Winchester Daily-Monitor » Featured

Merchant Tire and Auto on South Pleasant Valley Road Vandalized

Staff Writer — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:54:21 +0000

On May 16, 2013 around 6:40 a.m. Corporal J.D. Funk and Officer N.J. Morris were called to Merchant Tire and Auto at 2200 South Pleasant Valley Road for vandalism of the business. The officers found that someone had spray painted graffiti at the construction site and that windows out of four garage bay doors had been broken. The damage is estimated at $24,000. Corporal Funk and Officer Morris were able to identify suspects in the case from an incident that occurred earlier in the morning. They noticed that suspects from the earlier incident had paint on their hands that matched the color of the paint on the business. Jose Olguin-Arellano, 18, of Winchester was arrested and charged with vandalism. Two other juveniles from Winchester were also arrested and charged with vandalism. They were released on a summons. There is a fourth juvenile suspect in the case.

Around 1:19 a.m. Officer Morris was patrolling in the area of Allen Drive and Woodstock Lane when he observed four Hispanic males on the back of a trailer and truck. The officer saw the four males remove a push mower from the trailer. Three males were arrested. A fourth male ran from the area. Jose Olguin-Arellano was charged with petty larceny. Two juveniles were charged with underage possession of alcohol. These are the same suspects as in the vandalism of the business. The two incidents remain under investigation.

Corporal Funk and Officer Morris did an excellent job connecting the suspects in these two incidents and charging those individuals.

Police Investigate Larcenies from Motor Vehicles on Allen and Kinzel Drives

Staff Writer — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:22:02 +0000

The Winchester Police Department is investigating a number of larcenies from motor vehicles. On May 12th around 5 a.m. officers were called to the area of Woodstock Lane and Allen Drive for two black males breaking into parked cars. One suspect has been identified and charges are pending as the investigation continues. Officers checked vehicles in the area and determined at least 17 vehicles had been broken into on Allen and Kinzel Drives. Money and electronics were taken from the cars. A Motorola power cord and USB cable (shown below) were recovered. If you have information on the owner of these items, please contact the Winchester Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 540-545-4704.

Residents are reminded to lock their car doors and to close all their car windows. Also, don’t leave anything of value inside your car.

Anyone with information on these car break-ins should call the Winchester Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 540-545-4704 or Crime Solvers at 540-665-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: Shawn Anthony Tackett Turns Himself In to Authorities

Staff Writer — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:25:12 +0000

Shawn Anthony Tackett
Height: 6’1”, Weight 280 lbs, Blue Eyes, Brown Hair

Update: Warren County Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron advises that Shawn Anthony Tackett has been arrested. Tackett made contact with an investigator with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office (West Virginia) and subsequently turned himself in to law enforcement authorities earlier today.

Tackett is being held without bond in the South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, WV. An extradition hearing is pending.

Previous

Shawn Anthony Tackett is wanted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for 1 count Grand Larceny and 2 Capiases’ “Attachment of the Body” for Child Support. Tackett is a suspect in the larceny of a 9mm pistol and should be considered Armed and Dangerous. Tackett has made threats to family members and said he would take out any law enforcement officer that would try to take him back to jail. Tackett is allegedly under the influence of Methamphetamine and has been charged with manufacturing and distributing Methamphetamine in the past.

Tackett may be driving a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, Extended Cab, black in color, unknown, MD, WV, or VA tags. Tackett is switching tags. The truck has bullet holes in the tailgate and driver side of the vehicle from a previous, unrelated incident.

If you have any information please contact Deputy Brandon Darr at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, 200 Skyline Vista Drive Front Royal VA, 540-635-4128 or your local law enforcement agency.

UPDATE: Chairs Missing After Parade Have Been Located

Staff Writer — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:15:27 +0000

Just as police initially suspected the chairs were inadvertently picked up by another vendor. The parties are now attempting to return the chairs to their rightful owners.

Previous Report

Hundreds of Rental Chairs Go Missing After Apple Blossom

The Winchester Police Department is asking for the public’s help after nearly 300 chairs went missing following Apple Blossom. The chairs that had been rented by a Boy Scout Troop were in front of 103 and 104 North Braddock Street. They were supposed to be picked up by a rental company on May 5th, but when the company arrived, the chairs were no longer there. The chairs are white non-folding plastic chairs. It is believed they were picked up on May 5th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Police officials said it is their hope that the chairs were mistakenly picked up by a different rental company and that they will come forward so that the Boy Scout Troop will not be responsible for paying thousands of dollars for the missing chairs.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Winchester Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 540-545-4704 or Crime Solvers at 540-665-TIPS (8477).

Fatal Fire on Woodstock Lane Caused by Smoking with Bottled Oxygen in the Home

Staff Writer — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:04:14 +0000

The fire that claimed the life of one man and injured two other people on Woodstock Lane Sunday was started unintentionally when an occupant of the home attempted to light a cigarette with a match while wearing home oxygen equipment. Officials say that the fire quickly spread to the furniture and was enhanced by the flow of oxygen. After the fire began the two surviving occupants evacuated the home but David Moats was unable to escape before being overcome by smoke.

The cause of the fire has been classified as accidental.

One Man Dies in House Fire on Woodstock Lane

Staff Writer — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:28:43 +0000

At approximately 1:00p.m. on Sunday, May 05, 2013, the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched to a structural fire at 926 Woodstock Lane. The first unit on the scene reported fire coming from the windows of the front of the single story ranch style home.

Officials said crews immediately advanced a hoseline making an aggressive attack on the fire. The main body of the fire was extinguished within 5 minutes while a primary and secondary search for victims was conducted on the first floor and basement level.
Crews discovered one deceased male victim in a bathroom. One other male and one other female occupant were treated and transported to Winchester Medical Center for possible smoke inhalation. Identity and cause of death are not being released until the fire investigation and autopsy have been completed.
A second alarm was initiated to obtain additional resources. Units from all city fire stations responded to the incident with assistance from Winchester Police Department, Frederick County stations; Greenwood, Millwood Station, Clearbrook, Roundhill, and Gainesboro.
There were no firefighter injuries reported and the home sustained approximately $50,000 in damages. At this time the home is uninhabitable as determined by the building official.

Police Arrest Winchester Man on Probation for Distribution of Marijuana

Staff Writer — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:24:42 +0000

A Winchester man has been charged with distribution of marijuana following a joint effort by the Winchester Police Department’s Community Response Team, Probation and Parole, and the Northwest VA Regional Drug Task Force.

On May 1st around 2:30 p.m. officers were conducting a probation check on Louis Clemons in the 200 block of West Street. During that effort officers found 108 plastic individual sealed bags containing Marijuana and a large amount of money found.

Thirty-three year old Louis Clemons of Winchester was arrested and charged with Distribution of Marijuana and a Probation Violation.

Police Warn of Local Phone Scam

Staff Writer — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:08:38 +0000

The Winchester Police Department has issued a warning to area residents about a current phone scam that is circulating. Police officials say that residents are receiving calls claiming to be from Winchester Federal Credit Union. The automated message states that your debit card information has been restricted or compromised. This type of call has been identified as a scam. Last week some residents reportedly received text messages with a similar message. Some of the numbers return to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or are listed as “unknown”.

Authorities say that these calls and text messages are an attempt to obtain personal account information. Do not respond to these calls or give out any of your personal information over the phone or through other electronic means.

Winchester Federal Credit Union and other financial companies do not leave phone message such as this and would not ask for your personal information over the phone.

If you have responded to these messages and given your personal information out, please call (800) 528-2273 to have your card blocked.

Special Operation Cracks Down on Illegal Narcotics in Winchester Area

Staff Writer — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:19:36 +0000

A special operation conducted by the Northwest VA Regional Drug and Gang Task Force cracked down on illegal narcotics in the area. The eight hour operation aimed at identifying, targeting and arresting individuals responsible for the distribution, manufacturing, and transportation of illegal narcotics. The North End Team covered the City of Winchester and Frederick County. Agents conducted 21 searches of residences with probation officers. The Task Force was assisted by six agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Winchester Police Department, Virginia State Police, Probation and Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The group also visited 15 residences of interest. The following arrests were made:

Jeremy Simpson for probation violation – 200 block of Millwood Avenue, Winchester
Matthew Hoenig for possession of narcotics and probation violation – 500 block of North Kent Street, Winchester
Terry Johnson for providing false information to a law enforcement officer – 100 block of Lamden Avenue, Winchester
Carroll Smith for possession of marijuana, 200 block of Ash Hollow Drive, Frederick County
Bradley Martin for probation violation, 1300 block of Pitcock Lane, Frederick County
Kathleen Stickley for possession of marijuana, 200 block of Cougar Trail, Frederick County

The following drugs were found during searches of homes; heroin, marijuana, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and prescription drugs. Agents had encounters with four known gang members. More than $900 of U.S. Currency was taken from a home in the 100 block of Lamden Avenue. Five homes were cited with code violations and a residence on Bellview Avenue was deemed uninhabitable by Zoning and Inspections.

Cool Spring Battlefield to Become Outdoor Classroom for Shenandoah University

Staff Writer — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:44:59 +0000

This morning, Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech joined representatives of the Civil War Trust and Shenandoah University to celebrate the successful completion of a public-private partnership to permanently protect 195 acres along the Shenandoah River that played a crucial role in the July 18, 1864, Battle of Cool Spring. The event was part of the Commonwealth’s celebration of Earth Week 2013 and highlighted the project’s unique intersection of environmental benefit, educational opportunity and economic growth potential.

“I can think of no better way to honor the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring the protection and care of our state’s natural resources this Earth Week than by celebrating our partnership to conserve this site,” said Secretary Domenech. “With its sweeping views of the Virginia countryside, Shenandoah River access and historic pedigree, this land will be appreciated and enjoyed for generations to come.”

Virginia Director of Historic Resources Kathleen Kilpatrick agreed, adding, “Through this preservation partnership, the Cool Spring Battlefield will be far more than a passive historic site — this land is poised to become a dynamic, multi-faceted learning environment that will enhance educational opportunities in a variety of fields.”

Protection of the Cool Spring site was made possible through generous, competitively awarded preservation matching grants from both the federal and state governments. The American Battlefield Protection Program, administered by the National Park Service, contributed $200,000 toward the $2 million total purchase price, while the Virginia Civil War Sites Preservation Fund — the most successful state level grant program of its kind in the nation — put forward another $800,000. Remaining funding was secured through a significant landowner donation and contributions from Trust members.

“Thanks to the vision of the elected officials in Washington and Richmond, the Trust is able to help ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to visit beautiful and historic sites like Cool Spring undisturbed by inappropriate modern intrusions,” said Trust President James Lighthizer.

In 2012, the Civil War Trust negotiated to acquire the 195-acre former Virginia National Country Club following its bankruptcy. Recognizing the site’s unique potential as a community resource, the Trust began investigating a variety of partnership opportunities for long-term stewardship of the battlefield, before settling on what Lighthizer calls the “perfect solution” — transferring the property to Shenandoah University.

“Shenandoah University is honored to be entrusted with the care of such an historically and ecologically significant landscape,” said Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. “We pride ourselves in educating students who are, by nature, curious and eager to explore the world around them. I am thrilled that the Cool Spring property will provide them with a living laboratory to enrich their lives and learning.”

The university is currently evaluating options and developing proposals for specific programming to take place at the Cool Spring site. The property and surrounding environment has the potential to serve as an experiential learning campus for academic programs in the fields of outdoor leadership and education, environmental studies and history.

In addition, numerous possibilities are being considered to integrate the campus community as a whole through opportunities developed and implemented by Shenandoah University’s Division of Student Life. These co-curricular pieces are fundamental for enhancing a connection to the region, while promoting environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the Cool Spring site will afford local schools and the public at large with opportunities to explore the region through historical and natural interpretation.

The news conference culminated with the ceremonial transfer of the property from the Civil War Trust to Shenandoah University, witnessed by Domenech, Kilpatrick and Clarke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Michael Hobert.

“In Clarke County we believe our land is our legacy,” said Hobert. “We are pleased so many others share our vision for the preservation of historic and environmental resources and grateful for their cooperative efforts which now add to this legacy.”

Although the property will be owned by Shenandoah University, it will remain subject to the terms of a conservation easement held by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. This legal agreement will allow the university to pursue a wide range of educational opportunities and endeavors, while ensuring that the historic nature of the site is respected through the prevention of unsuitable or invasive development.

Following the defeat of his raid on Washington, D.C., at the Battle of Fort Stevens, Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early retreated, crossing the Potomac River at White’s Ferry and the Blue Ridge at Snickers Gap. Elements of three U.S. corps — about 25,000 men — under overall command of Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright pursued and met Early’s rear guard at the Shenandoah River crossing of Snickers Ferry, near the farm of Cool Spring. Although brief in duration, the July 18, 1864, Battle of Cool Spring was desperately fought, checking the federal pursuit for several days. The Battle of Cool Spring (also known as Island Ford, Parker’s Ford, Snickers Ferry or Castleman’s Ferry) resulted in more than 800 casualties and was a prelude to the second major battle at Kernstown, which occurred less than a week later.