March 9, 2023

Luray traffic stop leads to arrest

By Tracy Leicher Page News and Courier

LURAY – According to the Page County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), two people were arrested last week during a traffic stop.

Deputies with the PCSO conducted a traffic stop in the area of General Drive on Tuesday, February 28.

PCSO deputies Debellaistre and Shifflett identified the driver as 44-yearold Kevin McCoy. An adult passenger was identified as 30-year-old Sharon Williams. Deputies also observed three small children in the vehicle.

The deputies were notified by Page County Emergency

at Valley Health

By Tracy Leicher Page News

and Courier

Valley Health has announced the elimination of 31 administrative positions.

Since the start of 2023, the health system has eliminated nearly 100 positions through consolidation, attrition and layoffs. This number includes the 31 individuals who were notified last week, a statement from the organization said on Monday.

As of late January, Valley Health reported approximately 6,000 full-time, parttime and per diem employees across the region.

“For months I have been transparent about the financial challenges Valley Health is facing,” Valley Health President and CEO Mark Nantz said in a written statement.

“Nationally, there has been a shrinking of the healthcare workforce, combined with rapidly rising clinician pay, declining demand for healthcare services, and insurance reimbursement rates that have not kept pace with rising costs,” Nantz said.

Over the past few months, Valley Health has made various changes that include closing three of its fitness centers, including two in Warren and Shenandoah counties, and deciding not to reopen its Page

See VALLEY, Page A5

Communication Center that

warrant for arrest issued by a rants are most often issued by judges against criminal defendants or witnesses who fail to

appear in court as scheduled.

Williams was placed under arrest by the Page County deputies and was searched.

The search led to the seizure of 18 Grams of suspected Methamphetamine, six suspected Oxycodone pills, one Smith and Wesson 22 compact handgun, and one KELTEC 22 Mag handgun.

Kevin McCoy was charged

with the following: 18.2-308.2Possession Of A Concealed Firearm By A Convicted Felon and 46.2-1173 - Fraudulent Inspection Sticker.

Sharon Williams was charged with the following: 18.2-250- Possession Of A Controlled Substance; 18.2248- Possession With Intent To Distribute; 18.2-308.4- Possession Of A Concealed Firearm With Drugs; 18.2-308Possession Of A Concealed Firearm Without A Permit; 18.2-371.1- Child Endangerment 3X. On their official Facebook page, the PCSO included a reminder that all suspects are deemed innocent until proven guilty. Both McCoy and Williams were held without bond.

Ryan Kellman/NPR

Susan Corbett was thrilled when a solar company showed up in Page County looking for places to build. “I thought, ‘What a great opportunity for a lot of the struggling farmers around here to have that income coming in and be of some benefit to everybody,’” says Corbett, who owns River’s Bend Ranch. “Well, that was not the way it was received.”

Group spreads misinformation on solar energy in hopes of slowing projects in rural U.S.

By Miranda Green, Michael Copley and Ryan Kellman For The

Page News

Courier

and

Story originally released by NPR (National Public Radio) in collaboration with Floodlight, a nonprofit environmental news organization, February 18, 2023.

LURAY – Roger Houser’s ranching business was getting squeezed. The

calves he raises in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley were selling for about the same price they had a few years earlier, while costs for essentials like fuel and fertilizer kept going up. But Houser found another use for his 500 acres.

An energy company offered to lease Houser’s property in rural Page County to build a solar plant that could power about 25,000 homes. It was a good offer, Houser says. More money than he could make growing hay and selling cattle.

“The idea of being able to keep the land as one parcel and not have it split up was very attractive,” Houser says. “To have some passive income for retirement was good. And then the main thing was the electricity it would generate and the good it would do made it feel good all the way around.”

But soon after he got the offer, organized opposition began a four-year battle

See SOLAR, Page A2

Shenandoah Town Council Meeting Minutes

Actions taken at the February 23, 2023 meeting: Mayor and Council presented the February 2023 Community Enhancement Award to the Shenandoah Branch of Blue Ridge Bank,

600 South Third Street.

Promoted Lora Jenkins as the Town of Shenandoah Museum Curator effective March 13, 2023 with a starting salary of $35,360.00. She will be

eligible for a 5% pay increase after a six-month probationary period. Applications are now being accepted for the position of Town Clerk with a starting salary of $27,040.00. Ap-

plications are available at Town Hall or the Town’s website www.townofshenandoah.com.

See MINUTES, Page A4

Obituaries B3

Margaret (Margo) H.

McCoy and Williams

Items confiscated during traffic stop.

More job cuts are on the way

Eberly, 90, Luray Mary Ellen. Cook, 60, Luray

Lemuel Mervin Waters, 82, Luray William (Bill) Hines Harrell, Jr., 82, Harrisonburg

Eva Cornelia Beahm, 102, Luray Donald Edward Bradley, 81, Luray Deborah Darlene Wright, 68, Luray

against solar development in the county. A group of locals eventually joined forces with a nonprofit called Citizens for Responsible Solar to stop the project on Houser’s land and pass restrictions effectively banning big solar plants from being built in the area.

Citizens for Responsible Solar is part of a growing backlash against renewable energy in rural communities across the United States. The group, which was started in 2019 and appears to use strategies honed by other activists in campaigns against the wind industry, has helped local groups fighting solar projects in at least 10 states including Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, according to its website.

“I think for years, there has been this sense that this is not all coincidence. That local groups are popping up in different places, saying the same things, using the same online campaign materials,” says Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

Citizens for Responsible Solar seems to be a well-mobilized “national effort to foment local opposition to renewable energy,” Burger adds. “What that reflects is the unfortunate politicization of climate change, the politicization of energy, and, unfortunately, the political nature of the energy transition, which is really just a necessary response to an environmental reality.”

Citizens for Responsible Solar was founded in an exurb of Washington, D.C., by a longtime political operative named Susan Ralston who worked in the White House under President George W. Bush and still has deep ties to power players in conservative politics.

Ralston tapped conservative insiders to help set up and run Citizens for Responsible Solar. She also consulted with a longtime activist against renewable energy who once defended former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claim that noise from wind turbines can cause cancer. And when Ralston was launching the group, a consulting firm she owns got hundreds of thousands of dollars from the foundation of a leading GOP donor who is also a major investor in fossil fuel companies. It’s unclear what the money to Ralston’s firm was used for. Ralston has previously denied that Citizens for Responsible Solar received money from fossil fuel interests.

Ralston said in an email to NPR and Floodlight that Citizens for Responsible Solar is a grassroots organization that helps other activists on a volunteer basis. The group isn’t opposed to solar, Ralston said, just projects built on farmland and timberland. Solar panels belong on “industrial-zoned land, marginal or contaminated land, along highways, and on commercial and residential rooftops,” she said.

But her group’s rhetoric points to a broader agenda of undermining public support for solar.

Analysts who follow the industry say Citizens for Responsible Solar stokes opposition to solar projects by spreading misinformation online about health and environmental risks. The group’s website says solar requires too much land for “unreliable energy,” ignoring data showing power grids can run dependably on lots of re-

Roger Houser’s family has worked the land in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for three generations. But it has been getting harder to make a living raising cattle there. So Houser was excited when a solar company showed up offering to lease his property. It would have been good money heading into retirement. But his hopes were dashed by a four-year battle against solar development in Page County.

newables. And it claims large solar projects in rural areas wreck the land and contribute to climate change, despite evidence to the contrary.

People often have valid concerns about solar development. Like any infrastructure project, solar plants that are poorly planned and constructed can potentially harm communities. But misinformation spread by groups like Citizens for Responsible Solar is turning rural landowners unfairly against renewables, says Skyler

Zunk, an Interior Department official under President Donald Trump and chief executive of Energy Right, a conservative-leaning nonprofit that supports solar projects that preserve ecosystems.

Analysts and industry participants say the prevalence of bad information is also increasing pressure on local officials who are often charged with approving renewable energy projects. Many are wary of proposed development because of the political blowback it can bring.

“This type of misinformation is very difficult to dispel. And politicians are just afraid of getting engaged with it,” says Ronald Meyers, director of the Renewable Energy Facility Siting project at Virginia Tech.

Getting projects built in the face of local opposition is among the biggest challenges wind and solar companies face. A 2022 report by the Sabin Center at Columbia University found 121 local policies around the country that are aimed at blocking or restricting renewable energy development, a nearly 18% increase from the year before.

Solar restrictions are gaining traction as the stakes for addressing climate change keep rising. Construction of more renewable energy is key to the country’s plans to cut greenhouse gas pollution and avoid the worst damage from extreme weather in the years ahead.

“It’s an enormous concern,” says Alan Anderson, a lawyer in Kansas who represents renewable energy companies. “If we can’t get projects permitted at counties or townships or whatever local level makes a decision, we can’t do any of the goals we think we need to do for climate change.”

From White House insider to local organizer Susan Ralston launched Citizens for Responsible Solar to stop a project near her home in Culpeper, Va., about 70 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. She brought years of experience in the upper echelons of national conservative politics to her new role as a county-level organizer against rural solar.

Ralston served as special assistant to former President George W. Bush and as a top aide to Karl Rove in the White House. She resigned in 2006 when a congressional investigation found that she passed messages to Rove from her former boss, the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The investigation did not accuse her of any wrongdoing.

After leaving the White House, Ralston started her own consulting firm, SBR Enterprises LLC.

When there’s official paperwork that has to get to Citizens for Responsible Solar, it goes through a firm created by a lawyer named Jason Torchinsky. The same firm has been the registered agent for at least two dozen conservative organizations based in Virginia. One of them was a voter-focused group headed by Leonard Leo, who helped remake the federal judiciary through the Federalist Society.

And Ralston’s consulting firm, SBR Enterprises, got almost $300,000 from The Paul E. Singer Foundation between 2018 and late 2020 — the period when she was setting up Citizens for Responsible Solar. Paul Singer, the foundation’s president,

battles

In Page County, Houser says he heard a lot of positive feedback at first when a solar company proposed building the project on his land. But then, he says, “local politics got involved.”

He says: “Anybody can stand up in a public hearing and say anything, regardless of the facts or science or whatever.”

At public hearings starting in 2018, some residents said the solar plant would create problems with stormwater runoff, ruin their views and harm property values, as well as the local tourism and agriculture industries. Others falsely claimed solar panels would poison the groundwater and cause cancer.

is chairman of the Manhattan Institute, a think tank that has criticized government support of renewable energy. His investment firm, Elliott Management, is the largest shareholder in the coal producer Peabody Energy Corp.

Ralston and the Singer Foundation declined to tell NPR and Floodlight what the money to SBR Enterprises was for. The foundation’s tax filings say the firm was a “consultant for the foundation mission.”

Ralston reportedly said to E&E News in 2019 that no money from fossil fuel interests went to Citizens for Responsible Solar. Since then, she has declined NPR and Floodlight’s requests to identify the organization’s sources of funding.

Ralston didn’t respond to subsequent emails seeking comment. Torchinsky did not respond to repeated messages seeking comment.

Farmers are caught in the middle of local solar

A year later, Page County rejected the project and put a moratorium on new development.

Things got more tumultuous from there. Urban Grid, the company that offered to lease Houser’s property, resubmitted plans for the project in late 2020. And a group calling itself Page County Citizens for Responsible Solar created a Facebook page to organize local opposition. Ralston’s organization applied pressure, too, saying it had hired a “prestigious law firm” to investigate the county’s actions.

The battle finally ended in 2022. After Page County adopted a solar ordinance, Urban Grid abandoned Houser’s project. The new law doesn’t outright ban big solar plants, but it imposes so many restrictions that there’s no place to build, says Peter Candelaria, chief executive of Urban Grid.

Candelaria says it

was a missed opportunity, and not just for companies and landowners who stood to make money. The project on Houser’s property could have generated millions of dollars for Page [County] through land and equipment taxes, as well as payments under a siting agreement, he says. And the soil underneath the project could have been improved with regenerative land practices, Candelaria says, like grazing sheep around the panels.

Keith Weakley, a member of Page County’s Board of Supervisors, says officials worried that big solar projects could hurt existing businesses without creating any long-term jobs.

Page County Citizens for Responsible Solar didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.

With the chance to put up solar panels gone, Houser has been talking to a poultry company that wants his land. But the recent outbreak of bird flu put the plan on hold. “We’re as efficient as we can be in our operation here, and we’re as sustainable as we can be, and we take good care of the land. But we’re running out of time,” Houser says of the financial pressure farmers are under. “Everybody’s faced with the same thing, every farm family.”

Looking back, Houser doesn’t know what he or Urban Grid could have done to get to a different outcome. “We just presented the facts,” he says. “The anti-solar people took it on as a cause, and it became a movement of its own. In small-town politics, you can have a small group of people become very vocal and seem very influential.”

Ryan Kellman/NPR

Luray clinic now offers home visits

By Taylor Alger Page News and Courier

LURAY — How many of us have been sick? How many of us have experienced medical situations that require immediate attention? How many people have had a sick child without the money or means to get them to the doctor?

Health care is something essential to every human. Whether it be finances or other barriers, there are often many obstacles in the way of ensuring that community members receive much-needed care when it comes to mental and physical health.

The Page Free Clinic is a local nonprofit with a mission to provide quality medical services to those who do not have access to affordable healthcare. The clinic was established in 2010. Since then, clinic staff provide quality care to Page County residents every Tuesday from 4-7PM.

Though this organization has been a success, some community members have experienced difficulty, especially with the limited availability of local transportation.

“The population we serve are the uninsured residents of Page County, and with the population and the different neighborhoods in Page County, transportation is a barrier,” shared Ben Dolewski, Executive Director of the Page Free Clinic.

“Folks live far away, and often, they don’t have reliable transportation. Transportation

is always in the back of our minds in thinking about how to reach patients, and we were toying with the idea of trying to offer a transportation service,” added Dolewski.

Around the time that the group was debating transportation, a retired physician reached out, sharing that she would be in Page County soon and asked if they could help out with the free clinic.

In the discussions that followed, the idea

Carriers Wanted For Harrisonburg

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during early morning hours.

Call Mark Golding at 540-574-6240 or come into our office at: 231 S. Liberty St. Harrisonburg, VA 22803

of home health visits was presented.

“I loved it,” said Dolewski. “To have the option of going to the patient’s home, where they are, and to be able to offer our services and support to them there, it was a great idea.”

Dr. Jen Veldhuyzen, MD is an ex-military physician who went into medicine in the hopes of establishing an indigent clinic in Paraguay. She joined the military to take care of soldiers and learn more austere medicine to prepare for that.

“I’ve never really been interested in the “high-class” establishment physician culture,” expressed Dr. Veldhuyzen. “To me, the whole point of medicine is to get it to people who can’t access it. To fill in the gaps, you know?”

as needed. We’d also be able to do health counseling and kind of get a baseline of what folks really need at their homes.”

Dolewski shared that having this option available to the community provides both immediate and long-term benefits.

Nancy Keyser-Bryant Associate Broker, GRI (540) 843-4204 ahome4u2@nkbryant.com 401

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She continued, “I really hate providing services where they already exist, so when Ben and I first talked about volunteering with Page Free Clinic, it became very obvious that the fantastic staff already had their Tuesday clinic covered. But we got to talking about folks who can’t make it out to the clinic – people in the mountains or immigrants with poor transportation access -- and so we discussed the idea of doing home visits.”

“Some people, especially elderly people, really need the old-timey physician with the black bag to show up at their home, said Dr. Veldhuyzen. “We thought we’d start with a few monthly visits where we can do check-ups and order medications

Thank You

The family of Thomas Robert VanDerveer would like to extend their gratitude for the many acts of kindness shown during the loss of our loved one. It will not be forgotten. Special thanks to Father Edwin Perez and the beautiful mass at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. A special thanks to Bradley Funeral Home and Staff. Also, to all the doctors and nurses at UVA, Winchester Medical Center, Johns Hopkins and Valley Health who cared for him.

God Bless you all, Helen M. VanDerveer and family

“Being able to provide care that people may not have sought before, because they can’t afford services or transportation, can provide immediate benefits. Folks may have been putting off routine check ups due to these barriers, and we will be able to help those folks.”

He added, “Long term, if we are able to reach these populations, maybe these services will offer different screening tools and hopefully improve screening of patients. This will also provide long-term help with preventative care and help get tests done if they’ve been putting them off. It removes the barriers to catch things earlier.”

Liz Lewis, a member of the Board of Directors for the Page Free Clinic, expressed her excitement at the impact these services can have on our community.

“Offering home health services will improve access to care, enhance care coordination and improve patient outcomes especially for vulnerable populations in rural areas that lack transportation and mo-

bility,” said Lewis. She added, “Bringing treatment opportunities directly to an uninsured resident’s home provides a level of care that the Page Free Clinic has supported since organizing in 2010. We are fortunate to have a medical professional willing to make ‘house calls’ and care for those who just can’t make it into the clinic.”

Like Dolewski, Dr. Veldhuyzen shared hopes to expand the services available through the home visits.

“In the future, it would be lovely, after home visits, to do telehealth check-ups with home-bound people. But for now, we really just want to be able to meet people where they’re at.”

Lewis invited folks to take advantage of these offerings.

“The Page Free Clinic is now taking appointments for home health medical services and welcomes as many connections the community makes to the clinic. We are here to serve those without health insurance either at the clinic or at home. Call for more information about clinic services including dental or to make an appointment for home health services.”

Services at the clinic are available by appointment. To learn more, contact the clinic at 7431054, send an email to pagefreeclinic@gmail. com, or visit https:// pagefreeclinic.org/.

Contributed Photo

City Elders Meeting Held

The third meeting of the Page County City Elders was held March 6, 2023 at the Kibler Library. The opening prayer covered strengthening families, churches, and communities across the land.

Kim Baker led the opening worship. The group viewed a City Elders video

Minutes

From Page A1

Received a letter from the Shenandoah Planning Commission recommending the Town Council review, make any needed corrections and set a joint public hearing date for the Comprehensive Plan. The joint public hearing will be held in April. A draft of the Comprehensive Plan will be at Town Hall, and will also be on the Town’s website. You may also request the Comprehensive Plan to be e-mailed by contacting Town Clerk Lora Jenkins at ljenkins@townofshenandoah.com. Public input is encouraged.

Accepted the resignation of Sean Wheeler from the Planning Commission as Mr. Wheeler no longer lives within town limits. There are two vacancies on the Planning Commission. Anyone who lives within Town limits who is interested in applying for a position on the Planning Commission should bring their resume into Town Hall or send their resume to Town Clerk Lora Jenkins at ljenkins@townofshenandoah. com.

Received a flyer about Page County Restaurant Week which will be held March 12-18. This year if you dine in any Page

Virginia Market News In Brief

Virginia Market News Service reported the following weekly ag trends on March 3: IN VIRGINIA, state graded feeder cattle steady to 14.00 higher. Feeder cattle at regular auction sales 3.00 to 21.00 higher. Slaughter cows mostly steady to 3.00 lower. Wheat mostly .37 to .40 lower, new crop .21 to .36 lower. Corn mostly .22 to .38 lower, new crop mostly .15 lower. Soybeans mostly .14 to .38 lower, new crop mostly .20 lower.

State Graded Feeder

by founder Jesse Rodgers. Personal introductions and testimonies were presented from the 31 attendees. Pastor Jodie Hendricks of Rocky Branch Baptist Church gave a devotional.

Duane Painter, pastor of Newport Church of the Brethren introduced his church’s drug rehabilita-

tion program called Free Indeed Life Recovery Ministry. At this point, the city Elders will continue to meet at the Kibler Library on the first and third Mondays at 6:00 to 8:00. The nest meeting is March 20 where all business , civic, and church leaders are

invited to attend. Other dates presented were the Lincoln dinner March at the Mimslyn Inn in Luray and the Mass Meeting for party nominees May 16 at 6:00 at the Luray VFW. Any interested people may contact Jim Printz (703-969-5115) or Larry Dickerson (540-271-3837).

Steers, Medium and Large 1

400-500 lbs 196.00-231.50, average 220.92

500-600 lbs 88.00-216.00, average 208.83

600-700 lbs 183.00-207.50, average 199.89

700-800 lbs 166.00-199.00, average 190.59

State Graded Feeder

Heifers, Medium and Large 1

County restaurant during Restaurant Week, you must save your receipt and send it to events@luraypage. com or drop the receipt off in person at the Chamber of Commerce (18 Campbell Street, Luray) to enter to win a $250.00 dining spree at various restaurants throughout Page County.

The prize is sponsored by Page County Economic Development & Tourism. You may enter as many receipts as you like, but the receipts must be from a Page County restaurant during Restaurant Week.

Received a flyer from Shenandoah Pentecostal Church announcing their Dinner and Music fundraiser to benefit Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes on March 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The meal will consist of hot dog, vegetable beef soup, drink, and dessert for $10. Music will be by Virginia Bluegrass Band. The Shenandoah Pentecostal Church is located at 300 Shenandoah Avenue, Shenandoah, VA 22849. For more information call (540) 652-0005 or e-mail secretary@shenphc. org.

Received a flyer about Laurel Ridge Community College’s Commercial Driver’s License CDL-A program (automatic transmissions only). To complete the Com-

mercial Driver’s license program, you must possess a Class A CDL Learner’s Permit. Laurel Ridge is offering a 4-hour test prep course on April 1, 2023 staring at 9:00 on the Luray Campus for free. Laurel Ridge is located at 200 College Drive, Luray, VA 22835. For more information, call (540) 868-7021. Laurel Ridge will also be offering the CDL-A weekday class from April 24 through June 1 Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Luray Campus.

Approved a donation of $100.00 to the Shenandoah Elementary School PTO for their courtyard rehabilitation project. Donation will be paid from General Fund Donation budgeted line item.

Approved a donation of $500.00 to the Page Alliance for Community Action (PACA). Donation will be paid from General Fund Donation budgeted line item.

Approved SVEC estimate of $50,000.00 to provide power to the new well site. Payment will be paid from Utility Fund ARPA reimbursement for the new well. Rescinded the motion for $10,000.00 of the first tranche of ARPA funds to be used for a Dog Park fence.

Approved to purchase six rumble strips in the amount of $11,151.00. Payment

will be made from the ARPA first tranche funds.

Approved the use of the remaining $4,889.13 left of the ARPA first tranche to be used in combination with PACA’s $6,000.00 grant for a new piece of playground equipment at Big Gem Park. In order to use the grant, the playground equipment must be assembled and set by June 30, 2023.

Accepted low bid of $37,190.00 for a paved ADA trail and parking lots at Big Gem Park. The Town was awarded a reimbursable grant in the amount of $43,000.00 for this project. The paving must be completed by April 2023.

Heard with the assistance of Racey Engineering, the Town was one of four localities to receive a grant from VDOT’s Ready, Set, Go Projects. The grant will be used to update intersections, provide a school crossing, and a sidewalk. More information on the grant will be forthcoming.

A Town Code Workshop was held prior to the Regular Council meeting. The next Town Code Workshop will be held on April 11th at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Budget Workshops will be held on March 14th and March 28th at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall.

400-500 lbs 164.00-179.00, average 175.24

500-600 lbs 165.00-180.00, average 170.92

600-700 lbs 149.00-180.00, average 163.70

700-800 lbs 149.00-169.50,

Valley

From Page A1

County fitness center after smoke and water damage sustained from a fire in an adjacent retail store.

“Valley Health incurred nearly $100 million of losses since the beginning of the pandemic, much of which was offset by federal assistance that will not continue,” said Nantz. “It’s time to face the reality that our expenses cannot exceed our revenue — that is not a sustainable model for any health system.”

In late February, Valley Health announced it would discontinue overnight and weekend surgeries at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital in Woodstock and would

instead transport emergency surgical patients to Warren County or Winchester hospitals.

“Following a systematic review of administrative reporting structures and accountabilities,” Valley Health said it has been “making changes to streamline leadership and support positions.”

Last week Valley Health told staff it would trim “the health system’s leadership team and administrative roles as it continues to bring services, staffing and overall costs in line with declining patient volumes and reimbursement rates,” the statement said.

Despite recent staffing reductions and related changes, Nantz said that Valley Health is in no

Carmen 5mos Female(S) Vacs.

DSH Carmen is the pretty gal with the dilute calico coat! She’s super social and sweet! You can marvel at her soft fur while she sings you her sweet songs!

Miles 1yr

Male(N) Vacs.

DSH Miles is the handsome chatterbox who always has something to tell you! He tends to startle if you move too quickly, but he loves attention. He always has to go say ‘hi’ to his friends, Hochie and Jasper!

Miles Annie

danger of closing or failing to treat patients adequately.

“Valley Health remains a financially strong and stable health system,” he said in the statement. “Our board and I are of the mind that acknowledging and addressing this changing environment now will help avoid more drastic cuts in the future.”

Valley Health operates six hospitals across its 18-county region, which includes Winchester and the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren. It has four hospitals in Virginia — Winchester Medical Center, Shenandoah Memorial, Warren Memorial and Page Memorial — and two in West Virginia.

Izzy

Izzy 3yrs Female(S) Vacs. DSH Izzy is a loving housecat who had her world turned upside down. It has taken a few months for Izzy to come out of her shell in this environment, but since she was moved to our window room, she has been thriving and loves when people stop by to say ‘hello!’

Chance

Chance 4yr Male(N) Vacs. Pit mix This great, big lug is a great, big cuddle bug! When he’s not running around the yard with his favorite toys, he can be found right by your side! Despite his size and somewhat intimidating looks, this boy is the biggest baby you’ll ever meet!

Whiskey

Whiskey 1yr Male (N) Vacs. Jack Russell mix. Whiskey is a rootin’ tootin’ wild child! He loves to follow his big brother Blue around and wants to be everywhere he goes. He’s not been trained on a leash so he’s a little wary of one, but nothing that a little exposure and positive reinforcement can’t solve!

People who love animals have compassionate hearts!

Do

suited for a home with a large yard.!

Boo Boo 2yr Male(N) Vacs. Beagle mix Boo Boo can be a tad shy, but once he gets to know you, he’s sure to let you know that he absolutely adores you! There’s no place he’d rather be than getting the zoomies out in the yard with you!

Jaxxs 8yr

Pit mix Despite the gray hair, this boy is still full of energy and excitement! He loves to play and will even play fetch with you. Jaxxs could stand to learn some leash manners, but he’s quite food motivated, so training should be a breeze!

“Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

–Alfred A. Montapert

Male(N) Vacs.

Carmen

Chip 6mos Male(N) Vacs. DSH Chip and his brother Dale came in together after they were abandoned on someone’s property. Chip is the shyer one of the two, but he loves to be scratched on his cheeks and is so cute when he rolls around!

Chip

Jaxxs

Dale 6mos Male(N) Vacs. DSH Dale is more confident than his brother Chip, but Dale is a little more subdued when it comes to expressing himself. Dale prefers to look at you lovingly while he purrs, while Chip prefers to roll around in a comedic style to get your attention!

Dale

Athena

Boo Boo

Valley Health President and CEO Mark Nantz.

Post Players Grew Up Quickly For Trailblazers

By Cody Elliott For The Page News

Courier

and

PENN LAIRD

— Pressure, quite frankly, doesn’t faze Sadie Mayhew.

As a standout goalkeeper on the soccer pitch, the Spotswood sophomore is used to stepping up in big moments and did so consistently throughout her freshman debut.

But this year, as a first-year varsity player eager to showcase her value for a program loaded with depth and talent over the years, she had to prove herself in some ways.

“I come out and do whatever the team needs me to do, even if that means guarding a girl double my size,” said Mayhew, a gritty 5-foot-9 forward that came off the bench this season. “The team needs me to run the court and defend multiple positions.”

Although the Trailblazers’ season ended with a blowout loss at the hands of defending state champion Carroll County in the Virginia High School League Class 3 girls basketball quarterfinals, the run wouldn’t be possible without their post players.

That includes Mayhew, along with sophomore Addyson Moats and junior Molly Grefe. All three players stand 6 feet tall or less and are often undersized against opponents.

“Our post crew has been invaluable all season for many reasons,” Spotswood head coach Chris Dodson said. “First, they relieve so much pressure off Zoli [Khalil] with their ability to finish at the rim and to defend other teams best offensive post players.”

Khail, the 6-foot-1 VCU signee and the tallest player on the SHS roster, fouled out with 3:23 remaining in a regular-season rivalry game against Turner Ashby this year.

sportsnews

Morgan’s Buzzer-Beater Sends Strasburg Girls To State

By Tommy Keeler Jr. For The Page News and Courier

STRASBURG — Addison Morgan couldn’t believe her eyes. As the buzzer sounded in Friday night’s 40-38 win by Strasburg’s girls basketball team over Page County, Morgan’s shot rolled around the rim and then fell through the net sending the Rams to the Class 2 state tournament.

“I immediately

started crying,” Morgan said. “I couldn’t believe it, because the shot didn’t feel right coming off. But it went in, and I was just so excited. I was so excited for (Strasburg girls basketball) coach (Darin) Jenkins. He’s a great person and a great coach, and that’s just what was going through my head.”

The final seconds were chaotic and sent the packed crowd at Strasburg into a frenzy.

Strasburg freshman

Emily Gorrell made two big free throws with 20 seconds left to put the Rams up 38-35.

“I was very nervous shooting those free throws,” Gorrell said. “Nervous because I haven’t been shooting free throws that well (lately). I knew I needed to make them and that would seal it. I knew with those free throws they would have to knock down a big shot.”

Sports Store Makes Connections With New Market Neighborhood

By Kellen Stepler For The Page News and Courier

NEW MARKET — Valley Sports Connection in New Market is more than a sports retail store, its owner said.

Located in the heart of New Market, the 14-year-old small business offers printing services, sports apparel, gear and other merchandise.

“I had always wanted to own a business, a sports store, so our athletes didn’t have to go to Harrisonburg or Winchester to get their basic needs,” said owner Cathy Wit -

tig-Donald.

Wittig-Donald was a coach and assistant athletic director at Stonewall Jackson High School (now called Mountain View), where she worked as a bookkeeper until 2009. She coached volleyball, soccer and basketball; her daughter played volleyball and ran track and her son played football, basketball and baseball.

“

In one way or another, we were always a sports family,” she said.

When she originally opened the store, she thought she’d just do printing “on the side.”

That quickly changed, she said, and she prints-on site shirts for businesses and teams — both near, like Valley Baseball League’s New Market Rebels and the Mountain View High School Generals, and far, like athletic teams in Richmond and in West Virginia. “ It helps to have former players that are now teachers,” she quipped.

The store is now located at 9395 S. Congress St. in New Market, but it was originally across the street. Wittig-Donald said the move was a

Trailblazers Fall To Defending Champion

By Cody Elliott For The Page News and Courier

PULASKI — Spotswood head coach Chris Dodson always knew his team’s fate would ultimately come down to a game against Carroll County in the state tournament.

It’s how last season ended for the Trailblazers, with a semifinal loss in Penn Laird. It’s why Dodson wanted his team to face the de-

fending Virginia High School League Class 3 state champions in the regular season this year, despite suffering a lopsided loss.

“Carroll County is as complete of a high school basketball team that I’ve seen at this level,” Dodson said. “We knew this year, the championship ran through them.”

In their third straight postseason meeting, the Cavaliers jumped out to a

14-point lead to open the game and never looked back en route to an 87-52 rout of Spotswood in the VHSL Class 3 girls basketball quarterfinals on Friday at Pulaski County High School.

It was the second-most points Carroll County has scored in a game this season.

The Cavaliers’ lone loss came to Hebron Christian of Atlanta, Ga., who is currently 31-0.

“We talked all week

about not digging yourself a hole and playing from behind,” Dodson said about the early deficit. “And that is exactly what happened.”

The Trailblazers didn’t get on the board until senior wing Zoli Khalil went for a coastto-coast score with 4:50 remaining in the opening period and trailed by 20 at the end of the opening frame. By halftime, Carroll had

Zoli Khalil (right) contests a shot by Carroll County’s Jaelyn Hagee during the first half of the game.

See GIRLS, Page A7

Cooley/For

Strasburg’s Addison Morgan hugs assistant coach Frankie Conner after she hit a buzzerbeating shot to win the Region 2B semifinals against Page County.

Photos

Girls

From Page A6

At that point Page County had only made 2-of-23 (8.7%) 3-point attempts in the contest, and the Panthers had missed their last 10 3-point attempts.

Page County senior Alexis Frymyer stepped up and drilled a 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds left to tie the game at 38.

The ball was inbounded to Strasburg junior Macy Smith who raced up the court and then threw a pass to Morgan, who was able to lay it in at the buzzer.

“I was really nervous, and then I got down the court because they were going to press us,” Morgan said. “And I was getting down the court, and then I saw Macy. And I assumed the pass was for me. And I just grabbed it, and I just kind of threw it up there. I couldn’t get my feet set. And I guess I just was lucky. It was just lucky to go in.”

Smith said when she got the ball, she knew she had to get it down the court.

“I looked at the clock, and I think there was like (seven) seconds left,” Smith said. “And I was like the game’s not over yet. And I see (Strasburg senior) Jada (Hill) and Addie (Morgan) at the end. I was going to take it to the hole, and I saw them open, and I just passed it. And Addie put it in. I saw it kind

of roll in, and I was like thank God, we’re going to states.”

Jenkins said he thought about calling a timeout after Page County tied the game, but chose not to.

“The first thing that was going through my mind was do I get a timeout?” Jenkins said. “And then I looked and saw who had the ball and it was Macy. And I said there’s no way I’m going to stop her, because in 7.8 seconds she can probably get from here to 7-11 as quick as she is. So I thought she was going to take it all the way and try to get to the hole. And she was trying to do that, and she looked up and Addison shook loose going to the hole. And (Smith) did what she was supposed to do, what we preach — if a girl’s open in front of you, throw her the ball. And she threw her the ball.”

The student section and fans stormed the court in celebration as soon as the game ended.

The second-seeded Rams (21-6) led almost the entire game over the sixth-seeded Panthers (12-13). Strasburg led by 10 points in the second period, but the Panthers battled and eventually took their first lead of the game with 4:37 left.

Smith, Strasburg’s leading scorer all season, was held to just 10 points and had no points in the final period. However, other

StorePlayers

From Page A6From Page A6

benefit to the business.

“It was just a better location, storefront wise,” she said.

Despite being around for a while, some still don’t know about the store, or all that it offers, she said.

“ I still have people come in and say, ‘I didn’t know you had all this in here,’” she said.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the job, Wittig-Donald said, is getting to know parents and athletes as they come into the store. She said she has loyal customers.

“You’d think living around here my whole life, I’d have known them all,” she said.

The small, community-feel of New Market gives Wittig-Donald the ability and opportunity to get to know her customers and form relationships with them. The store also gets customers from out of the area, like tourists at Endless Caverns, Massanutten Resort and the Shenvalee Golf Resort.

Wittig-Donald said a challenge of running the store is trying to figure out what merchandise people want in the store and having people remember that the store is there, to go to first.

“I’m here for the community, and just to have a place where people feel comfortable doing business,” she said.

Through it all, Wittig-Donald said she’s enjoyed the endeavor of owning a sports retail store.

“It’s been an adventure, that’s for sure,” she said.

players stepped up for the Rams.

Seniors Emma Hooser and Hill each had a basket for the Rams in the final 4:12 of the contest, and Gorrell made two free throws. Freshman Jayden Stinnette also scored a basket in the fourth period.

Strasburg had seven different players score with only one in double figures.

“We got scoring tonight from a lot of dif-

ferent people,” Jenkins said. “It wasn’t Macy’s best night. We had girls stepping up and scoring. It came from everywhere. All the glory goes to those girls. They’re the ones that did it.”

Smith had five rebounds and two steals to go with her 10 points. Stinnette had eight points, two steals and two assists, and Gorrell had six points four rebounds, two steals and four assists

for the Rams. Morgan added five points and four rebounds.

“It feels so good,” Stinnette said. “It feels great to know that we’re going to the regional championship and states. It has not sunk in yet, but it’s amazing. It feels great. I’m so happy.”

It is the third trip to the state tournament for Strasburg in the last six years, the first since 2020.

“It’s been a few

years,” Jenkins said. “And when you get there, you just never know if it’s going to happen again. You come in and you try to do the right things, and you try to do it the right way. And to get back there is just a blessing. To get back there and say you did it again. It’s just a wonderful experience for the kids.”

Mayhew immediately came in and hit a big shot to get the Trailblazers, who were trailing by seven when Khalil left, back in the game, and Grefe followed that up with a rebound and an assist to set up the game-winning jumpers later that evening.

“My role is to be a teammate, to help one up who falls, to cheer for them,” Grefe said.

On the court, the 6-foot junior forward Grefe brings toughness and the ability to get on the boards while also having quiet confidence to finish underneath offensively.

support our successes as a team,” Moats said.

Defending taller players comes down to several keys, notably a player’s strength.

The players said going into the low post with confidence and a mindset beyond their physical limitations went a long way toward slowing opponents down. That was especially evident in a Region 3C semifinal win over Liberty-Bedford this season.

“I come into a game looking at whom the biggest girl is and making my mindset that I am bigger than her,” said Grefe, a second-team All-Valley District selection this year.

LEFT: Spotswood’s Molly Grefe defends Turner Ashby’s Kendall Conley as she fights her way to the basket this past season in Penn Laird.

BELOW: Spotswood’s Sadie Mayhew drives around Liberty-Bedford’s Brooke Harrison.

After a slow start due to a lingering injury, Moats started playing her best basketball late in the season and is one of the young players that is part of the future of Spotswood.

“One of the great things about this group of ladies is that everyone has a role, and while that doesn’t always equate to minutes on the floor, it’s important to me to continue to grind and put in the work necessary to

From Page A6

The Cavaliers got even hotter in the third quarter, hitting 13-of-17 from the floor, including a 17-0 run at one point, and opened up a massive

Much like Mayhew, the other post players for Spotswood have stepped up this season.

The pressure didn’t seem to phase the SHS frontcourt the way it could have this year.

And as a result, the Trailblazers are set up nicely for the years to come.

“It is always important to play well definitely no matter who’s on the court,” Mayhew said. “For us to win, everyone has to contribute in all aspects of the game.”

47-point advantage.

Photos by Daniel Lin / For The Page News and Courier extended that lead to a 47-23 advantage.

“They have so many weapons,” Dodson said. “When you take one or two away, more pop up. What’s made them so much better this year is that they take what is given to them.”

In her final high school game, the VCU

signee Khalil finished with a game-high 31 points, with all five Carroll County starters taking turns defending her throughout.

Brooke Morris, another senior guard who will continue her career at Eastern Mennonite University

next season, also finished with nine points for the Trailblazers (21-6).

“The better team won, but I would not trade this group of young ladies for any other,” Dodson said. “They really came close to reaching their full potential this season.”

Rich Cooley/For The Page News and Courier Strasburg’s Emily Gorrell has the ball stripped from her as she penetrates inside. At left, Page County’s Adryn Martin defends.

Looking

50 Years Back

Earning Accreditation

The Commissioner of the Revenue’s office in Page County has once again received accreditation by the Commissioners of the Revenue Association of Virginia. This award is earned yearly by 12 standards set forth by the Association including education requirements for the Commissioner and staff, customer service, personnel, and ethics policies, as well as assessment methodology. Page County’s staff (left to right) includes: front row, Amy Dovel, Page County’s Commissioner of the Revenue Rebecca “Becky” Smith, Jenny Knight and Pam Buracker; back row, Tiffany Couch, Stacey Burner and Kim Wright.

communityevents

Veteran banners on sale

The Town of Stanley is again selling banner sponsorships to honor area veterans and active-duty service members.

Banners are $79 and will be available for purchase March 1-31; checks should be made payable to the Town of Stanley Veteran Banners and can be mailed to Christi Bosley Baker, P.O. Box 190, Stanley, Va. 22851. For more information or to purchase a banner, contact her at 540-742-9124.

Banners will be displayed in conjunction with Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Activities scheduled

The Rec Center, 630 W. Main St., Luray, offers a variety of activities each week.

The fitness program NWF is held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Yoga is scheduled from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursdays.

For area youth, the 2G guide and grow program is held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays; “Looney For Legos” 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays; Youth Leadership from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursdays; and Mentorship from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Under the leadership of PACA and Choices, crafts and activities are offered from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, contact the center at 540-660-0501.

The Rec is always in need of volunteers to help at the center. For more information, email Dmendez@ livinglegacyluray.org.

Page Library programs

The Page Public Library in Luray has planned several activities for

cardshowers

• Bobby J. Gray will celebrate his birthday on Saturday, March 18. Birthday greetings may be sent to him at: Skyview Springs, 30 MontVue Dr., Luray, Va. 22835.

“Thinking of you” greetings can be sent to veterans residing at local nursing homes. The list includes:

• At Skyview Springs (formerly MontVue), 30 MontVue Dr., Luray, Va. 22835 are: Howard Beahm, Army; and Roger Stead, Marines.

• At Hawksbill Assisted Living, 122 N. Hawksbill St., Luray are: David Honeycutt, Army; Garland Meadows, Navy; and Donna Rogers, Army.

Birthday, anniversary and get-well card showers are published free of charge in the Page News and Courier. Submissions should be sent to: PN&C, P.O. Box 707, Luray, Va. 22835, or e-mail community@ pagenewspaper.com.

From the Chamber

• On Sunday, March 12, through Saturday, March 18, is Page County Restaurant Week. When you eat local during this week, make sure to email your receipts to events@luraypage.com or drop them off at 18 Campbell Street, Luray, by Sunday, March 19, by 5 pm. to be entered into a drawing for a $250 Dining Spree to various restaurants in Luray-Page County. The Dining Spree is sponsored by Page County Economic Development and Tourism and the winner will be picked on Monday, March 20. To stay up-to-date on all the specials being offered that week by participating restaurants, check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/luraypagecountychamber.

patrons over the next few months.

A series of gardening programs for young patrons are scheduled from 4-5 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, now through Oct. 16. Each “From Seed to Harvest” program will cover a different topic to introduce children and parents to the world of gardening.

‘Movies on Main’

The Page Theater in Luray will be offering free movies as part of “Movies on Main.” Free popcorn will also be provided for the first 25 people. The next movie, set for March 14, will be “The Great Outdoors.”

Movies will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays as follows: April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12.

Farm plan workshop

The Page County Extension Office in Stanley is offering a four-week workshop titled “Developing a Whole Farm Plan.” The goal of this workshop is to provide beginning and existing farmers with the planning, decision-making tools and support necessary to develop a sustainable farm or food business.

The class is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, at 215 West Main St., Suite C. This course is being taught by Elizabeth Baldwin, associate extension agent.

The class will continue to meet for four consecutive weeks.

Attendance is necessary for all four sessions. Cost of the workshop is $40. This fee includes a meal prior to each class and all needed materials.

Space is limited. Pre-registration and payment are required by March 10. Checks should be made payable

groupmeetings

City Elders

City Elders are now forming a local group. The group’s focus is to support and enrich the moral needs of the community and individuals.

According to the group’s pamphlet, City Elders are “local spiritual, political and business leaders who have joined together, charged with a mission of governing the gates.”

Anyone interested in joining the group, may contact Jim Printz at 703-969-5115 or Larry Dickerson at 540-271-3837.

Knitting group

A Knitting and Crocheting Circle meets from 1:30-3 p.m. on Mondays at the Page Public Library in Luray.

All ages and levels of expertise are welcome.

For more information, contact 540-434-4475, ext. 500.

Senior Center

The Page County Senior Center invites area seniors to join the center for lunch, crafts and other activities from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

The center is located at 10 Second Street, Luray. For more information, contact the senior center manager at pagesc@seniorsfirst.info or call 540-743-1241.

to “Treasurer Virginia Tech.” There will be a $50 fee charged on any return checks. To register call 540-7785794 or visit tinyurl.com/2023wholefarmplanning.

Essay contest

Massanutten Regional Library is holding its 26th annual Robert B. and Gladys Hopkins Strickler Honored Teacher Essay Contest.

Students in grades K-12 who live in the service area are invited to submit an essay to honor a teacher who has made a difference in their life.

Winning essays receive cash prizes of $150 per student and are awarded at a special ceremony in April. One essay among the winners will be selected as the “Honored Teacher of the Year,” earning that chosen teacher a $1,000 cash prize.

Entries are accepted now through March 17. The entry form is available at www.mrlib.org.

Workdays scheduled

A garden workday is planned from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday, March 25, at all three Page County community gardens — in Stanley at 235 Medical Drive, in Luray at Page Memorial Hospital, and in Shenandoah at 505 Williams Avenue.

To volunteer or for more information, email pageallianceforcommunityaction@gmail.com.

Comedy show

“Comedy Tonight 4,” a series of short skits featuring local residents, has been scheduled with performances on March 24-26 at Trackside Theater in Luray.

For more information, contact 540-743-1099.

Veterans Administration

Joanie Innes will begin service as the Veterans Administration representative for Page County.

Meetings will be held from noon - 3 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the American Legion Miller-Campbell-Baker Post 22, 106 Zerkel St., Luray. For more information, contact 804-801-7510 (cell) or 540-465-6113 (office).

Beekeeping club

The Page Valley Beekeepers Club will meet at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Luray Church of the Brethren, 119 High Street. The club’s goal to educate people about honey bees and beekeeping. Visitors are welcome. For more information, contact 540244-7036.

Post 22

Members of the American Legion Miller-Campbell-Baker Post 22 will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27. The Post meets on the fourth Monday, except December. For membership information, contact Rich Worrell at 540-843-2565, or Jim Fargo at 540-860-1945, or any Post 22 member.

• On Thursday, March 16, from 5:30-7 p.m. is Business After Hours at American Legion Post 22. All members who attend are entered into the drawing for three great door prizes. You’ll also be able to enjoy tasty refreshments. This event is designed for Chamber members to meet and build relationships with other local business members. It is time to get together and enjoy each other’s company. Bring business cards for networking and to be entered in door prize raffles. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to events@luraypage. com or 540-743-3915 by Tuesday, March 14.

Featured Businesses

• Inn Lawn Park, 103 Zerkel Street, Luray, is a local playground in the town of Luray. They offer visitors fun and safe playground equipment, as well as a gazebo with a picnic table that’s perfect for kids’ parties. You can learn more at http://www. townofluray.com/parks---recreation.html, 540-743-5511, or jenjenkins@townofluray. com.

• Luray Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 2 Amiss Avenue, Luray, is a local branch of the Disciples of Christ Church. They welcome all visitors to their congregation with open arms and loving hearts. Check them out at http://www.luraychristianchurch.org, revsarag@gmail. com, or 540-743-3378.

For more information, contact the Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce at 18 Campbell St., Luray, www.luraypage.com or 540-743-3915.

AA meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday at the Kibler Library in Stanley. Those attending are asked to use the side entrance.

AA, NA and Al Anon meetings

Al Anon, AA and NA meetings are conducted Mondays through Sundays at 23 W. Main Street in Luray.

The schedule is as follows: Mondays, noon and 8 p.m. for AA; Tuesdays, noon AA and 7:30 p.m. NA; Wednesdays, noon AA and 6:30 p.m. Al Anon; Thursdays, noon AA and 8 p.m. NA; Fridays, 9 a.m. AA meeting for women, noon and 8 p.m. AA; Saturdays, noon NA and 7 p.m. AA; and on Sundays, 10 a.m. AA.

Rail Club

The Page County Railroad Club meets the first and third Saturday from 1-4 p.m. in the basement of the Luray American Legion Hall, 106 Campbell Street.

The club also meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday at the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce, 18 Campbell Street. Attendees are encouraged to bring their model trains. Visitors are welcome.

If you would like your meeting notice listed, please email community@ pagenewspaper.com or call the Page News and Courier at 743-5123.

• Bethlehem Christian Church, Stanley, GRIT (Godliness, Responsibility, Integrity and Truth) Conference March 18, doors open at 9 a.m., event starts at 10 a.m., speakers include Evangelist Dr. Byron Foxx, Pastor Andy Seastrom and Pastor Matt Caton, lunch will be provided, free men’s event. To RSVP, contact 540-244-1105 by March 10.

• Blue Ridge Pentecostal Church, Stanley, Wednesday and Saturday services 7 p.m. and Sunday worship 10 a.m.; homecoming-reunion service 7 p.m. April 1, featuring music by David Cave and Joyful Noise, everyone is welcome.

• Compton Old Country Church of Jesus Christ, services at 7 p.m. Friday and at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Pastor Frazier at 540244-9267.

• Ida Grove Gospel Chapel, 135 Ida Hollow Rd., Luray, Sunday services at 11 a.m., as well as a drive-in service, where attendees can listen to the service from their vehicle on 106.3 FM. For more information, contact Pastor Pete Campbell at 540743-3045.

• Leake’s Chapel Church of the Brethren, Sunday worship 11 a.m. For more information, contact Pastor Keith Higgs at 540- 271-2978 or the church office at 540-778-4151.

• Luray Church of the Brethren, Sunday services 9:45 a.m. For more information, contact the church at 743-5563 or emailLurayBrethren@gmail.com.

• Luray United Methodist Church, contemporary service 8:30 a.m. with traditional Sunday worship at 11 a.m.; Lenten Recital Series, noon March 16, free event featuring musicians from the church, everyone is welcome; traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal 5-7 p.m. March 17, free-will offering to benefit mission projects (call 540-7436540).

• New Direction Community Church, 52 Cave St., Luray, Sunday worship 10 a.m. For more information, contact 540- 843-2558 or 540-253-5296 (Belvoir Assembly).

• Page United Methodist Church, Luray, Sunday worship 11 a.m. For more information, contact the Rev. Laura Schultz at 301-748-9362.

• Riverview Independent Gospel Church, 259 Wampler Dr., Stanley, bluegrass gospel night 6:30 p.m. March 5 featuring the Hurt Family.

• Rocky Branch Regular Baptist Church, 141 E. Rocky Branch Rd., Luray, Sunday worship at 11 a.m., everyone is welcome.

• St. George’s Episcopal Church, 3380 Pine Grove Rd., Stanley, indoor worship 11 a.m. Sundays, third Sunday is Holy Eucharist, all other Sundays are morning prayer. For more information, contact 540560-9422.

• Shenandoah Pentecostal Church, Operation Christmas Child dinner and music benefit 5-7 p.m. March 18, cost is $10, $6 forages 4-8, and free for ages 3 and younger, music by the Virginia Rain Bluegrass Band.

• Stanley New Hope Pentecostal Church, beginning April 2 the church will offer two morning worship services 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., evening service continues at 6 p.m.; Easter camp meetings “Pentecost Again” begins Easter Sunday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Randy Miller, nightly services at 7 p.m. April 10-13, with guest speakers Evangelist Drew Gibbons, Dr. Ron Phillips, Pastor Brett Gardner and Bishop Tim Hill.

Throughout Scripture the “heart” is used as the center of a person’s being. It describes the heart as the personality or character of a person 257 times. It states that the heart is the center of a person’s emotional state or consciousness 166 times. It presents the heart as the source of intellectual activities 204 times and this includes what we pay attention to or reflect on during our quiet moments or what makes sense to us as we consider the things that cross our paths or what enters our minds. It also speaks of the heart as the source that gives us purpose or direction in life 195 times. We must never overlook the importance of “the heart.”

Certainly the author of Psalm 78 had this in mind. As he reflected on the trials and tragedies of the Israelites, he called attention to the fact that the preceding generations did not put their trust in God and forgot the gracious gifts He gave them. He encouraged them to obey God’s laws and not be like their forefathers.

And how were they to do this?

What was his “prescription” for them? They were to have “hearts that were loyal to God and spirits that were faithful to Him.” Wisely, this psalmist gave a warning to his listeners. And, thankfully, God passed it on to us in His Word.

Someone once said to me, “Larry, learn from what sin has done in the lives of others. If you do, you will be blessed of God and able to enjoy the best He has to offer.”

Surely this is the right moment for each of us to look deep within our “hearts” and be sure we are loyal to God.

For information, contact 912-685-2222 or log on to www.TheSower.com.

Tom Sizemore, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ actor, dies at 61

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Tom Sizemore, the “Saving Private Ryan” actor whose bright 1990s star burned out under the weight of his own domestic violence and drug convictions, died Friday at age 61.

The actor had suffered a brain aneurysm on Feb. 18 at his home in Los Angeles. He died in his sleep Friday at a hospital in Burbank, California, his manager Charles Lago said.

Sizemore became a star with acclaimed appearances in “Natural Born Killers” and the cult-classic crime thriller “Heat.” But serious substance dependency, abuse allegations and multiple run-ins with the law devastated his career, left him homeless and sent him to jail.

As the global #MeToo movement wave crested in late 2017, Sizemore was also accused of groping an 11-yearold Utah girl on set in 2003. He called the allegations “highly disturbing,” saying he would never inappropriately touch a child. Charges were not filed.

Despite the raft of legal trouble, Sizemore had scores of steady film and television credits — though his career never regained its onetime momentum. Aside from “Black Hawk Down” and “Pearl Harbor,” most of his 21st century roles came in low-budget, little-seen productions where he continued to play the gruff, tough guys he became famous for portraying.

“I was a guy who’d come from very little and risen to the top. I’d had the multimillion-dollar house, the Porsche, the restaurant I partially owned with Robert De Niro,” the Detroit-born Sizemore wrote in his 2013 memoir, “By Some Miracle I Made It Out of There.” “And now I had absolutely nothing.”

The book’s title was taken from a line uttered by his character in “Saving Private Ryan,” a role for which he garnered Oscar buzz. But he wrote that success turned him into a “spoiled movie star,” an “arrogant fool” and eventually “a hope-todie addict.”

He racked up a string of domestic violence arrests. Sizemore was married once, to actor Maeve Quinlan, and was arrested on suspicion of beating her in 1997. While the charges were dropped, the couple divorced in 1999.

Sizemore was convicted of abusing ex-girlfriend Heidi Fleiss in 2003 — the same year he pleaded no contest and avoided trial in a separate abuse case — and sentenced to jail. The former Hollywood madam

testified that he had punched her in the jaw at a Beverly Hills hotel, and beaten her in New York to the point where they couldn’t attend the “Black Hawk Down” premiere.

The sentencing judge said drug abuse was likely a catalyst but that testimony had revealed a man who had deep problems dealing with women. Fleiss called Sizemore “a zero” in a conversation with The Associated Press after his conviction.

Sizemore apologized in a letter, saying he was “chastened” and that “personal demons” had taken over his life, though he later denied abusing her and accused her of faking a picture showing her bruises.

Fleiss also sued Sizemore, saying she suffered emotional distress after he threatened to get her own probation revoked. Fleiss had been convicted in 1994 of running a highpriced call-girl ring. That lawsuit was settled on undisclosed terms.

Sizemore was the subject of two workplace sexual harassment lawsuits related to the 2002 CBS show “Robbery Homicide Division,” in which he played a police detective. He was arrested as recently as 2016 in another domestic violence case.

Sizemore ended up jailed from August 2007 to January 2009 for failing numerous drug tests while on probation and after Bakersfield, California, authorities found methamphetamine in his car.

“God’s trying to tell me he doesn’t want me using drugs because every time I use them I get caught,” Sizemore told The Bakersfield Californian in a jailhouse interview.

Sizemore told the AP in 2013 that he believed his dependency was related to the trappings of success. He struggled to maintain his emotional composure as he described a low point looking in the mirror: “I looked like I was 100 years old. I had no relationship with my kids; I had no work to speak off. I was living in squat.”

Margo Eberly

Margaret (Margo) H. Eberly, age 90, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at her home near Luray.

She was preceded in death by her husband James W. Eberly who died May 16, 2022. Surviving are 3 sons, 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She supported the work of her husband's ministry in the Church of the Brethren for

Lemuel Mervin Waters

over 60 years. Margo loved canning, cooking, and baking entries for the Page County Fair.

No memorial service is planned, and her body is being donated for research. Donations in memory of Margo Eberly can be made to Heifer International.

Mary E. Cook

a daughter of the late Jesse Cook and Mary Ann Gray Breeden.

Mary worked at Wrangler for 20 years. She is survived by two sons, Christopher Cook and James Cook, both of Stanley; a sister, Becky Cook of Stanley; and one grandchild, Alyssa Cook. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Sue Cook.

Mary Ellen Cook, 60, of Luray, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Winchester Medical Center.

She was born on October 28, 1962, in Luray and was

Services are planned for a later date.

Lemuel Mervin Waters, 82, of Luray, VA passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Winchester Medical Center.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who loved him, he was born on September 30, 1940, in Luray and was a son of the late Lemuel Ervin Waters and Beulah Middleton Waters.

by Walmart Inc. in Luray for 13 years.

On December 29, 1967, he married Joyce Ann Campbell Waters, who died on April 24, 2021.

He is survived by two sons, Lemuel Edward Waters of Luray, and Gregory Scott Waters of Crozier, VA; a brother, Leroy Waters of Luray; a sister, Deloris Waters of Luray; and two grandchildren, Kendall Regan Waters of Washington, D.C. and Jared Logan Waters of Charlottesville, VA. Mr. Waters was preceded in death by three sisters, Vivian Baker, Lyda Seekford and Lucy Stevens; and four brothers, William "Dutch" Waters, Oliver Waters, Elwood Waters and Elbert Waters.

Age 85, Bill was born May 2, 1937 in Staunton Virginia passed peacefully on February 28, 2023 at his residence in the Phoenix Senior Living Community in Harrisonburg.

His parents relocated from Staunton to Portsmouth, VA where he spent his formative years. He graduated from the Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended Georgia Tech and obtained a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, which led to his first career job in Santa Monica, CA. While in Santa Monica, he met Carol Putnam at a church event. They were married on

February 3, 1962. In 1965, they gave birth to their first child and moved across the country where he began work as a computer programmer for IBM. They gave birth to their daughter in 1967.

He enjoyed activities such as tennis, running, woodworking and playing his guitar. His greatest pleasure though was caring for his family. After retiring, they moved to various communities across the nation until finally settling in Harrisonburg, VA.

He is survived by Carol, his wife of 61 years, their two children, Donald and Janette, his sister Betty,brother Bob and their extended families.

A funeral service and interment of ashes will be conducted at Christ Episcopal Church, Luray, VA on March 10, 2023 beginning at 2:00 P.M. A reception will follow.

Donald E. Bradley

member of the Stanley United Methodist Church. Donald never met a stranger and was loved by all those who knew him.

Mr. Waters is a graduate of Luray High School and proudly served our country in the United States Army, being Honorably Discharged on September 30, 1969. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Luray and retired from Wallace Computer Services, Inc. as a press operator in 1997 after 30 years of service. Following retirement, he was employed

A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, at the Bradley Funeral Home in Luray by Pastor Mike Nichols, preceded by family and friends visitation prior to the service. Mr. Waters was interred at Beahm's Chapel Cemetery in Luray and was laid to rest with Military Honors.

Eva Cornelia Beahm, 102, of Luray, died on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. She was born on May 9, 1920, in Luray and was a daughter of the late James Marvin Sours and Carrie Marie Smith Griffith. Eva was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Luray. On Aug. 29, 1936, she married Lyle Edward Beahm, who died on Feb.

14, 1992. She is survived by two grandsons, David Beahm of Connecticut, and Reed Beahm and wife Penny of Luray; two greatgrandchildren, Lindsey Hedrick of Stanley, and Robbie Beahm of Luray; and three great-greatgrandchildren, Jacob, Jordan and Tori. She was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Lee Beahm.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 3, at the Bradley Funeral Home by Rev. Ryan Viands, with visitation one hour prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m. Burial will be in the Beahm’s Chapel Cemetery in Luray.

Deborah Darlene Wright

Donald Edward Bradley, 81, of Luray, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023. He was born on September 22, 1941, in Washington, D.C., and was a son of the late Ralph Bradley and Edna Painter Bradley.

Donald graduated in 1962 from Bladensburg High School. He worked in the maintenance department for Shenandoah National Park for 21 years and was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Vietnam War. He was a

On May 29, 1985, he married Doris Davis Bradley, who survives. Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Leslie Alger and husband Jeremy of Luray; a brother, Brian Bradley of Maryland; a sister, Lorena Roth of Pennsylvania; and one granddaughter, Aurora Violet Alger of Luray.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, at the Bradley Funeral Home by the Rev. Jim R. Wingert, with visitation one hour prior to the service, from 1011 a.m. Burial will be in the Beahm's Chapel Cemetery in Luray.

Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Gary Rossington dead at 71

Associated Press

Gary Rossington, a co-founder and last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who helped write the classic answer song “Sweet Home Alabama” and played unforgettable slide guitar on the rock anthem “Free Bird,” died Sunday at age 71. No

cause of death was given.

“It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today,” the band wrote on Facebook. “Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like

he always does.”

Rossington cheated death more than once. He survived a car accident in 1976 in which he drove his Ford Torino into a tree, inspiring the band’s song “That Smell.” A year later, he survived the plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cas-

sie Gaines, with multiple broken bones and internal injuries.

In later years, Rossington underwent quintuple bypass surgery in 2003, suffered a heart attack in 2015, and had numerous subsequent heart surgeries, most recently leaving Lynyrd Skynyrd in July 2021 to recover from another procedure.

Deborah Darlene Wright, 68, of Luray, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Winchester Medical Center. She was born on April 25, 1954, in Quantico and was a daughter of the late Glendon Orville Grandstaff and Rose Ella Gochenour Koutsounadis.

Deborah is survived by a son, Keith Wright of

Colorado; a two brothers, Glen Grandstaff of Berlin, Md., John Koutsounadis of Waynesboro, Va., One Sister Kitsa Lee of Waynesboro, Va.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Wright.

A memorial service will be conducted at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 13, at the Mount Carmel Regular Baptist Church by Pastor Brian Hasse, with visitation one hour prior to the service, from 4-5 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 266, Luray, Va. 22835.

Eva Cornelia Beahm

William Hines Harrell Jr.

Actor Tom Sizemore, pictured in 2014, died Friday.

One killed, four injured

A head-on collision between two freight trains on the Norfolk and Western Railroad, occurred about eight miles south of Shenandoah, at an early hour Monday morning last (March 7) killing the reman of the northbound train and injuring four others — two of them, it is thought, seriously. The telegraph operator at Basic is said to have fallen asleep at his post and permitted the northbound train to pass. Firemen

Fairbanks was killed; engineer E.B. Moore, of Roanoke, was cut about the head and one of his legs broken; engineer David Reed, of Roanoke, was hurt internally and sustained scalp wounds; reman Lemen and brakeman Graybill were badly bruised. Two of the engines were demolished, and 18 or 20 cars splintered. Fireman Fairbanks was buried under several tones of iron. The operator, whose nap caused all the damage, is said to have left for parts unknown.

Pencilagraphs

Spring comes early this year.

March is behaving beautifully.

Mayor Holtzman has tendered his resignation to take effect March 12.

St. Patrick’s Day next Thursday, the 17th. Get your potatoes ready.

Sheriff Rosser closed out last week the Farmers Alliance stock, realizing about $350.

That is an ingenious device of Mr. S.N. Judd’s for washing roofs. He ought to make big money out of it.

The growing wheat is responding to the genial rays of the spring sun, and a bountiful harvest is promised.

The Rev. R.H. Cline has bought a lot in East End on which he will build a dwelling house, beginning work on same in a few weeks.

Mrs. Charles Sours,

of the Stony Man neighborhood, was paralyzed on the left side of her entire body last Monday. Mrs. Sours is a daughter of Mr. John Miller, of the Ida section, and is quite young, being less than 30 years old.

Mr. Edwin Quarles is making a large contribution to the pleasure of Luray people by his wonderful performances on the violin. He has a decided talent for music and we have rarely heard his drawing of the bow surpassed by anybody.

Mr. F.G. Grove is delivering coal oil to patrons from a large tank mounted on a wagon provided specially by the oil company which he represents. It is a gaudy and strange looking vehicle, and when it rst appeared on our streets some thought it a kind of war armament that the jingoes of this town had prepared in event of any unpleasantness with Spain.

Mr. I.H. Gochenour, one of the best men and one of the best millers in Page County, has his mill near Rileyville (the old Martin mill) in full blast and is getting an encouraging trade. We predict that the longer he stays there the better the people will be pleased with him and his mill.

Mr. Chas. T. Young, of this place, who has won quite a reputation as a baseball expert, has signed a contract with the Western League of Professional Baseball Clubs of Detroit, Michigan, at $100 per month. He is to be their pitcher for the ensuing season, and will play in all the leading cities of the west.

Twenty-six years ago last Wednesday (March 2, 1872) the people of this valley arose from their beds to nd 11 inches of snow covering mother earth on a level, drifted in many places to a depth of two, three and in many paces four feet.

This “Scout Celebration” snapshot was published in the March 1, 1973 edition of the Page News and Courier. “A combined program for the observance of National Girl Scout Thinking Day and the birthday of founder Lady Baden-Powell was held last Thursday night at the Luray Elementary School. All Luray troops from Brownies to Cadets met together with each performing a skit about a different country. Some of the girls attending are from left, Renee Fox, Pam Kerkhoff, Jean Smith, Anne Dovel, Cheryl Ellis, Dorothy Anne Stewart, Linda Tilley and Julie Taylor.”

Trooper promoted

The Department of State Police in Richmond has announced the promotion of Trooper Kyle L. Miller, 38, of Luray, to investigator stationed at Third Division Headquarters in Appomattox. The new position will include the investigation of criminal violations and backgrounds of new trainees to be hired. Trooper Miller has been with the State Police since 1960 and headquartered in Page County since 1963.

Regional title

Luray jumped into the state tournament with a thrilling 57-53 win over Buckingham on Saturday evening. The Dogs victory wrapped up the Region B title and sends Luray back into action Friday afternoon at University Hall in Charlottesville. Luray will be meeting the Regional C. Champs,

James River High School of the Allegheny Highland District in a 2 p.m. match. On Saturday afternoon the Group A championship game will begin at 2 p.m. This marks the fifth time in the last seven years that the Bulldogs have reached the state seminals. This time Luray has walked away with the top prize with the only loss being a onepoint defeat to Altavista in 1969.

Pizza parlor coming

A new quick service “pizza parlor” building for Luray is among projects listed in the February Page County building permits summary issued by the county Commissioner of the Revenue’s Of ce. The building is being constructed near the 7-Evleven Store in East Luray by developers John Kelley Sr. and Emory W. Chesley. The restaurant

will be owned by Douglas Vaughan, owner-operator of Doug’s Drive-In in east Luray. Mr. Vaughan said this week that the new restaurant will specialize in pizzas and other quick service foods and will replace the older establishment at 1226 E. Main Street.

Hosts Troop Shenandoah Boy Scout Troop 8 members and leaders were guest of their sponsors, the Shenandoah Lions Club, at the club’s regular meeting recently at the Tidewater Rain Service Dining Room in Shenandoah. In a program presented by the Scouts, club president J.E. Morrison and Troop committee chairman I.W. Good received the Troop’s charter from Scoutmaster Michael Bond.

Ful lling a dream

The Town of Shenandoah took a big step last week toward fulfilling a dream of creating a mix of recreational and commercial developments on 68 acres of woodland donated to the town three years ago by the Luken Steel Company. At a special meeting on March 4, the town council voted to give John McNair and Associates, consulting engineers from Waynesboro, permission to apply for a special grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that would provide the town with the funds to do a required environmental survey of the site. “We want to put a positive light on this,” emphasized councilman Chuck Tomney. “Several other studies have been previously made of that site and none have ever turned up any kind of contamination.”

May spare building

It looks like the Page County Heritage Association may just get its way. The Page County Board of Supervisors told the Heritage Association on Tuesday that instead of tearing down the 117-year-old building for parking, supervisors may let the Heritage Association and other interested groups take over the building. The board recently hired engineers to survey the county office building on its safety and the feasibility of remodeling the building, and based on the study board members say the only logical choice for the county’s office needs will be to build a new building. Supervisor Allen Cubbage said the cost of constructing a new building has been estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF PAGE, VIRGINIA AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 105 (TAXATION) TO THE PAGE COUNTY CODE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: That the Board of Supervisors of the County of Page, Virginia shall hold a public hearing on March 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the County Government Center, 103 South Court Street, 2nd Floor, Luray, Virginia 22835, for the purpose of a public hearing on the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 105 (Taxation), Article V (Transient Occupancy Tax) to the Page County Code.

The full text of the proposed amendment to the Ordinance may be reviewed and inspected at the office of the County Administrator, 103 South Court Street, Suite F, Luray, Virginia 22835.

The public is invited to attend this public hearing to express their views thereon.

The Notice is given pursuant to § 15.2-1427 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as

Purpose of Notice: To seek public comment and announce a public hearing on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that will allow the release of treated wastewater into a water body in Page County, Virginia.

Public comment period: March 6, 2023 to April 21, 2023

PUBLIC HEARING: Luray High School Auditorium in Luray on April 6, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

PURPOSE OF HEARING: To obtain input from the public related to the draft permit for this project for DEQ to consider.

INFORMATION BRIEFING: Luray High School Auditorium in Luray on April 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

PERMIT NAME: Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Permit – Wastewater issued by the DEQ

APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND PERMIT NUMBER: Camp Luray OPCO, LLC; 9919 Stephen Decatur Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842; VA0093165

FACILITY NAME AND LOCATION: Luray RV Resort and Campground; 4253 US Hwy 211 West, Luray, VA 22835.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Camp Luray OPCO, LLC has applied for issuance of a permit for the Luray RV Resort and Campground.

The applicant proposes to release treated sewage wastewaters at a rate of 0.05 million gallons per day into the South Fork Shenandoah River in Page County in the South Fork Shenandoah River-Hawksclaw Creek watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. The permit will limit the following pollutants to amounts that protect water quality: physical and chemical properties, nutrients, inorganics, organic matter, solids, and bacteria. a water body. Sludge from the treatment process will be pumped and hauled to North River WWTF where it will undergo treatment.

ISSUES RAISED BY PUBLIC: The previous public comment period was from December 22, 2022 to January 23, 2023. The comments received at that time included the following: The South Fork Shenandoah River is already impaired, and authorizing an additional discharge will further impair the river; the nutrient trading agreement for the proposed discharge is not protective of local water quality in South Fork Shenandoah River; the RV resort and campground design characteristics may not have been clearly conveyed, the design of the wastewater treatment facility may need to be revisited, and DEQ does not have a technical review process; the wastewater treatment facility will be in the 100-year flood plain; has the applicant considered disposing the wastewater on their own property in a drain field or hauling the wastewater off-site; and how is compliance at this wastewater treatment facility assessed.

HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts comments by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments must include the name, address or email address of the person commenting and must be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ also accepts written and oral comments at public hearings. To make a statement at a public hearing, write your name on a sign-up sheet available before the hearing. You may sign up only for yourself. The time allowed for each statement is set by the hearing officer. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named below.

CONTACT FOR PUBLIC

of the Page County, Virginia, in Document No. 160001357 and modified in Document No. 202100452, at the request of the holder of the Note, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance to the Circuit Court of Page County, 116 South Court Street, Luray, on April 11, 2023 at 1:00 PM the property described in said deed, located at the above address and briefly described as: Containing 1.700 acres, more or less as shown on plat recorded in Deed Book 492, Page 716, with any improvements thereon Subject to any and all covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements, and all other matters of record taking priority over the Deed of Trust, if any, affecting the aforesaid property.

TERMS OF SALE: CASH: A deposit of $20,000.00 or 10% of the sales price, whichever is lower, cash or certified check will be required at the time of sale, but no more than $10,000.00 of cash will be accepted, with settlement within fifteen (15) days from the date of sale. Sale is subject to post sale confirmation that the borrower did not file for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code prior to the sale which affects the validity of the sale, as well as to post-sale confirmation of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, the sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser’s sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of his deposit without interest. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Pursuant to the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, we advise you that this firm is a debt collector attempting to collect the indebtedness referred to herein and any information we obtain will be used for that purpose.

SAMUEL I. WHITE, P.C., Trustee

This is a communication from a debt collector.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

SAMUEL I. WHITE, P.C. (83559) 448 Viking Drive Suite 350 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 757-457-1460 - Call Between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or visit our website at www.siwpc.net

Judging Team places sixth

Courtesy photo

Page County High School’s Livestock Judging Team placed sixth at the Skyline Stockmen’s Contest on Feb. 11. The team will travel to Virginia Tech for the Block and Bridle Stockmen’s and Livestock Judging Contest, slated for Feb. 24-25.

reunions

• The Luray High School Class of 1960 will meet for breakfast at Alexander’s Restaurant this Saturday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m.

• The Page County High School Class of 1963 will hold its 60-year reunion on Saturday, April 15, at the Stanley Fire Hall. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with a buffet meal catered by the SVFD Auxiliary at 6 p.m. Cost is $18; checks should be made payable to the Class of 1963. Classmates planning to attend are asked to RSVP by April 3. To attend, contact Roger Hilliard at 540-778-2204 or Margie Frye at 540-2468529.

artevents

Arts Gallery

The Arts and Artisans Fine Art Gallery, 4 East Main St., Luray, works of art by local, regional and national artists; paintings by Wes and Eileen Porter, Jean Moyer, Gary Saylor, K.C. Werner and others; pottery by Jim Lieb, Reese Miller and Cathie Miranda; sculptures by Lis Sabol and Victoria Britto; linocuts prints by Charmaine Shaw; jewelry by Susan Latta and Susan Rocke; and clothing by Bliss Ninja (Charleen Johnston); open noon - 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; also by chance or appointment by calling 540-578-4756, operated by the Page Valley Arts Council, a 501C3, non-profit, (now accepting donations).

The Warehouse Warehouse Art Gallery, 3054 U.S. Hwy. 211 West, Luray, in transition (opening in the near future), will feature art by local and regional artists; for information, call 540-7423620 or e-mail lurayart@gmail.com.

communitybenefits

Craft show, yard sale

New to this year’s Memorial Festival, hosted by the Town of Shenandoah, will be a craft show and yard sale on Saturday, May 27.

Spaces are available for $10 (10x20), with a $35 charge for food vendors. To register or for more information, contact Bobbi Jo Good at 540-810-6113 or email Brenda Haggett at efgva@yahoo.com.

Food drive

Thanks to the success of the Page Public Library’s food drive for Luray’s Page One, the collection drive will continue. The collection box for non-perishable food items

will be available at the library at 100 Zerkel Street in Luray. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

St. Patrick’s meal

The Luray United Methodist Church has planned a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 17, at the church. The meal will include corned beef, mashed potatoes and cabbage, roll and dessert. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit church mission projects.

Reservations are encouraged by calling 540-743-6540.

Playground benefit

Sponsored by Where An-

gels Play Foundation, a fundraiser is planned for Saturday, March 18, at the Stanley Volunteer Fire Department.

Starting at 11 a.m., the benefit will include raffles, a cake wheel and lollipop game. Tickets are $6 (one sheet) or $20 (four sheets). Drawings are planned for 3 p.m. Basket Bingo begins at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. Presale tickets are $20; $25 at the door. Contact Rhonda at 540669-7046 for information or to donate items for the fundraiser.

Proceeds will be used for the Nick Winum playground, which will be built by the foundation.

Luray Middle School

14 Luray Avenue

Luray, Va. 22835

540-843-2660

Principal: Heather Foltz

L IDDLE SCHOOL

Artistic Study

Seventh grade art students from Luray Middle spent the week of Oct. 10, 2022 learning about our natural landscapes and how to create depth in a work of art. They participated in nature journaling and outdoor landscape painting along the Hawksbill Creek and Greenway.

Showing Creativity

Listening and Learning

As part of their Family and Consumer Science classes at Luray Middle School, students demonstrated communication skills by active listening and learning to ask clarification questions, being able to ask directly for what‛s needed and working as a team to assemble a puzzle when the leader was blind folded. For their Nutrition and Wellness Unit, LMS students learned to separate an egg yolk without a kitchen tool, and learned to peel, core and slice apples to make homemade applesauce.

Layout and design by Deloris Judy

Ten FCCLA members from Luray Middle School attended the Virginia State Fair on FCCLA Day. Students created upcycled and handmade items that promoted FCCLA to enter in the Best in Show Contest.

Addison Heglar

Madeline Matics

Ayden Hess