Virginia
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW: Southwest, Central Virginia’s top news stories
From the highs to the lows, 2023 was a busy year.
Let’s take a look back at some of the top stories from across our region, starting in Lynchburg.
In February, a 12-year-old girl was shot and killed followed by the shooting death of 6-year-old Kingston Campbell. Their murders sparked community outrage and calls for action.
The Hill City saw five officer-involved shootings, two involving the same woman, Ashley Biggs Neeley.
To curb crime, Lynchburg leaders passed a youth curfew in May.
Wintergreen Police Officer Chris Wagner was shot and killed in June while responding to a call and two people were charged after seven Amherst County elementary students were exposed to fentanyl after eating gummy bears.
The Matts Creek wildfire burned more than 11,000 acres in the George Washington Jefferson National Forest..
Farmville native singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony became an overnight sensation with his song “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
In the sports world, JMU made its first-ever bowl game and the Liberty University Flames went undefeated to head to the Fiesta Bowl.
In Southside, Danville’s temporary casino opened in May, raking in more than 52 million dollars in its first three months.
The Blue Ridge Rock Fest returned in September, bringing yet another year of controversy.
The legendary Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam locomotive hit the rails in the Highlands for peak fall foliage excursions.
State police seized 95 animals – both alive and dead – from the Natural Bridge Zoo over what investigators are calling unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. A white Bengal tiger named Zeus was euthanized.
In the Roanoke Valley, the Railyard Dawgs took home the President’s Cup and Cave Spring High and UVA alum Ronde Barber was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Franklin County father Michael Morris was charged with felony eluding police while rushing his daughter to the ER with pneumonia. That charge has since been dropped to a misdemeanor.
A 17-year-old boy is being remembered by loved ones after they say he was shot and killed by his father in an apparent murder-suicide at the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot.
Star City leaders expanded a youth curfew and hired a new police chief, Scott Booth, formerly Danville’s chief.
Roanoke City saw 63 shootings, killing 26 people including an officer-involved shooting that left a murder suspect dead and an officer fighting for her life.
Now to the NRV where the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team made a historic run to the Final Four.
The Blacksburg community mourned 17-year-old Serenity Hawley after she was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in an apparent murder-suicide.
17-year-old Lauren Worley is fighting for her life after she and her boyfriend were hit head-on by a suspected drunk driver in Patrick County.
Closure in a 20-year cold case. Human remains found in Galax in December were identified as 5-year-old Logan Bowman’s. He disappeared in 2003.
And it was a Christmas miracle for 7-year-old Aubrey Scaletta who lost both her feet in a freak accident while riding in her dad’s pickup truck. After six surgeries, 35 days in the hospital, and months of physical therapy, Aubrey defied the odds to perform in the Nutcracker ballet this holiday season.
Copyright 2023 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
Virginia
Virginia housing market for 24 ends strong – Shore Daily News
Virginia’s housing market showed a significant uptick in November, according to the latest Virginia Home Sales Report from Virginia REALTORS®. The data reveals strong growth in closed and pending sales, as well as continued price increases across most areas of the state.
In November, 7,853 homes were sold statewide, marking a 13% increase compared to the same time last year. This marks the second consecutive month of double-digit growth in closed sales. Pending sales also rose sharply, with 6,863 homes placed under contract—a 15.2% increase from November 2023. “This strong performance caps off a year that, despite challenges, has ended on a high note for Virginia’s housing market,” said Ryan Price, Chief Economist for Virginia REALTORS®.
The state also saw a boost in new listings, with 9,031 homes listed for sale, a 10.3% increase from the previous year. “More sellers are entering the market, contributing to the growth in new listings,” noted Lorraine Arora, President of Virginia REALTORS® for 2025. However, she cautioned that while inventory is expanding, the total number of listings remains about 40% smaller than it was five years ago. By the end of November, there were 18,870 active listings statewide, a 12% year-over-year increase.
Home prices continued to climb, with the median sales price reaching $415,000, a $30,000 increase from November 2023. Nearly 76% of local markets in Virginia saw median price growth. Despite this, affordability remains a challenge for many buyers, especially as mortgage rates remain elevated.
The Virginia Home Sales Report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the state’s housing trends, offering valuable insights for both buyers and sellers navigating this dynamic market.
Virginia
Christmas Eve crooks burglarize Virginia electronics store
Detectives are asking for the community’s help identifying four thieves who broke into a business and stole electronics on Christmas Eve in Reston.
Fairfax County Police responded to a burglary alarm shortly after 5 a.m. on Dec. 24 at the PayMore electronics store along Reston Parkway. Officers determined that the suspects forced their way into the business and made off with merchandise.
The Criminal Investigations Division has released still images and surveillance video of the suspects in hopes of generating leads.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Reston Police Station at 703-478-0904 and ask to speak with a detective.
Virginia
WVU Loses Talented Young Offensive Lineman to the Transfer Portal
Friday morning, West Virginia On SI learned that West Virginia offensive lineman Kyle Altuner has entered his name into the transfer portal.
Altuner was expected to push for some playing time at center as a true freshman under the previous coaching staff until he suffered a lower-body injury that cost him several weeks and months of development.
Coming out of Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland, Altuner chose the Mountaineers over offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Duke, Florida State, Liberty, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, NC State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, and several others.
He will have four years of eligibility remaining.
Technically very sound football player. Seals and walls off defenders with ease in zone run blocking schemes, climbs quickly to the second level in gap schemes and pulls much better than your ordinary right tackle. The combination of his high-level diverse run-blocking scheme success and IQ make for a perfect fit at center, which is where he’ll play at West Virginia. Good knee bend and plays with consistent control and balance in pass sets that will translate even by kicking inside. I’d expect WVU to take full advantage of his athleticism and get him pulling consistently to lead the way in the run game. My number one recruit in this class for the Mountaineers. Very few concerns.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Tomas Rimac Follows Matt Moore to Virginia Tech
West Virginia set to Hire William Green as Defensive Line Coach
Chad Scott Returning to West Virginia
West Virginia Offers Sam Houston Defensive Line Transfer Chris Murray
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