Category: Latest News

Increase in Fatal and Non-Fatal Overdoses
The NVRDGTF has reported three fatal overdoses and three non-fatal overdoses this year, all since February.

National Park Service urges visitors to stay “bear aware” as spring and summer activity increases
Visitors should use extra caution in bear country as spring and summer bring increased bear activity.

Virginia Cooperative Extension offers free pressure canner gauge testing in June
Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer free dial-gauge pressure canner testing throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley during the first week of June.

2025-2026 Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance results
For the 2025 – 2026 hunting season, DMA1 included Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.

Spanberger vetoes cannabis, drug-pricing, election and higher-ed bills after reconvene session
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed a new round of bills sent back to her after the 2026 General Assembly reconvene session, rejecting measures dealing with cannabis sales, prescription drug pricing, election administration, higher education governance, courthouse security and other issues.

Local students earn academic, leadership and athletic honors
Students from Winchester, Front Royal, Stephens City, Stephenson, Middletown, Clear Brook and Lake Frederick were recognized by colleges and universities for academic achievement, leadership awards, athletic honors, graduation milestones and honor society membership.

SAR chapter and Tree Stewards plant Liberty Tree at Lions Community Park
SAR chapter and Tree Stewards plant Liberty Tree for America’s 250th.

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s Summer Food Service Program begins
Hundreds of area children receive nutritious food every week during summer break through USDA program.

U.S. Supreme Court leaves Virginia congressional map unchanged for now
U.S. Supreme Court declines to revive Virginia redistricting amendment before 2026 elections

Assault firearm ban signed into law
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation making it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, purchase or transfer assault firearms and certain high-capacity magazines in the commonwealth beginning July 1.










