Wreck on 340 - April 30

Monday 30, 2007 – 5:10 pm Two vehicles hit each other on 340 causing the rode to be closed down at lest 1 person was taken to AMC for treatment of injuries. VA state police have not released details as of yet.

Waynesboro Sports - April 30

Girls Varsity Softball VS Broadway High School

GO TO

http://waynesborohighschoolsports.blogspot.com/

Fire In Woods - April 29

Sunday 29, 2007 – 7:30 pm Fairoaks Dr. Fishersvill a fire started in the woods behind a residential neighborhood. No homes that bordered the fire where in danger. Firefighters cleared a fire brake and brought in a bulldozer to help clear the line. The cause of the fire is un known at this time.

Photo/Story Nathan Combs

TRAFFIC ALERT FOR WEEK OF April 30-May 4, 2007

TRAFFIC ALERT FOR WEEK OF April 30-May 4, 2007

Highway work zones in the Staunton District

AUGUSTA COUNTY

Interstate 64

* No activity reported.

Interstate 81

* Mile marker 220 to mile marker 237 – Debris cleanup Friday, May 4.

* (NEW) Various bridges – Bridge sweeping in the Mint Springs area over Interstate 81.

* Various locations – Vegetation management with mobile lane closures Monday, April 30 from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weather permitting.

Primary Roads

* Route 250 – Expect delays due to trucks entering from Route 636 between Route 637 to Route 358 Monday through Saturday.

* Route 340 (Rosser Avenue) – Trucks entering from worksite from Route 608 to Route 1501 for utility work in the street with flagger traffic control during daylight hours Monday through Saturday.

* (NEW) Various Roads – Bridge and curb sweeping at the Mint Springs Area Headquarters, Fishersville Area Headquarters, Swoope Area Headquarters and Moscow Area Headquarters.

Secondary Roads

* (NEW) Route 612 – Ditching east of Route 340 Monday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 1 with one lane road.

* (NEW) Route 636 – Shoulder closure for road widening from Route 285/608 to 300 feet east of the Augusta Medical Center Hospital entrance.

* Route 641 – Paving from 0.07 mile west of Route 1319 to 0.12 mile east of Route 608 with lane closures from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* Route 646 (Fadley Road) – Road closed Monday, April 30 through Friday, May 25 for bridge deck replacement from 1 mile east of Route 42 (Scenic Highway) and 1 mile west of Route 699 (Centerville Road). Westbound traffic should detour using Route 699 north to Route 42 south to Route 646. Eastbound traffic should detour using Route 42 north to Route 699 south to Route 646.

* Route 650 (North Oak Lane) – Road closure over South River due to bridge replacement from Route 624 to Route 664 with signs posted through October 15, 2007. Traffic detoured on Route 624 ( Mt. Torrey Road ) and Route 664 ( Lyndhurst Road ).

* Route 699 – Machining dirt roads north of Route 613 Monday, April 30 through Friday, May 4.

* Route 716 – Alternating lane and shoulder closures due to cleaning and painting bridge Sunday through Saturday.

* Route 727 ( Wolfe Ridge Road ) – Road closure due to bridge replacement in the town of Sangersville through August 10, 2007. Signs will be posted and a detour will be in place.

* Route 753 – Machining dirt roads north of Route 613 Monday, April 30 through Friday, May 4.

* Route 935 – Expect delays due to trucks entering from worksite from Route 608 to Route 1043. Signs will be posted. No work Monday, April 30 through Friday, May 4.

* Route 1319 – Paving from Route 250 to Route 641 with lane closures from 7 a.m .to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* Route 1325 – Paving from Route 285 to 0.22 mile west with lane closures from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* (NEW) Various Roads – Bridge and curb sweeping at the Mint Springs Area Headquarters, Fishersville Area Headquarters, Swoope Area Headquarters and Moscow Area Headquarters.

* Various Roads – Paving with lane closures from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday in the following subdivisions: Dahland Subdivision, Featherstone Manor Subdivision, Greenview Subdivision, Jefferson Court Subdivision, Kingswood Meadow Subdivision, Meadow Run Subdivision, Summerfield Subdivision, Vesper View Subdivision and Westover Hills Subdivision.

* Various Roads – Patching, brush cutting, shoulder work, machining dirt roads and scraping dirt roads.

HIGHLAND COUNTY

Primary Roads

* (NEW) Route 84 – Patching from Route 220 to the West Virginia line with single lane traffic and flagger traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 250 – Patching from Monterey to the West Virginia line with single lane traffic and flagger traffic control.

* Route 250 (Highland Turnpike) – Shoulder and ditch work from McDowell to the Augusta County line.

Secondary Roads

* Route 654 ( Doe Hill Road ) – Ditch work from Highland Turnpike to Church Hill Road .

* Various Roads – Patching and brush cutting with single lane closure and flagger traffic control.

AGENDA Waynesboro City Council April 30, 2007 – 7:00 PM - April 28

AGENDA

Waynesboro City Council

April 30, 2007 – 7:00 PM

1. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance

2. Consideration of a resolution providing a commitment by City Council to the Wayne Theatre project through the Economic Development Authority.

3. Public Hearing – Reassessment/Real Property Tax Rate

RESOLUTION

Waynesboro City Council

Monday, April 30, 2007

WHEREAS, the City of Waynesboro accepted the Wayne Theatre from R/C Theatres on December 28, 1999 and directed the Waynesboro Cultural Commission to develop a plan for the theatre’s continued use as a community asset; and

WHEREAS, the Cultural Commission created and incorporated the Wayne Theatre Alliance on June 8, 2000 and charged it to develop a plan that would generate three distinct benefits for the community: to preserve a historic landmark, create a performing arts center, and provide a catalyst for the continued revitalization of downtown Waynesboro; and

WHEREAS, the Waynesboro City Council has, to-date, supported the work of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with funding for professional theater and marketing expertise and extensive design work and, most recently, with the stated intent to donate the building to the Wayne Theatre Alliance; and

WHEREAS, the Waynesboro City Council has obtained an estimate in the amount of $300,000 to demolish the Wayne Theatre and an estimate of $417,100 to replace a leaking roof and failing roof structure that is currently compromising the structural integrity of this historic landmark; and

WHEREAS, the Waynesboro City Council has a legal and moral responsibility to maintain the structural integrity of its historic landmarks; and

WHEREAS, the Waynesboro City Council has a vision for the City as a destination for arts, culture and festive events and seeks to work collaboratively with partners, both private and public, such as the Wayne Theatre Alliance in this regard for the benefit of the City as whole; and

WHEREAS, the Waynesboro City Council believes that a direct capital investment in the Wayne Theatre constitutes a direct capital investment in the future economic health and vitality of the City’s central downtown business district; and

WHEREAS, the City Council believes that its efforts to create a healthy, vital, reinvigorated central downtown business district is a prudent and responsible course of action that will help to stimulate additional private investment and commercial activity in the City’s downtown which, in turn, will result in increased tax revenues to the benefit of all citizens of Waynesboro; and

WHEREAS, the Waynesboro City Council seeks to embrace a thoughtful and responsible approach in providing limited financial support for this economic development project that includes the active involvement of the Economic Development Authority as a collaborative partner for the purpose of achieving economic prosperity for this City;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Waynesboro City Council intends to allocate $300,000 in economic development incentive funds as an initial contribution to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Waynesboro for the identified purpose of promoting economic development, specifically earmarked for the Wayne Theatre project, said amount to be appropriated from identified savings in the FY07 approved budget in the cost of support for the regional jail.

AND BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER, that the City Council of the City of Waynesboro pledges future contributions to the Wayne Theatre over a period of not more than ten (10) years in a total amount of $700,000, as valued presently, through future allocations of economic development incentive funds to the Economic Development Authority, as such funds are identified and appropriated by City Council, with the first of such allocations beginning no sooner that FY2009.

AND BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Waynesboro City Council intends that such incentive funds, as specifically described in this resolution, be utilized by the Waynesboro Economic Development Authority to provide grants to the Wayne Theatre Alliance, LLC and/or its assigns and successors, in annual amounts equal to said economic incentive funds provided by the Waynesboro City Council as indicated herein.

AND BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER that nothing herein is intended to limit any future action on the part of the Waynesboro City Council regarding allocation of economic development incentive funds to the Waynesboro Economic Development Authority for this or any other project, specified or unspecified.

AND BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER that transfers of all funds in excess of the specific FY2007 funds contemplated herein shall be conditioned upon the Waynesboro Economic Development Authority successfully entering into a performance based agreement and incentive structure with the Wayne Theatre Alliance, LLC whereby said funds would be made contingent upon the satisfaction of certain milestones and/or requirements as fully outlined in said agreement and incentive structure,

AND BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER that any and all Deeds from the Waynesboro Economic Development Authority granting the Wayne Theatre property to any entity shall include specific provisions, whereby upon completion of any statutory periods necessary for the Wayne Theatre Alliance, LLC to receive tax credit financing, the real property subject of this Resolution, and any improvements thereon, shall revert to the City of Waynesboro in the event that the property ceases to be used as a performing arts venue.

4. Adjourn

NOTICE OF PROPOSED

REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

PUBLIC HEARING – APRIL 30, 2007

AT 7:00 P.M.

The City of Waynesboro proposes to increase property tax levies.

1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property (excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property and less deductions for land use valuation), exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 34.1 percent.

2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.58 per $100 of assessed value. This will be known as the “lowered tax rate”.

3. Effective Rate Increase: The City of Waynesboro proposes to adopt a tax rate of $0.78 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.20 per $100, or 34.5 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase”. Individual property taxes may, however, increase or decrease at a percentage greater or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of City of Waynesboro (excluding enterprise funds, VPA Fund and CSA Fund but including other special revenue funds and General Fund transfers) will exceed last year’s budget by 13.3 percent.

A Public Hearing on the increase will be held on Monday, April 30, 2007, 7:00 P.M. in City Council Chambers at the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 503 West Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia

The hearing shall be open to the public and Council shall permit persons desiring to be heard an opportunity to present oral testimony at such hearing. Council, however, may limit the time allotted for this hearing and the time allotted to each individual presenting oral testimony at this hearing.

TO: Members of City Council

FROM: The Honorable Thomas W. Reynolds, Mayor

CC: Douglas C. Walker, City Manager

Bonnie S. Stephenson, CMC, Clerk of Council

Robert C. Lunger, Esq., City Attorney

Meghan M. Williamson, Economic Development Director

I am attaching a resolution to be introduced Monday evening, April 30, 2007, regarding a proposed commitment by Council to the Wayne Theatre project through the Economic Development Authority. Please note that there is language in the bottom two paragraphs that addresses performance measures that will be put in place that will be stipulated with future grants to the EDA for this project, as well as a reversion clause that has the building reverting back to the City of Waynesboro, after the tax credit period, if at any point thereafter this building is no longer used as a performing arts center.

Please review this document in preparation for Monday evening’s meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Tour of Virginia Waynesboro - April 25

Waynesboro Sports - April 25

Girls Varsity Soccer VS Broadway High School

GO TO
http://waynesborohighschoolsports.blogspot.com/

Fire W Main St. Waynesboro - April 26

Wednesday 25, 2007 – 11:13 am Waynesboro firefighters responded to a small fire that was caused by a cigarette. The fire was contained to the top of the porch. The owners of the home where not there at the time. The fire caused approximately $1500 in damages. W Main st. had to be closed. Firefighters where on seen till 12:16 pm

Photo/Story Nathan Combs

Boys/Girls Varsity Track/Field VS R.E. LEE, BROADWAY, GRACE CHRISTIAN - April 26

GO TO
http://waynesborohighschoolsports.blogspot.com/

Two major streets in Staunton will be closed briefly Friday - April 25

Two major streets in Staunton will be closed briefly Friday afternoon for the 2007 Tour of Virginia bicycle race. Stage 5 of the race will begin in Waynesboro Friday morning and end in Staunton later in the day. The tour will enter Staunton on Middlebrook Avenue and continue on Middlebrook to the Staunton Train Station. It will then turn north on Augusta Street and continue to the finish line in the area on North Augusta Street about in front of St. Francis Catholic Church. There will be a vendor expo of Tour items on Augusta Street near the finish line.

Staunton Police will close Middlebrook Avenue and Augusta Street just before the race contestants arrive, and reopen when they pass. It is expected that the two streets will be closed about 2:15 pm and all should be reopened to traffic by 3 p.m.

To insure space and to prevent drivers from being constrained by the street closings, no parking will be allowed anywhere on Middlebrook or Augusta Street along the route on Friday until about 4 p.m.

As you prepare any advance stories on this major sporting event, please cite the street closings and parking restrictions listed to help local residents. More information on the Tour of Virginia is available online at www.tourofvirginia.com Thanks for your help.

Doug Cochran

City of Staunton

540-332-3838

The Waynesboro City Council has CANCELLED their budget work session for Thursday, April 26, 2007, at 6:00 P.M. - April 25

TAKE NOTICE

April 25, 2007

The Waynesboro City Council has CANCELLED their budget work session for Thursday, April 26, 2007, at 6:00 P.M. The meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, April 30, 2007, at 4:00 P.M. in Council Chambers of the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 503 West Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia.

Please contact Bonnie S. Stephenson, Clerk of Council, at (540) 942-6669, in Room #210 of the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 503 West Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia, if you have any questions.

Bonnie S. Stephenson, CMC, Clerk of Council

Waynesboro, Virginia

Contractors will begin work next week on repairs to crosswalks at the Beverley and Augusta Street and Beverley and Market Street - April 25

Contractors will begin work next week on repairs to crosswalks at the Beverley and Augusta Street and Beverley and Market Street intersections in downtown Staunton. Work will begin first on the Augusta Street intersection. Augusta Street will be closed to traffic at Beverley from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, April 30. Traffic will be detoured to Lewis Street for the day. The detour will be marked with signs. Beverley Street traffic will be limited to a single lane at Augusta, but will not be blocked.

Work on the intersection is expected to last about two weeks. After Monday, through traffic will be allowed on both Augusta and Beverley, although it will be limited to a single lane. Flagmen will be used.

Once construction on the intersection is complete, all traffic may again be detoured for a day to allow for paving. An announcement of that detour will be made when the schedule is known.

When work on the Augusta Street intersection is done, crews will shift to the Beverley and Market Street intersection. No detours are anticipated at that intersection until final paving work is scheduled – although through traffic will be limited to single lanes and flagmen will be used.

Drivers are urged to use extra caution in the downtown area during this work, and to watch for construction workers, equipment and new traffic patterns.

NOTE: The utility relocation work at the Churchville Avenue and Augusta Street intersection is nearing completion and that intersection has been opened to traffic. No further blockage of that intersection is anticipated as part of utility work. The relocation work is in preparation for the larger Churchville Avenue expansion project.

Doug Cochran APR

City of Staunton

Customer Relations

Waynesboro Sports - April 24

Boys Varsity Soccer VS Harrisonburg High School

Boys Varsity Baseball VS Harrisonburg High School

GO TO
http://waynesborohighschoolsports.blogspot.com/

UPDATE: BOTH NORTHBOUND LANES OPEN - April 24

UPDATE: BOTH NORTHBOUND LANES OPEN

TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT NORTHBOUND ON I-81 BOTH LANES CLOSED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY

AUGUSTA COUNTY – An accident involving a tractor-trailer at mile marker 213 northbound on Interstate 81 has caused both lanes to be closed earlier today, April 24.

Both northbound lanes have now been reopened on Interstate 81 with an eight mile backup.

Another accident has closed the left westbound lane of Interstate 64 at mile marker 98 due to a trailer in the median.

Motorists should call 511 for updates on the road closure.

Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling. Traffic alerts and traveler information can also be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. TTY users can call 711 to obtain these services. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.

TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT NORTHBOUND ON I-81 BOTH LANES CLOSED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY - April 24

Tuesday 24, 2007 – 9:45 am I- 81 mile marker 213 A overturned tractor-trailer closed Interstate 81 for hours Tuesday. No other vehicles were involved.

Roger Eugene Hart Jr. the driver only had miner injuries. Hart told troopers he had been seized by a coughing fit that caused him to veer into the median. Hart then over corrected causing the Mack truck to jackknife. The truck slid an about 200 feet. The traffic was backing up to the Rockbridge County line eight miles away. Both lanes of the interstate were closed for roughly six hours. Traffic was rerouted around the accident site through Greenville.

Hart was charged with reckless driving.

Photo/Story Nathan Combs

CONDITIONS IMPROVING ON INTERSTATE 81 - April 24

CONDITIONS IMPROVING ON INTERSTATE 81

UPDATE: TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT NORTHBOUND ON I-81 BOTH LANES CLOSED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY

AUGUSTA COUNTY – An accident involving a tractor-trailer at mile marker 213 northbound on Interstate 81 has caused both lanes to be closed.

Motorists are being taken off Interstate 81 at Exit 213 ( Greenville ) and re-entering back on Interstate 81 at the on ramp at Exit 213.

The tractor-trailer is in the process of being loaded onto a wrecker. VDOT officials estimate one lane opening in an hour. The second lane will be open shortly after.

Motorists should call 511 for updates on the road closure.

Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling. Traffic alerts and traveler information can also be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. TTY users can call 711 to obtain these services. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.

TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT NORTHBOUND ON I-81 BOTH LANES CLOSED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY - April 24

TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT NORTHBOUND ON I-81 BOTH LANES CLOSED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY

AUGUSTA COUNTY – An accident involving a tractor-trailer at mile marker 213 northbound on Interstate 81 has caused both lanes to be closed.

Motorists are being taken off Interstate 81 at Exit 213 ( Greenville ) and re-entering back on Interstate 81 at the on ramp at Exit 213.

VDOT officials do not have an estimated time for when the lanes will be reopened.

Motorists should call 511 for updates on the road closure.

Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling. Traffic alerts and traveler information can also be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. TTY users can call 711 to obtain these services. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.

Car In to Building - April 23

Monday 23, 2007 – 1:58 pm a car driven by a 95 year old woman bounced off a trailer being pulled by a pick up truck. The car then hit a near by building. The accident happened when the car pulled out of Flory Av. and hit the trailer traveling on Draft Av. The passenger and driver of the car where taken to AMC for miner injuries. The driver is being charged with failing to yield the right of way.

Photo/Story Nathan Combs

Man Shot In Staunton - April 22

Sunday 22, 2007 – On April 22, 2007 at approximately 01:15 hours the Staunton Police Department responded to the 600 block of Richmond Road for a report of shots fired. Leroy Daniel Moats, 32, of Staunton, had been shot by an unknown suspect. Mr. Moats refused to be transported by the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad and was transported by private vehicle to Augusta Medical Center.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Staunton Police Department at (540) 332-3842 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-2017. Anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.00.

If you have any further questions, please contact Corporal Kristie Siron at (540) 332-3852 or (540) 490-0409.