Virginia

West Virginia fire departments brace for high risk of wildfires this fall

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

West Virginia fire departments brace for high risk of wildfires this fall

MOOREFIELD, Wv. (WHSV) – Six months after wildfires spread across the Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia, the Mountain State is preparing for a fall season with a high risk of more wildfires due to dry conditions.

Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company Chief Doug Mongold said some counties in southern West Virginia already have burn bans in place, and he expects more counties to follow suit.

“I think the biggest fear now is because it’s been such a dry summer, and it looks like to me it’s going to be an early fall, the leaves are already falling from the trees,” Mongold said. “That’s a big problem with leaves falling already — that just increases the fire fuel if there is a fire.”

Mongold said he encourages people around West Virginia not to burn unless they absolutely have to.

“If they don’t have to burn, just don’t burn at all. If you have to burn with a campfire or whatever, just make sure you have the perimeter around it cleared and you have water there in case something does go wrong,” Mongold said. “If you have any fire at all, call the fire department and at least get them started, because the sooner you catch [it] the better chance you have of putting it out. So, just be diligent in doing those things.”

Beyond raising awareness and encouraging fire safety, Mongold said there is not much local fire departments can do to prepare for possible fall wildfires. However, he said there are now more resources available on the state level.

“On the state level, it appears that they’ve been doing some stuff and came up with some money. Now I see that State Forestry has dozers and some new side-by-sides with firefighting equipment on the back, such as tanks and hose reels and that kind of stuff,” Mongold said.

While volunteer numbers around the nation have declined for volunteer fire companies Mongold said that Moorefield has been fortunate to maintain a good number of volunteers.

“We still have a good number of people compared to a lot of departments, but when you get on a fire that’s a couple days long, you deplete those very quickly because those people still have to work and that kind of stuff. So, it gets a little tough sometimes,” he said.

Nevertheless, Mongold said fire departments around the region and state agencies did learn from the wildfires in the spring.

“I think there could be better communication between all the agencies involved, whether it’s the state forestry, the state office of emergency management and the 911 centers,” Mongold said. “We were wanting satellite view maps of the area so you can see ‘Maybe we can go in over here.’ We’ll be better prepared if it happens again. We’ve got better resources to get those kinds of things, but working together and communicating better will definitely help that.”

Mongold stressed that if you see any smoke or signs of fire, make sure to call 911.

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Virginia

Final polls predict winners of New York, New Jersey, Virginia elections

Published

9 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Press Room

Final polls predict winners of New York, New Jersey, Virginia elections

Newsweek has rounded up what the latest polls are saying about the elections in New York, New Jersey and Virginia as Americans cast their votes.

Why It Matters

The 2025 races in the three states are drawing national attention as voters prepare to select leaders in three high-profile contests.

The results could set the tone for the 2026 midterms and provide insight into shifting political dynamics on the East Coast. The outcomes will also serve as a measure of support for the Democratic and Republican parties.

What To Know

New York City Mayor’s Race

Democrat Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is favored to win the mayoral contest against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

According to the latest Marist Poll (conducted October 24-28), Mamdani leads Cuomo by 16 points among likely voters, 48 percent to 32 percent, with Sliwa at 16 percent. The poll sampled 792 likely voters and has a margin of error of =/-4.2 percent.

A separate AtlasIntel poll places Mamdani’s lead at 4.5 points over Cuomo (43.9 percent to Cuomo’s 39.4 percent). Some 2,404 people were surveyed between October 31 and November 2. The poll has a margin of error of =/- 2 percentage points.

In a Fox News poll, Mamdani has a 16-point lead with 47 percent on Cuomo (31 percent). These results are based on 971 likely voters questioned between October 24 and October 28—there is a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

New Jersey Governor’s Race

The New Jersey gubernatorial race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is one of the closest in recent history.

The latest AtlasIntel poll (October 25-30; 1,639 likely voters, =/-2 percent margin) gives Sherrill a narrow edge, 50.2 percent to 49.3 percent.

Meanwhile, a John Zogby Strategies poll, carried out among 1,205 people between October 31 and November 3, places Sherrill ahead (55 percent) of Ciattarelli (43.4 percent). There is a +/- 2.9 percentage point margin of error.

Research Co. also has Sherrill in the lead with 3 points more than Ciattarelli (52 percent to 48 percent) among 450 likely voters questioned between November 2 and 3—there is a =/- 4.5 percentage point margin of error.

Virginia Governor’s Race

Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger appears favored over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.

Trafalgar Group has given her a 5.6 percentage point lead over Earle-Sears (49.8 percent to 43.3 percent). Meanwhile, the latest Insider Advantage survey of 800 likely voters (questioned between November 2 and 3) has Spanberger at 50 percent and Earle-Sears at 40 percent. There is a +/- 3.46 percentage point margin of error.

Research Co.’s poll (November 2 and 3 among 450 likely voters) shows Spanberger with a lead of 54 percent over Winsome Earle-Sears’s 46 percent. There is a =/- 4.6 percent margin of error.

What People Are Saying

Statistician Nate Silver, founder of FiveThirtyEight (538), said about the race in New Jersey: “A close race could just come down to Sherrill being part of an unpopular two-time incumbent party. That’s why it’s going to be hard to infer much from this election, either about the state of New Jersey or the broader political environment.”

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, outside New York City Hall on Monday: “I continue to be confident about our chances heading into Election Day tomorrow. But I will not allow myself or let this movement to become complacent.”

What Happens Next

Polling places in New York, New Jersey and Virginia are open for in-person voting, with initial results expected to emerge after polls close Tuesday evening.

High mail-in and early voting rates add potential uncertainty—final outcomes may not be clear until late Tuesday or Wednesday.

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Virginia

Virginia is about to make history! Earle-Sears, Spanberger make final push as Election Day approaches.

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

Virginia is about to make history! Earle-Sears, Spanberger make final push as Election Day approaches.

RICHMOND, Va. — Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger made their final appeals to Virginia voters across the Commonwealth on Monday, as each hopes to make history as the state’s first female governor.

Earle-Sears began her day at Shorty’s Diner in Henrico County, flipping pancakes and serving coffee alongside the Republican statewide ticket and Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“We’re going to keep it moving. Our Governor has begun it. We’re going to finish it,” Earle-Sears told supporters gathered at the restaurant. “Do you like what we’ve been doing in Virginia? Well, Abigail Spanberger was never a part of it. She hasn’t been a part of creating any of these jobs, she hasn’t been a part of helping Virginia to remain safe and secure.”

WTVR

Shakile Ali, an Earle-Sears supporter, said he backs her positions on school choice and policies regarding transgender students in sports and bathrooms.

What Virginia voters are telling CBS 6 about the Virginia economy and their vote

“I believe that the love of her country, the love of Virginia is what makes me support her the most. From her guidance, her family values, the Christian values make me support her,” Ali said.

Just blocks away on West Broad Street, Spanberger’s campaign bus arrived at a field office to energize volunteers before a day of door-knocking.

“We are giving people not just hope, but a plan and a path towards utilizing that hope,” Spanberger said. “Virginians, tomorrow, will make clear that we want a governor who’s focused on lowering costs, strengthening our communities, strengthening our public schools and growing our economy despite all the challenges we see coming out of D.C.”

Patty Heidelmark, who has volunteered for Spanberger since 2018, said she supports the candidate’s positions on public education, women’s rights, and healthcare.

“I’m a Type 1 diabetic. I’m on a pump. Insulin saves my life. She has supported healthcare and the need for healthcare for people. Especially people of my age, who are in our 60s,” Heidelmark said.

A recent Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey showed Spanberger leading Earle-Sears by double digits in the historic race.

What’s on the mind of Virginia voters in Chesterfield?

More than 1.4 million Virginia voters have already cast ballots during the early voting period, which has now closed. Polls will open at 6 a.m. on Election Day and remain open until 7 p.m.

CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.

📲: CONNECT WITH US

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.

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Virginia

Jackets Cap Virginia Trip With Sweep of Hokies

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

Jackets Cap Virginia Trip With Sweep of Hokies

BLACKSBURG, VA. – Georgia Tech volleyball (12-9, 7-5 ACC) capped its road trip in Virginia with a sweep of Virginia Tech (10-13, 2-10 ACC) on Sunday afternoon.

QUICK HITS

The Jackets’ offense was led by both senior DeAndra Pierce and freshman Anna Fiedorowicz with nine kills respectively.
Fiedorowicz nine kills were accompanied by one assist, one solo block, one block assist, three service aces and eight digs.
Her three service aces are the fourth most for a Yellow Jacket in a single match this season while her one solo block tied her career high for the third time.
Bianca Garibaldi and Mimi Mambu assisted Pierce and Fiedorowicz on offense with eight kills apiece.
For Garibaldi, those eight kills were her most kills since the 10 she recorded against North Carolina and tied for her third most this season.
The sophomore also saw her second-best attack percentage of the season (.615), just behind her .750 attack percentage against Ole Miss in the season opener.
Mambu finished the day with one solo block and one block assist as well which is the fourth time in her career she has recorded a solo block.
The Virginia native’s eight kills against Virginia Tech mark the fifth consecutive match that she has recorded no less than eight kills.
Sofia Velez recorded her 17th game of the season, her seventh consecutive match, with double digit digs. Her 10 digs bring her to 122 games recording 10+ digs out of 131 total collegiate games.
Heloise Soares was responsible for 34 of Tech’s 39 assists on Sunday, which was her fourth most assists in a three-set match this season.
Soares also recorded 10 digs alongside Velez, which was the seventh time she has recorded 10+ digs in a match this season.
Freshman Laura Bieleski tied her career high attack percentage on Sunday as well as she finished the day with a .333 attack percentage.
Georgia Tech recorded its second most aces in a single match this season (8) for the third time with the other two being against No. 17 Purdue and No. 5 Pitt.
The Jackets extend their lead in the overall series against the Hookies, 22-10, and are now 12-6 while playing Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Photos vs. Virginia Tech

Photos by Tyler Rover

SET BY SET

Set 1 (GT 25 – VT 16)

Virginia Tech got the jump on Georgia Tech in set one but the Jackets were quickly able to work their way back to a set one win as well as hold the Hokies’ offense to a .000 attack percentage. The Hokies held the set one lead through to 13-11, despite the Yellow Jackets tying the set 11-11. An exceptional eight-point scoring run from Georgia Tech took the lead 19-13 before a service error gave another point to Virginia Tech. The Jackets went on to outscore the Hokies, 6-2, for the set one win. Pierce and Fiedorowicz notched three kills respectively, with Fiedorowicz holding a .500 attack percentage. Soares saw a .455 assist percentage as she earned 10 assists on 22 attempts. Bieleski and Fiedorowicz led in digs with four apiece. Fiedorowicz was also present defensively at the net as she along with Pierce, Garibaldi, and Soares all saw a piece of a block.

Set 2 (GT 25 – VT 20)

Set two began tight with the hosting Tech once again taking a small lead early (9-6). A three-point run for Georgia Tech tied the set at 17 apiece before the Hookies called a timeout. That timeout would prove to be of no avail as the Yellow Jackets went on to outscore the Hokies 8-3 for the set two win. Georgia Tech saw its most kills of the match during set two (17) as well as its highest attack percentage of the match (.324) while holding Virginia Tech to below a .200 attack percentage (.121) and only 10 kills. Garibaldi could not be contained on offense as she led both teams with six kills and a .857 attack percentage. Pierce (4), Mambu (3), and Fiedorowicz (3) saw a multi-kill set as well. Soares tallied another 14 assists as well as four digs.

Set 3 (GT 25 – VT 18)

Set three saw the visiting Tech take an early lead with kills from Despiagne, an ace from Garibaldi, and an error from Virginia Tech (4-1). The Hokies were able to quickly bring the set within two points (5-3) but that would be the closest they got to tying the set as the Jackets continued to extend their lead. Despite battling to make the set 19-16, Georgia Tech record six of the final eight points of the set for a 25-8 set three win. Mambu, Despaigne, and Fiedorowicz collected three final kills while Soares stacked another 10 assists and five digs. Velez saw her best set defensively in the third with a team high six digs.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets are set to continue their five-match road swing against Boston College on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on Syracuse on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and at www.ramblinwreck.com.

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