RSW jail board tours construction site

FRONT ROYAL - Stark cinder block walls, dark cells and exposed pipes in the roof show the area's next regional jail under construction.

Warren County raises taxes, fees to balance budget

FRONT ROYAL -- Owners of vehicles, dogs and businesses in Warren County will see license fees and taxes go up over the next several months.

Shenandoah Farms roads plan passes

FRONT ROYAL - A Warren County neighborhood can expect to see improvements to some of its roads starting this summer.

Next stage of Strasburg utility work begins this summer

Strasburg's downtown utilities project moves into the next phase this summer.

Council debates news taxicab regulations

FRONT ROYAL - Taxicab companies operating in Front Royal may face strict rules if Town Council approves an ordinance that adds new regulations.

County to hear from public on roads plan

Residents of Shenandoah Farms have a chance Tuesday to speak on a plan to improve some of the neighborhood roads.

Public meetings

The following public meetings are scheduled this week:

Town officials talk traffic with annexation

FRONT ROYAL - Talks over a proposal to annex land into town limits continue as officials look at how the effort could impact area traffic.

VDOT to hold meeting on Va. 277 project

The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to hold a public information meeting next week on a proposal to widen Va. 277 in the Stephens City area of Frederick County.

Edinburg budget, rates draw no comments

Budgets and higher utility rates for several Shenandoah County towns appear headed for approval after drawing little to no protest this week.

Valley to see small slice of new roads money

A transportation law signed this week by Gov. Bob McDonnell puts an extra $4 billion into road and bridge projects across the commonwealth over the next six years.

Mount Jackson leaders voice concern over prisoner transport

MOUNT JACKSON -- Shenandoah County town leaders remain cautiously optimistic that officials may use the local jail as a lock-up when the regional facility opens next year.

Land protection plan draws fire

WOODSTOCK - A proposal to use local money to protect a Shenandoah County farm drew fire Tuesday from a resident who claimed the land doesn't need more protection.

Shenandoah supervisors OK school deputies plan

WOODSTOCK - Shenandoah County leaders have backed the sheriff's plan to put more deputies into schools this fall.

New Market's 2014 budget calls for no tax increase

NEW MARKET - Town officials plan to spend more to run the government the next fiscal year without a tax increase.

Front Royal eyes Web for auctions

Front Royal may join a growing number of communities that use Internet auction sites to sell used equipment.

Effect of county office move on Winchester unknown

Frederick County would leave Winchester with either a lot of taxable commercial space or an empty building if government offices move out of the city.

Public meetings

The following public meetings are scheduled this week:

Correction

An article published Friday should have stated that Stephens City Planner Brian Henshaw leaves the position to become town manager of Haymarket....

Shull resigns from Middletown council

Middletown Town Council seeks to fill a vacancy made with a member's departure less that a year after her election.

Towns plan water, sewer rate hikes

Already facing higher taxes, residents of most Shenandoah County towns can expect to pay more for utilities.

Frederick supervisors nix proposed pay raise

The Frederick County Board of Supervisors will not be getting a pay raise this year.

Henshaw to lead Haymarket as town manager

Another town official in the valley leaves for a new job -- this time to the east.

Improvements to Warren County roads in planning stage

FRONT ROYAL - Motorists could see improvements on some Warren County roads in the next few years.

Woodstock welcomes new town manager, lauds Bradford

WOODSTOCK - Town Council voted unanimously at its meeting Tuesday to appoint Reid Wodicka as a successor to Larry D. Bradford, who retires June 1 after leading Woodstock for 26 years.

Frederick County leaders may see pay raise

For the first time in more than a decade, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors may give itself a pay raise.

Strasburg wastewater treatment plant offers show promise

Strasburg likely could save millions of dollars on an upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant by taking a different contracting approach.

Shenandoah officials see plan for roads, bridges

WOODSTOCK - Motorists in Shenandoah County may not see road improvements for several years

Public meetings

The following public meetings are scheduled this week: Shenandoah County The School Board meets in closed session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The board then convenes in open session for its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Strasburg Town Council holds a...

Duck Dynasty, Idol arrive for Bloom

WINCHESTER -- Reality TV came to the Bloom on Friday with the arrival of stars from two hit shows.

Sheriff questions study; towns seek input

WOODSTOCK - Efforts to study the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office remain bogged down by communication issues, a criticized study and a growing list of questions.

Harmony Place financial struggles continue

FRONT ROYAL - A shelter for domestic violence victims continues to struggle financially as the non-profit agency tries to find a new home.

Front Royal residents may see water, sewer rate hikes

FRONT ROYAL - Federal environmental rules mean steep rate increases for town water and sewer customers.

Area sees turnover among top officials

Turnover among top government officials in the region has hit another peak with a retirement, a resignation and a departure for another job.

Mt. Jackson town manager resigns

Clark W. Draper III resigned Monday as town manager of Mt. Jackson after less than a year on the job.

Inspectors push building safety

Tim Ferguson fights off dogs, snakes and fungal growth to make sure a building stays safe.

GOP taps Morris, Shaffer to run for board

The Shenandoah County Republican Party picked its candidates to run for two seats on the Board of Supervisors in November.

Public meetings

The following public meetings will be held this week:

Police operation nets dozens of arrests

Multiple law-enforcement agencies arrested dozens of people across the valley Thursday in an operation targeting illegal drugs.

RSW jail board selects superintendent

FRONT ROYAL - The area's next regional jail now has a superintendent, more than a year before the facility opens.

Shenandoah eyes regional push for economic boost

Critics of Shenandoah County's leaders say the government doesn't do enough to promote economic development.

Board raises utility rates in part of county

WOODSTOCK -- Utility bills may be on the rise this summer for some Shenandoah County residents.

Hawkins family seeks to protect farm

WOODSTOCK - George Hawkins IV smiles as he pulls dandelions and toddles around the family farm Tuesday afternoon.

Progress 2013: Bigger towns focus on infrastructure

Strasburg and Front Royal share similar futures this year as two of the area's largest towns addressing major infrastructure needs.

Progress 2013: Major projects under way in counties

An "ambitious" year lies ahead for Warren County. Road projects dominate the list of initiatives and projects for 2013, according to Warren County Administrator Douglas Stanley.