On November 25, 2018 at approximately 3:10 p.m., the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department (WFRD) responded to Shamrock Laundry, 71 South Braddock Street, in order to battle a fire that originated in one of the laundromat’s dryers.
During the incident, residents of the second floor living space were evacuated. There were no injuries to residents of the building, patrons and personnel of the business, or WFRD personnel.
On November 24, 2018 at approximately 10:50 p.m., Officer Hunter Edwards, 30, was involved in a single vehicle crash on West Jubal Drive in the City of Winchester that took his life. Officer Edwards was responding to a call of a fight just a few blocks away on S. Loudoun Street. Officer Edwards is survived by many family members including his wife, Tara Edwards, and stepson.
Winchester Fire and Rescue Chief Allen Baldwin has resigned effective December 14, 2018 to pursue a new opportunity in Stafford County, VA as their Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief of Operations. Chief Baldwin will begin his appointment at Stafford County on December 17.
Celebrate the holidays in Old Town Winchester during the seventh annual Holly Jolly Celebration on Saturday, December 8. Enjoy the caroling groups, Santa’s Headquarters, shopping and dining specials all day, holiday window decorations, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and new this year, a Holly Jolly Market. The Holly Jolly Market will be held on the Loudoun Street Mall in front of the 1840 courthouse and feature a variety of locally-made goods including truffles, evergreen wreaths and swags, raw honey, hot sauces, sugar scrubs and more.
The City of Winchester is now accepting registrations for the 14th annual INSIGHT Citizen's Academy. Since 2004, INSIGHT has provided the community an opportunity to discover their city through interactive, hands-on activities and to gain exposure to the wide range of government services, programs, functions and challenges. Approximately 350 people have graduated from the program and many have gone on to serve on Winchester boards and City Council.
Due to inclement weather, the City of Winchester government offices will be opening at 10 am.
WinTran routes are on schedule at this time and the Park's HIVE No School Day program will not be offered. The Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center is also closed.
Snow Plan A has been activated (6 am).
Visit www.winchesterva.gov/storm-information for updates.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on November 13, 2018, the Winchester Police Department (WPD) responded to John Handley High School at the request of Winchester Public Schools (WPS) Administration for assistance with an electronically found threat involving students.
As a result, WPD officers and detectives conducted a thorough investigation to ensure there was not an immediate threat to students or the school. The criminal investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Please contact WPS regarding any administrative action taken against students.
The City of Winchester will operate on the following schedule in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday:
As part of the tourism strategic planning process that is currently underway, the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is asking for public input from businesses, attractions and interested residents.
A representative from Destination Consultancy Group and the CVB will be on hand at the Visitor Center from 8-10 am on Friday, December 14 to solicit comments, ideas and feedback on the future direction of tourism in the Winchester-Frederick County area.
Residents Urged to Seek Help
Three opioid overdose deaths have been reported by the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force in the past two weeks bringing the total number of lives lost this year to 18. The region has also experienced a recent climb in the number of non-fatal overdoses with 18 reported in the last month. The three latest deaths happened in Frederick County, Shenandoah County, and the City of Winchester.