Latest news with #AugustaCounty
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Police Department disbanded
FISHERSVILLE – The Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Police Department is no longer a police department. On June 23, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) disbanded the department. The Campus Safety Team will now be the first contact point for non-emergency safety issues. For emergencies, DARS' communications office said those on campus should call 911, as they would elsewhere in Augusta County. 'The team met with the Augusta County Sheriff's office to inform them of the changes,' said Betsy Civilette, Communications Director for DARS. 'For emergencies requiring law enforcement, staff and participants will now be directed to call 911, which will initiate a response from the sheriff's office. This ensures that any law enforcement needs at WWRC are handled promptly by the appropriate authorities.' As part of the policy change, instances of the word "police" have been covered at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) campus. In addition, trying to pull up the department's page on the WWRC's website gives a 404 error message. This doesn't mean there will not be any form of law enforcement on the ground on campus. A new campus safety supervisor was hired in May to oversee the Campus Safety Team as it transitions to the Special Conservator of the Peace Program (SCOPP), through the Virginia Dept. of Criminal Justice Services. A special conservator of the peace is appointed 'for the security of property or the peace and the presentation of evidence' by a circuit court 'to perform only those powers, functions, duties and responsibilities authorized within such geographic limitations as the court may deem appropriate.' They can be either armed or unarmed. Civilette explained the new model is what 'other state agencies and higher education institutions are implementing.' According to Civilette, the former department has one full-time officer who was notified of the change in operations. WWRC extended his position, keeping him on with campus security. More: Waynesboro bookkeeper, 72, accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from business More: VDOT asks for feedback on I-81, Broad St. multimillion dollar projects Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@ Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Police Department disbanded
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Two people dead after early morning stabbing in Augusta County: Sheriff's Office
Two people are dead after an early morning stabbing in Augusta County July 5. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office reports that it is actively investigating two fatal injuries that occurred in the early morning hours in Mount Solon. At approximately 2:20 a.m. July 5, according to a release, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing in the 100 block of Old Quarry Road. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered two adult male victims who were involved. The Sheriff's Office said that, despite life-saving efforts, both individuals died from the injuries they received. The victims have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Manassas for autopsy and identification. According to the release, a preliminary investigation indicates this was an isolated incident that occurred during a party involving known associates. The Sheriff's Office said that, at this time, there is no known threat to the Augusta County community. 'This is a tragic and deeply disturbing incident," said Sheriff Donald Smith. 'Our investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding these deaths." The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional details will be released as they become available. Per the release, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office has numerous persons detained for questioning. More: Walking tall: Fishersville stilt performer showcases talent in July 4 parade More: Trump signs megabill that slashes taxes, Medicaid while boosting national debt Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Early morning stabbing leaves two dead in Augusta County
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Augusta sheriff looking for missing juvenile: Knolan Sobczak
The Augusta County Sheriff's Office is requesting assistance in locating a missing juvenile: Knolan Michael Sobczak. "The Augusta County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's assistance with locating a runaway juvenile who was last seen at midnight on July 2, 2025, at his Crimora home, and was reported missing this morning by a family member," reads the press release. Knolan Michael Sobczak is a 6-foot tall, 15-year-old male with brown hair and blue eyes. The press release states he could be riding a black Ozark Trail mountain bike. "If anyone has any information about this runaway juvenile, please contact the Augusta County Sheriff's Office at 540-245-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 800-322-2017," reads the press release. More: The stage is set for the annual Happy Birthday America celebration in Staunton More: Staunton City Council approves over 100 new home lots in two developments Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@ Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta sheriff looking for missing juvenile: Knolan Sobczak
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wet spring keeps Virginia crops growing despite early summer's blazing heat
A corn field in Augusta County. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury) This week Virginia has set new heat records and come close to beating old ones for this time of year. The Richmond airport recorded a temperature of 99 degrees at the hottest part of the day on Tuesday, Roanoke reached 99, and Alexandria reached 98. Those high temperatures come at a crucial time for many crops growing across the commonwealth. 'We are at a critical point for certain crops like corn that are either about to pollinate or our pollinating and so it will have an impact,' said Wilmer Stoneman, vice president of agriculture development and innovation for the Virginia Farm Bureau. Virginia's largest commodities include corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts and wheat. In the summer, crops are pollinating but high heat reduces the pollen survival rate, which could impact yields down the road. 'When it comes to corn there's research that's been done that says for every day you're above 90 degrees consecutively you can have a 3-5% reduction in yield during bloom period,' said Matthew Chappell, director of Virginia Tech's Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center. While some may have lamented the amount of rain Virginia experienced this spring, those soggy days and others to come are helping save crops as the temperature rises. The state's soil is very moist which helps keep crops alive, even though rainy days may make it difficult for farmers to get tractors through their fields. The National Weather Service in Wakefield predicts showers will fall across most regions of the state this weekend and some days next week. 'This is the time of year we need a little temperature but we have to have rain,' Stoneman said. If things were to take a turn towards drier patterns while high temperatures persist, then farmers would have cause to worry. As of Wednesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that no counties in Virginia are under drought conditions. This year the state has seen an average of three inches more rain than normal. 'This time last year it turned hot, but it also turned dry. We had what a lot of people consider a mini drought and it basically went from a bumper corn crop the year before to basically no corn crop,' Stoneman said. 'Producers had half over or didn't produce any corn last year.' Chappell said that this year is not necessarily hotter than past years; rather the extreme heat is happening earlier than usual during a delicate time in the growing process for multiple crops. The heat also puts restraints on when laborers can be in the fields tending to crops, as heat indexes can reach extremely dangerous levels. 'Extremes and prolonged weather extremes are always a tough hurdle for farmers to to deal with, but they're resilient folks,' Stoneman said, adding that the rain is welcome and necessary. 'We can't have all sunshine and make a crop.' Stoneman also said the wet soil is contributing to a humid weather pattern that can help form thunderstorms that will provide more rain. But that precipitation needs to be widespread across the growing fields to have a big impact on crops. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sheriff's Office: Woman missing from Staunton
The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said a Staunton woman has been listed as missing, a press release said. The woman, 40-year-old Megan N. Thomas, has been missing since June 11. A family member reported her missing on June 22. Thomas is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, the release said. Her whereabouts are unknown. If anyone has any information about this missing person, contact the Augusta County Sheriff's Office at (540) 245-5333 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-2017. More: Train carrying hydrochloric acid derails in Dooms More: Shenandoah National Park moves to cashless fee collection starting July 1 Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Sheriff's Office: Woman missing from Staunton
