Our modern state fairs feature various agricultural displays, competitions, races, and entertainment. They are an annual event attended by hundreds of thousands of people. But when did all of this begin?

How about 14,000 years ago — or even before that? In China, the Rites of Chow-li, a fair-like event, dates from the 12th century B.C. In Mexico, the Aztecs had festivals and fairs a few centuries later. In Greece, the Olympic Games were primarily athletic, but trade was conducted at the same time for grain, linens, carpets, and furniture.

The word “fair” is believed to originate from the Latin word feriae, meaning festival or holiday. From the fifth century of the Christian era, fairs were held in Champagne in France. Early medieval festivals were held in the seventh century in Rome, Antwerp, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Madrid, and the British Isles, according to Collier’s Encyclopedia.

Trade conducted at early fairs resulted in benefits that have survived from antiquity. For example, the modern system of Troy weights is derived from the system employed at the medieval fair in Troyes. Some historians say paper money originated as promissory notes between merchants at these fairs.

Medieval fairs were governed by laws enforced by their own officials and courts. The laws maintained peace and order, enforced quality standards for trade goods, and prevented fraud. The guarantee of freedom of attendance and honest trading at French fairs led to a pledge all merchants had to make “to keep the peace and to deal honestly.”

The first fair in the U.S. took place in New Haven, CT, in 1644 and was devoted to the exhibition of livestock and agricultural products. Other early fairs were held in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, and South Carolina.

Two of the oldest state fairs started in 1841 in New Brunswick, NJ, and Syracuse, NY. Other states soon held their own state fairs.

The fair you attend now was born at the dawn of recorded history.

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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 0 to 15, eastbound and westbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday (August 13).

Mile marker 8 to 7, westbound – Right lane closures for utility work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday (August 13).

INTERSTATE 81
Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound and southbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday (August 13).

PRIMARY ROADS
Route 55 (Strasburg Road) – Shoulder closures for utility work in the area of Route 664 (Whipporwill Road), 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through August 19.

SECONDARY ROADS
No lane closures were reported.

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. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at www.511Virginia.org.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile-friendly website at my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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During the Labor Day holiday, including the end of summertime and the busy Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working alongside the law enforcement community in Warren County to decrease impaired driving. From August 19 through September 5, Warren County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this time to take drunk drivers off the roads. No matter how you plan to celebrate the end of the season this year, make sure you plan it safely.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2016 to 2020, and one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 45 minutes in 2020. This is why Warren County Sheriff’s Office is working together with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, but also a matter of life and death. As you head out to festivities during the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.  The Warren County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a DUI Checkpoint August 19, 2022.

During the 2020 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. September 4 – 5:59 a.m. September 8), there were 530 crash fatalities nationwide. Forty-six percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking (.01+ BAC). More than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk (.08+ BAC), and one-fourth (25%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). Age is a particularly risky factor: Among drivers between the ages of 21 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2020, 44% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

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The Warren County Grand Jury of August 8, 2022, has issued the following indictments:

THE GRAND JURY CHARGES THAT:

JACOB BRILL

On or about May 28, 2022, in the County of Warren, Jacob Dennis Brill did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Methamphetamine listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

JUSTIN WEBSTER

On or about April 7, 2022,  in the County of Warren, Justin Lee Webster did unlawfully and feloniously commit an assault and battery against Officer Colt Leatch, knowing or having reason to know that such person was a law enforcement officer as defined in §53.1-1 of the Code of Virginia, engaged in the performance of his public duties, in violation of §18.2-57(C) of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: ASL-1342-F6

CHRISTOPHER ARDIZZIONE

On or about March 12, 2022, in the County of Warren, Christopher Matthew Ardizzione did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to wit:
Cocaine listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

DANIEL BEAVERS

COUNT ONE: On or about June 11, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers did unlawfully and feloniously distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance in violation of Section
18.2-248, of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3045-F9

COUNT TWO: On or about June 11, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers did unlawfully and feloniously, while having the custody of J.B., a child, willfully or negligently cause or permit the life of such child to be endangered, in violation of Section 40.1-103, of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: FAM-3810-F6

COUNT THREE: On or about June 21, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers did unlawfully and feloniously distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance, in violation
of Section 18.2-248 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3045-F9

COUNT FOUR: On or about June 23, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers did unlawfully and feloniously conspire to sell or distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance,
in violation of Section 18.2-248 and 256 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3012-C9

DANIEL BEAVERS

COUNT ONE: On or about June 23, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers, did unlawfully and feloniously possess with the intent to distribute a Schedule I or II controlled
substance, in violation of Section 18.2-248 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3043-F9

COUNT TWO: On or about June 23, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers, did unlawfully and feloniously possess with the intent to distribute a Schedule I or II controlled
substance, in violation of Section 18.2-248 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3043-F9

COUNT THREE: On or about June 23, 2022, in the County of Warren, Daniel Dewayne Beavers, did unlawfully and feloniously possess with the intent to distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance, in violation of Section 18.2-248 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3043-F9

STACY ROBBINS

On or about June 30, 2021, in the County of Warren, Stacy Renee Robbins did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Fentanyl, listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

NATHAN LINDGREN

COUNT ONE: On or about March 29, 2022, through March 31, 2022, in the County of Warren, Nathan Scott Lindgren unlawfully and feloniously used a communications system or other electronic means for the purpose of procuring or promoting the use of a minor for any activity in violation of Section 18.2-370 of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, in violation of Section
18.2-374.3(c) of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: OBS-3701-F5

COUNT TWO: On or about March 29, 2022, through March 31, 2022, in the County of Warren, Nathan Scott Lindgren did unlawfully and feloniously, being eighteen years of age or older, attempt with lascivious intent, knowingly and intentionally propose an act of sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus, or an act constituting an offense under Section 18.2-361 to B.L., a child under the age of 15 who is not the spouse of the accused, in violation of Sections 18.2-26 and 18.2-370 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC:
SEX-3643-A5

VICTORIA DEAVERS

On or about April 5, 2022, in the County of Warren, Victoria Marie Deavers did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Fentanyl, listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

HUNTER ANDREWS

On or about December 24, 2021, in the County of Warren, Hunter Deforest Andrews did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Heroin listed in Schedule I of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

On or about January 17, 2022, in the County of Warren, Hunter Deforest Andrews did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Fentanyl, listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

DUSTIN COLLINS

On or about February 26, 2022, in the County of Warren, Dustin Kyle Collins did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Cocaine listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

RHETT BOHLING

On or about June 5, 2021, in the County of Warren, Rhett Travis Bohling did unlawfully and feloniously maliciously burn or cause to be burned, or destroy or caused to be destroyed by the use of an explosive device or substance, in whole or part, the dwelling house or manufactured home of Victoria Bohling, in violation of Section 18.2-77 of the Code of Virginia (1950) as amended. VCC: ARS-2003-F9

PAMELA BUTLER

On or about September 10, 2021, in the County of Warren, Pamela Sue Butler did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Cocaine listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

MIQUEL MALDONADO

COUNT ONE: On or about April 11, 2022, in the County of Warren, Miguel Marcos Antonio Maldonado did unlawfully and feloniously drive or operate a motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more by weight by volume or 0.08 grams or more per 210 liters of breath; or while under the influence of alcohol; or while under the influence of a narcotic drug or other self-administered intoxicant or drug, or a combination of drugs, to a degree which impaired the accused’s ability to drive or operate a motor vehicle safely; or while under the combined influence of alcohol and a drug or drugs to a degree which impaired the accused’s ability to drive or operate a motor vehicle safely, with the accused having committed this offense after having commintted two prior violations of Section 18.2-266 or provisions of law set forth in subsection E of Section 18.2-270 within the ten-year period ending on the date of the current offense. The prior violations and the current offense were not all committed within the five-year period ending on the date of the current offense, in violation of Sections 18.2-266 and 18.2-270 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: DWI-5449-F6

COUNT TWO: On or about April 11, 2022, in the County of Warren, Miguel Marcos Antonio Maldonado did unlawfully and feloniously while having been the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident in which a person was injured or an attended vehicle or other attended property was damaged, did unlawfully and feloniously fail to immediately stop as close to the scene of the accident as possible without obstructing traffic and fail to report the accused’s name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number forthwith to the State Police or local law enforcement agency, to the person struck and injured or to the driver or some other occupant of the vehicle collided with or to the custodian of the other damaged property. The accident resulted in damage to property valued at $1,000.00 or more, in violation of Section 46.2-894 of the Code of Virginia, 1950. VCC: HIT-6604-F5

WILLIE ROBBINS

On or about May 1, 2022, in the County of Warren, Willie Robert Robbins did unlawfully and feloniously possess a Schedule I or II controlled substance, to wit: Fentanyl, in violation of Section 18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

ASHLEY LOPEZ

On or about May 20, 2022, in the County of Warren, Ashley Michelle Lopez did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

JUSTIN DEAVERS

On or about April 9, 2022, in the County of Warren, Justin Lee Deavers did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Fentanyl, listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of § 18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

BRANDON COMFORT

On or about June 6, 2022, in the County of Warren, Brandon Roberts Comfort a/ka Brenden N. Roberts, a/ka John Doe, did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 ofthe Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

CHRISTOPHER MCCAULEY

COUNT ONE: On or about April 7, 2022, in the County of Warren, Christopher Michael McCauley did unlawfully and feloniously possess with the intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance, to-wit: Metharaphetamine, in violation of Section 18.2-248, of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3043-F9

COUNT ONE: On or about April 7, 2022, in the County of Warren, Christopher Michael McCauley did unlawfully and feloniously possess with the intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled
substance, to-wit: Cocaine, in violation of Section 18.2-248, of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3043-F9

ALISHA MERRITT

On or about April 20, 2019, in the County of Warren, Alisha Renee Merritt did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to-wit: Methamphetamine listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

GRANT SAGER

COUNT ONE: On or about March 20, 2021, in the County of Warren, Grant Lee Sager did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, to wit: Methamphetamine listed in Schedule II of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3022-F5

COUNT TWO: On or about March 20, 2021, in the County of Warren, Grant Lee Sager did unlawfully and feloniously, knowingly, and intentionally possess a controlled substance, towit: Clonazepam, listed in Schedule IV of the Drug Control Act, in violation of §18.2-250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. VCC: NAR-3024-M2

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Pest infestations can have serious consequences. For instance, small animals and insects can chew through electrical wires and wood structures, and they can carry harmful diseases. At work, there’s the added risk of a customer seeing critters lurking in your place of business. When it comes to pests, it’s easier to prevent an infestation than to get rid of one. Here’s how a professional exterminator can help.

Pest prevention services limit the risk of infestation by identifying and eliminating the cause of unwanted visitors. Exterminators know what attracts the pests and can locate where they hide. They can identify potential entry points, seal them and prevent access to the interior of your property.

Additionally, an exterminator can advise you on how to prevent future infestations. They’ll offer tips like storing food in airtight containers, controlling humidity levels, and keeping your yard clean. You can also pre-emptively spray the area around your home, playground equipment, and swimming pool to prevent spiders and insects like ants and wasps from breeding.

Is your home or business infested with insects or other pests? Give yourself some peace of mind. Contact a professional exterminator in your area for high-quality pest prevention services.

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If you are among the one-in-four people who are sensitive to pollens or mold spores, remember these ways to fight mother nature.

1. Stay inside most of the time between 9 a.m. and sunset. Doctors at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver say that thermal currents and winds toss ragweed pollen and mold spores around in the air during the day.

2. Protect your eyes from flying pollen. Wear glasses, sunglasses, or wraparound goggle sunglasses.

3. Go out after a downpour. Heavy rains wash pollen away. Stay inside after light rain, which could worsen the pollen situation.

4. Check your local air quality. Pollution makes allergies worse. If there is a pollution alert, stay inside as much as possible.

5. Use your air conditioner. It recirculates air instead of bringing pollen-laden air inside. Change the filter frequently. Use the air conditioner in your car as well.

6. Use a dehumidifier in damp areas to fight mold. Wash the shower curtain and bath rugs frequently.

7. Talk to your doctor. If your medication is barely keeping up with the high pollen count, ask if you can increase it.

Work with your doctor to determine which medication is best for you. Often, people have to try two or three before finding the one that works best for them.
The editors of Prevention magazine say hypnosis may decrease the effects of allergies. The allergies are not psychosomatic, but studies show that the mind controls more of your physical responses than many doctors or patients realize.

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