Cedar Creek Park is growing slowly:  Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park wasn't established by Congress until 2002 though some private preservation efforts began well before that.  The Visitor Contact Station at 7712 Main St. in Middletown VA, didn't open until March of 2013.  Five different land preservation partners continue to collect parcels of land--either through purchase or donations--as they become available in a long-term plan to complete the park piecemeal.  This is a stark difference from other major battlefield parks, which are typically owned and operated exclusively by the National Park Service.  Karen Beck-Herzog, the site manager said the preservation partners eventually plan on connecting their lands with trails and other pathyways that a visitor can freely pass through after checking in at the Visitors' Center.  (Click here to read more in The Winchester article dated September 1, 2018)  

VDOT seeks comments on US 522 bridge:  The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking comments from the public about a $5.4 million project to replace the US 522 (Front Royal Pike) southbound bridge over Opequon Creek.  Feedback will still be accepted until Friday, September 7th.  Officials say the bridge has reach the end of its service life.  Built in 1953, the two-lane bridge is considered functionally obsolete--meaning the structure as designed with older design features that no longer meet current geometrics or modern traffic needs.  The project is fully paid for by state and federal funding and should begin around April of 2022 with completion estimated at June of 2023.  Local residents can submit written comments about the project to James Johnston at VDOT, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA  24401-9029 or email  james.johnston@vdot.virginia.gov.  (Taken from The Winchester Star article dated September 1, 2018)

Handley rallies again to beat Harrisonburg 24-17: The  Handley football team beat Harrisonburg 24-17 at James R. Wilkins Jr., Stadium by rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit for the second straight week.  "They don't panic," Coach Jones said of his players.  "They just keep going."  The players were over-joyed because this win brought the Sullivan-Potts trophy back to Winchester.  Congratulations!  (Taken from The Winchester Star article dated September 4, 2018)

Local free clinc to expand coverage through Medicaid:  Virginia's long-delayed Medicaid expansion will benefit Sinclair Health Clinic patients.  In January, the local clinic will begin accepting patients who receive Medicaid.  Brandon t. Jennings, clinic executive director, said about 1,600 of the clinic's approximately 2,000 patients will qualify for Medicaid.  His biggest worry is getting the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicaid, to match the amount the state currently pays the clinic for uninsured patients.  The vast majority of clinic patients are the working poor who can't afford healthcare through their jobs.  (For more information see the article in The Star dated September 4, 2018)