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Virginia
VDOT provides updates on Virginia roadways after Helene
GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Around 400 roads in Virginia were closed when the remnants of Helene moved through over a week ago.
Since then, VDOT crews have worked around the clock to open most of them back up, with only 13 secondary roads and two primary roads left to repair.
“The fact that we are able to safely and quickly get a lot of these roads back open, it’s a testament to just how much work is being done, just around the district and across the state,” said Joey Barker, the VDOT Bristol district communications specialist.
The two main roads crews are still working on are Route 21 in Grayson County and Route 58 in Damascus. They were completely swept over by water and yards of debris, causing them to be severely damaged.
While crews are putting rocks back in to stabilize and rebuild Route 21, Barker also said they are making progress despite a few challenges.
“Just the steepness of the slope and just the sheer terrain that they have to deal with, it’s pretty tough to have to deal with that., but these guys are professionals. They’ve been doing it for a long time,“ said Barker.
Due to the extent of the damage, there is no set reopen date for Route 58 in Damascus at this time.
It is expected to take four to five weeks to reopen Route 21 in Grayson County.
Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – First responders never stop training, and this week almost 500 from across Virginia are honing their skills in Blacksburg.
The Virginia Association of First Responders now includes EMTs, firefighters, police officers and many others who answer the call in an emergency.
Thursday, a farm accident and a collision involving a car and school bus were just two of the scenarios they encountered.
“It’s a week-long opportunity, not only for technical stuff like this, but for medical classes,” said Covington Volunteer Rescue Squad member Greg Burton. “People call 911 every day for something. And we’re just here to help ease the problem a little bit.”
The annual conference also includes a Rescue Camp for young people with an interest in emergency services.
43 campers are taking part in a variety of activities, including a session on scuba diving Thursday afternoon.
Copyright 2026 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A brush fire in a wooded area on Criollo Drive Wednesday afternoon was set by children playing with fire, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Units with Virginia Beach Fire and Virginia Beach Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Criollo Drive in reference to a report of a possible fire in a wooded area at approximately 5 p.m.
Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from a wooded area. They quickly had the brush fire under control at 6:05 p.m. and marked out at 6:37 p.m.
There were no injuries reported to civilians, firefighters or pets.
A VBFD Fire Investigator determined that the fire was set by kids playing with fire.
There are no charges being filed currently.
For Navy Vice-Admiral Douglas Perry, you could say all roads, or waterways, lead to Hampton Roads.
“It is more than full circle,” said Perry, who noted he went to the first Harborfest downtown in 1976.
And when he saw those tall ships led by Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle, “I was sold. I wanted to go to sea. I wanted to be a naval officer.”
Link: https://www.wavy.com/living-local/50th-harborfest-weekend-more-than-full-circle-for-navy-vice-admiral/
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