The suspect was identified as Ricky Brian Henry, age 32, that also had a last known address of 90 Rambo Court, Linden, VA. Ricky Henry is the spouse to Lakisha Henry. Ricky Henry was taken into custody by the deputies on scene without incident. Lakisha Henry was treated at the scene by medical personnel; she was then transferred by helicopter to INOVA Hospital in Fairfax where she is still in Intensive Care in critical condition. Mrs. Henry suffered numerous stab wounds to her entire body.

Ricky Henry was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital and was treated for minor injuries he suffered during the incident. Henry was released from the hospital and transported to the Warren County Jail where he was served two arrest warrants.  One for attempted first degree murder and the other aggravated malicious wounding of Lakisha Henry.

Ricky Henry is being held without bond on both charges and his next court date is set for August 17, 2012 at 10 a.m. in Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. 

The suspect was apprehended at the scene and is currently in the Warren County Jail.  According to Sheriff McEathron, the suspect is Ricky Brian Henry, a 32 year old white male.  Henry was serving a sentence on drug related charges and was in the Warren County Jail’s Work Release Home Electronic Monitoring Program.

The investigation is ongoing

Information on traffic conditions can be obtained on VDOT’s 511 site or phone service at 511Virginia.org or by dialing 511.  VDOT has Android and iPhone/iPad apps for 511.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.  Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.  For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.  Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

On July 28, 2012 at 1836hrs the Front Royal Police Department received a call from a citizen that a white male subject was in the area of North Shenandoah Avenue exposing himself to passing motorists. Officers responded to the area and began a search for this subject, at 1842hrs Sergeant Courtney radioed that he may have the subject in the area of 1420 N. Shenandoah Ave. As Sergeant Courtney exited his vehicle Clyde E. Burrell Jr. viciously attacked Sergeant Courtney, during the attack Burrell slammed Sergeant Courtney’s head into the pavement multiple times and raked his fingers through Sergeant Courtney’s eyes. As Sergeant Courtney continued to fight for his life Burrell gained control of Sergeant Courtney’s expandable baton and commenced to beat Sergeant Courtney striking him in his face, arms and the back of his head. Sergeant Courtney was able to get on his back with Burrell on his chest and grab the expandable baton, as he and Burrell were struggling for control of the baton Burrell ripped the baton from Sergeant Courtney’s hands. As Burrell drew back the baton to strike Sergeant Courtney, Detective Jason Lethcoe arrived on the scene and was able to tackle Burrell getting him off of Sergeant Courtney. Detective Jason Lethcoe then had to fight Clyde Burrell, during the struggle a citizen came to the aid of Detective Lethcoe and helped in gaining
BLENDING THE BEST OF THE FUTURE WITH THE BEST OF THE PAST
control of Burrell which allowed Detective Lethcoe to get Burrell into handcuffs. Two other citizens then came to the aid of Sergeant Courtney rendering first aid, Corporal David Fogle arrived on scene and immediately transported Sergeant Courtney to Warren Memorial Hospital. Sergeant Bryan Courtney was hospitalized for his injuries and Detective Lethcoe was treated and released. Clyde E. Burrell Jr. was held with no bond a court date has not been set in this matter at the time of this release.
Anyone with additional formation about this case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jason Ryman at the Criminal Investigation Division of the Front Royal Police Department at 540-636- 2208 or the Front Royal Police Department Dispatch Center at 540-635-2111.

With the business being so close in proximity to the road, a decision was made to close East 6^th Street from Commerce Avenue to Manassas Avenue for the safety of passing motorists and pedestrians.  Front Royal Police also went door to door notifying neighbors in the area of the incident in case they wished to evacuate the area.

The Virginia State Police was called for assistance and they responded with an Explosives Technician and three Explosive K9 units.  The K9 units conducted a search of the entire plant and surrounding area.  No suspicious items were identified as a result of the search.  The search ended at approximately 10:00 am, at which time the roadway was reopened to normal traffic flow and employees were allowed to resume work.

Members of the Front Royal Volunteer Fire and Rescue were also on the scene to assist.

Detectives with the Front Royal Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division are continuing the investigation.  Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact Detective Corporal K. E. Foltz at 540-636-2208 or 540-635-2111.

While the wind has been blowing from the north and northwest since Monday, spreading the smoke across less populated areas, now has changed to a more northerly direction spreading smoke across the Town of Front Royal and adjacent areas. While not heavy smoke, it can still be irritating to those with breathing problems. For those, please stay inside air conditioned homes or other structures. Limit exposure outside, but seek medical treatment if breathing worsens. Without any prediction of significant rainfall in our future, this fire could burn for weeks.

Regarding the spread of the fire and the potential of the fire threatening other structures, the Fire and Rescue Department is routinely monitoring the fire and is in contact with our friends at the National Forest Service.  We are prepared and have reviewed our plans for any fire spreading onto the private land area around this fire.

For general information, you can call the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station in Edinburg at 540-984-4101 or Fire Communications business line at 540-635-4128.  If you need to report a fire or being threatened by the fire, call 911.

Flames will be seen throughout the night and smoke has the potential to effect the areas of Panhandle Road, Thunderbird Farms and areas of Bentonville depending on wind conditions.

There is still no immediate dangers to any homes or private property in Warren County. The Department of Fire and Rescue Services will continue to work with officials from the U.S. Forest Service to monitor this situation and provide the proper protection should it be needed.

The Department is reminding people who wish to view the fire to be mindful of the fire suppression efforts and should stay clear of the area of Fort Valley Road and all hiking trails leading into the area.

At approximately 7 pm on Thursday, June 21, Matthew T. Berkowitz, age 19, left the Diversion Center, resulting in a probation violation warrant for his arrest. Information was received shortly after 7 am Friday morning that Berkowitz was located at a relative’s house on East Criser Road.  Officers from the Front Royal Police Department and White Post Diversion Center surrounded the house and made contact with the occupants. After clearing the occupants from the house, it was determined that Berkowitz was barricaded in the attic of the residence, Members of the Front Royal Police Department Tactical Response unit arrived on the scene, along with Front Royal Police K-9. Just before units made entry into the attic area, Berkowitz fell through the ceiling and was immediately taken into custody by Front Royal police officers.

Berkowitz was transported to the Warren County Jail on the probation violation warrant pending transfer back into the Department of Corrections custody.

Officer Lowery subsequently arrested Jeffrey A. Lentz of the 500 block of Cresthaven Court, Front Royal for Driving Under the Influence. Detective Cline continued the investigation into the alleged abduction and obtained additional charges against Lentz for Abduction and Domestic Assault and Battery. Lentz was held on all charges without bond pending July 3 and July 5, 2012 court dates in both the Warren County General District and the Domestic Relations Courts.

“The battle lines are drawn, and the arguments are familiar to us now. Although the Catholic Church was intentionally selected as the enemy in a false ‘war on women,’ all faithful Christians now recognize that the threat is really not only against Catholics, but against all people of faith, and our most fundamental freedoms. The First Amendment, which states, in part, that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof’ is itself under attack.

“We are determined not to find out what will happen if this fundamental freedom is abolished, which is why we are in this fight now. Of course, we will join in rallies, we will raise our voices and we will make sure that everyone knows the importance of their vote in November. But we also have a power that goes beyond these worldly obligations — the power of prayer.

“We pray with renewed urgency and focus, and we pray in solidarity. Prayer is by far the most powerful weapon we have in this fight for freedom, and it is necessary if we are to ultimately succeed.

“I am asking you to commit to praying with the pro-life missionaries of Human Life International, for the defense of the freedom of religion. I’m asking you to commit to praying one rosary per day during the Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week effort called for by our bishops to unite in prayer and action in defense of religious freedom, from June 21 – July 4. I’m also asking you to share this pledge with friends, to have them join us in prayer that people of faith be free to live their faith in freedom.

“We can win this battle! And a win here will send a message to the world — this is really a fight for all of us who have the right not only to worship, but to be free to live our faith consistently in our workplaces and in the public square, without compromise.

“Please join us in prayer during this Fortnight for Freedom and share this invitation with friends!”

Cody Alan Clater, age 19, of 15 West 18^th Street, Front Royal has been charged with a felony warrant for possession of cocaine, and four misdemeanor warrants for possession of marijuana, public intoxication, underage possession of alcohol, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 

Warren County Deputies had been searching for a reported female juvenile runaway who they had been told may be with Clater.  Deputies located the runaway at 603 Remount Road.  While doing a search of the property deputies noticed a white powdery substance in a parked vehicle, and found Clater hiding facedown under a van.  When the male exited from under the van a straw with white powder residue was dropped.  When questioned, Clater admitted to deputies that the white powder was cocaine.  Front Royal Police Department’s narcotic K-9 was called in for a search, resulting in a positive alert.  A small bag of green plant material was found in the vehicle along with an empty vodka bottle.

Clater is scheduled to appear in Warren County General District Court on June 12, 2012. 

Booth was transported to the Warren County Jail where the magistrate released him on a $2,000 secured bond.

At a brief informational meeting, participants pick up a sample kit and get instructions on collecting a household water sample.  Participants collect a sample from their tap at home, complete a short questionnaire, and drop off their sample at the designated location and time.  About four weeks later, participants attend a follow-up meeting to get their confidential test results, an explanation of what the numbers mean, and information on how to handle any problems that are present.

The water testing covers 14 common contaminants, including Iron, Manganese, Sulfate, Hardness, Sodium, Copper, Nitrate, Arsenic, Fluoride, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Coliform bacteria, E. coli bacteria, and Lead.  The cost for the sample analysis is $45, which is due at the kick-off meeting where participants receive their sample kit.  Please make checks payable to VCE-Shenandoah County.

Drinking Water Clinic kick-off meetings will be held on the following dates at the listed locations:

Page County:  June 18, 2012, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the VCE-Page County Office, Community Room, 215 West Main Street, Stanley, Virginia.  Call 540-778-5794 to register.  (Collection date is June 20th, 7-10 a.m.)

Shenandoah County:  June 19, 2012, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Shenandoah County Government Center, Board Room, 600 North Main Street, Woodstock, Virginia.  Call 540-459-6140 to register.  (Collection date is June 20th, 7-10 a.m.)

Warren County:  June 26, 2012, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Warren County Government Center, Board Room, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia.  Call 540-635-4549 to register.  (Collection date is June 27th, 7-10 a.m.)

For more information about the Drinking Water Clinics, call the Shenandoah County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension at 540-459-6140 or visit our website at http://offices.ext.vt.edu/shenandoah/.

Harmon-Wright turned himself in to State Police without incident late Tuesday evening. He is being held at the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center without bond pending a June 8, 2012, hearing in Culpeper County Circuit Court.

The special investigative grand jury was convened at the request of the special prosecutor appointed to the case, Fauquier County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Fisher.

“Without commenting on the particulars of the investigation, over the course of the month of May, this special investigative grand jury heard from more than 45 witnesses, received more than 100 separate exhibits and was presented with reams of documentary evidence,” said Fisher.

In addition, the special investigative grand jury also handed up three counts of uttering and three counts of forgery of public documents against Harmon-Wright’s mother, Bethany P. Sullivan, 55, of Orange, Va. Through the course of the special grand jury’s investigation into
-CONTINUED-
the shooting incident, evidence came to light concerning Ms. Sullivan’s role in forging public records in an attempt to purge Harmon-Wright’s personnel file of negative information. Ms. Sullivan was employed as an administrative secretary to the chief of police at the time of Harmon-Wright’s hiring as a police officer. Ms. Sullivan left the police department in 2010.

Sullivan was taken into custody without incident late Tuesday night. Sullivan was released on an unsecured bond of $5,000 per count.

The shooting incident occurred at about 10 a.m. Feb. 9, 2012, when the officer interacted with the driver of a Jeep Wrangler in the 300 block of North East Street in the Town of Culpeper. During the encounter, the driver, Patricia A. Cook, 54, of Culpeper, Va., was shot by the officer. Cook died at the scene.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office’s Police Shooting Investigation Team conducted the investigation at the request of the Town of Culpeper Police chief.

The special investigative grand jury was convened at the request of the special prosecutor appointed to the case, Fauquier County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Fisher.

“Without commenting on the particulars of the investigation, over the course of the month of May, this special investigative grand jury heard from more than 45 witnesses, received more than 100 separate exhibits and were presented with reams of documentary evidence,” said Fisher.

The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. Feb. 9, 2012, when the officer became engaged with the driver of a Jeep Wrangler in the 300 block of North East Street in the Town of Culpeper. During the encounter, the driver, Patricia A. Cook, 54, of Culpeper, Va., was shot by the officer. Cook died at the scene.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office’s Police Shooting Investigation Team conducted the investigation at the request of the Town of Culpeper Police chief.

The four-day statistical counting period began Friday morning, May 25, 2012, at 12:01 a.m. and continued through midnight, Monday, May 28, 2012. During that time, nine people died in nine traffic crashes on Virginia’s highways. Two of the fatal crashes took place in Goochland County and another two occurred in Halifax County. The remaining fatal crashes occurred in the counties of Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, and Washington. In at least eight of the crashes, the driver or passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.

“While the fatality rate during the Memorial Day weekend is lower than last year’s, the loss of life is still disturbing,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “It’s equally troubling to see the number of fatal crashes across the state involving individuals who were not buckled up, despite the fact we are in the middle of a Click-It-or-Ticket enforcement initiative. As the summer driving season begins, we must emphasize to all drivers and passengers to take those few seconds to buckle up before getting behind the wheel or riding with someone. Those few seconds could save your life.”

For the remainder of this week, Virginia State Police will be continuing its enforcement and educational outreach participation in the national Click-It-or-Ticket traffic safety initiative. The Click-It-or-Ticket program is aimed at increasing seatbelt use in Virginia and continues until June 3, 2012.

As a result of troopers’ increased visibility, checkpoints and traffic enforcement efforts on Virginia’s highways during the holiday weekend, 11,794 speeders and 3,051 reckless drivers were stopped and cited. State Police also arrested 138 impaired drivers. A total of 1,168 safety belt violations and 393 child safety seat restraint violations were also cited by state troopers and supervisors.

With 75 percent of its uniformed workforce patrolling over the holiday weekend, Virginia State Police investigated a total 666 traffic crashes statewide and issued a total of 13,649 summonses and arrests. Through the nationwide Operation C.A.R.E. initiative, Virginia State Police patrolled 378,210 miles of Virginia roadways and assisted 3,385 motorists during the holiday statistical counting period.

—

—

The accident occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. Monday afternoon in the area of Silver Hill Road in Fauquier County. Police have determined that the two planes collided in mid-air and then fell to the ground approximately a mile apart. Parts of the planes and debris were scattered between the two crash sites. One of the planes caught fire upon impact. In that plane, which is believed to be a six-seater aircraft, two bodies were recovered. They have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for positive identification and examination.

The pilot of the second plane, seventy year old Thomas R. Proven, of Broad Run, Va., survived the crash. Proven was taken by ambulance to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Va., and is still being treated for his injuries. He was flying a 1965 Piper PA28140.

The incident and cause of the mid-air collision remain under investigation.

Warren County Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron announces the implementation of the Delta-Alert mass notification system that will allow emergency alerts to be sent to land-line telephones, cell phones, email addresses and in TTY/TDD formats. The Delta-Alert system was purchased with the aid of a Virginia Department of Emergency Management grant and can be used to alert residents about natural and man-made disasters, accidents, evacuations, and fires as well as send alerts for missing children, adults and senior citizens.

Residents that have had a land-line phone in their residences since October 2011 are currently in the system and they will automatically receive notifications.

Citizens wishing for emergency notifications to be sent to their cell phones or email addresses must register their personal contact information.  We urge all Front Royal / Warren County residents wishing to receive emergency cell phone and email alert messages to sign up for emergency alerts today by visiting the Warren County Sheriff’s Office website, www.warrencountysheriff.org

These alert systems are just one tool that you can use to keep you and your loved ones safe.  It is our hope to offer safer solutions for notifications to our citizens.  We hope that Front Royal/Warren County residents will participate in making sure their emergency contact information is in the Delta-Alert system and is accurate. 

Five-year-old cheetah and first-time mom Ally gave birth to the first cub, a male, April 23. However, instead of nursing and cleaning the cub, she abandoned him, which is relatively common for first-time mothers under human care. Cheetah keepers moved the cub to the veterinary hospital to be treated for severe hypothermia. When Ally suddenly stopped having contractions hours later, SCBI head vet Dr. Copper Aitken-Palmer anesthetized her to see if she had additional cubs. Aitken-Palmer heard additional heartbeats and performed a radiograph to determine that three cubs remained. She performed a cesarean section, a procedure rarely used on cheetahs and one that cubs do not often survive. A team of veterinarians, keepers and scientists worked for three hours to resuscitate the three cubs, performing CPR, administrating medications and rubbing the cubs to dry and warm them. One of the three cubs, a female, did survive.

“Given how rare this procedure is, we thought it’d be unlikely for any of the cubs to survive,” said Adrienne Crosier, SCBI cheetah biologist. “But that little female is a fighter. Once we got her breathing, she just kept going. It was a very intense, stressful experience, but among the most inspiring of my career.”

Both cubs and their mother were in intensive care for the following three days. The cubs’ father, Caprivi, was brought to the veterinary hospital to donate plasma to the cubs to boost their immune systems. Today both cubs and their mother appear to be in good health, though animal care staff is continuing to monitor all three carefully.

“There are now two new genetically valuable cubs in a population that so desperately needs them,” Aitken-Palmer said. “So this is really a success for this struggling species.”

Because Ally rejected the first cub, animal care staff is hand raising both cubs, which requires bottle feeding every few hours. Having two hand-raised cubs presented a unique opportunity to bring the animals to the Zoo, according to Tony Barthel, curator of the Zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Station, where the new cubs will live. In addition to the four litters born at SCBI in Front Royal, two litters of cheetahs have been born at the Zoo’s Washington facility since 2004.

“Moving mom and cubs is more challenging than moving the cubs alone for many reasons,” Barthel said. “The cubs will continue to need care and we’re not out of the woods yet. The goal is to ensure that the cheetahs thrive and become ambassadors for their species.”

Ally and Caprivi were paired as a recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for cheetahs. The SSP matches animals across the country to ensure genetic diversity in the population. The mortality rate for cheetah cubs in human care born under normal circumstances is 20 percent during the first six months, compared to a mortality rate of up to 70 percent in the wild population in east Africa. SCBI is one of five centers participating in research to boost the captive cheetah population as part of the Conservation Centers for Species Survival, also known as C2S2. In addition to four litters born at SCBI in Front Royal, two litters of cheetahs have been born at the Zoo’s Washington facility since 2004.

Cheetahs, the fastest animals on land, are struggling to outpace threats to their survival in the wild. As the result of human conflict, hunting and habitat loss, there are only an estimated 7,500 to 10,000 cheetahs left in the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers cheetahs a vulnerable species.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute plays a key role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to understand and conserve species and train future generations of conservationists. Headquartered in Front Royal, Va., SCBI facilitates and promotes research programs based at Front Royal, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and at field research stations and training sites worldwide.

]]> http://www.news.synavista.com/two-cheetah-cubs-transferred-to-the-smithsonians-national-zoo/21362/feed/ 0 http://www.news.synavista.com/water-outage-in-front-royal/21356/ http://www.news.synavista.com/water-outage-in-front-royal/21356/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 11:41:51 +0000 News Staff http://www.warren.daily-monitor.com/?p=2956 The Town of Front Royal is experiencing a large water outage due to a 10” water main break at the intersection of 8 th St and Warren Ave. Currently the Water & Sewer Line Maintenance crew is on-site working on the break, however the water is off on 8 th St, Virginia Ave, Crosby Rd, and surrounding areas. The following roads have been closed due to this emergency:

E 8 th St between Royal Ave and Commerce Ave

Warren Ave between 7 th St and Commerce Ave

At this time, there is no estimated time of re-instatement. Please drive carefully around the work zone and be aware of crew members in the area. The Town appreciates your patience and understanding during this emergency water outage.