Cutting class

West Virginia University graduate Chris Anderson, 23, of Front Royal, gives A.S. Rhodes Elementary School third-grade science pupils a lesson in using a cross-cut saw during a demonstration Thursday afternoon at the school. Science teacher Jodi Shollenberger organized the event for the class as a reward following standards of learning testing.

Artz Road bridge may stay one-lane, flood-prone

WOODSTOCK -- Strict rules on bridges in flood-prone areas could impact plans to replace one of Shenandoah County's many low-water spans.

Movable market

James Neff, 73, sits outside his mobile produce stand on North Massanutten Street in Strasburg on a sunny afternoon. Rich Cooley/Daily

Crash sends three Strasburg High School students to hospital

A single-vehicle crash Saturday night sent three students from Strasburg High School to a hospital and left one seriously injured, according to Virginia State Police.

New Market welcomes reenactors

Around 1,200 Civil War re-enactors were expected for the 148th anniversary Battle of New Market Reenactment this weekend. The event ends at 5 p.m. today at the New Market Battlefield. Linda Ash/Daily
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Coasting down hill

Nealon Davis, 13, of Winchester rides his skateboard along a section of High Street in Strasburg recently.

Firefighter applicants put to the tests, written and physical

The Warren County Fire and Rescue Service is closer to hiring five new career firefighters after the last of 23 participating recruits finished written and physical agility tests in Front Royal on Thursday.

Fire destroys 120-year-old barn

FORT VALLEY -- A Shenandoah County family lost a barn built in the late 1800s to fire Wednesday.

Extra battle being held during New Market reenactment

This weekend's Battle of New Market Reenactment is one-stop shopping for Civil War enthusiasts.

Walking in the rain

Larry Harper walks his beagle Hunter along this section of East Queen Street in Strasburg on a recent rainy afternoon. Rich Cooley/Daily

Garden Fair attracts 'green thumbs'

BOYCE -- The State Arboretum and Blandy Experimental Farm hosted its Garden Fair this weekend which drew both experienced "green thumbs" and people looking for last-minute Mother's Day gifts.

On the town

Aaron Taylor, 23, of Front Royal sits on a bench on East Main and Chester streets in Front Royal on a recent warm spring afternoon.

Strasburg tests for Streetscape 'bump-outs'

Navigating large vehicles around "bump-outs" at key intersections on King Street in Strasburg Thursday proved tough but not impossible, according to town officials.

Jail protesters effort to lobby McDonnell dashed

A group of 15 protesters hoping to plead their case against the planned RSW Regional Jail to Gov. Robert F. McDonnell Wednesday came away disappointed when he canceled an appearance in Front Royal.

Students win national, state awards for service projects

The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students at Warren County Middle School have managed to win three state and one national award for their service projects this year.

River views

Corey Snapp, of Winchester, photographs a scene along the Shenandoah River under the Va. 7 bridge in western Clarke County recently.

Lopez: Honored to be parade's grand marshal

Mario Lopez's star shone brightly at the Apple Blossom Festival's Grand Feature Parade in Winchester Saturday, but he confessed to feeling a little frazzled an hour before he was to begin greeting his adoring public as the parade's grand marshal.

Salute to firefighters

Rusty Wallace, a 55-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winner, rides in the Firefighter's Parade in Winchester as the Firefighter's Marshal of the LXXXV Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.

Apple Pie Baking Contest blossoms with flavor

Ellen and Hannah Keri, mother and daughter from Fauquier County, surprise each other by winning their respective categories in the annual Apple Blossom baking competition.

Queen 'Jazz' arrives in the Valley

WINCHESTER -- Queen Shenandoah LXXXV, Jazmyn 'Jazz' Dorsett, arrived in the city Wednesday night after a slight delay, and said her first impression was that Winchester is "absolutely gorgeous."

Carnival days

Powers Great American Midways Inc. has brought the carnival to Winchester for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. The carnival, which runs through Sunday, is located behind the Ward Plaza Shopping Center off Valley Avenue. Photos by Rich Cooley/Daily

Kimberly's Pumps and Pearls Ladies Party

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is under way. On Monday night, area women gathered at the George Washington Hotel in Winchester for the annual Kimberly's Pumps and Pearls Ladies Party. Photos by Rich Cooley/Daily

Police and partners host safety fair

WOODSTOCK - At least one child is riding safer thanks to the town police department's inaugural Safety Day this weekend.

Record volunteers, record projects for Day of Caring

FRONT ROYAL -- The Front Royal-Warren County United Way of Day of Caring began Friday with a record number of volunteers assembling at Fantasyland to perform a record number of projects waiting for them throughout the community.

A spring afternoon

Nadia Matthews, 9, and her sister Ariel, 6, munch on a bag of popcorn outside Seed for the Nations Thrift Store on South Main Street in Woodstock recently. They were enjoying the afternoon while their mother volunteered at the store. Rich Cooley/Daily

Paving work

Crews work to pave U.S. 11 from south of Toms Brook to Maurertown on Wednesday. Motorists can expect some delays as workers close the road to a single lane of traffic, allowing one direction through at a time. Weather permitting, workers expect to complete the project May 3, Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Sandy Myers said. Rich Cooley/Daily

Update: U.S. 211 now open, driver airlifted to WMC

NEW MARKET - The driver of a logging truck has been flown to Winchester Medical Center following a crash on U.S. 211 Thursday.

New Market Area Library

The New Market Area Library hosted New Market's Neighborhood Helpers in a program for children of all ages Monday. Members of the New Market Police and Fire and Rescue Department were on hand to show off emergency vehicles. Nurses from New Market Family Health Center conducted blood pressure checks. Almost 35 participants came out for the event. Above, Brayden Smith, left, and his brother Jace, 2, of Broadway, are given an inside view a New Market fire apparatus while firefighter Jamie Bowman, right, looks on at the New Market Library on Monday.

Girl talk

Leslie Winner, of Woodstock, and her daughter, Madison, 7, chat and enjoy the weather while sitting outside at W.O. Riley Park in Woodstock recently. Rich Cooley/Daily

Take a peek

A horse looks out over the morning fall view from this barn along Sandy Hook Road near Strasburg. Rich Cooley/Daily

Gentle casting

Books in the barn

EDINBURG -- The Shenandoah County Library has rezoned a small part of its building for agricultural use.

Fiery crash

North Warren Fire and Rescue volunteer Cody Riffle (top) runs to check on victims in a fiery crash on Interstate 66 eastbound near the 4-mile marker west of Front Royal on Tuesday afternoon. Jordan Dillon, a Warren County firefighter/EMT, above, stands beside the overturned van after the flames were extinguished. Photos by Rich Cooley/Daily

*Woman airlifted after hit-and-run crash on I-81

TOMS BROOK -- A hit-and-run on Interstate 81 resulted in a woman being air-lifted to Winchester Medical Center today.

*Two hurt in three-vehicle crash on John Marshall Highway

STRASBURG -- Two people were taken to hospitals -- one by helicopter -- following a three-vehicle crash on Va. 55 (John Marshall Highway) just north of Va. 633 (Red Bud Road) Thursday afternoon.

Fire displaces five

STRASBURG -- A fire charred the top floor of a two-story house at 410 N. Massanutten St. and shut down part of U.S. 11 Monday morning.

* Photo: Wreck temporarily closes eastbound I-66 near Front Royal

The victim of the single-vehicle accident on eastbound Interstate-66, east of Front Royal, is loaded into a medical helicopter after the interstate was shut down Wednesday morning. Rich Cooley/Daily

Crunch time for Christmas gifts

WINCHESTER -- That last-ditch effort to find the perfect gift at the perfect price is a holiday tradition with a few days left to celebrate.

Two sides to snow

FRONT ROYAL -- Snow blanketed the Northern Shenandoah Valley Thursday, canceling school and causing several traffic crashes, including a pileup on Interstate 81 near Edinburg.

The doctor is in: Devine brings diverse background to role with Lord Fairfax Health District

WINCHESTER -- A man of many interests has taken the helm of the Lord Fairfax Health District.