Virginia
Virginia farmer protects Secretariat’s playground from solar farms, data centers
CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. — A sprawling pasture in Caroline County where racing legend Secretariat once grazed as a young colt will be protected from development forever, thanks to a farmer’s dedication to preserving Virginia’s equine heritage.
Kevin Engel, who owns Engel Family Farms, has placed The Cove in Doswell under a permanent conservation easement with the Capital Region Land Conservancy. The 350-acre property, which includes forestland adjacent to Secretariat’s birthplace at the State Fairgrounds, will remain agricultural land in perpetuity.
“This is part of our family. Part of the history of the state. Part of the history of this country,” Engel said.
AP and WTVR
The Cove holds special significance as the place where the future Triple Crown champion Secretariat first stretched his legs before his legendary 1973 racing season. Leeanne Ladin with Secretariat for Virginia, an authority on the famous thoroughbred, confirmed the historical importance of the site.
“You can feel the history. That is where Secretariat grazed and played as a young colt,” Ladin said. “There has still never been quite anything like it.”
Engel began farming at The Cove in 1982 and developed a friendship with Secretariat’s trailblazing owner, the late Penny Chenery. In 2023, his family purchased the property to ensure its preservation.
“That was the time where I just wanted to come out by myself and look and say wow we finally got it done and give thanks for that,” Engel said.
The conservation easement means no solar farms, subdivisions or data centers can ever be built where Secretariat once played.
Parker Agelasto with the Capital Region Land Conservancy praised Engel’s vision, noting the timing is crucial as Central Virginia faces rapid development pressure.
“Central Virginia in the last few years has been the fastest growing region of the whole state. We have seen some of our individual counties being the fastest growing in the nation,” Agelasto said.
The property has been an active farm for hundreds of years, making its preservation even more significant for Virginia’s agricultural heritage.
“Where we are is remarkable for its history because it has been an active farm property for hundreds of years,” Agelasto said.
For Engel, protecting The Cove represents something more valuable than potential development profits.
“Money is not everything. It helps, but I want to build something that goes way beyond me,” Engel said. “I want something that sticks around forever.”
The farmer, who describes himself as a Secretariat devotee, was instrumental in bringing a bronze statue of the champion to Ashland in 2024. Now he can ensure future generations will experience the same pastoral landscape that shaped America’s greatest racehorse.
“There are only 50 states in this country, but there is only one state that Secretariat came from. This is it! And this is the spot,” Engel said. “We need to keep this around forever.”
Ladin expressed relief knowing this piece of racing history will be protected.
“It is such a wonderful thing that he and his family did because that really is preserving a special piece of Meadow history and Virginia history absolutely,” Ladin said.
The Cove at Meadow Farm in Caroline County now stands as a permanent testament to Virginia’s equine legacy, where visitors can walk the same fields where a legend once roamed.
“Every piece of land has a story to tell, but you have to let it tell the story. And in this instance, this land is forever connected to Secretariat,” Agelasto said.
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Virginia
Three Takeaways From Virginia Tech Baseball’s Series Win Vs Cal
Berkley, CA — Virginia Tech won their third consecutive ACC series and have won 9 of their last 12 matchups on the diamond. Despite dropping game three in 9-4 fashion, the Hokies needed this series win and got it, putting themselves firmly on the bubble this week.
There’s plenty of takeaways from the series, so here’s my top three.
No. 1: The Hokies are peaking at the right time
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column on what the Hokies would need to do to put themselves in position on the bubble, and they have followed that blueprint to a tee.
I stated that the Hokies would need a 15-4 run going down the stretch, and they’re within striking distance, needing to go 6-1 from here on out with four games against non-conference opponents.
They couldn’t afford another series loss in conference, and they haven’t taken one.
With that run, the Hokies — who sat outside of the top 45 — have moved themselves up to 36th in RPI — a firm bubble position — with a three big ACC games remaining and four must-win non-conference games.
No. 2: Brett Renfrow has found it
What is ‘it’ exactly? Well, he’s the only one that knows.
Over Brett Renfrow’s first two starts in the month of April against Miami and Boston College, he surrendered 12 runs in 11 innings, striking out 10 batters and hurling over 200 pitches in the short time span.
Since then, he’s arguably been the best pitcher in the conference. In his recent three starts, Renfrow has allowed the following statline:
21.0 IP
3 ER
10 H
6 BB
27 K
Those numbers bring an ERA of 1.29 and a K/9 of 11.57.
For those of you who are familiar with the K%-BB% stat, Renfrow’s is sitting at 25.9%. For context, Tarik Skubal — who won the AL Cy Young last year — had a rate of 27.8%.
Brett Renfrow getting back to those strong, consistent starts that we’ve seen in the past is something that Virginia Tech desperately needed from it’s ace, and it will be crucial for the Hokies down the stretch.
No. 3: The Bullpen has been much more consistent
Earlier this season, the Virginia Tech bullpen had a huge issue with blowing leads and losing games.
Against Cal, the Virginia Tech bullpen surrendered just a pair of runs in 10 innings of work.
The highlight of the bullpen as of late has been Chase Swift, who hasn’t given up a run since March 3rd against Marshall. He’s made nine appearances in that time and has posted the following stat-line:
13.1 IP
0 ER
4 H
6 BB
18 K
Much like with Renfrow, consistency from the Virginia Tech bullpen is going to be key down the stretch, and the Hokies are headed in the right direction.
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Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on May 4, 2026
The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 4.
Winning Powerball numbers from May 4 drawing
30-36-42-60-63, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from May 4 drawing
09-10-12-50-52, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from May 4 drawing
3-7-6
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from May 4 drawing
4-6-8-6
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 25 numbers from May 4 drawing
02-03-09-10-20-21
Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
- Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Virginia
Celebrate bike month with a wild ride at the Virginia Zoo
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Zoo will host its annual Bike Night on Friday, May 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in celebration of National Bike Month. This all-ages event offers guests the opportunity to explore 53 acres of the Virginia Zoo’s beautifully landscaped grounds on designated paths.
This is just one of many events planned throughout the City of Norfolk for National Bike Month.
Animal exhibit trails and the Goat Yard will remain open after-hours, until 7:30 p.m. This unique experience allows visitors to observe animal behaviors after regular operating hours.
Local vendors will also be on hand to assist with bike repairs or accessories.
Guests can meet Animal Ambassadors for a Zoo Tales story reading at the ZooLive! Stage at 6 p.m. The evening also features an energizing DJ dance party. The Zoo’s young professionals group, GenZoo, will help attendees craft decorations for their helmets. Local businesses like Slow & Steady Bikes and Goods and East Coast Bicycles will offer bike accessories. Community organizations such as Elizabeth River Trail, Visit Norfolk, Spinclusion and Bike Norfolk are also scheduled to attend.
Member tickets for Bike Night cost $8. Non-member adult tickets are $18, and non-member child tickets are $13. Children under two receive free entry, but a reserved “under two” ticket is still required.
The event is likely to sell out, so if you are interested in attending, it’s best to act fast. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at virginiazoo.org/event/bike-night/.
Bike Night will take place rain or shine.
Rules and Safety
- No Electric Bicycles Permitted (Unless Hybrids with Motors Removed)
- No skateboards, roller skates, or longboards
- Helmets must be worn by all attendees under the age of 18.
- Bikes must be walked on animal trails — no riding.
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