In case you missed them, Crystal Graham prepared a roundup of her top stories from 2024 on Augusta Free Press.
From animal welfare to homelessness to mental health, she shares some of her most impactful stories from the year.
Scroll down for links to stories she selected from 2024.
In depth
- Sheriff’s Office investigates ‘questionable’ transactions of former United Way CEO
- Augusta County teen on gender identity: ‘I’m not ashamed of being trans’
- Staunton: Mary Baldwin faces significant financial challenges, including staff cuts
- Virginia mom furious on Alabama IVF ruling: ‘My children would not be here’
- Hey CPR, meet ECMO: A device that’s giving UVA doctors and patients critical time
- Virginia fourth-grader allegedly on ‘kill list’; parent outraged at school’s response
- UVA school safety expert: Threats more common in elementary schools than you’d think
- Threats among elementary school children require intervention ‘to break the cycle’ of behavior
- ACLU sues Liberty University after woman fired: ‘You can be transgender and Christian’
- Analysis: ARPA outlays to local governments totaled $60.5M; breaking down how it was spent
- UVA Health allegations to be reviewed; findings will have very limited audience
- Review promised in response to letter seeking resignation of two top UVA employees
Animals/Animal welfare
- Augusta County dog shot by neighbor miraculously survives, facing surgery or amputation
- Price tag for new animal shelter in Augusta County is double the initial estimate
- Augusta County man who killed PTSD veteran’s service dog gets six months in jail
- Neighbor who murdered Virginia vet’s service dog to be sentenced Wednesday
- Cost to move animal shelter to Verona higher than estimate; timeline is uncertain
- Animal shelter policy prohibits volunteers, staff from discussing euthanasia
- Advocates disappointed in ‘light’ sentences in recent animal cruelty cases
- Justice served in Virginia? Puppy starves to death; felony plea deal only 30 days in jail
- Justice for Koi: Swoope man sentenced in case of dog with severe burns
- Grand jury issues indictment in shooting death of Virginia service dog
Housing insecurity/homelessness
- On the verge of homelessness: Waynesboro faces high housing demand, low inventory
- No safety net: Families desperate, experiencing homelessness in Waynesboro
- Not in my back yard: Community buy-in will be necessary to overcome housing insecurity
- Hope House rapid rehousing program offers young adults an alternative to homelessness
- Waynesboro’s HERO: Nonprofit aims to help prevent utility cutoffs, evictions
- Source: Approximately 30 renters evicted from Brandon Ladd Apartments in Waynesboro
- Mission impossible? Groups organize with goal to get everyone housed in SAW region
- Official count shows ‘concerning’ increase in individuals experiencing homelessness
- WARM cold weather shelter sees 33 percent increase, likely fueled by housing crisis
Mental health and health
- Location identified for $15M behavioral health facility, could be operational by 2027
- Harrisonburg: A mental health crisis is among top five emergency calls to police
- Regional mental health facility moving forward, ground-breaking likely in 2025
- UVA experts on teens: ‘It’s not unusual’ for them to have thoughts of suicide
- Elective procedures at UVA Health postponed due to nationwide shortage of IV fluids
- Expert on Boar’s Head recall: Businesses ‘generally work hard’ to serve safe food
- Researcher: Study finds ‘significant increase in pediatric suicides’ in Virginia, nationwide
- Mental health crisis center has support; momentum stalled until location, funding secured
- VCSB working to respond to those in crisis; ease burden on hospitals, first responders
- Waynesboro Schools work to meet needs of students, including mental health
Features/columns
- Election 2024: From the reddest part of a blue state, I’m disappointed in you, America
- I’m a childless dog mom, and I care about America, no matter what JD Vance thinks
- Crystal Graham: Family ties to the town of Jarratt, its history, its namesake, run deep
- There will never be another Mochi, my miniature poodle with a heart-shaped nose
- ‘Everyone is welcome’: The Faded Poppy repurposes Outfitters building on East Main Street
- $350M project that will transform Virginia Beach Oceanfront to open next spring
- Virginia author aims to reach queer youth with message: ‘You are beautiful’
- Emily Henline: From the Shenandoah Valley to Nashville, she’s living ‘the dream’
- A.D. Carson, the Professor of Hip Hop at UVA: ‘I’ve accomplished my goal if I am just a rapper’
- SJ McDonald: Rockbridge County native, songwriter pursuing her country-music dreams
Waynesboro
- Terry Short wants to move ‘big rocks’ in final term on Waynesboro City Council
- Waynesboro: Lorie Strother to be a voice for the East side in new role as Council member
- Next in line? Kenny Lee open to the idea of serving as mayor in Waynesboro
- Waynesboro: Cottage court housing must address the affordability crisis, period
- Waynesboro: Three miles of additional trails to be built at Sunset Park in 2025
- No conflict: Experience makes realtor valuable on Waynesboro Planning Commission
- Green light: Waynesboro paves way for 400-unit development to address housing shortage
- No federal dollars: Waynesboro expects state to come through with museum funds
- Source: Waynesboro teachers rely on Amazon wish lists, but now told to take them down
- Could cottages be the answer to affordable housing in Waynesboro? Maybe
- Waynesboro’s South River access, greenway transformed; result is ‘pretty spectacular’
- Is Waynesboro still getting its museum? State budget leaves money out
- Waynesboro embraces connection to outdoors; prepares to open Sunset Park to the public
- Waynesboro explores 400-unit housing development on land intended for public park
- Downtown revival, popularity of coffee makes Espresso Bar concept timely for Waynesboro
- Screamer sirens being deployed in Waynesboro around sunset with goal to deter vultures
A look back at the top stories from 2023
- Crystal Graham: Top 2023 stories focused on animal welfare, affordable housing, mental health
- A look back: The top news and sports stories of 2023 from #teamAFP
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