Town Talk
Town Talk: A conversation with Town-County EDA Board Chairman Jeff Browne
In this Town Talk, our senior reporter Roger Bianchini speaks with Jeff Browne, Chairman of the Front Royal/Warren County Economic Development Authority Board of Directors. Roger sat down with Jeff to catch up on a variety of topics. Those topics included:
1 – The approaching mid-month declaration of Warren County as an official Spotted Lanternfly-invaded community. Hey Jeff, I have an idea for economic development – the Spotted Lanternfly Motel: “They check-in, but they don’t check out” – WAIT, do roaches have a patent on that one already?
2 – The long-awaited and finally ACHIEVED sale for the redevelopment of the Afton Inn.
3 – Signs, including the Afton sale, of a thawing in the relationship between the current EDA and the Town of Front Royal municipal government, including its new EDA executive director.
4 – How the long-term commitment of the Afton’s new owners, 2 East Main LLC and its principals Jim Burton and Alan Omar, may illustrate a trend in Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro area investment interest in Warren County and Front Royal.
Above, graphic from Dec. 29, 2020 Royal Examiner story illustrating 2 E. Main’s planned restoration and expansion of the Afton Inn into a commercial and residential anchor building for Historic Downtown Front Royal.
5 – An update on the “landing” of drone manufacturer Silent Falcon in Warren County.
And if those topics don’t pique your interest, you must have wandered into the wrong section of our website. – You haven’t, have you? Besides, where else can you hear that many topics of economic interest to our community discussed by someone at ground zero of them all in a 20-minute conversation?
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
EDA warns – Beware the Spotted Lanternfly: identify, report & kill
Town Talk
Town Talk: A conversation with Police Chief Kahle Magalis, Commonwealth Attorney John Bell – New marijuana laws
In this Town Talk, our publisher Mike McCool speaks with Front Royal Police Chief Kahle Magalis and Commonwealth Attorney John Bell about the new marijuana laws that take effect on July 1, 2021.
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
Here’s a summary of the new laws that take effect on July 1st. Visit the NORML website for more information about marijuana and various laws from Virginia and other states.
| Offense | Penalty | Incarceration | Max. Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
Possession |
|||
| 1 oz or less** | No Penalty** | None** | $0** |
| Up to 1 oz | Civil Violation | None | $25 |
| More than 1 oz – 1 lb** | Civil Violation** | None** | $25** |
| ** Law takes effect July 1, 2021. | |||
Sale/Manufacture/Trafficking |
|||
| 1 oz – 5 lbs | Felony | 1* – 10 years | $ 2,500 |
| 5 lbs – 100 kg | Felony | 5* – 30 years | $ 1,000 |
| More than 100 kg | Felony | 20 years* – life | $ 100,000 |
| To a minor who is at least 3 years younger | Felony | 2* – 50 years | $ 100,000 |
| Within 1000 ft of a school or school bus stop | Felony | 1* – 5 years | $ 100,000 |
| Manufacture of marijuana | Felony | 5* – 30 years | $ 10,000 |
| Transporting more than 5 lbs into the state | Felony | 5* – 40 years | $ 1,000,000 |
| Includes possession with intent to distribute | |||
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
Hash & Concentrates |
|||
| Same as marijuana. | |||
Paraphernalia |
|||
| Sale or possession with intent to sell paraphernalia | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $ 2,500 |
| To a minor who is at least 3 years younger | Felony | 1 year | $ 2,500 |
Civil Asset Forfeiture |
|||
| Vehicles and other assets can be seized in a civil proceeding, regardless of whether criminal charges are brought. | |||
Miscellaneous |
|||
| Maintaining a fortified drug house | Felony | 1* – 10 years | N/A |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
Town Talk
Town Talk: A conversation with Robert Hupman, Michele Smeltzer and Meghan Bowers
In this Town Talk, our publisher Mike McCool speaks with Robert Hupman, Michelle Smeltzer, and Meghan Bowers about an upcoming events in our community.
Here’s the list:
Hope Arising Festival – June 12 and 13th. Across from Bing Crosby Stadium.
Benefit for Mason Ryder, (liver transplant) – June 19th. They are doing a benefit/fundraiser to help Mason with his liver transplant. Every dollar donated will go directly to Masons care. They will have Live Music, Cornhole Tournament, Basket Raffles (drop tickets), Silent Auction, Food ($10 for a meal ticket), Snow Cones, Coin Drive (Bring your spare Change), 50/50 Ticket Raffle, and TEAM MASON items for sale. The event is located at the Hazard Mill Farm, 1481 Hazard Mill Rd Bentonville, VA 22610, a stunning private property in Bentonville.
Barks and Bags Extravaganza – Humane Society – June 23rd
Catfish Tournament – Thermal Shelter – July 2nd. Hazard Mill Farm.
One-Stop Resource Center – DSS – Every Wednesday 1 pm – 4 pm. 465 W 15th Street, Front Royal.
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
Town Talk
Town Talk: A conversation with Michelle Matthiae and Laura Morton, Hope Arising Festival update
In this Town Talk, our publisher Mike McCool speaks with Michelle Matthiae and Laura Morton with an update on the Hope Arising Festival. The event is scheduled for June 12 and 13, 2021 at the field across from Bing Crosby Stadium (where the Fireman’s Carnival is held each summer).
LIVE music – FREE Hot Dogs – Food Trucks – Obstacle Course – Petting Zoo – Amazing Grace the Mule – Magic Show – Face Painting – the microWave Project – Paint the “HOPE” sign …AND MORE!
This two-day event will be a fun-pack time to enjoy time with your family and friends. More information at hopearisingfestival.com .
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
Town Talk
Town Talk: A conversation with Coach Jerry Sarchet, WCHS Football golf tournament scheduled June 18, 2021
In this Town Talk, our publisher Mike McCool speaks with WCHS Football Coach Jerry Sarchet. When the school shut down last March, all sports programs also ended, along with the fund-raising by the Warren Wildcat Athletic Association. The WWAA provides support to the WC football program and is sponsoring a golf tournament on June 18, 2021, at the Bowling Green Golf Course.
This event is an 18 hole scramble with a shotgun start including a box lunch and two drink tickets. There will be the longest drive contest and a chance to win a new car (valued up to $20,000) on a par 3 hole. There will be a pay-to-play 50/50 putting contest. There also will be a silent auction. There is still room for players and sponsors.
Contact Kevin Glascock (540) 660-1190 or the coach: jsarchet@wcps.k12.va.us
Click here to download the brochure.
Friday, June 18th, 2021 at Bowling Green Country Club North Course starting at 2PM
Entry Deadlines:
Sponsors – Friday, June 4th
Golfers – Friday, June 18th
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
Town Talk
Town Talk: Butch Hammond & Nellie Adkins, Skyline Christian Academy
In this Town Talk, we’ll have a conversation with Butch Hammond and Nellie Adkins from the Skyline Christian Academy. Skyline Christian Academy is a ministry of The Church at Skyline.
Skyline Christian Academy will be opening for their second year in August for grades Kindergarten (K-5) through 6. They are an affordable Christian School with quality teaching and training. They want students and families to feel like they are family, not just a number.
The Abeka Streaming & Curriculum are used at Skyline Christian Academy. Why Abeka? Nellie says, “As a parent, you want the best education and environment for your child, so do we. We have chosen to use a curriculum that offers higher learning, learning that is well-rounded, that challenges thought, and above all honors Christ. ” If you are interested in more information or have questions, please call Nellie Adkins, Administrator, at 540-692-4531 or email at Skylinechristianacademy.va@gmail.com.
The address is 7655 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Front Royal, perfectly located on 340 between Front Royal and Luray.
Start Date: August 23rd, 2020
School Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 8:15am – 3pm
Skyline Christian Academy
PO Box 1582 Front Royal VA 22630
Phone: 540-629-4531
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
Town Talk
Town Talk: A conversation with Nina Helmick, Matthew Hopple, Ressie Jeffries – Mason Ryder Benefit
A first-grader at Ressie Jefferies Elementary School is in need of a liver transplant. When fellow students and teachers heard that help was needed, they asked what could we do?
In this Town Talk, our publisher Mike McCool speaks with Nina Helmick, Principal, and Matthew Hopple, Assistant Principal at Ressie Jefferies Elementary School about the recent fundraiser at the school for Mason Ryder and care and concern that the staff has for the school community.
The school’s fundraiser is just one that the community has done to help Mason’s medical bills, including an upcoming June 19 benefit from 3 to 8 p.m. at 1481 Hazard Mill Road, Bentonville, and a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign started by Jeni Colter.
Let’s help Mason, a local 8-year-old boy who lives here in Front Royal! More information in the story below and on their Facebook page and GoFundMe site.
Benefit for Mason Ryder: Local Front Royal boy in need of liver transplant
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. If you have an idea, topic, or want to hear from someone in our community, let us know. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
