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Take safety precautions with upcoming cold weather

Jan 06, 2014

Extremely cold weather and high winds, similar to what hit the north east this past week, is expected to affect the Winchester area later today through Wednesday.  Temperatures are expected to reach single digits with wind chills well below zero. 
This type of weather can be life threatening and the City of Winchester encourages its residents and visitors to get informed, be prepared and stay warm.  Below are a few safety tips to follow and some information of which to be aware when dealing with extreme cold conditions:

K-9 officer injured in the line of duty

Jan 06, 2014

UPDATE (January 6, 2014 at 3:15 pm): The Winchester Police Department has just been informed that K-9 Officer Kota's surgery this morning went well.  He is expected to be released tomorrow from the veterinary clinic.
The Winchester Police Department has received a tremendous outpouring of support from communities near and far after K-9 Officer Kota was injured in the line of duty.  We would like to thank everyone who has sent and posted messages in support of Kota and our department.  We have received a number of inquiries about where donations for Kota’s treatment may be sent. 

Eleven Arrested for DUI over Holidays

Jan 06, 2014

The Winchester Police Department’s efforts to curb drunken driving during the holiday season seemed to have paid off.  Officers arrested 11 people for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol between December 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014.  That’s down from 30 that were charged with DUI during the same time last year.  The department had 10 saturation patrols between December 20, 2013 and January 1, 2014 as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign.  During these checkpoints the following charges were made:
3 arrested for DUI
2 charged with speeding

Winter Storm Update

Dec 08, 2013

The City of Winchester is currently operating under Snow Plan B:

Plan B: Plowing

When it becomes necessary to plow snow:

  1. Snow Plan B will be placed into effect and
  2. The Public Works Department and City contractors will plow roadways when necessary in accordance to the route schedule

During Snow Plan B & C:

World Explorer Obstacle Course

May 28, 2013

On June 22, 2013, area children can jump, dash, weave, crawl, balance, and slip slide around the world in Winchester Parks & Recreation’s 2nd annual World Explorer Obstacle Course.

City of Winchester's Holiday Schedule

Dec 11, 2012

Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24 1. City offices closed. 2. Recycling collection is on schedule. 3. WinTran will not be operating. 4. Winchester Parks & Recreation’s War Memorial Building will be CLOSED. 5. Free parking at all downtown metered spaces. Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 25 1. City offices closed. 2. Recycling collection moved to Wednesday, December 26th (yard waste collection canceled). 3. WinTran will not be operating. 4. Winchester Parks & Recreation’s War Memorial Building will be closed. 5. Free parking at all downtown metered spaces.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month

Nov 12, 2012

November is National Adoption Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster care. In Virginia, there are over 6,000 children in foster care and 1,432 are awaiting adoption. While most children who enter the foster care system are successfully reunited with family, some are waiting for a permanent family through adoption. In Winchester, there are currently 20 children in foster care with four waiting for a “forever family” through adoption.

City of Winchester Tree Planting Initiative

Nov 05, 2012

Nearly 200 trees in the City of Winchester were severely damaged or destroyed during the June 29, 2012 storm. Many of these trees were mature, stately trees located along City streets and in our parks. To replace the lost trees, the City of Winchester is embarking on a new tree planting initiative and is seeking community partners to help with this endeavor. Beginning November 1, 2012, the City will partner with the Winchester Parks Foundation to begin a Plant a Tree, Watch it Grow tree planting campaign.

Annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Program

Feb 28, 2012

The City of Winchester will begin the annual program of testing and flushing all of the 1,200 fire hydrants within the City on Friday, March 1, and will continue with this effort through the summer.   Customers may notice some discolored water as a result of this program, but no customers will be without water.  This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and minerals that build up in the water mains and does not affect the safety of the water.  If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have flushed the hydrants in your neighborhood, please clear the pipes in your

November is National Adoption Awareness Month

Nov 17, 2011

November is National Adoption Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster care. In Virginia, there are 6,086 children in foster care and 1,325 are awaiting adoption. While most children who enter the foster care system are successfully reunited with family, some are waiting for a permanent family through adoption. In Winchester there are currently 32 children in foster care with 2 waiting for a “forever family” through adoption.