Local News
‘No one deserves to be bullied,’ says mom of bullied son
Jamie Brown speaks with Royal Examiner publisher Mike McCool at the 7 am protest. Photo and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.
FRONT ROYAL—Bullying recently reared its ugly head at Skyline Middle School where a family’s son reportedly experienced it firsthand, possibly even multiple times, both verbally and physically.
The family said this morning during an anti-bullying protest outside the school that charges have been filed against the alleged bullies, but they would rather see them undergo counseling or be required to conduct some sort of community service.
“I don’t want them to do time. I would like them to get counseling… or have them volunteer somewhere with someone who’s disabled so they understand the struggle. Maybe they’re just not aware,” said Jamie Brown, who headed up the protest. “I want no child bullied, not even the ones who are bullying my child. No one being bullied is acceptable. No one deserves to be bullied.”
Protesters lined the sidewalk at Skyline Middle School at 7 am.
Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations define bullying as “any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma.” This definition also includes cyber bullying, but does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.
Justin Brown read a statement for the Royal Examiner explaining why the couple spearheaded the protest and exactly what their son has experienced. Jamie Brown first broached the issue this past weekend over the What’s Up Front Royal page on Facebook.
“Everyone deserves to go about their day without fear or worry,” said Justin Brown. “Their biggest worry should be how they will do on the next test.”
It is time for zero-tolerance bullying policies to be enforced and for those who are found accountable for bullying to be held accountable and subject to consequences, said the couple in their statement, adding that “if the system in place is falling short, then maybe it’s time for a new system.”
“Better yet,” said Justin Brown, “actually enforce the one that you have.”
A Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) representative said the district is trying to enforce its existing anti-bullying programs.
Alan Fox, spokesman for the Warren County Public Schools was also at the protest and spoke with our publisher Mike McCool.
“We are 100 percent with the families, the parents and the students,” Alan Fox, director of secondary instruction for WCPS, told Royal Examiner during the protest today. “We want our students to be safe. We want them to feel safe and we want them to be educated. So, we have the same exact goals they do, and we support what they are doing.
“We don’t want anyone to be bullied,” he added. “It’s a bad, bad thing.”
Fox said WCPS wants to reinforce its existing programs, which include prevention programs and multi-tiered behavioral supports for children who are experiencing difficulties.
“Sometimes students struggle in meeting behavior expectations,” wrote Bobby Johnston, principal at Skyline Middle School, in an Oct. 8 open letter to the community that addressed the reported bullying instances at the school.
Among several programs, Johnston said that the school provides all students with training using a social-emotional program known as Second Step, which has been utilized at Skyline Middle School for the last five years. Students regularly participate in the program throughout the school year, focusing on empathy, communication, bullying prevention, and management of their emotions, he said.
“The goal of Skyline Middle School, as this year’s motto states, is One Vision, One Team, One Community,” Johnston wrote. “We are here to help support and grow engaged, healthy children into engaged, healthy young adults who are ready for the academic challenges of high school.”
The principal added that school staff welcome a partnership with the parents “in order to form a strong community connection,” and he provided his number and email: (540) 636-0909 and bjohnston@wcps.k12.va.us.
The Brown family also appears to favor that cooperative goal.
“We have to protect our kids,” Jamie Brown told protestors standing on the sidewalk with placards this morning. “We can only do it if we come together.”
Read the letter from the Robert Johnson, Pruincipal of Skyline Middle School here. Open Letter the Skyline Community Regarding Bullying and SMS Responses
The Royal Examiner was at the 7 am protest and spoke with the parents of the student and with Alan Fox from the Warren County Public School:
Local News
Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Line of Duty Death – Funeral Notification
With great sadness, we announce the passing of District Fire Chief Homer Larry Cross (Age 74) of the Fortsmouth Volunteer Fire Department.
On Monday, January 23, 2023, members of the Fortsmouth Volunteer Fire Department discovered District Chief Cross unresponsive at the Fire Station and began life-saving intervention procedures, but unfortunately, the Chief was pronounced deceased at the station.
District Fire Chief Homer Larry Cross
Chief Cross began his career as a firefighter with Fortsmouth Volunteer Fire Department in 1983. Later serving his community as a long-tenured District Chief, he dedicated himself to saving lives and helping those in need. Through his years in the fire service, Chief Cross felt honored to work alongside a fantastic group of men and women, many of whom serve in various fire service leadership capacities across the Commonwealth’s Fire Service today.
“District Fire Chief Homer Cross was an inspiration for our Department and a fixture on almost every fire ground,” stated Fire Chief James Bonzano. “He was a dedicated fire officer but, above all else, a great friend whose legacy will certainly live on through the care and compassion he instilled in the next generation of our Fire Department.”
Arrangements for District Chief Cross are as follows:
Family Night will be held Monday, January 30, 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. at Maddox Funeral Home at 105 W. Main Street, Front Royal, VA.
A Funeral Service with Fire Service and Military Service Honors for District Chief Cross will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at noon at Riverton United Methodist Church at 55 E. Strasburg Road, Front Royal, VA.
A procession from the church to Panorama Memorial Gardens will be conducted, where final respects will be paid.
The Cross Family will receive guests following the service at the Front Royal Volunteer Fire Station at 221 N. Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, VA.
Local News
The Trust Deed Pledge Plan: An investor’s greatest investment aspiration
REAL ESTATE INVESTORS AND REAL ESTATE AGENTS
An original Trust Deed Pledge (TDPP) to help property owners from losing their entire property equity due to a foreclosure has been developed. By rescuing the equity and turning the owner into a qualified investor in plan, the owner continues to grow the funds rescued.
THE SECURED CASH INVESTOR POSITION IN THE TDPP INVESTMENT
The desire to be protected in a safe rewarding and timely investment is what the investor wants and needs and receives in the TDPP.
- Investment amount required? – Ans: ($60,000 total in small amounts by a group of investors)
- What is the reward? – Ans: (Pre-agreed fixed amount of $25,500 up to $42,500)
- What is the timing of investment? – Ans: (Estimated one-year)
- Amount of protection? – Ans: (Collateral exceeds invested amount)
- How is the investor “protected”? – Ans: (With a very strong superior legal position)
REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY EARNINGS
The TDPP offers a way to achieve an exclusive listing to sell (foreclosure free) for the agent/broker finding and introducing the necessary material to the foreclosure owner. There is strong competition, in the regular market place for exclusive listings, that makes it a challenge to accumulate enough listings for the average licensee to earn and build a personal lifetime wealth of a million dollars plus. It is fair to say the TDPP can do it.
The TDPP offers new type real estate earnings, separate from and in addition to a 6% sale commission.
- Introducing an original way to earn 1% of the sales price of a property and a second way to earn 5% of the net sales price of the property.
- There are other original ways to earn a fee of $9,000 and one of $15,000 for new type activity in the TDPP.
- Achieve an exclusive foreclosure free exclusive listing for the person processing the property owner joining the TDPP.
- Other unique exciting opportunities are available to earn profit in original ways within the TDPP!
Go to http://investmentrevelation.com for more information.
Robert L. Evans, President
Foreclosure Answer Affirmed, Inc.
Jenspiration
Concern Hotline named beneficiary of Ride with Rotary
Rotary Club of Warren County is excited to announce their beneficiary for the Ride with Rotary 2023 is Concern Hotline! Watch this video with Executive Director, Rusty Holland, as he shares a little about who the Concern Hotline is and what they offer to Warren County and surrounding counties.
Learn more about Concern Hotline: www.concernhotline.org
Concern Hotline is a free 24/7/365 anonymous information & referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention hotline serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
For Concern Hotline calls, dial any of these local numbers:
- CLARKE, FREDERICK, WINCHESTER COUNTY – 540-667-0145
- SHENANDOAH COUNTY – 540-459-4742
- PAGE COUNTY – 540-743-3733
- WARREN COUNTY – 540-635-4357
Ride with Rotary 2nd Annual Bike Event
- April 29th – Check in starts at 8am Rockland Park
- Register Today!
- Interested in being a sponsor? Call Jen Avery at 540-683-0790 to learn about sponsorship options.
Local News
Super Bowl LVII fans don’t let fans drive drunk
During Super Bowl LVII, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to remind football fans everywhere that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Super Bowl LVII is on Sunday, February 12, 2023. If you’re heading out to a Super Bowl party and plan to drink alcohol, make sure you plan for a designated driver to get you home safely at the night’s end.
In 2020, there 11,654 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes. Drunk driving can have many consequences, including possibly causing a traumatic crash. These crashes could cause you, someone you love, or a total stranger to suffer serious injuries or even death.
We want our community members to enjoy Super Bowl festivities and responsible drivers on our roads. If you are planning to be away from home during Super Bowl, make a game plan to ensure you don’t find yourself without a designated driver if you need one. If you’re hosting a party, make sure you take care of your designated drivers. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Be the DD MVP
If you plan to be a designated driver, know that you’re the night’s MVP. Commit to a sober evening — people are relying on you. If you are attending a party or are at a bar or restaurant, enjoy the food, the company, and the nonalcoholic drinks. Encourage other designated drivers on social media by using the hashtag #DesignatedDriver. Your positive influence could help keep them on the right track. If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely. They may complain, but they’ll thank you later.
Have a Game Plan Whether you are attending a party or going to a bar or restaurant, make a game plan and follow these simple tips for a safe and happy evening:
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver, plan to use a ride service, or call a taxi sober friend to get home safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
Make a commitment today to refrain from drunk driving. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
Local News
VDOT reopens Route 522 southbound lanes at rockside site west of Winchester
At 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, the Virginia Department of Transportation will reopen the southbound lanes on Route 522 (North Frederick Pike) between Winchester and Gainesboro in Frederick County. This is the site of a rockslide that occurred late on Friday, January 13. Earlier on January 24, all Route 522 lanes were closed out of caution due observed slide activity.
VDOT officials have examined the site and determined the slide is stabilized enough to reopen the southbound lanes. The northbound lanes remain closed next to the slide activity.
The Route 522 northbound lanes are closed from Route 608 (Hunting Ridge Road) to Route 684 (Gainesboro Road).
In this location, the average daily traffic volume is approximately 18,000 vehicles per day.
Route 522 is a four-lane divided highway in this location. A detour on the southbound lanes will accommodate all northbound and southbound traffic. Route 522 will have single southbound and northbound lanes in this area. Travelers are advised to use caution with the temporary traffic pattern.
Both ends of the detour will have Virginia Department of Transportation crew members present to help direct traffic 24/7 during this event. Local law enforcement will assist to ensure traffic does not enter the slide area, which remains unstable and extremely dangerous.
The rockslide occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday, January 13. The Route 522 northbound lanes were immediately closed by VDOT.
Upon inspection in the daylight hours of Saturday, January 14, a more significant slope failure was discovered above the rockslide location.
VDOT has contracted with General Excavation Inc. (GEI) of Warrenton, Virginia, to perform the slope repairs.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at http://www.511Virginia.org.
Local News
VDOT closes all northbound and southbound Route 522 lands at rockside west of Winchester
A rockslide has closed all northbound and southbound lanes on a segment of Route 522 (North Frederick Pike) west of Winchester. Route 522 lanes are closed from Route 608 (Hunting Ridge Road) to Route 684 (Gainesboro Road).
The Virginia Department of Transportation has set up a detour:
For northbound Route 522, there will be a right lane closure south of Route 654 (Marple Road), with traffic detouring south on Route 654 and then heading west on Route 679 (Indian Hollow Road) and then north on Route 600 (North Hayfield Road) and then south on Route 684 to Route 522.
For southbound Route 522 traffic, a left lane closure will be located north of Route 684 (Gainesboro Road). Traffic will be detoured north on Route 684, then south on Route 600 (North Hayfield Road), east on Route 50 (Northwestern Pike), north on Route 37, and then onto Route 522.
Emergency vehicles will be allowed to use the closed Route 522 lanes.
The rockslide occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday, January 13. The Route 522 northbound lanes were immediately closed by VDOT. Upon inspection in the daylight hours of Saturday, January 14, a more significant slope failure was discovered above the rockslide location. VDOT has contracted with General Excavation Inc. (GEI) of Warrenton, Virginia, to perform the slope repairs. Repairs began at the top of the slide area and proceeded down. On Tuesday, January 24, additional cracks and slope failures occurred and continue, causing VDOT to close all lanes of Route 522 in this location. It is unknown when the Route 522 lanes will reopen. Crews and geological staff will continue to work and monitor the site.
In this location, the average daily traffic volume is approximately 18,000 vehicles per day.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at http://www.511Virginia.org.
Thank You to our Local Business Participants:
