Historic snow storm may be moving into Shenandoah Valley

Graphic from WxRisk.com

The warnings about the incoming snow storm have been out there for a while but most certainly over the past several days as the latest coastal storm forms and marches north leaving behind ice and snow in southern states not used to such a mess.

Snow amounts vary according to which forecast is heard. This morning WHSV TV-3 in Harrisonburg gave a forecast of 6-10 inches of snow. Meanwhile, NBC-29 in Charlottesville predicted 10-16 inches which was more in line with most other forecasts including WxRisk.

Whichever forecast is correct, we will get snow. Stay warm....

Ken Slack as VDOT spokesman

It was good to see a report from former longtime NBC-29 reporter Ken Slack last night while watching the 11:00 news in his role as spokesman for Virginia's Department of Transportation. In a news story about repairs on the I-81 sinkhole in southern Augusta County, WHSV TV-3 had reached out to VDOT for a comment. It was a reminder that Ken has been missed in the evening news and at events around the SWAC area in his role as reporter.

Back story: NBC-29's Ken Slack to join VDOT

'The Hook' is folding

"The Hook," Charlottesville's popular free weekly magazine found on grocery store and convenience store news stands around the central Virginia area, is folding at the end of September and joining forces with "C-ville Weekly."

NBC-29 published the announcement Friday:

The Hook will publish its final issue on Thursday, September 26, the free weekly newspaper's parent company announced today, and its editorial and business resources will be folded into a bigger, better version of C-VILLE Weekly.

Two-and-a-half years after a parent company was formed to run the two competing weeklies, its owners have decided that the readers, advertisers, and staff would be best served by combining the resources of the two papers to create a more robust print and online hyperlocal media organization.

"Charlottesville is an amazing media market that has allowed two weekly papers to co-exist, basically because people demand high quality local journalism. After taking our time to look at it from nearly every angle, we came to the conclusion that the best way to serve the community was to combine the papers," said Blair Kelly, a partner in the parent company, Charlottesville Publishing Group (CPG). "We think the decision is the best way forward from both a business and an editorial perspective, and we look forward to serving the community with outstanding journalism for another 25 years."

The Hook has built a reputation for feisty, timely local news reporting. The new version of C-VILLE will carry that legacy forward while building on its own 25-year history as an intelligent, progressive journalistic voice for news, arts, and culture in one of the country's great university towns.

NBC-29 has more information about this change in the hard-copy publishing world.

Virginia's mowing blitz to spiff up for Independence Day

Photo from NBC-29.

Virginia is spiffing up the roadways for the upcoming 4th of July holiday as the Virginia Department of Transportation goes on a mowing blitz during the next week. Shoulders and medians will be mowed and trash picked up as the Commonwealth readies for America's birthday.

Governor Bob McDonnell announced the cleanup on Tuesday, noting:

“A clean, well-cut roadway enhances the state’s appearance for residents and visitors, but of greater importance is the effort to improve a motorist’s ability to see signs, guardrail and oncoming traffic, and to pull over during an emergency. Additional mowing will be ongoing throughout the year, but we wanted to make sure that our roads and highways are ready to welcome the public to the Commonwealth ahead of the holiday weekend.”

As always, be mindful of VDOT workers who are out there beautifying the Old Dominion. They want to spend a safe Independence Day with their families, too.

Search for Shenandoah Mountain hiker offers no closure

After a search Saturday on Shenandoah Mountain, the family of Robert Fitzgerald is no closer to answers about his disappearance while hiking in November. Reporter Matt Talhelm at NBC-29 has the story and comments from Augusta County Sheriff Randy Fisher.

NBC-29's Ken Slack to join VDOT, other news

There are all sorts of changes going on with those who cover the news about those who make the news in the SWAC area....

Sadly, Ken Slack, who has spent the last 18 years with NBC-29 as a reporter and Valley bureau chief, is leaving in mid-April to join VDOT in the Staunton area as a communications specialist. This home town boy, born and raised in Stuarts Draft and a graduate of Virginia Tech, has been fun to work with over the years. His dedication to the profession and accurate reporting will be missed but here's wishing him the best as he pursues new avenues that will allow more time with his family. Update 4/20/13: NBC-29 newscast video saying goodbye to Ken.

Matt Talhelm will step in to join Tara in Valley news coverage. Matt is a familiar face in the Valley. He has been with NBC-29 since 2005 and anchors on the weekends in addition to reporting. A few years back he covered the Stonewall Jackson National Guard unit out of Staunton, and I remember one time (when they were leaving or returning; can't remember which) when Matt was getting on-air ready for his broadcast from the site. He was dedicated in covering those men and women who served. We look forward to seeing more of Matt in the Valley.

Jonathan Hunley has left the Waynesboro News-Virginian as editor and general manager, and has his eye on larger news markets. I've enjoyed Jonathan's leadership at the NV and he has been a friend to SWAC Girl. Here is wishing him all the best as he moves on.

Former News-Virginian general manager and editor Lee Wolverton, who returned to the area when he joined up at the Charlottesville Daily Progress as managing editor in September 2012, is helping out in the interim. Lee and his wife Dana moved to Texas a few years ago but it was great to have them move back to the area last fall. Welcome back, Lee ... we look forward to once again working with you.

News through the grapevine is that a longtime reporter with the Staunton News Leader has decided to move on. This comes on the heels of some changes at the NL that include selling their present building as they downsize into a more streamlined news-gathering organization. 

GOP Chair Pat Mullins interview on NBC-29 (Charlottesville)

Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins was interviewed by Charlottesville's NBC-29 Wednesday night. This is the extended 10-minute interview on the website.

H/T to Rick Sincere