Sims. At this time, search efforts have concluded. The body recovered will be transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond for positive identification.

“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our hearts are with the Sims’ family and loved ones,” said Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. “We are incredibly grateful to our local and regional partners who supported this search effort with urgency, professionalism, and care.”

ACFR would like to thank ACPD, VDOT, Lynchburg Fire Department and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for their swift response and assistance in the search operations.

Weather Bulletin : Flood Watch For Part Of Blue Ridge Monday Evening To Late Tuesday Night

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Weather Bulletin : Flood Watch For Part Of Blue Ridge Monday Evening To Late Tuesday Night

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
110 PM EDT Mon May 12 2025

Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Page-Warren-Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-
Madison-Rappahannock-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central
Virginia Blue Ridge-
110 PM EDT Mon May 12 2025

…FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE
TUESDAY NIGHT…

* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.

* WHERE…Portions of central, northwest, and western Virginia,
including the following areas, in central Virginia, Albemarle,
Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Greene and Nelson. In northwest
Virginia, Madison, Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Page,
Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren. In western Virginia, Augusta
and Rockingham.

* WHEN…From 8 PM EDT this evening through late Tuesday night.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of creeks,
streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water
crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– While showers will spread into the area today, a prolonged
period of moderate to heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms
is expected tonight into Tuesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2
to 4 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible
along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This
rainfall may lead to scattered instances of flooding.
– Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety
and preparedness information

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
102 PM EDT Mon May 12 2025

Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Floyd-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-
Including the cities of Yanceyville, Salem, Lexington, Floyd,
Amherst, Stuart, Lynchburg, Danville, Roanoke, Fincastle, Rocky
Mount, Danbury, Martinsville, Eden, Bedford, and Buena Vista
102 PM EDT Mon May 12 2025

…FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT…

* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.

* WHERE…Portions of north central North Carolina, including the
following counties, Caswell, Rockingham and Stokes and Virginia,
including the following counties, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt,
Campbell, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Roanoke
and Rockbridge.

* WHEN…Through late Tuesday night.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur
in poor drainage and urban areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Expect multiple rounds of moderate to heavy rain through
tonight and scattered showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday
and Tuesday night. Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches
are expected, with locally higher amounts of 4 to 6 inches
along the Blue Ridge into the eastern foothills.
– http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

News Bulletin : Nearby Magnitude 3.0 Earthquake Felt Across Area

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News Bulletin : Nearby Magnitude 3.0 Earthquake Felt Across Area

Near Dillwyn
Buckingham County, Virginia

Shortly after 1:00 PM Tuesday afternoon reports of a small earthquake began coming in across the area. A neighbor of ours here in Roseland texted me. I was in nearby Nellysford in my truck so we didn’t feel anything. “At first I thought it was a loud truck or some sort of rumbling,” Andrea Berkshire messaged me. Within minutes Facebook reports from across the county and region started coming in.

Map via USGS : The center of the 3.0 earthquake appears to have been on Route 15 just south of Pleasant Valley. Tuesday – May 6, 2025

The quake is a reminder of the much larger 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit on August 23, 2011 that was centered in Mineral, Virginia of Louisa County. That quake was felt all along the eastern seaboard from New York to the Carolinas.

We’ll update this story as more details come in.

 

Shipman : Sierra Club Awards Earth Flag to Susan McSwain (Video)

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Shipman : Sierra Club Awards Earth Flag to Susan McSwain (Video)

Shipman
Nelson County, Virginia

On Thursday, May 1st, The Sierra Club be awarded an Earth Flag to outstanding environmentalist Susan McSwain. The award will took place at her home in Shipman of Nelson County.

Ms. McSwain has been a shining light in promoting sustainability and nature education in Nelson County. It’s impossible to sum up her work and achievements, but here’s one indication: Her work with the Master Naturalists earned her the recognition as Virginia Master Naturalist Volunteer of the Year in 2016.

It’s hard to describe everything she’s done in the twenty-five years since she and her husband moved here, but here are a few highlights:

-Solid Waste and Recycling: Susan and a friend surveyed the County’s garbage collection system and developed a report showing that Nelson could save money, increase recycling and improve the beauty of the area by creating gated, staffed sites that also reduced trash coming from other counties. In addition, as a result of her efforts, Nelson became the first county in Virginia to offer Re-Use Sheds at Collection Sites.

-Land Conservation: As a County-appointed volunteer on the Thomas Jefferson Water Resources Protection Foundation, she helped to promote open space easements on land to protect land surrounding riparian areas. After that she volunteered with the Central VA Land Conservancy which holds conservation easements in five counties; in 2024 they helped landowners place more than 1,000 acres under conservation easements.

-Butterflies and Moths: Susan has been leading annual butterfly counts since 2011 and this year The North American Butterfly Association sponsors annual butterfly counts at some 450 count circles established throughout the continent. Susan began participating with the count circle in Nelson in 2004, and in 2011, she became the count leader. This year will be her 15th year of organizing volunteers to count butterflies as part of this effort and she has verified the existence of more than 400 species of butterflies and moths in Nelson County.

-Birds: In 2014, Susan started one of several Bluebird Trails in Nelson that are monitored according to the parameters set out by the VA Bluebird Society. She and other volunteers collect data, and the nesting boxes on the trails have resulted in an increase of the number of Bluebirds in Nelson County. She also maintains one of three towers built in Nelson for the protection of Chimney Swifts, a species of bird that has declined an estimated 67% since 1970. In addition to her own Swift Tower, several years ago, Susan discovered that Chimney Swifts were using an old chimney at the County Courthouse as a roosting site. During renovations on the Courthouse, she alerted County staff and elected officials about the birds, and the original plan to seal off the chimney was averted. She organized several Swift Nights Out for people to come view swifts as they congregated above the Courthouse chimney at dusk.

-Lots More Stuff: Susan’s work has been instrumental in the Sturt Nature Preserve Park, the Ag/Forestal Districts Advisory Committee, the fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Wintergreen Nature Foundation.
*

The Piedmont Group of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club awards Earth Flags to unsung volunteers who make a difference in protecting nature in our area.

Sierra Club leaders Donna Shaunesey and Scott Ziemer will presented the award.

Congrats Susan – Well Done!

Prescribed Burn Alert : US Forest Service : George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

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Prescribed Burn Alert : US Forest Service : George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

 

Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

USDA Forest Service federal fire management specialists are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on 440 acres today in the Cole Mountain area of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Glenwood Pedlar Ranger District.

Prescribed burns are low-intensity fires, ignited by trained personnel, to remove excess vegetation and dead wood that would enable wildfires to burn hotter and longer.

Today’s prescribed burn is located near Wiggin Springs Road and Hog Camp Gap in Amherst County. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Old Hotel Trail #515 will be closed throughout the day.

Smoke may be visible near the towns of Montebello, eight miles from the prescribed burn and Fairfield, 10 miles northwest of the unit. The wind direction will be coming from the south.

Some smoke will settle around the general area of the burn. If encountering smoke on roadways; please slow down, turn on your low-beam headlights and use caution when encountering prescribed burning operations and smoke.

Prescribed fire plays an important role in the health of forest ecosystems. Applying prescribed fire on the land at the right place, at the right time, under the right conditions benefits the land and the surrounding communities. If you have any questions, please contact the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest at 540-291-2188

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