Blasting on I-81
Lane closures are scheduled for August 30-31 for the I-81 truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County.
The right northbound lane will be closed from mile marker 201.5 to mile marker 202.7 from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday and Tuesday.
Blasting will also take place along I-81 August 31 and September 2 at 1 pm. The blasting locations will be from mile marker 197.5 to mile marker 199 and at the Route 712 bridge.
The blasting is part of the I-81 truck climbing lane project in Rockbridge County. Both northbound and southbound lanes will have a rolling mobile lane closure. Traffic will be slowed down so the blast area is clear of traffic during the actual blast period. Traffic will immediately resume through the area once conditions are deemed safe by crews at the site. Blasting operations are estimated to continue through November.
Welcome Home!
Members of the Virginia National Guard returned to the region on Wednesday, in Lexington, Lynchburg and Bedford, after serving in Iraq since March.
About 300 soldiers from the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team checked in at their various armories Wednesday. A huge crowd greeted the soldiers upon their return to the Armory in Lexington.
While in southern Iraq, the soldiers secured supply convoys and responded to more than 20 attacks.
Flood Warning
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR LEXINGTON, BUENA VISTA AND ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY AS WELL AS LYNCHBURG, AMHERST COUNTY AND NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM A LARGE AND NEARLY STATIONARY CLUSTER OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE WARNED AREA.
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS, HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS, STREAMS AND OTHER LOW LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.
MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES… DIPS… OR LOW WATER CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM… EVEN A SMALL ONE… ON FOOT. TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE UP TO HIGHER GROUND.
I-81
On I-81 at mile marker 199 in Rockbridge County, motorists can expect potential delays this morning (Friday) due to an incident.
The south entrance ramp and exit ramp are closed.
The rest area will also be closed until further notice.
Flash Flood Watch
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING.
SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CAN BE EXPECTED TODAY, PRODUCING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS, WITH RAINFALL RATES UP TO FOUR INCHES AN HOUR POSSIBLE. SOME LOCATIONS MAY SEE TWO OR MORE INCHES OF RAIN IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. THIS WOULD LIKELY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING ON SMALLER CREEKS AND IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.
LOW PRESSURE MOVING ALONG THE STALLED FRONT IS EXPECTED TO ENHANCE THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAINFALL.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
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Tractor Trailer Accident
A tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County resulted in traffic delays near mile marker 200 in the Fairfield area.
The tractor-trailer was heading southbound when the driver lost control and ran off the right side of the road, hitting an embankment and overturning.
The driver, who wasn’t injured, was charged with failure to maintain proper control.
The southbound on-ramp at the Fairfield interchange will remain closed until crews clean up the accident.
School Board Opening
Applications are now being taken for an open seat on the Lexington School Board. Board member Michael Tschantz has given up his seat because he is leaving the city.
Council will fill the vacancy at a meeting on September 16.
Interested candidates can pick up an application from City Hall. Applications are due by September 2.
Severe Storms
Severe thunderstorms struck the Rockbridge area Wednesday and Thursday. Funnel clouds that did not touch down were reported Wednesday in Arnolds Valley and Thursday’s storms resulted in power outages in the Arnolds Valley area.
Lexington firefighters also responded on Thursday to a transformer and tree on fire on both Enfield Road and Confederate Circle.
A tractor trailer fire also slowed traffic for a time on I-81, at mile marker 188 southbound, on the on ramp.
Downed trees also impacted traffic on several area roads, including Buffalo Forge Road.
Buena Vista Police Chief
The Buena Vista city manager’s office on Friday released a statement regarding the recent resignation of Police Chief A.J. Panebianco.
According to the statement, city officials say that after discussing issues with Chief Panebianco, it was determined by Panebianco that it would be better for him to seek other employment opportunities. Panebianco then tendered his resignation.
City officials also say that Panebianco’s resignation is covered by employee confidentiality laws and nothing more will be discussed about the matter.
Fire Investigation
Investigators continue to search for the cause of Friday’s fire that devastated the Southern Inn on Main Street in downtown Lexington.
The early morning fire also caused smoke and water damage to the McCorkle’s Hallmark Card shop and ReMax Real Estate on Main Street.
No firm damage figure has been set but the damages could be upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It appears the building’s second floor collapsed onto the first floor. The building appears to be a total loss.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There were reports of lightning strikes early Friday morning in the area and the fire may have started in the kitchen, in the back of the building.
A Virginia State Police arson investigator was helping with the investigation.