Virginia State Police Trooper J.R. Harris is investigating a fatal crash in Nelson County. The crash occurred May 27, 2018, at 3:40 p.m., on Route 29, less than a mile north of Route 6.
A 2009 Pontiac G8 was traveling north on Route 29 when it ran off the right side of the highway. The car struck the embankment, the culvert and then a tree.
The driver, Wallace L. Morgan, 74, of Chesterfield, Va., died at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police
Photo courtesy of Coronal Energy. Left, Gary E. Wood President and CEO of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative shaking hands with Governor Ralph Northam after “flipping the switch” – Wednesday – May 23, 2018
Arrington
Nelson County, Virginia
Wednesday Coronal Energy, a leading independent power producer focused on utility-scale solar and storage projects, and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC), a member-owned electric distribution cooperative, celebrated the commissioning of the Palmer and Martin solar centers in central Virginia. Governor Ralph Northam joined public officials, CVEC’s board, landowners, and representatives from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to mark the occasion with an on-site ceremony.
“I applaud CVEC for demonstrating that low-cost renewable energy is a viable concept in rural Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “It is critical that the Commonwealth of Virginia not be left behind as a destination for the one of the fastest-growing sectors of our economy, and these projects set the example that solar energy can compete anywhere.”
Located along the Interstate 64 corridor, the two projects totaling 10 megawatts (AC) were constructed by EPC contractor McCarthy Building Companies and will generate enough clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to power roughly 1,200 homes annually. Together, they combine to make up the largest solar project in the state for an electric distribution cooperative. CVEC will purchase the projects’ output under a 25-year power purchase agreement, while Coronal Energy will own and operate the facilities.
“Virginia is open for solar business,” said Danny Van Clief, president of Coronal Energy. “With Charlottesville as our east coast hub and a decade of continuous operations in the state, Coronal is proud to partner with CVEC on a pair of projects that will pave the way for the accelerated adoption of solar energy.”
CVEC serves some 36,000 members across 14 Virginia counties, and is one of 11 cooperatives in the state currently using solar energy, according to NRECA. The Palmer Solar Center in Troy and the Martin Solar Center in Kents Store are located in Fluvanna and Goochland counties, respectively, where CVEC serves over 9,000 members.
CVEC plans to offer 4 of the 10 megawatts (AC) generated by the solar centers to its members as a part of Solar Share, its community solar program. CVEC is the first electric cooperative to receive approval of the community solar rate under the new statute.
“As a not-for-profit, member-owned organization, CVEC’s strategy remains focused on capturing tremendous value for our co-op members,” said Gary Wood, president and CEO of CVEC. “Adding cost-effective solar power to our diversified portfolio furthers that mission, as we continue to provide reliable, affordable energy to the communities, businesses, and residents we serve.”
One of the two sites also boasts a coincidental but fitting connection to CVEC through Grover Palmer, a 39-year veteran of CVEC who retired in 2002, and his wife, Wanda. About 41 acres of their land in Troy now host the eponymous Palmer Solar Center. Previously contracted out to corn and soybean growers, the land proved attractive for solar development because of its flat ground and close proximity to co-op electricity grid infrastructure.
“It’s the first time in my history of solar development where the landowner is also a former employee of the utility,” said Kyle West, vice president of development for Coronal Energy. “What a fitting testament to just how connected co-ops are to their members and communities.”
Electric cooperatives are accelerating the procurement of solar energy on behalf of their members and customers across the country. According to NRECA, by the end of 2017 the total solar energy capacity of America’s electric cooperatives had tripled in the past three years and increased fivefold in the last two years alone. By NRECA’s most-recent count, 443 co-ops in 43 U.S. states are using solar energy today.
“CVEC’s two new solar facilities wonderfully embody the community spirit of America’s electric cooperatives,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of NRECA. “Co-ops empower local communities to thrive by providing affordable, reliable, and—more than ever—clean energy. The Palmer and Martin solar centers are the latest testament to co-op’s role advancing the development of solar energy in communities across the country.”
The Martin and Palmer Solar Centers are part of Coronal’s expanding Virginia portfolio. In addition to developing and transacting 6 PV projects in the state, which total 80MWac, the firm manages a strong Virginia pipeline of projects at various stages of development.
About Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic
Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, is a leading independent power producer focused on utility-scale solar and storage projects. The firm provides turnkey solar energy solutions tailored for diverse enterprise customers across North America, including utilities, corporations, and the public sector. Uniting 3 gigawatts of completed project experience with the financial strength of a Fortune Global 500 company (#110), Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, owns and manages a 333 megawatt operating portfolio and a multi-gigawatt development pipeline in more than 20 US states.
For more, please visit CoronalEnergy.com and follow them @CoronalEnergy on Twitter.
About Central Virginia Electric Cooperative
Headquartered in Lovingston, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution utility serving over 36,000 meters in 14 counties across central Virginia. For more information about Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, visit the company’s website atwww.mycvec.com.
About the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states. Learn more at www.electric.coop.
Photo Via VSP : At 10:55 a.m., Tuesday (May 22), Virginia State Police was called to the scene of a plane crash in Augusta County. Neither the pilot, a 24-year-old Rockingham County man, nor the co-pilot was injured.
Craig Shop Road
Weyers Cave
Augusta County, Virginia
Press release via Virginia State Police, verbatim:
At 10:55 a.m., Tuesday (May 22), Virginia State Police was called to the scene of a plane crash in Augusta County. Neither the pilot, a 24-year-old Rockingham County man, nor the co-pilot was injured.
A single-engine, Piper Arrow had taken off from Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport and was en route to Farmville when the aircraft experienced engine problems. The pilot was trying to return to the airport in Weyers Cave when he realized they were not going to make it. So, he made a forced landing in an open field along Craig Shop Road in Weyers Cave. The plane suffered minor damage.
No one on the ground was injured.
Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 116
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
230 PM EDT TUE MAY 22 2018
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 116 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
ALBEMARLE AMELIA AMHERST
APPOMATTOX ARLINGTON BUCKINGHAM
CAMPBELL CAROLINE CHARLES CITY
CHESTERFIELD CLARKE CULPEPER
CUMBERLAND ESSEX FAIRFAX
FAUQUIER FLUVANNA GLOUCESTER
GOOCHLAND GREENE HANOVER
HENRICO JAMES CITY KING AND QUEEN
KING GEORGE KING WILLIAM LANCASTER
LOUDOUN LOUISA MADISON
MATHEWS MIDDLESEX NELSON
NEW KENT NORTHUMBERLAND ORANGE
PAGE POWHATAN PRINCE WILLIAM
RAPPAHANNOCK RICHMOND SPOTSYLVANIA
STAFFORD WARREN WESTMORELAND
VIRGINIA INDEPENDENT CITIES INCLUDED ARE
ALEXANDRIA CHARLOTTESVILLE COLONIAL HEIGHTS
FAIRFAX FALLS CHURCH FREDERICKSBURG
LYNCHBURG MANASSAS MANASSAS PARK
RICHMOND WILLIAMSBURG
Thanks to John McKeithen for the photos : Wintergreen Fire & Rescue along with Wintergreen Police block Wintergreen Drive in the vicinity of Founder’s Vision Overlook late Monday afternoon where a backhoe overturned – May 21, 2018
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
Folks traveling Wintergreen Drive on the mountain late Monday afternoon may have noticed several emergency vehicles near the entrance to Founders Vision Overlook. A backhoe turned over on the roadway blocking traffic.
A closer look at the backhoe accident along Wintergreen Drive Tuesday afternoon – May 21, 2018.
“One patient was transported to Augusta Health with non life threatening injuries. Wintergreen Fire was on location for some fluids on the roadway,” Wintergreen Fire Chief Curtis Sheets tells BRL.
Photos Courtesy of Samantha Saunders : 3 year old Kyla Vest takes to the streets in downtown Lovingston this past Sunday – May 20, 2018 during the 2018 Bike Out Lovingston. Kyla is the youngest participant ever in the annual event.
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
After nearly a week of rain for 7 straight days the skies finally parted and the sun came out just in time for the annual Bike Out Lovingston held this past weekend. The weather ended up being just perfect for the afternoon event that started a few years back. BRL has been the media sponsor for the event since it started.
Kids take to the start line during Bike Out Lovingston this past Sunday – May 20, 2018.
Youngsters enjoyed a mind-bending scavenger hunt on bicycles followed by a kids’ bike race, bike challenges, and custom bike action. There was also a high-flying bicycle stunt show by the Freecycle Action Sports team!
Kyla (left) and dad Jeff Vest show off her ribbon from Bike Out Lovingston held this past Sunday – May 20, 2018.Youngsters get ready for Bike Out Lovingston this past Sunday – May 20, 2018.
Thanks to everyone for coming out and see you next year in 2019!
The area of outages (as of 9:45 AM Saturday) is primarily northern Nelson and Southwestern Albemarle. Click on image above for katest updates from CVEC.
Afton / Batesville
Update : 3:06 PM EDT
CVEC is continuing to work on a downed line in the south part of the county.
“Still working on Piney River. Three-phase line was down,” Melissa Gay with CVEC told us early Saturday afternoon.
In spite of the major repair underway crews were able to back-feed those without power so they could have electricity while lines were being fixed.
Original post at 9:53 AM CDT
According to Central Virginia Electric just over 800 customers are without power thos Saturday morning. The constant rains have been uprooting trees around the area and may be to cause for this outage. Though CVEC has only said a broken pole is to blame so far.
“817 members served by Piney River and Midway substations are out of power. A broken pole top has been located and will take several hours to repair. Crews are assessing the damage and will restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”
Bike Out, Lovingston! 2PM to 6:30 PM. On Front Street in downtown Lovingston. Kids, bring your bikes! Registration 10AM, Scavenger hunt 11AM, Bike Race 12:30PM. Food and music! Rain or shine! No dogs please! Riders must have helmets. Free admission for all ages. High flying stunt show by Freecycle Action Sports Team. 434-226-0085. bikeout@gmail.com Front Street, Lovingston, VA, 22949.
For the absolute latest updates, click on the graphic above from NWS.
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
425 PM EDT Thu May 17 2018
…Locally Heavy Rainfall Expected Through Friday…
.The combination of a weak stalled frontal boundary across West
Virginia and Virginia, and an area of low pressure laden with
tropical Gulf Moisture moving northward from the southern
Appalachians, will bring periods of heavy rain showers and a few
thunderstorms with torrential downpours to the central Mid-
Atlantic States. The Highlands of Virginia and West Virginia, and
into the High Country of North Carolina will be most susceptible
to rapid runoff of this rainfall due to the steep terrain.
Expected rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is possible through Friday,
some of this rain occurring in a very short period of time. If
this occurs, streams will rise rapidly and may quickly lead to
flash flooding.
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-
Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-
Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-
Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-
Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
Including the cities of West Jefferson, Sparta, Dobson, Danbury,
Eden, Yanceyville, Boone, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Tazewell,
Marion, Bland, Pearisburg, Wytheville, Radford, Pulaski,
Blacksburg, Independence, Whitetop, Troutdale, Volney, Galax,
Floyd, New Castle, Clifton Forge, Covington, Hot Springs,
Roanoke, Salem, Fincastle, Lexington, Buena Vista, Stuart,
Rocky Mount, Bedford, Amherst, Martinsville, Danville, Lynchburg,
Appomattox, South Boston, Keysville, Bluefield, Flat Top, Hinton,
Hix, Union, Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs, Alderson, Quinwood,
Duo, and Rainelle
425 PM EDT Thu May 17 2018
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING…
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of North Carolina, Virginia, and southeast West
Virginia, including the following areas, in North Carolina,
Alleghany NC, Ashe, Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry,
Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin. In Virginia, Alleghany VA,
Amherst, Appomattox, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt,
Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Floyd,
Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick,
Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell,
and Wythe. In southeast West Virginia, Eastern Greenbrier,
Mercer, Monroe, Summers, and Western Greenbrier.
* Through Friday evening.
* Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected, some of this rain
occurring in a very short period of time.
* Expect flash flooding in areas of torrential rainfall.
Flooding of small streams, creeks, and smaller rivers may
occur with little warning.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Remember…TURN AROUND…DON`T DROWN!
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
156 PM EDT Thu May 17 2018
District of Columbia-Carroll-Northern Baltimore-
Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-
Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany-
Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery-
Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford-
Southeast Harford-Augusta-Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-
Rappahannock-Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax-
Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Northern Fauquier-
Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Eastern Loudoun-
Central Virginia Blue Ridge-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-
Including the cities of Washington, Eldersburg, Westminster,
Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie,
Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel,
Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate,
Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Frostburg, Cumberland, Germantown,
Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring,
Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, Aberdeen,
Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, Lovingston, Charlottesville,
Stanardsville, Madison, Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge,
Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville,
Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Warrenton,
Hightown, Monterey, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Wintergreen,
Elk Garden, Antioch, Keyser, New Creek, Ridgeville, Russelldale,
Headsville, and Fort Ashby
156 PM EDT Thu May 17 2018
…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING…
The Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of Maryland, The District of Columbia, Virginia, and
eastern West Virginia, including the following areas, in
Maryland, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Central and Eastern Allegany,
Central and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast
Montgomery, Extreme Western Allegany, Northern Baltimore,
Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest Montgomery,
Prince Georges, Southeast Harford, and Southern Baltimore. The
District of Columbia. In Virginia, Albemarle, Arlington/Falls
Church/Alexandria, Augusta, Central Virginia Blue Ridge,
Eastern Highland, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Greene, Madison,
Nelson, Northern Fauquier, Prince William/Manassas/Manassas
Park, Rappahannock, and Western Highland. In eastern West
Virginia, Eastern Mineral and Western Mineral.
* Through Saturday morning
* Periods of rain will continue across the region through at least
Friday night. This rain will be heavy at times, with overall
additional rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches. While flash
flooding cannot be ruled out, the primary concern is flooding of
small streams and low-lying areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts.
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.
Photos via Nelson County Sheriff’s Department : Scott Lewis Campbell Jr. (29 years of age) and Janine M. Hanna (59 years of age). Both individuals have been charged with drug offenses stemming from a three-month investigation related to the deaths of two women in Nelson County.
5/17/2018
2:10 p.m.
The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office have charged two individuals from Lovingston, Virginia; Scott Lewis Campbell Jr. (29 years of age) and Janine M. Hanna (59 years of age). Both individuals have been charged with drug offenses stemming from a three-month investigation related to the deaths of two women in Nelson County. Campbell and Hanna have been charged with Distribution of Morphine and Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs. Campbell and Hanna are being held with bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Drugs are a serious threat to any community and the costs to our citizens are high. With the resources provided, we put forth great effort into protecting our citizens. Through the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and aggressive prosecution, we hope to send a clear message that this activity will not be tolerated in Nelson County.
Sheriff David W. Hill
