This Week at a Glance
A carjacking that begins in Waynesboro ends in a crash in Staunton, with two 18-year-olds held without bond and the victim injured. Staunton Pride returns to Gypsy Hill Park on Saturday. Early voting is underway on a 1 percent sales tax for school construction, with Election Day on November 3 and a 20-year expiration written into the ballot question. Rallies in Staunton, Churchville, and Buena Vista put the Augusta Health clinic closures at the center of the congressional race. Shenandoah National Park confirms that human remains were found near a tent in the Naked Creek backcountry. A Swoope artist who burns the background away from her designs gets a profile from The Shenandoan, our companion publication.
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A Carjacking Ends in a Staunton Crash and Two Arrests
Two 18-year-olds from Waynesboro are held without bond after a carjacking that started on Oakbridge Drive and ended with a crash in Staunton.
Waynesboro officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Oakbridge Drive around 11:30 p.m. Monday, October 12, for a reported carjacking with injuries, WHSV reported. They found an adult victim who said their vehicle had been stolen and that the suspects had left the area. The victim received medical attention and is in stable condition, police said.
Shortly after the theft, Staunton police detained three suspects in the stolen vehicle after it was involved in a traffic crash. Police identified them as Amiziah L. Barbour, 18, Niyanna Berkley, 18, and a 16-year-old girl, all Waynesboro residents. Barbour and Berkley were arrested on felony charges of malicious wounding by mob under Virginia Code § 18.2-41 and are held at Middle River Regional Jail, per Rocktown Now. Augusta Free Press, which often editorializes in its news coverage, reported the same account from the Waynesboro Police Department’s release.
Police have not said what the 16-year-old faces or how the victim was injured. The department says the investigation remains active and that additional charges are pending. The release does not say where in Staunton the crash happened or whether anyone inside the vehicle was hurt. We’ll report what police add as the case moves forward.
Voters Weigh a Sales Tax for School Buildings
Staunton voters will decide on November 3 whether the city may levy an additional local retail sales tax of up to 1 percent, and early voting is underway. The city’s referendum page gives the ballot question in full:
“Shall the City of Staunton, Virginia, be allowed to enact a local retail sales tax of up to one percent (1%) to provide funds that can only be used for construction or major renovation of public schools in the City of Staunton and that such tax shall expire on July 23, 2046?”
A yes vote authorizes City Council to adopt an ordinance levying the tax, the city says.
A no vote means Council will not have that authority.
The money cannot pay for school operating costs or salaries.
Staunton City Schools Superintendent Eric Irizarry told WHSV that many boilers and HVAC units in the division’s buildings are near the end of their life or past it, and that the buildings run 50 to 75 years old. A summer building-needs study found $168 million in unfunded capital needs, according to Augusta Free Press, which often editorializes in its reporting.
A summary of Council’s July 23 meeting on Citizen Portal says city staff estimated net revenue of roughly $5.1 million to $5.4 million a year after exemptions. It adds that the tax excludes groceries and essential hygiene items, can be renewed up to 20 years, and cannot pay existing debt service but could back future debt for projects. If voters approve, Council would adopt an ordinance, and the tax would take effect roughly 120 days later, per the city agenda packet as reported by the News Leader. Several council members noted that visitors and other nonresidents who shop in the city would help pay.
Staunton is not alone on this ballot. Voters in Waynesboro and Augusta County will see their own versions, the News Leader reported. Staunton City Schools is hosting a community discussion, with RSVPs at bit.ly/bessieRSVP. Augusta County is holding meetings at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Wilson Memorial High School, October 21 at Stuarts Draft Middle School, October 22 in the Government Center’s Smith West Room, and October 28 at Stewart Middle School, per WHSV.
What do you think about the sales tax referrendum? let us know in the comments below.
A Year After the Closures, Clinic Rallies Return to the Valley
Rallies on Wednesday put the Augusta Health clinic closures back in front of voters. The Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, and Lexington-Rockbridge-Buena Vista Democratic committees organized three events: noon to 2 p.m. outside the Staunton Health Department, 2 to 4 p.m. at the former Churchville Primary Care site, and 4 to 6 p.m. at the former Buena Vista Primary Care site, per Augusta Free Press, which often editorializes in its reporting. Organizers told the News Leader the rallies protest health care policies backed by Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Ben Cline, and draw attention to Medicaid funding and access to care. WHSV reported that community members rallied in all three towns.
The closures date to September 2025, when Augusta Medical Group announced it would close Buena Vista Primary Care, Churchville Primary Care, and Weyers Cave Urgent Care. It called the move part of its “ongoing response” to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Virginia Mercury reported. Buena Vista patients went to practices in Lexington, and Churchville patients to the Verona practice, which is open five days a week rather than three. Weyers Cave patients were pointed to urgent care in Stuarts Draft, Staunton, Waynesboro, or Crozet, with Staunton closest, and Augusta Health said it would send a mobile clinic to Weyers Cave. Churchville Primary Care closed October 3, Cardinal News reported.
The politics split along familiar lines. Cline voted for the law and pointed to its $50 billion rural health fund, CNN reported last year. The same report cited a KFF estimate that federal Medicaid spending in rural areas would fall by $137 billion, more than the fund provides. In a VPM candidate survey, Cline said he supports the rural health program, and Democratic challenger Beth Macy said the Medicaid cuts should be rescinded and ACA tax credits restored. Cline and former Gov. Glenn Youngkin rallied voters in Fishersville the same day.
Human Remains Found Near a Tent in Shenandoah’s Naked Creek Backcountry
Shenandoah National Park staff confirmed Tuesday evening that human remains were found in the Naked Creek backcountry on September 22, three weeks after the discovery, WHSV reported. Park spokesperson Allysah Fox told the station by email that the remains were found near a tent. A hiker was reported missing that same evening, which set off a search and rescue operation with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The reporting so far does not say whether the two events are connected, and no one has been publicly identified. Fox said investigators noticed evidence of wildlife in the area but have not determined whether it relates to the case. The cause of death is still unknown. Our companion publication The Shenandoan has the full report.
The National Park Service lists the Naked Creek backcountry zone as closed until further notice, effective October 7. WUSA9 reported that the closure came about two weeks after the remains were found and that it covers the Naked Creek Overlook. The park’s alert cites recent wildlife interactions and an abundance of caution, per the National Park Service. The park has not said publicly why the closure followed the discovery by that interval, and it has given no reopening date. The zone sits in the center of the park, west of Skyline Drive, The Trek reported.
On September 25 the park closed backcountry camping on the Appalachian Trail from Lewis Mountain Campground to Big Meadows, including Bearfence Mountain Hut, citing wildlife interactions, per the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Day hiking on that stretch remains open. Officials have not linked the two closures to each other.
For anyone with a backcountry trip planned, The Shenandoan’s report notes that overnight stays require a permit, issued year-round through Recreation.gov, and that campers should check the park’s website for current closure areas before they go. Permit and itinerary questions can go to the park’s backcountry office at 540-948-1143 or shen_backcountry@nps.gov. Food, garbage, and cooking gear must sit in a bear-resistant container or hang at least 12 feet off the ground and 6 feet from the trunk. In an emergency, the park’s line is 1-800-732-0911. Much remains unanswered: who the person was, how they died, and what the investigation will find. We’ll update this story when the park or the medical examiner releases more.
A Swoope Artist Burns Away the Background
Heather McCoy spends about twenty hours designing a single piece before she lights the pen. The artist works from Trinity Point, a patch of Augusta County in Swoope where three peaks surround the meeting of the Middle River and Buffalo Branch, and The Shenandoan’s profile of her traces a path that took nearly forty years.
Her signature technique comes from pyrography, the craft of burning designs into wood. A single Fire+Steel piece takes 20 to 25 hours of burning, and a side table took 75. She and her husband weld and grind the steel frames themselves, and her bald cypress slabs came from eastern Virginia.
She sells directly through TrinityPointDesigns.com and recently had a solo show in Richmond. Nothing is planned locally, though she says anyone curious to see the pieces in person can ask about visiting her home studio. Read the full story about Heather.
Quick Hits
Augusta County could see its data center ordinance before the end of October, Lyra Bordelon reported after the October 14 Board of Supervisors meeting. County Administrator Tim Fitzgerald said the ordinance is close and could be ready as soon as the board’s next meeting, which falls October 28 under the county’s published schedule. Staunton’s economic development director said in April that data centers are not permitted in the city.
Food scraps have a permanent home at the Staunton Recycling Center. The city assumed management and financial responsibility for all four compost bins, which Black Bear Composting services, after the pilot drew 880 pounds of scraps in the first month, according to the city’s news release. The bins at 1911 Craigmont Road accept fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, bones, fish, meat, bread, and certified compostable bags, and they do not accept oils, plastic bags, twist ties, stickers, or trash.
The Staunton Public Library’s new terrace opened in a ceremony Friday, October 9, per the city’s announcement. The Friends of the Staunton Library paid for it with an estate gift from former board member Julia Kiessling, WHSV reported. It adds tiered seating for programs, hillside seating, an accessible path, and a permanent shade structure, per Augusta Free Press.
Brennen Duncan becomes Staunton’s public works director on October 19, the city announced. Duncan comes from an 11-year tenure with Charlottesville, where he was most recently city engineer, Augusta Free Press reported.
Staunton Public Works began a fall paving schedule October 12 in the Hillcrest neighborhood, covering Shawn Circle, Yount Avenue, Fox Hill Place, Oxford Drive, and Sussex Drive, Rocktown Now reported. Crews move next to Baldwin Acres and Skymont, where Public Works wants to give streets a full refresh after the Columbia Gas pipeline replacement.
The Staunton-Augusta County African-American Research Society will merge with the Augusta County Historical Society, WHSV reported, shortly after SACAARS Director Susie King decided to retire. The Historical Society plans to maintain the signs and installations SACAARS placed around town and add King’s research to its library, with the merger expected to finish by the end of the year.
AAA says most of the Commonwealth’s crashes involving deer happen in October and November, WHSV reported.
Out & About
Thursday, October 15
School Sales Tax Community Meeting. Augusta County officials hold an information session at Wilson Memorial High School at 6:30 p.m., per WHSV.
Irish Sessions. Marino’s Lunch hosts traditional music from 7 to 9 p.m., per Visit Staunton and WQSV.
Friday, October 16
Frida Kahlo Paint and Sip. Instructor Kathleen Garcia leads a Hispanic Heritage Month session at Art Hive, 835 Spring Hill Road, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Seats are limited and supplies are included, per WQSV.
7th Annual Drive-Thru Trick or Treat. Henry Funeral Home, 1030 West Beverley Street, hands out free candy to cars from 6 to 9 p.m., with fog machines, inflatables, and costumes encouraged, per WQSV.
Friday Night Frights. Visulite Cinemas at 12 N. Augusta St. continues its October lineup of themed nights and costume contests, per WQSV.
Shop and Dine Out. Beverley Street closes to cars between Lewis and Market streets from 4 p.m. Friday until 7:30 a.m. Monday, per Visit Staunton, which lists October 16, 17, and 18 among the dates.
Saturday, October 17
Stride with Pride. Sole Focus Running leads a casual 2.5-mile run and walk at 8 a.m., ending with bagels from Staunton Bagel. See the lead story above for the full Pride schedule.
International Archaeology Day. The Frontier Culture Museum, 1290 Richmond Ave., offers archaeology activities from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., including dig boxes in the American section, per the museum.
Staunton Pride Festival. The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Gypsy Hill Park bandstand, with after parties at Redbeard Brewing and Bricks Bar and Lounge at 6 p.m.
Queen City Word Fest. The Book Dragon Bookshop hosts authors, panels, and book signings on Beverley Street from noon to 4 p.m., per the bookshop.
Fair Trade Fest. Latitudes Fair Trade Store, 16 E. Beverley St., serves organic hot chocolate and runs a sidewalk sale from 4 to 6 p.m., with 10 percent of sales going to the Staunton City Schools Kindness Fund, per WQSV.
National Theatre Live: Frankenstein. Silver Line Theatre Exchange, 211 N. Lewis St., screens the 2011 production starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller at 7:30 p.m., per Silver Line.
Sunday, October 18
Oracle Cards. Art Hive offers private appointments from noon to 3:30 p.m. to learn to read oracle cards or have yours read, per WQSV.
Shop and Dine Out. Beverley Street stays closed to cars until 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Wednesday, October 21
Jazz Nite. Greg Moody and Circle of Friends play Queen City Bistro, per WQSV.
Thursday, October 22
Project GROWS Trunk or Treat. The first of a string of trunk-or-treat events across Staunton starts at 4:30 p.m. at 608 Berry Farm Road, per WQSV’s schedule.
Deep In the Darkness. The Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro opens a musical, theatrical journey through the worlds of Edgar Allan Poe, running through Sunday, October 25, per WQSV.
On stage all week. The American Shakespeare Center has The Tempest at the Blackfriars Playhouse through November 13 and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein through November 14, and Ox-Eye Vineyards’ upstairs gallery at 44 Middlebrook Avenue shows Scotland Journey, paintings by John M. Bell, through November 17, per WQSV.
River Watch
The most recent reading from the USGS gauge on the South River near Waynesboro came Monday, October 12, at 6:15 p.m.: 170 cubic feet per second at a gage height of 3.08 feet. That is nearly four times the median of 44 cubic feet per second for the date across 74 years of record, and above the 75th percentile of 98. The record for the date is 1,520, set in 2019. USGS labels the figure provisional, and the river may have changed since Monday, so check the live gauge before you wade, fish, or paddle.
The Sneeze Index
Staunton’s air read Moderate early Thursday, with an AQI of 52 and PM2.5 the main pollutant at 9.7 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir’s live station data. Tree and grass pollen read none, and weed pollen reads Low. IQAir advises sensitive groups to reduce outdoor exercise at this level. Readings shift through the day, so check the live dashboard before heading to a weekend event.
The Weekly Pump
Virginia’s average for regular gas stood at $4.12 a gallon on Thursday, according to AAA, down from $4.21 a week ago and $4.15 a month ago, and up from $2.94 a year ago. In the Staunton-Waynesboro area, regular averaged $3.95, down about 20 cents in a week from $4.15. Premium averaged $5.00 statewide and diesel $6.21.
The main driver is crude oil, which is the main ingredient in gasoline. The war with Iran, which began February 28, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and AAA Oregon says about 20 percent of the world’s oil and refined products pass through that passage. Crude dipped into the $80s a barrel for several days this month before climbing back above $90, and AAA says the national average is above $4 in October for the first time, a record for autumn. AAA also notes that Hurricane Isaias could push prices higher if it affects oil production or refineries. GasBuddy tracks the cheapest pumps around town.
Real Estate Watch
Staunton’s median sale price came in at $301,431 in September, up 0.7 percent from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Homes sold in a median of 12 days, two days faster than last year, and 101 homes sold in September, down from 106 a year ago. Homes sold at an average of 98.9 percent of list price.
Specific sales and current listings require a local agent with MLS access; these aggregate figures lag what’s happening street to street.
Who’s Hiring
Teller CSR | Pendleton Community Bank | Staunton | $19 to $23.50 an hour
Production Assembler, 1st Shift, Monday to Thursday | Wieland | Verona | $24 to $28 an hour
Grind Operator | Accutec Inc. | Verona | $30.31 to $33.56 an hour
Shipping Utility | McKee Foods Corporation | Stuarts Draft | $23.88 to $25.10 an hour
Material Handler, 2nd Shift | Daikin Applied | Staunton | from $26.69 an hour
Each listing was open on Indeed on October 15. Pay appears only where the employer states it. For more openings, see Indeed, the city and Staunton City Schools jobs portal, and jobs.virginia.gov.
Looking Ahead
October 19. Brennen Duncan starts as public works director, per the city.
October 21, 22, and 28. Augusta County’s remaining school sales tax meetings run at 6:30 p.m. at Stuarts Draft Middle School, the Government Center’s Smith West Room, and Stewart Middle School, per WHSV.
October 28. The Augusta County Board of Supervisors meets, and its data center ordinance could be on the agenda.
October 31 and November 3. Early in-person voting at the registrar’s office runs through October 31, and Election Day is November 3, per Cardinal News.
Late fall. All three northbound lanes of the I-81 widening near Staunton are scheduled to open, with full completion in summer 2027, per Rocktown Now.
December 15. Local Palate names its Best Culinary Town in the South in its print issue, and Staunton is a finalist.
2027. The Johnson Street tunnel work is expected to wrap by April, WHSV reported, and the accreditor SACSCOC reviews Mary Baldwin University in June, per WHSV.
No date yet. The Virginia State Police investigation into the September 22 shooting of Montique Gaston has no public timeline, and the officer’s body camera footage has not been released. The suspect in the September 2 shooting at the Orchard Hill Shopping Center is unidentified, and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has announced no arrest.
Note from the Editor
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