The Shadow
Well, folks, it’s baseball, apple pie, and snake season once again.
Jackson River Sports Complex is crammed full of aspirational young Babe Ruths and Jackie Robinsons… whoops, sorry wrong era… filled with future Shohei Ohtanis, Arron Judges, and Ronald Acuña Jrs. It’s a fine scene to see the place filled with parents and grandparents, all showing great support for their kids and teammates. Truly a wonderful American pastime. However, as an aging parent and grandparent, are you also experiencing something new this year? For some reason, my sports seasoned back-side isn’t taking kindly to sitting on the provided field benches that were assuredly more appropriate for a torture chamber. I guess I’ll have to add chairs to my overflowing 50’ moving van I already procured to shuttle sports equipment back and forth.
Over in Clifton Forge, it seems there’s an unwanted group of snakes riling up the town, with a resident report of a vacant property infested with the unwelcomed varmints. The resident stated, “We’ve had a rattlesnake, copperheads, and black snakes slither onto our property as they come and go from under the house next door.” The resident stated they reported it to Chuck Unroe and Mayor Jeff Irvine last June 2023 without any response. Now the snakes are back with a vengeance.
The Shadow research team reached out to Town Manager Chuck Unroe to get the scaley scoop. Seems part of the issue causing delays in responding is due to the town not having a certified building code enforcer available. (There is one enforcement officer currently in the process of becoming certified.) However, Unroe immediately sent Chris Keyser, public works director to the site and they’ve got a plan to solve the problem immediately. Snakes and ladders anyone?
Seems the sports scene has attracted more than just the usual couch coaches. Last week’s game-goers, stretching from Christiansburg, Covington to Greenbrier County, WV reported several breaking and entering of vehicles in the parking lots.
One Shadower reported, “Someone was breaking the glass out of locked vehicles [at the Jackson River Sports Complex] and if they weren’t locked, opening doors and leaving them open. Police came over the PA system and told everyone to go check their vehicles and if we found a problem to stand by it until an officer came by.”
Mayor Sibold weighed in on the discussion by confirming incidents in multiple locations, including now Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton. Speculation initially revolved around blaming a couple of bad-actor students, but eventually, facts began to point more towards an organized group causing the disturbances.
Greenbrier County gamegoers also reported similar incidents. One source said, “I heard about a couple at the Greenbrier East softball field and Hollowell Park in Lewisburg Friday night. One friend told me her back window was broken out.”
Over in Covington’s Walmart World, the speculation of a gas station in last week’s article caused some concerned callers to ask the all-knowing cognoscenti Allen Dressler about the matter. City Manager Dressler commented, “I have no knowledge of a Walmart gas station. Our Walmart is doing a lot of interior renovation and will be working towards improving traffic direction for pick-up patrons.”
Dressler also responded to the Wright/Dewey Automotive debate covered last week in the Shadow. Dressler stated, “The city is not trading a car wash for a road. There is a vision for the car wash which currently is not functional. The City has made a wonderful investment in our downtown, particularly Maple Avenue. We have one block to go and that is the area where Public Works, the former Collins Hotel, and the Car Wash are located. The property in question has been on the city manager’s desk before Allen and he feels this property benefits all if part of our real estate.”
However, other concerned citizens had a different take on the matter. One citizen stated, “Mr. Perkins, his brother, and one of his workers were there [at the April City Council meeting] to speak against vacating the right of way. Mr. Perkins gave several valid reasons as to why he was against it and asked that it be left as is. But where was Mr. Wright? Why wasn’t he speaking up in support? If Mr. Wright wants to expand, it should have been Mr. Wright asking for the vacate and paying the fees, and survey costs. Why was ‘Allen” doing Wright’s bidding?”
Seems the City is still apparently continuing its theme of doing the bidding for its other favorite organizations. The Shadow has been covering the situation over in the old Edgemont School building where the city provided space for the Recover VA group. Previous statements from the City have indicated they are looking for other locations for the group, but as of Friday, April 19, 2024, there’s no sign of Recover VA attempting to relocate to another building for their operations. Signage continues to spread all over the front of the building. Again, folks aren’t questioning the importance of the group, rather, their more important question is, why is the City favoring one non-profit over another by helping financially with tax-payer-owned assets? Shouldn’t Recover VA rely upon its own wherewithalls like every other organization in the area?
Also in the realms of favoritism, it was overheard that Covington’s local Gauntlet challenge program to help our aspiring businesses is apparently being rigged. Briefly, the Gaunlet program is a wonderful State-wide program that connects entrepreneurs to the training, mentorship, and resources needed for business success. Allegedly, the three businesses have already been chosen to move to the next round before everyone has completed their final pitches or successfully completed the requirements on time. Seems the judges are friends with the businesses.
In honor of Earth Day yesterday, The Shadow has more good news to report on the forever chemicals situation. First, the EPA has indicated a stronger position with Forever chemical polluters and will hold them liable for the costs of cleaning up the chemicals. And Locally, Clifton Forge Town Manager Unroe reported to the Shadow team that they are pleased to report, “Our water treatment plant staff is currently testing for PFAS quarterly. They have performed two tests already and the next one is due next month. All tests have been very well below allowable concentrations.”
The Shadow team also spoke with Bill Wilson, President of the Jackson River Preservation Association (JRPA) for his take on the water situation. Mr. Wilson is one of the most knowledgeable citizens of the Jackson River and its importance to our environment. Mr. Wilson states, “There is a lot going on in the PFAS area, as you know. I am one of four who are urging Va. Tech to research the relationship between general pollution and the decline of wild critters, like Bobwhite Quail, honeybees, butterflies, etc.” He added, “The JRPA has done no testing for PFAS below the mill.”
If you see Bill Wilson out and about or happen to drive by his law offices on Maple Ave, please hand him a $10 or $20 donation to the JRPA. Tests for PFAS forever chemicals run about $300-500, and what better group to advocate for us and perform the independent tests than the JRPA? The Shadow will kickstart the campaign with a $50 donation.
In the law and order department, judgments have been handed down recently to two local residents. First, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday, April 18, that 54-year-old Covington resident Percell Ross Blakely has been sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison. This sentence comes in response to the murder of 62-year-old Andres Valenzuela in New Rochelle in October 2021.
Secondly, the US Attorney’s Office has reported that a man from Low Moor has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, followed by 30 years of supervised release, for traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Court documents and courtroom statements reveal that on May 9, 2023, 42-year-old Jon Pieter Vanbreemen traveled from Covington to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, intending to engage in sexual activities with two underage girls. He was subsequently arrested in White Sulphur Springs. United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force for their diligent investigative efforts in this case.
In the child abuse section, we’ve not heard any updates yet on the alleged student slapping case at a local school. We’ll report when we have more info.
Finally, on the economy. A recent poll in the Shadow Facebook group asked, “How do you currently feel about the economy, and what are your biggest concerns? 51% were pessimistic, mostly concerned about inflation and the rising cost of living. 16% were either optimistic, uncertain, or indifferent. 14% stated illegal immigration and no control over border crossings are causing concern for their economic stability. What’s interesting here is, there seems to be a gap between actual economic performance and economic perceptions. What’s your take?
I’m out of time, and out of coffee, but always inspired by the little league kids who haven’t mastered the required skills to play infield, but still exhibit a ton of grit and perseverance while standing idle in the outfield waiting for a ball that almost never comes their way. They are my heroes.
