Marine general orders removal of Confederate items at bases

RCBL Playoffs Highlights - Thursday, August 13

FLOODING THREAT: With continuing rain and storm chances for the next few days, there is a flooding threat pretty much every day even if rain is not widespread. Because the ground is already saturated, creeks and rivers remain high and some drains can fill up fast and overflow. Please stay alert, pay attention to all warnings. You can check radar on your WHSV weather app before driving. Remember water can rise quickly, never attempt to drive through a road covered in water. By Saturday we’re looking at widespread rain of 1-3″ with several spots in the 4-5″ range due to storms and locally heavy rainfall. THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy and warm, rather comfortable with an isolated shower or storm. Overnight lows in the upper 60s with fog. FRIDAY: Warm and muggy again to start out the day with temperatures in the 70s with areas of patchy fog. Staying mostly cloudy with spotty showers on and off for the day as the front drops south. Highs in the upper 70s to low 80s with a few peaks of sun. Not everyone sees rain and it will not be widespread. A few spotty storms late afternoon into the evening with temperatures in the 70s. Muggy at times. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 60s wit fog.

The Augusta County School Board voted on Thursday night to move forward with its hybrid plan for students’ return to school. However, the first day of school will be on September 1. Now, all students -- despite choosing an in-person option or virtual option of learning -- will begin on the same day. Last week, the board voted to have staggered start times for students. The board voted all students and staff within a school setting will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Augusta County will be working with VDH to determine how to best implement mask breaks throughout the day. Masks will be supplied if needed, and accommodations will be made for students who cannot wear a mask. “If we try this, nobody can say that we didn’t try it, that we didn’t at least put effort to go with this hybrid program,” Augusta County School Board member Dr. John Ocheltree said. “Based on everything I’m all for [going] back to school.” Before Thursday nights vote, there was no mask policy in place. ACPS instruction will continue with all schools providing a blended learning approach incorporating both face-to-face instruction and at-home learning. Students will attend twice per week on a rotating A/B schedule. Mondays will be a remote learning day for all students. Teachers will use this time to communicate with students and parents, collaborate, plan, and participate in professional learning. For more information on the ACPS Return to School Plan, click here.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner met with Harrisonburg city leaders today and discussed how the community has been impacted by COVID-19. The Democrat asked leaders about their pandemic experiences and many shared concerns about access to timely COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, and supporting minority-owned businesses and minority communities. They also spoke about the impact of unemployment and access to food and healthcare. “We do need some more money for unemployment,” Warner said. “I think you can argue about was the $600 too much, too little, but regardless we can’t go from that $600 a week plus and then cut it off like a cliff.” Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed said hearing from local leaders will help the city distribute left-over CARES Act funding where necessary.

The Waynesboro Police Department posted a video of a car break-in on their Facebook page on Thursday, asking residents to call authorities if they have any information. The video was taken on King Ave. in Waynesboro, near Wayne Hills Community Center. Police say the male is a suspect in several vehicular breaking and enterings. If you have any information, you can contact Sergeant Donald at 540-942-6675.

Torrential rain and flooding decimated Staunton residences and businesses and caused millions of dollars of damage in the city. At a virtual council meeting Thursday night, city manager Steve Rosenberg says he submitted an initial figure Wednesday of $3.1 million in damages suffered. Four residences suffered collapses that make them uninhabitable. The flash flooding impacted 25 to 30 businesses. While Staunton waits on federal and state aid, many are stepping up to do what they can right now. One example is the staunton creative community fund. “They have established a flood damage support fund on the go fund me platform to provide assistance to businesses” Rosenberg said. “Their goal is to raise $125,000 and as of the middle of the day today (August 13), they have raised $110,000.” The city also unanimously adopted a resolution consenting to and confirming the declaration of a local emergency beginning Saturday, August 8.

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