From animal welfare to homelessness and mental health to weather, she shares some of her most impactful stories from the year.
Scroll down for links to news and sports stories from 2023.
News
Expert: Virginia earthquakes classified as swarm; ‘much larger earthquake’ possible
Valley ASAP program appears to be in disarray, court appointments in limbo
Waynesboro: South River Greenway extension from North Park to Basic Park likely in 2024
Sunset Park in Waynesboro has potential to be open by end of year
Goodbye asphalt, hello open space: Waynesboro begins work on South River Preserve
Waynesboro: City manager buries denial of rental inspection program
Harrisonburg: Controversial KKK flyers distributed over weekend throughout city
Waynesboro: Rising temperatures don’t meet ‘criteria for a cooling center’
Youngkin celebrates first lab school; critics say governor ‘waging war’ against K-12 ed
Roe v. Wade anniversary: Legislators push to restore the right to seek abortion care
Waynesboro High School pride message gets ‘positive and supportive’ response
Staunton DEI Commission chair: Diversity, equity, inclusion work ‘is not lip service for us’
Waynesboro supports closing tourism information center, no plans to explore new location
Trains move hazardous materials through the Valley: Are we prepared for a derailment?
Sunset Park under construction with $2.5 million price tag, trails on hold
Augusta County hearing: ‘For the safety of everyone involved, there need to be cameras’
Augusta County resident waiting on Waynesboro to solve ‘toxic water’ problem
Injustice: It’s time for someone to go to bat for Jennifer and Linda Lubin
‘Not forgotten’: Birth mother, grandmother fight for parental rights for two children
Town of Grottoes votes to close Grand Caverns pool, citing leaks, staffing issues
Waynesboro ransomware attack isn’t the only security issue the city has faced
Waynesboro City Manager confirms digital infrastructure was stolen, posted online
Ransomware group claims it has infiltrated Waynesboro city government, police data
Waynesboro seeks grant to construct trail from Blue Ridge Tunnel to downtown
Finally! Waynesboro receives $3.9M grant to develop property near exit 96
No opening date available for Waynesboro-Augusta Health Department
Sports
On anniversary of UVA shooting deaths, event to discuss gun violence, stories of healing
Minority children are more likely to drown: Waynesboro Y working to save lives
Damar Hamlin injury, response keeps spotlight on athletic trainers, sports medicine
Former NFL player on Damar Hamlin, UVA football tragedy, mental health
Athletic trainer recalls injury to varsity baseball player similar to one on ‘Monday Night Football’
Scary NFL injury highlights need for CPR, AED training at youth-sports level
Annabelle and SVASC
New animal shelter designs shared with owners’ group, public invited to offer comment
Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center makes progress on internal procedures
Animal shelter closed May 3-5 for development of ‘administrative procedures’
Augusta County leader demands answers on questionable animal shelter deaths
Animal advocates ask Waynesboro City Council to use tragedy as catalyst for change
Augusta County residents demand justice after shelter euthanizes four dogs
Critics question Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center move, citing costs, capacity
Craigsville dog euthanized by shelter; owner was waiting for paycheck to pick up pet
#JusticeforBuddyBear
Charges against Virginia man who killed vet’s service dog go to the grand jury
Virginia military veteran speaks out about service dog’s murder, justice ahead of court date
GoFundMe account set up for veteran whose service dog was shot and killed by neighbor
Protective orders granted for vet, neighbor from man, wife in service dog shooting case
Explainer: Details of the case involving the Augusta County man who killed a vet’s service dog
Wife of man accused of killing service dog attempts to run down vet, second husky
Augusta County: Conditions for bond released for man accused of killing veteran’s service dog
Augusta County judge approves bond for man accused of killing vet’s service dog
Augusta County: Bond appeal filed by man accused of killing neighbor’s service dog
Bond denied for Augusta County man accused of shooting service dog
New to Virginia, Augusta County military vet’s service dog shot and killed by neighbor
Business/Nonprofits
Noise ordinance amendment on the table to address growth of music venues in Waynesboro
Wayne Theatre to build music and technical resource center; requests $5M grant from state
Construction set to begin in 2025 on Museum of Natural History Waynesboro campus
Waynesboro purchases decibel meter, reviewing noise ordinance related to entertainment venues
Patina Italian Inspired: High integrity, simple ingredients, contemporary approach
Waynesboro: River City Bread Basket aims to help people on the ‘fringe’
Urban winery with Bohemian vibe opens in Metalcrafters building in Waynesboro
Century old Coca-Cola ghost mural to get new life in Charlottesville
Waynesboro veterinarian ‘Dr. Dan’ hanging up stethoscope after 55 years in practice
Arcadia Project receives $1.5 million in grant funding; venue expected to open in 2025
Buc-ee’s Travel Center expanding to Rockingham County, opening slated for 2025
Waynesboro noise ordinance subjective; business owner asks city to define decibel levels
The Foundry owner challenges ‘noise,’ working with city leaders for more clarification
Family feud of 20+ years pits restaurant owners against each other in Facebook spat
Three years in, Bottles owners finally taking a moment to celebrate their success
From trash to treasure: Art Hive emphasizes creative reuse at gallery coming soon to Staunton
Micah’s Coffee on frustrating delays: ‘We miss you; we will be back’
Shenandoah Valley Art Center director: Main Street location is the ‘realization of a big vision’
Magnolia Rose growing, planning for teen outreach and home for sex trafficking survivors
Basic City Beer creates destination with 800-person music venue, restaurant
Laurie’s Chocolates comes full circle in Staunton with popularity of ‘Harry Potter’
Feature stories and columns
Friendship and fruitcake: How tradition has kept two buddies connected for nearly two decades
Swifties, beware: I almost became a victim to a Taylor Swift ticket scam
Meet Happy Hobble: A new ‘family help’ genre of mental wellness books
An entire day in the Charlotte airport: Shopping, $25 margaritas, a Minute Suite
‘Monster hunters’ wanted: Sign up to volunteer for Loch Ness monster search
Staunton entrepreneur finds her voice, overcomes mental health challenges
Hanging out with my 20-something friend brought out the ‘mom’ in me
An adoption story: Rockingham County couple open their hearts to foster and ‘fail’
2,000 stories filed and counting: I’m now the second most prolific writer on the AFP staff
Augusta County author Elizabeth Massie to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Want to see Bigfoot? If you are in Virginia, you better be ready to hit the road
Friends of SVASC steps in to help dog owner in need with life-saving surgery
Affordable housing/homelessness
Waynesboro: Homeless advocate to spend 24 hours outside for challenge to raise awareness
Waynesboro City Council, RHA address affordable housing crisis for those on the fringe
Virginia Organizing renews call for rental inspection program in Waynesboro
Housing summit brings stakeholders together; CFCBR hopes to maintain momentum
Region’s cold-weather shelter to double capacity; offer respite to ‘feel like a human being’
Harrisonburg faces uncertain timeline for homeless center due to supply chain, cost issues
HUD to distribute $7.5 million to Virginia for efforts to increase affordable housing
Eviction prevention efforts in Arlington helped prevent homelessness during COVID-19
Zoning compliance for Waynesboro B Street homeless encampment ‘will take time’
Homeless encampment on B Street in Waynesboro remains open – for now
Time’s up: Ten days pass, homeless remain at B Street encampment in Waynesboro
Waynesboro renters living with mold, leaks afraid to report conditions, fear retaliation
Waynesboro had a day shelter for the homeless; it was shut down due to zoning
Recent HUD funds won’t address homeless, affordable housing in Waynesboro
Despite options, most Tent City residents ‘pitched their tents elsewhere’
City of Waynesboro awarded $597K to improve affordable housing in River City
Evicted again: Police assisting B Street landowner with ‘trespass enforcement’ of homeless
Property owner responds: Has ‘compassion’ for homeless, will allow them to stay on land
Resident: Tent City evictees land at B Street encampment, ‘unsafe’ for children
Harrisonburg shares vision, designs for Homeless Services Center
Local ministry on the ground helping Waynesboro’s homeless survive, thrive
Citizens urge Waynesboro to take the lead on homelessness, affordable housing
Ending homelessness: What can Waynesboro do to prevent the next Tent City?
Homeless population packing up, moving out of Tent City in Waynesboro
Waynesboro homeowner says B Street homeless encampment ‘not safe’
Harrisonburg ready to share designs for planned Homeless Services Center
Tent City evictions: Councilman thinks the city should have answers for housing problem
Evicted: Waynesboro’s homeless population served trespassing orders for Tent City
Mental health
Christmas season full of cheer for some; overwhelming, stressful for others
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announces strategy to improve youth mental health in Virginia
UVA researchers find unlikely source that may help people with stress, depression, anxiety
Virginia partners with community, faith organizations on mental health, substance use
Bipartisan bill looks to learn more about VA benefits that may help prevent suicide
World Mental Health Day: Make plans now to address seasonal affective disorder, or SAD
Augusta Health removes mental health language from credentialing applications
Virginia Tech expert: Tips to help at-risk dog breeds survive climate change
Department of Defense continues work to prevent suicide in the military community
Legislators want information from VA on root causes, risk factors of veteran suicides
Medical boards, health systems make it safer for employees to seek mental health care
Region’s suicide rates almost double state, national average; treatment options in the works
School’s in session: Bullying brings fear to many elementary school students
Expert: Tips to help children with stress, anxiety of returning to school
Not just new clothes and supplies; mental health treatment also on back-to-school list
Harrisonburg on track to better address mental, behavioral health with ARPA fund distribution
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline sees increase of 2 million contacts, adds Spanish, LGBTQI+ outreach
Senate committee passes bill with directives to strengthen mental health care
Virginia delivers for behavioral health, signing bills to support workforce, individuals in crisis
Explainer: How the wildfires are impacting our physical and mental health
Congress stepping in to reduce suicide, working to create grants for nets on bridges
JMU expert: Mental Health Awareness Month ends, climate anxiety discussion not over
U.S. death rate reaches all-time record due to alcohol, drugs and suicide
Music artist Kevin Gates: Mental health struggles shouldn’t be taboo
DNA markers for increased risk of schizophrenia identified for first time in newborns
Mental Health Month: More funding needed for behavioral health providers
Mental Health Month: Harrisonburg opens up local ARPA mental health grants
Mental Health Month: Poor diet, lack of exercise remain after pandemic ends
New program would connect veterans overcoming ‘mental wounds of war’
Time for change? ‘I’ve lost more soldiers to suicide than I have to enemy combatants’
Mental health for farmers: A small gesture can go a long way for those who aren’t OK
Sen. John Fetterman on depression treatment: Care ‘changed my life’
After one year of input, DoD response to suicide prevention in the military is more studies
New podcast to help provide ‘desperately needed’ support to kids and teens
New mental health facility aims to meet demand for Virginians with depression, anxiety
Department of Defense updates approach to suicide prevention after internal review
Research may lead to new therapies for depression, anxiety, stress
Majority of teen girls feel sad, hopeless; ‘need more support to thrive’
Eligible students in Waynesboro receiving mental health treatment, counseling
$4.5M in grants available to support veteran suicide prevention, addiction
VT students analyzing Reddit to better understand mental health, prevent suicide
Central Virginia farm family on mental health: ‘Be vulnerable with each other’
Metallica brings attention to our demons inside with ‘Screaming Suicide’
Virginians believe behavioral health should be ‘high priority’ for General Assembly
Team to study suicide prevention, mental health accessibility for LGBTQ+ youth
$245 million allocated to support mental health of youth, health care workforce
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Crystal Graham
