The natural way to learn

The highlight of Brigid Tamas' day at Blandy Experimental Farm Saturday was acting like a molecule.

Troubles mount for Agency on Aging

FRONT ROYAL -- A new financial storm is heading toward the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging and is likely to force cuts in personnel, programs or both, the board of directors learned Friday.

Frederick's share of jail costs on the rise

WINCHESTER -- Frederick County can expect to pay more for its share of the regional jail costs next year, officials learned Thursday.

Budgetary pain from inmates' health issues

WINCHESTER -- The Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center feels the chronic financial pain of keeping inmates healthy, and illnesses often come without warning.

Accounting, legal bills nearly max out SAAA budget

FRONT ROYAL -- Mounting bills for lawyers and accountants are threatening to swamp the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging's budgeted amount of $100,000 for such expenses, according to figures released by agency officials Thursday.

Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging budget has deficit

FRONT ROYAL -- After months of delay and considerable hesitation, the financially strapped Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging's board of directors passed a 2012 budget Wednesday.

Powhatan School wins green award

BOYCE -- Powhatan School has gone green.

Assault charges to be dropped

BERRYVILLE -- A prosecutor plans to drop charges against a town man accused of assaulting a police officer and wounding another man in April.

Independent to challenge Vogel

STEPHENS CITY -- A town man plans to challenge state Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel for the 27th District seat in November.

Driver injured in crash

BERRYVILLE -- A single-vehicle crash in Clarke County late Thursday morning sent a Winchester man to a Fairfax hospital.

Police: Gun fired in self-defense

A Berryville police officer fired his service weapon in self-defense when a town man attacked him with a metal pipe on April 20, state police said Friday.

VDOT to extend Mosby Boulevard

BERRYVILLE -- Clarke County residents can expect changes at a major intersection near the new high school by 2012.

Clarke County to close offices early

BERRYVILLE -- Clarke County's governmental offices will join other state and local offices in the region that are closing at noon Wednesday for the Thanksgiving holiday....

GOP committee to host rally

The Clarke County Republican Committee will hold a "grass roots" rally and barbecue Saturday.

New application filed for power line

American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy Inc. filed a new application with the State Corporation Commission for the construction of the Virginia portion of the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline.

Crash victim still in Fairfax hospital

BERRYVILLE -- A passenger hurt in a single-vehicle crash Saturday morning that killed the driver was still in a Fairfax hospital Monday afternoon.

Police search for Fairfax car jacker

BERRYVILLE -- The Clarke County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man they say fled a home outside Berryville on Thursday in a car stolen from Fairfax.

MADD lauds valley officers

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has recognized 26 officers in the Shenandoah Valley for their efforts to stop underage drinking and drunken driving.

Clarke County part of disaster area

Clarke County is included in a list of 37 localities statewide declared drought disaster areas by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Runner completes marathon fundraiser

FRONT ROYAL -- Through rain, heat and dogs nipping at her heels, SuSu Jennings of Frogtown completed her goal of running the equivalent of 15 marathons in 15 days.

State clarifies rules regarding farm-use tags

WOODSTOCK -- The rules pertaining to farm-use vehicles in Virginia are now a little more focused on making sure agricultural transportation really is being used down on the farm.

Offices, schools closed for holiday

The following is a list of closings in the Northern Shenandoah Valley in observance of Labor Day on Monday: Federal government offices: Closed Monday. State government offices: Closed Monday. County government offices: Closed Monday. Town offices: Closed Monday. Winchester city...

Convenience store owner wins lottery

BERRYVILLE -- Mohammad Lonekashmiri fed $20 into a Virginia Lottery scratch-off machine at the Berryville Food Lion on Friday, made his selection and waited.

Man gets six-plus years in fatal crash

BERRYVILLE -- A White Post man was sentenced to more than six years behind bars Monday for causing a car crash that killed his friend in December.

Smooth transition: School year begins

WINCHESTER -- After a long summer, Winchester, Frederick and Clarke County public school students strapped on their backpacks Wednesday for the first day of a new school year.

Still summer for select students

It's back to school or, weather permitting, the pool today for students in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Winchester residents indicted in Clarke drug stop

BERRYVILLE -- Three Winchester residents charged with drug crimes after a traffic stop in March have been indicted by a Clarke County Circuit Court grand jury.

On a mission: Fifteen-day trek planned to benefit local charity

FRONT ROYAL - Running one marathon is a daunting task, let alone 15 in 15 days, but that's exactly the mission that SuSu Jennings is on and for a good cause.

Plea deal brings no jail

A man charged in an unsuccessful 2008 plot to kill slain Berryville Town Councilwoman Gail S. Smith pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced charge in the case.

Man accused of raping two underage girls

WINCHESTER -- A Clarke County man accused of raping two girls under 13 earlier this year is set to appear in court Wednesday.

Manic Mowers

BERRYVILLE -- Lawnmower racing is "about as redneck as you can get," says one fan. For Kelley Ellis, this kind of racing has turned into a family operation, with her brother, nephew and son taking to the track.

Teen driver charged in fatal crash

BERRYVILLE -- Juvenile petitions were filed Wednesday charging a 17-year-old boy with manslaughter in a June 18 crash that killed a local teenager.

Perfect Pitch: Senior citizens horseshoe event draws crowd

BERRYVILLE -- Winning at horseshoes comes down to a game of inches, many players will say.