Winchester marks first stop on Redskins' Thank You Tour

WINCHESTER -- Area fans filled the home stands at the Handley Bowl on Thursday to welcome the Washington Redskins as they began their 80th Anniversary Thank You Tour.

Sesquicentennial events on tap this weekend

Civil War Sesquicentennial events abound this weekend in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

A winning experience

WINCHESTER -- Even though stars such as Lucille Ball, Tim McGraw, Val Kilmer and the Beach Boys have lain their heads there, Patsy Cline has sung there and it has just been named the Hotel of the Year by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, The George Washington Hotel General Manager David Cavallaro wants locals to know its luxury is within their grasp.

Redskins coming to Winchester, Shenandoah County

Washington Redskins fans have a chance to see some of the players and cheerleaders as they tour the Northern Shenandoah Valley today and tomorrow.

Grand opening

Sharon Russell and Dee Fenty, volunteers with the Winchester Medical Center Auxiliary, talk on Tuesday in the organization's thrift shop, The Auxiliary Attic, on Millwood Avenue. Its grand opening is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday.

Winchester woman wins windfall

A Winchester woman is $250,000 richer after matching five numbers in the Mega Millions drawing May 15.

Civil War War walking tours start Monday

Starting Memorial Day, tourists can walk their way through Civil War history in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

City probation office firebombed

Police are looking for one or more people suspected of firebombing the Probation and Parole Office in Winchester early Monday morning.

Chambers compete collecting food for hungry

The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber is among state chambers of commerce accepting Gov. Robert F. McDonnell's challenge to garner food and funds for food banks across Virginia.

Officers investigate early morning burglary

The Winchester Police Department is investigating a break-in that happened just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday, according to news release sent out on Sunday.

Police: Woman hit man with shoe

A woman was arrested early Saturday morning after police responded to a fight near the Braddock Street Auto Park, according to a news release sent out by the Winchester Police Department on Sunday morning.

Minority children numbers shift throughout valley

Minorities made up more than half the nation's children under age 1 as of July 1, U.S. Census Bureau announced Thursday.

Westminster-Canterbury celebrates 25th anniversary

WINCHESTER -- Seeing the conditions endured by her parents in an out-of-town nursing home, Dolly Glaize knew she wanted to help create something better for members of the older generation.

Accused meth maker faces theft charges

The Strasburg man accused of running a meth lab and bomb factory out of his King Street house was charged with three more crimes on Thursday.

Large motorcycle gang gathering passes uneventfully

Law enforcement officials in several communities kept a wary eye on the Pagans MC outlaw motorcycle gang as up to 150 members rumbled through the Northern Shenandoah Valley Saturday.

Back on the air

A familiar voice is back on the air at 92.5 WINC-FM. Dave Gunning is back after a four-year hiatus.

Whittlesey appears in court, refuses to speak

HARRISONBURG -- The man accused of robbing a Winchester bank seven months ago and shooting at responding officers didn't have much to say when he made his initial appearance in federal court in Virginia today. In fact, he didn't say a word.

Police seek suspect in morning stabbing

Winchester police are looking for a person they say stabbed an individual outside a downtown bar early Saturday morning.

Laurel Center takes step toward new home

The Laurel Center in Winchester on Friday celebrated a milestone in its efforts to build a new home -- a facility representatives say should accommodate the 400 women and children who need emergency shelter annually, according to Executive Director Donna Carpenter.

Alleged bank robber Whittlesey due in court Monday

The former fugitive accused of robbing a Winchester bank and shooting at city police last fall is scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court in Virginia on Monday.

Attorney claims lawyer lied in divorce case

A Winchester attorney is accusing his ex-wife's divorce lawyer of making false claims against him, violating court orders and wrongfully garnishing his wages.

Hospital may set path for Valley Health sepsis care

WINCHESTER -- Doctors with region's biggest healthcare provider want to make patient treatment equal across the hospital network.

Stars, weather bring out the crowds for Bloom parade

The wave of ecstatic shouts and cries sweeping slowly along the Apple Blossom Festival's Grand Feature Parade route Saturday in Winchester meant only one thing: Grand Marshal Mario Lopez was coming into view.

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.

Apple Blossom Bloomers

The Apple Blossom Bloomers luncheon was held Friday inside the Shentel tent in Winchester.

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.

Commonwealth Luncheon brings good crowd, good cheer

Laughter flowed like water and bonhomie filled the air Friday as nearly 400 businessmen gathered Friday for the BB&T Men's Commonwealth Luncheon at the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester.

Winchester author regales horticulture luncheon

Winchester author Jay Foreman and the women who attended the Ladies' Horticultural Luncheon Friday morning share a common denominator -- both are about growth.

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."

Sheetz calls family values key to company's success

Louie Sheetz gave an audience at the Valley Health Business at the Bloom Wednesday in Winchester a lesson about the importance of family values in forging the success of the convenience store chain that bears his name.

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

Toasting the weekend

Amine Tahiri, of Richmond, serves up a kabob at the Grapevine Restaurant's booth at the food court along the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall during the United Bank Bloomin' Wine Fest on Friday. The event, which continues today, features 30 artisans and vendors as well as wine to officially kick-off the Apple Blossom Festival.

Road work to close city streets

Daily Staff Report WINCHESTER -- Construction crews working on the North End Improvements Project in Winchester will close street sections downtown for three nights next week, according to a press release issued Friday. Workers will close Kent Street between Piccadilly...

Robbery suspect Whittlesey to return to U.S.

HARRISONBURG -- The man suspected of fleeing to Canada after a violent bank heist in Winchester in October is on his way back to Virginia after a court hearing in Vermont on Wednesday.

City agencies prep for Bloom

WINCHESTER -- Representatives with several city agencies held a press briefing Thursday to inform the public about preparations for the festival which begins today with the United Bank Bloomin' Wine Fest. The event runs through Saturday. Other festival-related attractions continue through the week culminating in the Firefighters Parade on Friday and the Grand Feature Parade on May 5.

Flutie selected as Apple Blossom Sports Marshal

WINCHESTER -- Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival President Tom Scully announced Wednesday that famed quarterback Doug Flutie will serve as Sports Marshal for the 2012 Apple Blossom Festival.

Grant will help defray cost to protect land, Shenandoah River

A federal grant may now help the Potomac Conservancy keep initial costs down and inspire more landowners to put property into permanent protection.

Iman in as Winchester city manager

Dale Iman takes over as Winchester's new city manager beginning April 23.

Police: Man was intoxicated at mall

WINCHESTER -- A man was arrested late Friday night after being found intoxicated and resisting arrest, according to authorities.