The Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of Front Royal River Adventures, a new business offering thrilling river experiences to locals and tourists alike. The event was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nike Foster and Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell, who expressed their excitement and support for this new venture.

Mayor Cockrell shared her enthusiasm during the ceremony, highlighting the importance of utilizing the area’s natural assets. “It’s a beautiful day to be down here at the river,” she said. I’m so excited to be here with Jeff to officially open Front Royal River Adventures. The mayor reflected on the value of having a river outfitter adventure in the town. “I met Jeff a while back when he brought this idea to us at Front Royal Town Council. I’m super excited that it’s here and ready to open. You know our area has such natural assets, and you’re capitalizing on that. I’m delighted you’re here, excited you’re investing in us, and we will have lots of fun out here.”

Jeff Kelble, the owner of Front Royal River Adventures, also addressed the attendees, expressing his pride and gratitude. “I guess I’d like to say that I’m both proud and honored to open Front Royal River Adventures here right in Front Royal on the South Fork of the Shenandoah,” Kelble stated. “I’d like to thank my family for their patience over the last six months while Whit Overstreet and I, my general manager and future business owner, have worked to take advantage of this great campus that we have here. It’s a park-like setting. We’re directly on the South Fork of the Shenandoah in the town of Front Royal near I-66. It just couldn’t be a better location for us.”

Kelble also emphasized the support he received from the town’s officials and the community. “The town of Front Royal, from staff through the planning commission to the town council, has been incredibly supportive from the beginning. We’ve had no friction. We’ve had a warm welcome from Warren Park, our community, and we want to be a part of this small community and the greater community here and invite our guests, friends, and family to come and play.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, our reporter, Mark Williams, spoke with Jeff Kelble for an in-depth look at what Front Royal River Adventures has to offer.

“So Jeff, on behalf of the Royal Examiner, I’d like to congratulate you on the opening of Front Royal River Adventures. And I see behind you, you’ve got canoes and floats and everything. Could you tell us about what we can expect?” asked Williams.

Kelble responded enthusiastically, “So, yeah, we just had our ribbon cutting with the mayor, all the representatives, friends, and family. And we’re celebrating a grand opening weekend. We have been quietly open for a while, working out the kinks. But what we’ve done here is we acquired the VFW property in 2021. The VFW had its headquarters here for several generations but lost its meeting location and couldn’t rebuild. For more than 15 years, it has been on my mind as a great location for a river adventure business or an outfitter, if you will.”

He continued, “We’ve got 12 acres of open field and about a quarter mile of riverfront on the South Fork Shenandoah. Our goal as a business is to be part of the Front Royal community and the greater Shenandoah Valley community, offering family adventure on the river, which includes canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and family rafting. The rafting isn’t on a whitewater stretch but on a gentle flow. We also offer inner tubing, which is probably our number one bestseller in the summer.”

Kelble highlighted the variety of activities and amenities available. “We’re prepared for small groups, individuals, friends, and family, and even larger groups if people want to bring a group of friends or do an event here. We have access to the South Fork right here, which means we can offer two types of river activities. We can take people upriver in the traditional outfitting model, where they float down to our location, and then they’re free to go home or stay and enjoy the campus. We’ll have horseshoe, Frisbee, and field games, and they can picnic and enjoy our pavilion, which can accommodate several hundred people on picnic tables.”

The site also offers camping opportunities. “We have a bathhouse with bathrooms for men and women, and we’ve set up campsites along the river where guests can camp overnight. They can stay from one to 14 days and enjoy river activities here.”

Kelble mentioned additional options, including park-and-paddle or paddle-by-the-hour. “Guests can come to our park-like setting, rent boats, and paddle around. The river slows down to almost a stop where we’re located on the Shenandoah and wanders gently through the reservoir, making it great for people to launch here and paddle at their own pace.”

Finally, Kelble emphasized their readiness for events and the potential for future developments. “We’ve had quite a few people already rent the pavilion for family reunions, wedding receptions, and corporate events. Our location on the northernmost portion of Front Royal offers more than 10 acres of agriculturally zoned property and access to riverfront property recently donated to Warren County, which could be developed into a park.”

Kelble provided contact information for those interested in experiencing these river adventures: “You can call us at 540-622-4220 or visit our website at www.frontroyalriveradventures.com to make reservations. We also welcome walk-ins.”

The addition of Front Royal River Adventures is a significant milestone for the town, promising to boost local tourism and provide new opportunities for outdoor fun. As the community continues to grow and develop, this new venture stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach of Front Royal’s residents and leaders.

The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in Warren County during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

*NEW* or *UPDATE* indicates a new or revised entry since last week’s report.

INTERSTATE 66
Mile marker 7 to 10, eastbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through July 31.

INTERSTATE 81
Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound and southbound – Overnight lane closures and traffic-lane shifts as needed, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through December 2024. Shoulder closures 24/7. Work zone speed limit 55 miles an hour. Work is related to southbound acceleration ramp extension and bridge widening.

PRIMARY ROADS
*NEW* Route 340/522 (Winchester Road) – Southbound overnight right lane closures between Crooked Run Boulevard and westbound I-66 on-ramp for rock and soil testing, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nights Sunday through Tuesday (June 30 – July 2).

SECONDARY ROADS
*NEW* Route 606 (Shenandoah Shores Road) – Flagger traffic control for the section over I-66 for utility work, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

Route 638 (Howellsville Road) – Stop and proceed with traffic control 24/7 just south of Route 685 (Patty Tract Lane) intersection for the replacement of the bridge over Venus Branch—estimated completion: August 8.

Route 658 (Rockland Road) – Closed to through traffic between Route 340/522 (Winchester Road) and Route 705 (Fishnet Boulevard) for the construction of a bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway. Estimated completion December 2025.

Vegetation management may take place district-wide on various routes. Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling through work zones.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511 or www.511Virginia.org.

Early on June 9, 2024, at about 2:06 a.m., a routine traffic stop in Warren County arrested 29-year-old Xavier Davonne Roy of Front Royal. The stop was conducted by Lieutenant S.M. Collins of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office on Virginia Avenue.

Lieutenant Collins noticed something suspicious during the traffic stop and called for backup. K9 Master Deputy Gregory and his canine partner, K9 Roman, were dispatched to the scene. K9 Roman quickly detected something inside the vehicle, leading officers to thoroughly search.

The search revealed a small bag containing a white rock-like substance, a zippered pouch with a more significant amount of a white powdery substance, and a single blue pill. These items are suspected to be illegal narcotics and have been sent to a lab for detailed analysis.

In addition to the suspected drugs, officers found a Ruger handgun loaded with a magazine and a set of digital scales with white powder residue. This combination of items suggested not only drug possession but also intent to distribute.

XAVIER ROY

As a result of the findings, Xavier Davonne Roy was arrested on several serious charges. These include:

• Felony possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II, with intent to distribute (18.2-248)
• Felony possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II, while in possession of a firearm (18.2-308.4)
• Felony possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II (18.2-250)
• Misdemeanor possession of controlled paraphernalia (54.1-3466)

These charges reflect the gravity of the situation and the ongoing efforts of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to combat drug-related activities in the community.

The use of K9 units like Roman is crucial in such investigations. Dogs trained to detect narcotics often find substances that human officers might overlook. This case highlights the importance of these specialized units in ensuring community safety.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify the substances found and gather more evidence. The results from the lab tests will play a critical role in the prosecution of the case.

This arrest underscores the commitment of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to maintaining law and order. By taking dangerous substances and firearms off the streets, they aim to create a safer environment for all residents.

In this last segment of the Warren County School Board meeting of June 26, 2024, the board discussed several key 2024-2025 school year issues, including approving salary scales, insurance rates, and the substitute plan. The board also addressed concerns raised by board members regarding these agenda items.

Salary Scales Approval

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed salary scales for the 2024-2025 school year, which reflect the increases previously approved for teachers, instructional assistants, and the rest of the staff.

Board member Melanie Salins raised concerns about the trade worker category, noting that it lists increased pay for degrees, but not all trades require a bachelor’s degree. Salins suggested changing the phrasing to reflect certification requirements relevant to those trades.

Dr. Ballenger agreed with that suggestion, acknowledging that trade certification requirements should be more clearly defined. He mentioned that the board had discussed this in cabinet meetings and planned to work with Mr. Helmick to establish these certification requirements for the next year.

A motion was made to approve the 2024-2025 salary scales. The motion was seconded, and the board voted favorably, with all members approving.

Insurance Rates Approval

The board considered three options for the insurance rates for the 2024-2025 plan year. Dr. Ballenger recommended option three, which involves a 7.9% increase in employee premiums.

Board member Salins expressed frustration with the timing and legibility of the uploaded documents, noting that teachers had called her to express their concerns about being unable to review the information.

A motion was made to approve option three for the insurance rate proposals. The motion was seconded, and the board voted favorably, with all members approving, except Salins, who abstained.

Substitute Plan Approval

Board Chair Kristen Pence emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues with staff absences and exploring ways to reduce the reliance on substitutes.

The board discussed the substitute plan for the 2024-2025 school year, which involved renewing the contract with ESS, the current substitute management company. Several board members expressed concerns about the performance and costs associated with ESS.

Board member Tom McFadden highlighted the need to include specific metrics and an on-site presence in the contract. Board Chair Kristen Pence emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues with staff absences and exploring ways to reduce the reliance on substitutes.

Dr. Ballenger and Mr. Jody Lee, Director of Personnel, agreed that the contract should be revised to include:

• Specific performance metrics.
• A clause for an on-site ESS representative.
• Clear guidelines on how substitutes are hired and managed to ensure accountability and efficiency.

The board decided to postpone the approval of the ESS contract until revisions can be made. The revised agreement will be presented at the next meeting for final approval.

The board moved to enter a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters, including the personnel report, the superintendent’s evaluation, and an employee grievance. The board seconded and approved the motion to enter a closed meeting.

Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of June 26, 2024, in the exclusive Royal Examiner video by Mark Williams.

(Part 4 is covered in the video from 2hr25 to the end.)

The Warren County School Board held an in-depth discussion on the non-labor fiscal year 2023-2024 budget, providing a detailed comparison of appropriations, expenditures, and current balances across various cost centers. This review aimed to identify potential savings and necessary adjustments to balance the budget effectively.

Key Budget Considerations

Non-Labor Budget Overview

The board reviewed the non-labor budget, including all expenses outside salaries and benefits. The report compared the appropriations and expenditures for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023, with the current fiscal year’s appropriations, expenditures, encumbrances, and pending payments. As of the meeting date, the available balance for non-labor expenses stood at $469,230, though this amount is expected to decrease once all costs are audited and accrued.

Utilities and Pending Payments

Board members noted that utility bills for June had not yet been received, which could significantly impact the final available balance. Other pending payments, such as the food service bill from Sodexo, will also be accrued back to the fiscal year that ended.

Carryover Funds

The board discussed the lack of a formal agreement with the County Board of Supervisors regarding the return of unspent funds for capital improvements. Although past years have seen requests for carryover funds to be used for transportation and equipment, the current financial climate and the county’s need to maintain a balanced budget make such returns uncertain.

Superintendent Dr Chris Ballenger discussed budget adjustments with the school board.

Proposed Budget Adjustments

Insurance Costs

Three options were considered for handling the increase in insurance costs:

1. The division covers the entire increase.
2. The cost is split between the division and employees.
3. Employees cover a 7.9% increase in premiums, with the division covering the remainder.

Dr. Ballenger recommended the third option to minimize employees’ financial burden while addressing the increased costs.

Staff Positions

Several staff positions were recommended for hold or removal to help balance the budget:

• An agriculture teacher position.
• An additional kindergarten teacher due to lower enrollment numbers.
• An additional reading specialist position.
• A dean position at Skyline High School.
• A fourth-grade teacher position at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School.
• Three special education teacher positions, with plans to repurpose these roles for registered behavior technicians (RBTs) and a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

Non-Labor Budget Cuts

To address the budget shortfall, the following non-labor budget cuts were proposed:

• A $100,000 reduction in the overall non-labor budget.
• Specific cuts to the substitute budget ($148,000) and technology budget ($20,000).
• Limiting the increase in the substitute budget to $300,000, focusing on efficient use and monitoring of leave.

Board Discussion and Concerns

Board members expressed concerns about the impact of budget cuts on classroom resources and educational quality. They highlighted the need for careful monitoring of spending, especially in areas like substitute teaching costs. The high markup from the external substitute management company (ESS) was a particular point of contention, with suggestions to explore ways to reduce reliance on such services and keep more funds within the community.

The board acknowledged the difficult decisions required to balance the budget and emphasized the importance of proactive planning for the next fiscal year. They agreed to focus on efficiency and cost-saving measures that do not adversely affect students’ educational experiences.

The proposed fiscal year 2025 school operating budget was approved, amounting to $76,193,989, with a capital improvement facilities budget of $1,307,500. Despite some members abstaining due to concerns about the budget process and final allocations, the majority voted in favor of the proposed budget.

Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of June 26, 2024, in the exclusive Royal Examiner video by Mark Williams.

(Part 3 is covered in the video between 1hr20 to 2hr20.)

During the Warren County School Board meeting, several student conduct and discipline policies were reviewed, highlighting the board’s commitment to ensuring a safe and orderly educational environment. The policies under review included:

1. JFC – School Conduct
2. JFCD – Weapons in School
3. JGD/JGE – Student Suspensions and Expulsions
4. JGDA – Discipline of Students with Disabilities
5. JGDB – Discipline of Students with Disabilities for Infliction of Serious Bodily Injury

Key Discussion Points

Inconsistencies in Expulsion Language

One of the primary issues discussed was the inconsistency in the language used across different policies regarding student expulsions for certain offenses. Specifically:

• Policy JGD/JGE mandates that the school board “shall expel” students for firearms and drug offenses.
• Policy JFCD and Policy JFCF use the term “may expel,” which implies discretion.

Board member Tom McFadden pointed out that this inconsistency could create confusion and legal challenges, as “shall” implies a mandatory action, while “may” suggests optional action. It was noted that the discrepancy might stem from varying interpretations of state statutes. The board decided to consult legal counsel to ensure consistency and compliance with state laws.

Board Member Tom McFadden questions the inconsistency in the policies.

Discipline of Students with Disabilities

Policies JGDA and JGDB address the discipline of students with disabilities. The board discussed the importance of aligning these policies with federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure fair treatment and appropriate disciplinary actions for students with disabilities, particularly those involved in serious incidents.

Firearms and Drug Offenses

The discussion also covered specific firearms, destructive devices, and drug offense statutes. The board considered the nuances of these laws, including exemptions for educational purposes and scenarios where immediate expulsion might not be appropriate.

Board members and the public expressed the need for clarity and consistency in these policies. Suggestions included:

• Ensuring all related policies use the same terminology to avoid confusion.
• Clearly defining exceptions and special cases in the policies.
• Regularly updating policies to reflect changes in state and federal laws.

The board recognized the urgency of updating these policies to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment while ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Next Steps

The board decided to revisit these policies for a second reading in an upcoming meeting, incorporating feedback from legal counsel to address the inconsistencies. They emphasized the importance of having comprehensive and clear policies that protect students’ rights and ensure a safe school environment.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the policy audit agreement with the School Board Member Alliance (SBMA), aiming to review and update policies to ensure compliance and best practices. The motion passed, and the board members were tasked with collaborating with SBMA to identify and rectify any policy discrepancies.

Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of June 26, 2024, in the exclusive Royal Examiner video by Mark Williams.

(Part 2 is covered in the video between 48 to 80 minutes.)