Relay for Life set for May 31
“Painting the town purple” is one of the goals of organizers for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which begins May 31. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Despite soaring fuel costs, it's business as usual for police, firefighters
The soaring cost of fuel hasn't affected the county's first-responders — yet. But it is definitely on their minds | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Gainesville man killed in ultralight plane crash
For the second time in a matter of a few weeks, an ultralight plane crash here has resulted in a fatality.According to Virginia State Police Sgt. Les Tyler, James Andrew Gottschalk of Gainesville died in an ultralight plane crash in the southern end of Fauquier County on May 23. Gottschalk was 43. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
ATF case remains sealed
Federal court documents in the case of Justin Flohr apparently remained sealed this week. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Fortney wheeling and dealing in the discus
If Kyle Fortney's theory for a successful discus throw is sound, the Fauquier High track and field team may want to pamper him a bit this week as the Group AAA state meet approaches."Throwing is all about what kind of mood you’re in," Fortney said Friday during the Northwest Region meet at the University of Virginia's Lannigan Field. "It’s just a mindset....I’m in that zone." | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Liberty's Coaxum hurdles towards states
One problem with entering multiple events at a track and field meet is the odds for disappointment increase.So as a four-event athlete, it was almost inevitable Liberty's Rachel Coaxum would leave the the University of Virginia's Lannigan Field feeling she could have fared better in the Group AAA Northwest Region meet Friday."It kind of stinks that you come here in all these events and you know you can do well...and I didn’t PR [personal record] in anything today," Coaxum said. “Overall, I’m kind of disappointed. I really am." | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Rackets packed for states
All season long, two words have resonated when Jan Ashby has spoken of this spring's Fauquier Falcon tennis unit: Stay focused.Ashby and fellow coach Jordon Walker both have lauded the 2008 edition's skill, athletic ability and work ethic. They felt a berth in this spring's Group AAA state tennis tournament was within reach if the Falcons could concentrate on that goal.They did not need to worry, except it was the ability to regain focus last Thursday when the Falcons qualified for the second state playoff berth in the last three years. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Local results: Northwest Region Track Meet
Local results: Northwest Region Track Meet The Liberty girls track and field team scored 31 points to place 10th in the Northwest Region meet Friday at the University of Virginia's Lannigan Field. Osbourn Park won with 88 points, while Fauquier finished 14th with 11 points.Albemarle won the boys competition with 73.5 points, while Liberty place 13th with 17 points and Fauquier took 22nd with eight points. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Season Opener Saturday
The Fauquier Gators will open their 2008 season in the Valley Baseball League with a Saturday game against the Haymarket Senators at Fauquier High's Athey Memorial Ballpark. -2:30-3 p.m.: Registration for youth baseball clinic, conducted by Gators players and coaches.-3-4:45 p.m.: Free admission to clinic for children in grades kindergarten-eight.-5 p.m.: Gators batting practice.-7:30 p.m.: Mayor George B. Fitch throws the first pitch prior to the game.-The festivities: "It's to get some people out to the ballpark on opening day and see what I think is a really good thing here," coach Paul Koch said. "These are good players. It's high-level baseball." | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Highland places 2nd in state golf
Despite a drenching rain which soaked the course the night before, and heavy winds during the event, the first private school golf state tournament proceeded undeterred at Fauquier Springs Country Club last Tuesday. Highland made it memorable despite the weather, finishing second out of eight teams in the Division II competitionThe Hawks shot 255 to finish 11 strokes behind champion Greenbrier Christian's 244. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Jimmy's back in town
One wasn’t sure what to expect from Stu Pierson’s little pickup soccer team.The local coach had assembled the best men's unit he could recruit from the immediate area. Playing under the name Fauquier United, they included former college players, some from Latin America, and members of Pierson's cohesive club team that operated under the name Real Montana Azul. Pierson also had Fauquier High boys soccer coach Phil Roper, an all-state player “in the day” at FHS. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Morse twins shine at regions, but wonder what might have been
There might be a pair of region champions in the Morse household right now if the Liberty track and field team hadn't moved from Group AA to AAA this season.As it is, though, senior Cameron Morse and twin sister Chloe are happy to have combined for six top-eight finishes at Friday's AAA Northwest Region meet at University of Virginia's Lannigan Field. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Liberty's Noe clears height to make states; Costello also flies high
Pole vault was a fickle event for Lindsey Noe at Friday's AAA Northwest Region meet.One minute she faced elimination, needing to clear her third and final vault at 9 feet, 6 inches to secure a state berth; the next minute she breezed over a 10-foot bar to match her Liberty track and field record.Noe's timely vault at 9-6 and subsequent personal-best vault of 10-0 led to a fourth-place finish at the University of Virginia's Lannigan Field. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Police briefs
Troopers issue more than 550 summonses over holiday weekend Virginia state troopers assigned to the Area 12 Office in Warrenton issued 554 summonses over the holiday weekend. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Fauquier County Soccer Club's TOPSoccer Program
— Accomplishment: The Fauquier County Soccer Club hosts a program for children with learning disabilities called TOPSoccer.The FCSC group practices year-round at In Motion Dance Studio in Warrenton. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Budget director Tippie retires after 17 years
A few years ago, county Budget Director Bryan Tippie promised his wife they would return to their Missouri childhood home in the summer of 2008.Tippie put it in writing.Eighteen months ago, his wife Teresa, a retired elementary school music teacher, dusted off the document, telling him, "‘Here’s my contract’," Tippie recalled, laughing. "‘And I’ve got a good lawyer.’" | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Former Air Force shooter opens photo studio in Bealeton
Is a picture worth a thousand words? It probably depends on who's taking it. Named Military Photographer of the Year in 1997, Gary Coppage has traveled the globe capturing images for the U.S. Air Force. He even changed a president’s response to an international disaster through his photographs. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush doubled the relief effort after he was briefed with Coppage’s images documenting the devastation to Guam from typhoon Omar. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Man's best friend is crook's worst enemy
Justice prevailed in the end.Last Wednesday, the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office hosted the fourth annual Iron Dog competition for police K-9 teams.Held at Great Meadow Field Event Center near The Plains, the competition attracted 27 competitors from approximately 15 law enforcement agencies. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Gastronomical fuel prices put drivers over a barrel
Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start of the summer driving season. But this year, a declining economy led by historically high fuel prices may rain on plans for family picnics and road trips. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Amended suit
James Rohr again will try to prove in Fauquier Circuit Court that the county board of supervisors violated its comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance in approving plans for a Costco store near New Baltimore.Rohr, who lives less than a half mile from the proposed Cross Creek Shopping Center, which calls for a 148,000-square-foot Costco, filed a suit in December against the supervisors and developer Cross Creek Investments LLC to stop the project. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Planners get proposal
Fauquier Supervisors Ray Graham and Chester Stribling believe it spells nothing but trouble.For starters, their colleague Holder Trumbo’s proposal to eliminate density credits for floodplain and slopes greater than 25 percent in rural areas would reduce the resale market value of agricultural land, according to Graham and Stribling. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Local groups works to help cyclone victims
When Cyclone Nargis hit the southeast Asian country of Myanmar on May 3, Warrenton-based Air Serv International moved into action. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Trail of civil cases follows high-speed hookup sales
At least one person has sued an area businessman claiming that he took money, then failed to deliver the high-speed Internet service he'd been paid for. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Two arrested by ATF
Fauquier County Sheriff Charlie Ray Fox Jr. said his agency is aware of and is cooperating in a federal investigation stemming from the arrest of his chief deputy's son earlier this month. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Facebook takes steps to tighten rules
For the past few years, Fauquier County deputies have been patrolling cyberspace — including social networking sites — in order to monitor questionable activity that could be harmful to younger users here. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Overlook gets high marks in accreditation survey
State inspections are routine occurrences at the Warrenton Overlook Health and Rehabilitation Center. According to Overlook administrator Sandie Scott, the state inspections are conducted annually. They are done in order to ensure that the organization is abiding by all of the rules and regulations necessary to keep its license and certifications. But this March, a survey team from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities also visited the center. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
State suspends tax on survival gear
The state is giving some extra incentive to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. From May 25-May 31, purchases of certain supplies and equipment needed to prepare for hurricane season will be exempt from sales tax. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Firefighting procedures to undergo review
The type of incident that claimed the life of a Prince William County firefighter last year could easily happen in Fauquier County | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Police briefs
Investigation of fatal wreck ongoing Virginia State Police said on Monday they are still investigating a traffic accident that claimed a Bealeton teenager's life over the weekend. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
County scraps public information officer proposal
A proposal to create a county government spokesperson's job quickly turned into a public relations mess.Fauquier Supervisors Terry Nyhous (Center District), Ray Graham (Cedar Lee District) and Holder Trumbo (Marshall District) backed the idea because they believe residents need more information about county government.But critics believe the move defied logic, given the board of supervisors' commitment to shrink county government during tough financial times.Nyhous, Graham and Trumbo received a flurry of phone calls from taxpayers after an April 30 Times-Democrat article outlined their intentions for the part-time public information officer (PIO) position.The three board members wanted to budget $40,000 for salary and benefits for the 20-hour per week position, plus $10,000 for operations.Because of the fragile economy, money would remain tight for Fauquier during the next few years, the board of supervisors warned.Nyhous, especially, made it clear during fiscal 2009 budget discussions that he believes Fauquier's costs must be reduced partly through layoffs.Additionally, Nyhous and Graham, who head the county finance committee, soon plan to meet monthly with department heads to discuss ways to further cut government spending. In light of such circumstances, the notion of establishing a PIO job left many incredulous.It "was creating a very poor impression, and we decided to shelve it," Nyhous admitted. "It was sending out a very conflicting message." | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Developer finds three investors for Costco site
The developer of the planned Costco site near New Baltimore hopes to close a deal next month with an investment group that would plow several million dollars into the project. "We have three [offers] from three separate" entities prepared to fund construction of roads and utilities to serve the 148,000-square-foot store and later the balance of the Cross Creek Shopping Center project, Angler Development LLC Executive Vice President Steve Vento said Friday. By mid-June, Angler will choose one of the three equity groups to help it build the 39-acre shopping center at Routes 29 and 600, Vento said.The potential parters are based in New York City, Alabama and Connecticut, he said.Vento will continue negotiations with two of the investment groups in Las Vegas on May 18 at a convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers.Because of the weak economy and uncertain credit markets, Angler has been unable to obtain a bank loan to develop the Cross Creek Shopping Center site.Lacking that option, the the financially strapped Warrenton developer has sought private investors to help it make the project work, Vento said.Principals with Angler established Cross Creek Investments LLC, which owns the shopping center property.Whichever equity partner it picks, Cross Creek Investments will retain substantial ownership in the project, Vento said. He declined to say how much of the project the local corporation would continue to control.Cross Creek's bank debt for the project totals $8.8 million, according to Vento.Two of the three investors interested in the project would use cash to clear the debt and own the property outright, he said.He described them as "well-heeled" developers that had accumulated "a lot of cash over the years." | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Board delays Marriott hunting preserve, shooting range proposal
Like any private enterprise, Marriott Ranch near Hume must find innovative ways to pay the bills, according to General Manager Lanier Cate.To that end, Marriott Westfields Conference Center Inc. wants county government approval for a hunting preserve and a clay shooting and firing range at the 4,200-acre farm on Route 635.The hunting preserve and clay shooting range would be available by appointment to ranch guests only, not the general public, Cate said.The target range would be used during deer hunting season to sight rifles, he said. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
In highway mishaps, Graham hits cow, pigeon and deer
Ray Graham claimed an impeccable, animal friendly driving record until last week, when he struck a cow, a pigeon and a deer. Not since his undergraduate days at George Washington University in the late 1960s, had he been party to a car collision of any sort while behind the wheel.But his 40-year, accident-free streak ended at about 10 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, after he rammed a 500-pound, black-as-night heifer along a stretch of Elk Run Road, less than a mile south of Catlett.The Cedar Run District supervisor had been on his way home from a Republican Party meeting at Vint Hill, near New Baltimore, when he struck the dairy cow. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Developer finds three investors for Costco site
The developer of the planned Costco site near New Baltimore hopes to close a deal next month with an investment group that would plow several million dollars into the project."We have three [offers] from three separate" entities prepared to fund construction of roads and utilities to serve the 148,000-square-foot store and later the balance of the Cross Creek Shopping Center project, Angler Development LLC Executive Vice President Steve Vento said Friday. By mid-June, Angler will choose one of the three equity groups to help it build the 39-acre shopping center at Routes 29 and 600, Vento said.The potential parters are based in New York City, Alabama and Connecticut, he said. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Tax hikes, slow economy test Habitat for Humanity
Unlike the banks and mortgage lenders who bear at least partial responsibility for the current upheaval in the housing market, Habitat for Humanity tries to ensure that the families with whom it builds homes do not pay a mortgage greater than 30 percent of their income. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Expo examines green future for Fauquier
In the face of Dominion Virginia Power's proposal to build a 500-kilovolt electric transmission line through Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Prince William, and Warren counties, hundreds of area residents will be exploring fossil fuel alternatives to power their lives this weekend.The Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection [RLEP] is sponsoring the third annual Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo this Saturday, May 17, at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Warrenton boy dies from injuries sustained in crash
An eight-year-old Warrenton boy reportedly died from injuries sustained in a car crash on Sunday. According to Erika Hernandez, a spokesperson for the Prince William County Police Department, the wreck that claimed Joshua Adams' life happened at approximately 5:57 a.m. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Police, fire and rescue personnel 'flooded' with calls
According to police and fire officials, the storm that swept through Fauquier County over the weekend and early Monday didn't spawn any tornadoes. But it still left a mess in its wake. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Pet owners concerned by dog disappearances
They don't think it's a coincidence. Barbara Goldberg and Donna Pettie both live in the Viewtown/Amissville area of Rappahnnock County. Over the past six to 12 months, the neighbors say four of their pet dogs have vanished without a trace and all attempts to find them have been fruitless. | 1 comment - ›› more ...
Police briefs
Destruction of propertyA caller from the 11000 block of Marsh Road in Bealeton reported destruction of property to the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office May 5. The complainant said someone used a key to scratch a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The estimated loss is $1,500. Fraud investigatedFauquier County detectives are investigating a fraud reported to the Sheriff's Office May 5. Deputies received the call from someone in the 7000 block of Covingtons Corner Road in Bealeton. The caller said the fraud somehow involved the electric company. The estimated loss is more than $692. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Driver in I-66 pursuit facing felony charges
A Salem man who allegedly engaged state police in a high-speed pursuit while he had an infant in his car is now facing multiple felony charges. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Man accused of threatening judge arrested
A man who allegedly threatened a local judge has been arrested and charged with the offense. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
PEC trains environmental leaders of future
For the full story, see the Fauquier Times-DemocratOne day, the Piedmont Environmental Council fellows learned to gauge the water quality of Goose Creek in northern Fauquier based partly on the health and variety of its insect and plant population.On another, they learned to survey property as part of a land-conservation exercise.They also took a trip to Washington D.C., and learned about the Coalition for Smarter Growth, a regional group that focuses on land-planning issues."We got not only the academic stuff, but a hands-on demonstration of what PEC does," University of Virginia senior Caroline Mello said of the PEC 2007 fellowship program.In its second year, the seven-week summer program exposes up to a dozen college students to the gamut of key environmental challenges facing the region and nation — air and water quality, land use and land planning, alternative energy sources and transportation. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Proposals would limit development
He wants to tighten the screws on residential development in rural Fauquier.County Supervisor Holder Trumbo (Scott District) believes Fauquier no longer should give building density credits for floodplain and steep slopes of greater than 25 percent. Trumbo also believes Fauquier should prohibit construction of homes on ridgelines.The proposed ordinance changes would apply to agricultural and conservation areas.Trumbo will ask the board of supervisors on Thursday to forward both ideas to the county planning commission for further study and recommendations. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Personnel committee to consider county spokesperson job
The county government finance committee last week backed a proposal to create Fauquier's first public information officer's position.It referred to the county personnel committee, which will consider the matter during its May 26 meeting.Supervisors Ray Graham (Cedar Run District) and Terry Nyhous (Center District) serve on the finance committee. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Friday Liberty vs. Fauquier games Postponed
Friday's Liberty at Fauquier Baseball and Softball games have been postponed to Monday May 12th at 6:00PM. Liberty at Fauquier boys soccer is postponed to Wednesday May 14th at 7:00PM. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Code Pink protests Blackwater
A small group of protesters demonstrating outside the Great Meadow Field Events Center in The Plains did not cause any significant disruptions at the Virginia Gold Cup races, police said. | 1 comment - ›› more ...
State trooper hit after Virginia Gold Cup races
A Virginia State Trooper was hit by a motor vehicle as the crowd was leaving the Virginia Gold Cup races on May 3, police said. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Rady Park snakes are harmless, relatively
It happens almost every year. Bo Tucker, the director of public works for the town of Warrenton, said people often alert town officials after spotting snakes in Rady Park. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
'An awesome experience' Parents adjust to needs of autistic kids
Scott Campbell became involved in finding more resources for his son, Ian, when he and his wife moved to Northern Virginia after a military tour of duty in France.Like many parents, Campbell was frustrated at the lack of appropriate resources and information he needed. He became active in several organizations for autistic parents in Northern Virginia and started teaching a course to parents, law enforcement and representatives of military health systems. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Hate group presence is mostly virtual
The number of active hate groups in America is growing, according to one organization that monitors them. Three hate groups are allegedly present in Fauquier County. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center ? they are the Center for American Unity, the VDARE Foundation and the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Bubble Economy wins Gold Cup
Arcadia Stable's Bubble Economy roared through the stretch to win the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup, the world's richest timber race, in a four-horse shootout at the finish Saturday at Great Meadow. Trained by Jack Fisher and ridden by Chip Miller, Bubble Economy rated near the back of the nine-horse field early, advanced to contention late and outkicked 2005-'06 winner Miles Ahead, Hot Springs and Monte Bianco to the finish. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Police briefs
Motor vehicle theft A caller from the 11000 block of James Madison Highway in Warrenton reported the theft of a motor vehicle to the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office April 28.According to police records, the car was a Lincoln Mark III worth approximately $500. An investigation is ongoing. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Residents try to bear up under population explosion
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials said last fall that conservation police officers statewide received more calls about black bears during the summer of 2007 than they had "in recent memory." Most of the problems were related to bears getting into trash, pet food and damaging bird feeders. | 2 comments - ›› more ...
Costco court ruling largely favors county, developer
Plans for a Costco store near New Baltimore survived a big legal challenge last week. James Rohr, who lives on Route 600 less than half a mile from the 39-acre Cross Creek Shopping Center site, filed a lawsuit against the board of supervisors and developer Cross Creek Investments, hoping to stop the project.Last November, the previous board voted 3 to 2 to give the Cross Creek developer a special-exception permit for a 250,000-square-foot shopping center, including a Costco. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Board debates benefits of county spokesperson
Fauquier County could get its first public information officer this summer.The board of supervisors finance committee will consider creating a part-time spokesperson’s job during its Thursday, May 1 meeting, which begins at 2 p.m. in the Warren Green Building at 10 Hotel St., Warrenton. Fauquier would budget $40,000, including benefits, to cover the 20-hour-per-week position, plus $10,000 for expenses. | 0 comments - ›› more ...
Big real estate bills in the mail
Phone calls about Fauquier's new real estate tax rate started trickling in late last week.The county treasurer on Wednesday, April 23, put 17,737 bills in the mail that reflect a 12-cent jump in Fauquier's real estate tax from 64.5 cents to 76. 5 cents per $100 assessed value.An additional 13,251 tax statements went to mortgage companies, some of which incorporate the rate increase into monthly bills homeowners receive.Depending on a bank's policy, the increase will be reflected in the draw down of homeowners' escrow accounts at year's end. | 0 comments - ›› more ...