The Stauntonian: Volume 1, Issue 9 | A Teen Killed, a Trial Approaching & Your Vote Just Moved
AJ Mitts, 18, is dead. Two suspects are in custody. The Nexus trial is 10 days out. And Staunton's primary is no longer in June.
Staunton carries a specific kind of quiet during the final stretch of February. The wind still bites as it cuts through the Beverley Street corridor, but there is a perceptible shift in the air. Storefront owners are starting to think about spring. The sidewalks have dried out. The tunnel project machinery is grinding away at the Wharf, and the city’s next budget cycle opens for public input as of tonight. Whatever February takes from us in mood, it tends to give back in momentum. This week was no exception — and not all of it was good.
A Community Grieves: The Death of AJ Mitts
There are weeks in a small city when the news hits close to home in a way that makes all other headlines feel trivial. This was one of those weeks.
On the evening of February 18, Augusta County Sheriff’s deputies responded to gunfire in the 1800 block of Maple Leaf Drive in the Staunton area of the county. Two teenagers had been shot. One, a 19-year-old, was airlifted to UVA Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The other was Andrew “AJ” Wayne Mitts Jr., 18, a senior at Buffalo Gap High School. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We are shocked and saddened,” Augusta County Schools Superintendent Kelly Troxell wrote in a statement Friday. “We are heartbroken and in disbelief, and are grieving with his family and friends. Words are insufficient to capture how devastated the students, faculty, and staff at Buffalo Gap High School are at this time.”
Investigators say the shooting grew out of an alleged illegal handgun sale. By the end of the week, two suspects had turned themselves in. Agereon Dondell Price, 51, of Staunton, was arrested February 20. Anthony Shamon Washington, 46, of Waynesboro, surrendered February 22, and now faces multiple felony charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Both are being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail. Sheriff Donald Smith credited swift inter-agency cooperation among the Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Staunton departments for the speed of the arrests.
AJ Mitts should have been months away from graduation. Counseling staff have been deployed at both Buffalo Gap High School and Buffalo Gap Middle School. Families needing support for their students can reach Interim BGHS Principal Larry Landes at 540-337-6021.
Virginia’s Primary Moves to August — What Staunton Voters Need to Know
If you planned around June 16 for this year’s primary, scratch that date.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 29 on February 20, officially moving Virginia’s 2026 primary to August 4. The change applies only to this election cycle and was driven by a broader, contested push by Virginia Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional maps ahead of November. The primary date shift stands regardless of what happens in redistricting court.
For Staunton voters, early in-person voting for the August primary opens June 19 at City Hall, 116 W. Beverley Street. The deadline to register and request a mail ballot is July 24. Drop boxes will be available at City Hall throughout the early voting window.
There is also a separate, nearer deadline. The April 21 redistricting referendum — where Virginia voters will decide whether to approve redrawn congressional maps — has early voting starting March 6 at Staunton City Hall. That is ten days away. Full candidate and referendum information is at elections.virginia.gov.
Tonight: The City’s Capital Plan Goes Public
City government rarely makes for light reading, but the document Staunton City Council receives tonight is worth paying attention to.
At 5 p.m. this evening, City Manager Leslie Beauregard presents the draft Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 — the city’s long-range blueprint for where major infrastructure dollars will go over the next five years. The full proposed operating budget follows on March 26. Public hearings run through late April.
The CIP lands at a notable moment. The city is already deep into a $4.6 million downtown tunnel repair project that stretches to spring 2027, and last year’s budget carried a two-cent real estate tax increase to fund that work. What the city prioritizes next — roads, parks, schools, utilities — will shape the next several years of life here. Anyone with a stake in those decisions can email budget@ci.staunton.va.us or call the City Manager’s Office at 540-332-3812. The formal public hearing is April 9.
The Nexus Trial Is Ten Days Away
For those who have followed the long and winding Nexus story, the calendar now reads March 9.
That is when former Nexus Services executives Michael Donovan and Richard Moore, along with former employee Timothy Shipe, are scheduled to stand trial in Augusta County Circuit Court on state charges of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and obtaining money by false pretenses. The alleged victim is Zachary Cruz, the brother of the Parkland school shooter, whom the executives took into their home in 2018. Prosecutors say more than $426,000 was taken from Cruz through a joint bank account opened in his name.
All three entered not guilty pleas at arraignment on February 9. The case has been delayed six times before. Moore also arrived in court already carrying a separate federal sentence: six years and eight months for withholding over $3 million in employee payroll taxes. The prosecution intends to use that federal conviction as evidence of motive and intent in the state case. Whether this trial actually begins March 9 — given its history — remains to be seen.
Commerce Road: Comment Deadline Is March 7
One infrastructure decision moved from “upcoming hearing” to “closing window” this week.
VDOT held a public hearing February 25 for a proposal to convert a 0.82-mile stretch of Commerce Road (Route 11) between Statler Boulevard and Greenville Avenue from four lanes to two, with a buffered shared-use path alongside it. Written comments are accepted through March 7. Send them to Sabrina Tarbell, VDOT Project Manager, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton VA 24401, or email Sabrina.Tarbell@vdot.virginia.gov with “Commerce Road PH Comment” in the subject line.
River Watch
South River near Waynesboro — USGS Station 01626000 As of 7:15 a.m. today: 2.99 ft / 138 cfs. The 72-year median flow for February 26 is 137 cfs — the river is running at almost exactly normal levels. Flood stage begins at 10 feet. Wading conditions are viable in the catch-and-release sections for those willing to tolerate cold water. Gear up appropriately.
The Sneeze Index
AQI: 53 — Moderate · Virginia DEQ / AirNow. Sensitive groups may want to limit extended outdoor exertion, but conditions are fine for most.
Pollen: Trace · Pollen.com forecast for 24401. Mixed-trace levels only. Tree season is coming — maple and juniper are the first movers in the Valley — but for now, the counts are negligible.
The Weekly Pump
Prices as of February 25–26 across 24401 stations, per DMV Test Pro and AutoBlog:
Lowest in the city: Love’s Travel Stop, 3499 Lee Jackson Hwy — $2.99/gal Most stations: $3.17–$3.19/gal regular AAA Virginia average: $2.84/gal · AAA Gas Prices
Real Estate Watch
All sales sourced from Zillow MLS — Staunton VA. Prices reflect the final recorded sale. Market median data via Movoto.
The most recent recorded sale in the 24401 zip code closed February 2 — a 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage at 115 S Jefferson Street that sold for $250,000. Before that, a four-bedroom home on Hull Hills Lane went for $520,000 on January 28, and one of the standout closings of the month was 950 W Beverley Street, a 3-bed, 4-bath home that fetched $575,000 on January 27.
Here’s the full picture from the past 30 days:
115 S Jefferson St — $250,000 Closed 02/02/26 · 2 bed / 1 bath / 820 sqft
89 Hull Hills Ln — $520,000 Closed 01/28/26 · 4 bed / 3 bath / 2,563 sqft
950 W Beverley St — $575,000 Closed 01/27/26 · 3 bed / 4 bath / 2,208 sqft
316 Thomas St — $290,000 Closed 01/27/26 · 3 bed / 2 bath / 1,454 sqft
322 Ridge Rd — $242,900 Closed 01/23/26 · 3 bed / 1 bath / 900 sqft
482 Sangers Ln — $183,000 Closed 01/22/26 · 3 bed / 1 bath / 872 sqft
501 Hays Ave — $195,000 Closed 01/21/26 · 3 bed / 2 bath / 1,154 sqft
The spread this month tells a familiar Staunton story: starter homes in the $180K–$250K range still exist here, but they move fast. The W Beverley Street sale at $575K sits well above the current 24401 median Zestimate of roughly $298,000, a reminder that buyers will pay a real premium for the right block. Movoto’s December 2025 data puts the median listing price at $397K, with homes spending a median of 39 days on market — down 22 percent from the same month in 2024. Inventory remains tight heading into spring.
Who’s Hiring
All listings drawn from publicly posted openings on Indeed, SimplyHired, and the City of Staunton HR portal (540-332-3914). Salaries appear only where the posting stated them explicitly.
City of Staunton — Firefighter/EMT Full-time · Open until filled
Current DCJS Firefighter and EMT certifications required. Benefits include Virginia Retirement System, paid leave, group life insurance, and medical coverage. Apply through the City HR portal or call 540-332-3914.
City of Staunton — Sales & Marketing Manager, Tourism Full-time · Open until filled
Leads marketing and sales strategy for Visit Staunton, the city’s official destination marketing organization. Submit resume, cover letter, and work samples. Contact Jonathan Venn, Chief HR Officer, for the full position description. Details on Indeed.
City of Staunton — Utility Service Clerk, Public Works Full-time
Clerical and technical work: utility master files, payment processing, fiscal record maintenance. Apply via City HR portal.
City of Staunton — Water Treatment Plant Operator, Public Works Full-time
Operates water treatment systems. Relevant licensure required or must be obtainable. Apply via City HR portal.
Western State Hospital — Timekeeper / Admin Assistant Hourly · $20/hr · Job No. 5096888
State wage position through the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Administrative and Health & Human Services categories. Apply at jobs.virginia.gov.
Staunton City Schools — School Nutrition Service Workers Part-time / on-call
Food prep, safe food handling, student service, and sanitation. Hours vary; schedule flexibility required. Apply through SchoolSpring.
Staunton Parks & Recreation — Referees and Umpires (Adult Soccer & Softball) Seasonal · $15/hr · No benefits · Open until filled
Apply via City HR portal or contact Parks & Recreation directly.
Blue Ridge Pallet — Administrative Assistant Full-time · Staunton
Detail-oriented candidates for a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Blue Ridge Pallet serves Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, and national customers. View on Indeed.
Kline’s Dairy Bar — Part-Time Team Members Seasonal / part-time · Staunton location
Customer-service-focused applicants sought for one of the Valley’s most beloved ice cream institutions. View on Indeed.
Out & About This Weekend
There is no excuse to stay on the couch.
TONIGHT — The Hound of the Baskervilles Preview (Pay-What-You-Will) Blackfriars Playhouse · 10 S Market St · 7:30 p.m.
Tonight is the Pay-What-You-Will preview of the American Shakespeare Center’s new production of The Hound of the Baskervilles, adapted from Arthur Conan Doyle by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. No advance reservations — arrive 30 to 60 minutes before curtain, join the line, and pay what you choose after the show. This is part of the ASC’s Spring 2026 season celebrating 25 years at the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. Twelfth Night and A Bold Stroke for a Husband round out the lineup. Regular season tickets at americanshakespearecenter.com.
Local residents get 50% off walk-up tickets on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Current college students can reserve a $25 ticket to any non-special-event performance by calling 1-877-682-4236.
FRIDAY, FEB 27 — Persuasion Opens at the Wayne Theatre Wayne Theatre · 521 W Main St, Waynesboro · 7:00 p.m.
Just down the road, the Wayne Theatre opens playwright Melissa Leilani Larson’s stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion — and several dates are already selling out or carrying low-ticket warnings. Larson stays faithful to Austen’s voice while pushing on the emotional depth of the story: Anne Elliot, once talked out of marrying the man she loved, finds herself face-to-face with him again years later. The Wayne is celebrating its 100th anniversary season, which gives the whole run an added charge.
Run dates: Feb 27 (7 p.m.) · Feb 28 (7 p.m.) · March 1 (2 p.m.) · March 6 (6 p.m.) · March 7 (7 p.m.) · March 8 (2 p.m.)
Tickets at waynetheatre.org or call 540-943-9999.
FRIDAY, FEB 27 — Retro Rendezvous: Vintage Glam Night TheFrenchmen · 121 S Lewis St, Staunton · 7:00 p.m.
A vintage-themed evening at one of downtown Staunton’s go-to spots. Dust off something from the back of the closet.
SATURDAY, FEB 28 — Honky Tonk Heathens 901 N Augusta St, Staunton · 6:30 p.m.
Live country and honky-tonk to close out February. For the crowd that prefers their Saturday evenings loud and twangy.
COMING UP — Joe Newberry Listening Room Concert Queen City Music Studios · Saturday, March 21 · 7:00 p.m. · $34
QCMS presents Joe Newberry, a celebrated old-time musician and songwriter from North Carolina whose banjo and guitar work sits at the intersection of Appalachian tradition and contemporary acoustic music. Listening room format — which means the crowd actually listens. Tickets through Queen City Music Studios.
All event details sourced from venue websites and confirmed listings as of February 26, 2026. Confirm directly with the venue before you go — times and availability can change.
The Weekly Poll
The Stauntonian covers news, culture, and civic life in Staunton, Virginia. Tips, corrections, and story ideas: brad@stauntonian.com.