THIS ARTICLE IS COMMENTARY AND INCLUDED IN OUR COLUMNS SECTION.
While manhunts and murder trials gained public’s attention, local elections consumed community throughout the year
By Randy Arrington, publisher
LURAY, Dec. 30 — It’s always amazing to reflect on how much takes place within 12 months in our small corner of the Shenandoah Valley. Although known as a quiet place to live still, the Page Valley had its share of memorable moments in 2023 — some monumental shifts that will have impacts for years to come, and others simply a flash point in history.
While attempting to log and rank the “top stories” of the year for Page County, we sometimes decided to create concepts that group several stories into one general thought or category. As our community does each year, we experienced a number of fatal accidents, fires and some crime-related stories that we did not include or attempt to “rank.”
The thing to remember about these types of lists — and news in general — is that it is subjective; what is an important story to one reader will be completely ignored by another. Page Valley News offers this perspective on 2023 as simply a retelling of the collective experiences the community shared in the past year. The particular order of their presentation does not strengthen or weaken their importance to the lives they touched.
In addition to a few “Honorable Mention” listings at the end of the story, we also included the actual Top 10 posts on our website, strictly in terms of hits/readers, as reported by Google Analytics.
For those who greatly disagree with the inclusion, omission, or order of any issues or incidents that occurred in Page County in 2023, consider posting an original Top 10 list or suggested changes in our comment section below.
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#1 Incumbents rule the day
“I’ve risked so much and worked too hard to not follow this process to the end.”
Nov. 13, 2023 ~ Statement by Kim Bailey to PVN about seeking a recount
While there may have been bigger stories in the moment (like the manhunt below), no other issue consumed local residents over the course of the entire year more than the local elections of 2023. While the tight sheriff’s race was the most talked about, the four-way race for clerk of the court proved to be the closest — coming down to just nine votes following a recount.
While 10 local candidates went unchallenged, four of the five contested county races on the Page ballot came down to small margins, with 9,260 ballots cast and a voter turnout of 53.7 percent. All four contested county incumbents will return to office, while the Shenandoah Council will see a new face by a mere 49 votes.
One-term incumbent Grayson Markowitz will remain the clerk of the Page County Circuit Court for the next eight years following a recount of 8,766 ballots cast in the four-way race this fall. Despite the addition of a handful of ballots, Markowitz still retained his victory by a narrow margin of only nine votes — a difference of just over one-tenth of 1 percent of the ballots cast — following a recount requested by second-place finisher and 17-year former clerk staffer Kim Bailey.
Chad Cubbage will remain the Sheriff of Page County for a third, four-year term after defeating independent challenger Aaron Cubbage by just under 350 votes among nearly 9,000 ballots cast in the race.
Becky Smith won re-election to a third term as commissioner of the revenue by a 3-to-1 margin over indepedent challenger Thomas Bauserman.
Allen Louderback retained his seat in District 2 on the Page County Board of Supervisors for a second, four-year term by 129 votes over independent challenger and Paula Kibler.
Chris Reisinger earned a spot on the Shenandoah Council by 49 votes over challenger Brenda Frazier Haggett. The special election will fill the unexpired term of Russ Comer, who stepped down from the council this summer.
Commonwealth Attorney Bryan Cave and Treasurer Penny Gray were both unopposed and will return to their constitutional offices for another four-year term. The board of supervisors will add Ryan Cubbage in District 3 (unopposed), who will replace Mark Stroupe; and Isaac Smelser in District 4 (unopposed), who will replace vice chair Larry Foltz.
The Page County School Board will keep two and add two — all unopposed on Tuesday’s ballot — as Taylor Alger (Dist. 1) and Duane Painter (Dist. 4) remain on the board, and Michael Overfelt (Dist. 2) and Renee Bryant (Dist. 3) will join them as new members, replacing Rolf Gubler and Dr. Amy Painter, respectively.
Jimmy Burke and Charles Newton were unopposed for the two seats for Page County on the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water District board.
There are 17,244 registered voters, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Incumbents rule the day in narrow county races
Recount anticipated in close clerk’s race
No change in clerk’s race outcome, despite finding another vote for Bailey during recount
Decision 2023 ~ Master Guide to in-county races for Page County ballot Nov. 4
#2 Manhunt in Jollett Hollow
“My staff and I are working around the clock to ensure that the appropriate resources are being utilized and deployed to find and capture Timothy Comer…We will not stop until he is found. Anyone who is found to be harboring, assisting, or aiding Comer in any way, will be charged accordingly. We will utilize every available resource we have at our disposal.”
July 11, 2023 ~ Statement issued by Page County Sheriff Chad Cubbage
At about 5:05 p.m. on June 29, the Page County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call in reference to a “man down” in the 5600 block of Jollett Road. That launched a two-week manhunt.
The first 11 days of the 15-day search for Timothy Comer utilized resources from the sheriff’s office in Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties, as well as the Virginia State Police. The search was joined by U.S. Marshals soon after a fatal fire on the same block of Jollett Road claimed at least two lives on Sunday, July 9. Found the next day among the debris once the site cooled, the remains of two bodies were sent to the Chief Medical Examiner in Manassas.
On July 11, marshals started offering a $2,500 reward for information on the whereabouts of Comer. Two days later, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the search and added another $7,500 to the reward purse. At 9:37 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 — just a few hours after the reward money increased three-fold to $10,000 — Comer was in custody.
Timothy Thomas Comer, 55, was been charged with a Class 2 felony for the first-degree murder of Gregory Lee Williams.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Comer charged with first-degree murder
Manhunt intensifies in Jollett area, $2,500 reward for information on whereabouts of suspect
Sheriff’s Office searching for key suspect in Jollett Road homicide
#3 Shenandoah man found guilty of murder in shooting of father and son
“It’s what I wanted to hear…I’m a widow because of him.”
May 10, 2023 ~ Lisa Campbell, outside Page County Courthouse after jury’s guilty verdict
Scott Simandl sat and stared at the wall directly in front of him inside the Page County Circuit Courtroom for more than seven hours on Wednesday, May 10, while 12 jurors reviewed testimony from more than 30 witnesses (with several being recalled) and examined dozens of exhibits serving as evidence — 65 entered by the prosecution alone.
The jury rendered a verdict of guilty on all four felony charges, from the first degree murder of Jay Campbell to the aggravated malicious wounding of Justice Campbell, and a firearms charge associated with each shooting on July 21, 2022 on Buzzard View Place near Shenandoah.
Simandl’s attorney argued self-defense and questioned the character and activities of the victims. After being found guilty in May, Simandl was sentenced in September to a total of life, plus 46 years.
Simandl received a life sentence for his conviction on a Class 2 felony for the July 21, 2022 first degree murder of Jay Campbell. He received an additional 40-year prison sentence, with 20 years suspended, for the aggravated malicious wounding of Justice Campbell on that same day. He then received an additional three years in prison for each of two felony weapons charges (use of firearm in the commission of a felony) related to the murder and the aggravated malicious wounding.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Shenandoah shooter sentenced to life, plus 46 years for murder, wounding and weapons charges
Jury finds Shenandoah man guilty of first degree murder in July shooting of father and son
Shenandoah man indicted on first degree murder, assault charges during January grand jury session
Shenandoah shooter denied bail a second time, living victim tells story of ‘out of the blue’ attack
#4 Shenandoah National Park adds 1,000 acres
“The land obviously has special meaning to all of them…So we thank them for sharing it with the rest of the country.”
May 18, 2023 ~ Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Pat Kenney on three families who donated land at Tanner’s Ridge
Nearly 60 folks gathered on Tanner’s Ridge just north of Stanley on May 18 for the public announcement of the transfer of three separate parcels of land from the Shenandoah National Park Trust to the park itself, which officially took place in October. The Trust purchased a total of 969 acres from three families for about $3 million on Jan. 28, 2021, and then placed the land under a conservation easement held by the Valley Conservation Council for about 18 months.
The Tanner’s Ridge property is believed to be the second-largest donation of land to a national park among the National Park Services’ 424 units, with the largest taking place at Big Bend National Park. It was noted that Shenandoah was “close to another donation” of land involving several hundred acres.
The three combined properties are home to two creeks, including the headwaters of the Naked Creek watershed — tributaries to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. A section of the West Branch of Naked Creek that supports brook trout and other headwater fisheries will be protected through this acquisition.
The parcels bordered the national park and include the surrounding flanks and most of Chapman Mountain. The large acreage of contiguous and relatively undisturbed woodland and forested habitat will provide habitat to black bears, migratory birds, bats (potentially including Indiana Bat and Northern Long-Eared Bat), and other wildlife.
ORIGINAL STORY
Shenandoah National Park adds nearly 1,000 acres at Tanner’s Ridge thanks to three families
#5 Shenandoah Elementary’s ups and downs
“She told me the police were drawing their weapons and deploying toward the school from a nearby church…She was freaking out a little bit…so was I…It’s a very helpless feeling…my heart just goes out to others who weren’t okay when something like this happens.”
March 30, 2023 ~ Shenandoah Elementary parent George Thomas after talking with his wife on the phone about a lockdown following a report of a man with a knife in the building
On March 30, Shenandoah Elementary School officials (initially alerted by a citizen and a teacher simultaneously) phoned 911 and reported “a male possibly with a gun” near the building. The school was placed on lockdown, and law enforcement assembled at a nearby church where students were later evacuated to following a breach by armed officers.
The incident ended with no injuries, and no shots fired. What was believed to potentially be a holster carrying a firearm, ended up being a knife sheath containing a knife. Thomas Benjamin Loving, 46, was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for possession of a knife on school property. Both law enforcement and school officials said that while procedures were followed and precautions was taken, neither students nor staff were ever in any real danger.
Just a few weeks into the new school year this fall, Shenandoah Elementary’s Principal Corey Harlow and instructional assistant Chelsea Atkinson were placed on paid administrative leave on Friday, Sept. 15. For nearly two months, school officials in the Central Office received letters, phone calls and emails. During several school board meetings, members received an earful from a growing number of speakers. And, a grassroots group formed on social media asking for the resignations of top division administrators.
The school board voted on Monday, Nov. 27 to terminate the employment contracts of both Principal Harlow and Atkinson. Dr. Antonia Fox stated in a reply to PVN that “neither employee will be returning to Shenandoah or PCPS.” The superintendent also stated that the division hopes to name a new principal at Shenandoah Elementary in January.
On Dec. 6, Dr. Lisa Coons, State Superintendent of Public Education, and Dr. Jeremy Raley, Virginia Department Of Education Chief of Staff, joined the faculty and staff of Shenandoah Elementary to honor Tara Fox. As school nurse, Fox recently performed life-saving CPR by immediately stepping in to revive a school staff member and assist emergency services upon arrival.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Police make arrest following lockdown at Shenandoah Elementary
Shenandoah Elementary still in limbo as principal, instructional assistant remain suspended
Shenandoah Elementary to name new principal by January
Shenandoah Elementary nurse recognized for heroism after saving a life through CPR
Page Valley Livin’ visits with ‘A Hero Among Us’
#6 Knott’s Roofing couple convicted on 94 felonies
“If you’ve gotta lie, lie big and lie good…Let God judge me for it.”
Nov. 3, 2023 ~ Text messages by Allen to Sabrina Knott while being interviewed by police that were submitted during the trial as evidence by the prosecution
Following nearly seven hours of deliberation on Friday, Nov. 3, a circuit court jury brought a five-day trial to a close by returning a verdict of guilty on 94 felonies against a husband and wife who operated a roofing business near Stanley.
Allan Wayne Knott and Sabrina Gale Knott, owners and operators of Knott’s Roofing, originally faced 256 indictments — 128 each — issued by a grand jury in March. However, the pool of victims was narrowed down from 32 to 24 by the time the trial started on Oct. 30. The Knotts were found guilty of receiving about $91,000 in deposits from those 24 victims (mostly in 2020) for work that never even got started.
The couple was charged with 23 additional felony counts related to construction fraud in Rockingham County earlier this year as well. They now await sentencing in Page County on Valentine’s Day — Feb. 14, 2024.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Husband and wife found guilty on 94 felonies related to construction fraud by Knotts Roofing
Owners of Knott’s Roofing face 256 indictments for taking money and never doing work
#7 Memorial bridge, playground honor fallen officer
“This will be Nick’s playground. It will relay his love for having fun, being grateful for family, and coming together as a community.”
June 3, 2023 ~ Kara Winum during dedication of playground at Hawksbiil Park
A small, rural community nestled between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains was shaken to its core on Feb. 26, 2021. In the wake of great tragedy, the Town of Stanley came together, displaying their blue lights and remaining “Stanley Strong” after the fatal shooting of Officer Dominic “Nick” Winum.
On Saturday, June 3, the community came together again to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of Officer Winum — this time in the form of a forever gift from a group of retired New Jersey firefighters and other volunteers from across the country. The dedication of a playground constructed in less than three days by a group of 60-plus volunteers brought to the Page Valley by the Where Angels Play Foundation. Bill Levin, the non-profit’s founder, remarked about the warm welcome they had received, relationships forged in emotional moments, and the ongoing ribbing about cultural differences that provided some levity.
On Sept. 6, Stanley Town Manager Pettit, Police Chief Ryan Dean and Ryan Gantt from the Town’s Public Works Department traveled to New Jersey to help with another playground build to return the favor.
Three weeks after the playground dedication, a crowd of nearly 100 gathered along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River on June 26 to dedicate the Dominic “Nick” J. Winum Memorial Bridge along Route 211 with White House Farm and the Massanutten mountain as a backdrop.
During the last session in Richmond, Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) sponsored Senate Bill 1220 requesting the General Assembly to enact that “the Route 211 westbound bridge that crosses over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Page County is hereby designated the ‘Dominic ‘Nick’ J. Winum Memorial Bridge.”
In November 2019, the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded an $11.3 million contract to Fielder’s Choice Enterprises Inc. of Charlottesville to replace the westbound bridge over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, between Route 615 (Egypt Bend Road) and Route 646 (Oak Leaf Road). The project began in May of 2020 and reaching completion this summer.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Winum Playground dedicated at Hawksbill Park
New Jersey firefighters descend on Hawksbill Park to build Winum playground in three days
‘Where Angels Play’ plans to build Stanley playground in memory of Officer Winum
Winum Memorial Bridge dedicated along Shenandoah’s South Fork for fallen Stanley officer
Supervisors reluctantly agree to name bridge, rec center discussed and other county news
#8 Town leadership changes
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve Luray and to help develop a path for its future…My decision was a difficult one because of the friendships and relationships with the amazing staff and Council at Luray.”
Nov. 30, 2023 ~ Luray Town Manager Steve Burke on accepting an offer for his old former in Manassas
Town Manager Steve Burke sent an email to each member of the Luray Council on Nov. 30 announcing his resignation, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Burke will return to his former role as Director of Public Works for Manassas, which he held before signing a contract with Luray.
Burke served as the public works director in Manassas for 18 months before accepting a two-year contract to become Town Manager of Luray in March 2018. Now, after four annual renewals of that contract and nearly six years in Luray, Burke is returning to his old job. Before heading to Manassas the first time to become Director of Public Works in 2016, Burke served as town manager in Front Royal for about six years.
In December, the Luray Council named longtime assistant town manager Bryan Chrisman as interim town manager.
That same week in December, the Shenandoah Council voted unanimously to name part-time assistant town manager and former longtime councilman Charlie Jenkins as its new Town Manager.
Juanita Roudabush, who has served as Shenandoah’s Town Manager since April 1, 2017, announced during the council’s Nov. 14 meeting she would be retiring at the end of the year. Roudabush has served the Town for the last 24 years, many of those as assistant town manager under former manager Larry Dovel. She also spent 10 years with the county, working in Page’s first zoning office. Now, after 34 combined years of public service, her last day on the job will be Dec. 31, 2023.
Jenkins, owner and operator of Jenkins Computer Services for many years in Shenandoah, served on the Town Council for 22 years from 2000 to 2022. Since May, Jenkins has served the Town on a part-time basis at a rate of $20 per hour, as assistant town manager. He was unanimously selected as Shenandoah’s town manager among 23 applicants and received an annual salary of $80,000.
The Shenandoah Council also unanimously accepted the resignation of Town Treasurer Cindy M. Breeden, who has worked in local government for 42 years — 32 as the Treasurer of Shenandoah, including 31 years working with the same mayor and vice mayor. Crystal McCoy was named the new treasurer by a unanimous vote at an annual salary of $60,000 .
ORIGINAL STORIES
Burke steps down as Luray’s town manager to accept former position in Manassas
Burke’s steady leadership guided Luray through unprecedented times
Shenandoah names longtime councilman as new Town Manager
#9 Poultry fire one of country’s ‘most devastating’
“These devastating numbers, which likely do not even represent the full scale of the problem, serve as an urgent reminder to the industry to prioritize fire safety and prevention on farms.”
March 28, 2023 ~ Letter from Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) on poultry fire near Stanley
Fire Chief Terry A. Pettit reported the Stanley Volunteer Fire Department was called at 4:04 a.m. on Monday, March 27, for a poultry house fire on Pine Grove Farm about 4 miles southeast of Stanley. When firefighters arrived, the middle of the 42’ x 400’ building was on fire and spreading toward both ends. The poultry house contained 15,500 chickens and was owned by Gary Cubbage of Stanley, who grows for Shenandoah Valley Organic. The total loss of the building and the chickens was estimated at $500,000.
The exact cause of the fire was unknown, but the blaze did start in the area where the gas enters the building, according to Chief Pettit. The building was insured, and no injuries were reported.
It took firefighters only 30 minutes to get the blaze under control, but the incident fired up folks at the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). The organization “tracks barn fires nationwide” and sent a letter to PVN stating: “…this fire is the second-most devastating barn fire in the country (in terms of animal deaths) so far this year.”
The organization stated that “nearly 6.5 million farm animals have perished in barn fires since 2013,” according to an AWI analysis. “These devastating numbers, which likely do not even represent the full scale of the problem, serve as an urgent reminder to the industry to prioritize fire safety and prevention on farms.”
ORIGINAL STORIES
Poultry house fire consumes 15,500 birds and causes $500K in estimated damages
Animal Welfare Institute calls Pine Grove poultry fire ‘second-most devastating’ in country
#10 Male and Female ‘Athletes of the Year’
“I have a goal, but I’m not sure I should say it out loud…”
Spring, 2023 ~ PCHS then-junior Bailee Gaskins on her ambition to be “Player of the Year” in softball, something she achieved in both the Bull Run District and Region 2B
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Luray High School’s Davey Johnson won a state title in the 1600 meter run with a time of 4:28.68 at the VHSL Class 2 state track and field championship at James Madison University on June 2-3. Johnson’s victory represents the only state championship — team or individual — earned by a high school athlete in the county during the last year-and-a-half.
Just prior to his spring title … On March 2, Johnson made history by capturing second place and earning All-State status after finishing as the state runner-up in the boys 1000 meters and posting a new LHS record time of 2:37.5 at the VHSL Class 2 State Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1-2 at the Liberty University Track Complex.
Then this fall…After claiming the Region 2B cross country title on Nov. 1 and setting a new course and school record at Chrisman Field, Johnson improved his time by 19 seconds on Nov. 11 in Salem at the VHSL Class state cross country championships to claim state runner-up honors for the second year in a row, as well as earning an All-State medal for the third-straight year.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Johnson wins state title, three others earn All-State honors at VHSL Class 2 track and field meet
Johnson claims state runner-up at Class 2 cross country championships; Kite earns All-State
Johnson earns second-straight Region 2B title and sets new course record a second time
Johnson earns back-to-back district titles in cross country, competing Nov. 1 in Region 2B meet
Johnson sets new school record in runner-up finish at state indoor track meet
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Page County High School’s Bailee Gaskins earned two “Player of the Year” honors and signed her National Letter of Intent to play Division II collegiate softball at Coker University over the past year. In a couple of months, she will start her senior campaign inside the circle in hopes of leading the Panthers to a third-straight VHSL Class 2 state softball tournament.
While Gaskins is a three-sport athlete, also competing in volleyball and basketball, where she also receives post-season accolades…softball is her sport, especially pitching. Over the last two seasons, Gaskins’ right arm has helped lead the Panthers to a 43-12 record, including two consecutive appearances in the VHSL Class 2 state semifinals and one state runner-up finish. She currently has 388 career strikeouts from the circle and was last season’s Player of the Year in both the Bull Run District and Region 2B.
“I remember her saying [last season]…’I have a goal, but I don’t know if I should say it out loud…but I want to be Player of the Year’…well she achieved that twice over,” PCHS Athletic Director Bill Simmons said during Gaskins’ Nov. 10 signing ceremony. “But her biggest moment, in my opinion, didn’t even involve her pitching…[it was the game-winning home run in the Bull Run District tournament championship] …when she stepped up, that ball was going over that fence.”
ORIGINAL STORIES
Gaskins signs with DII Coker for ’25 softball squad
Gaskins named Region 2B ‘Player of the Year’, 17 local athletes earn All-Region honors
Gaskins puts exclamation point on Bull Run’s ‘Player of the Year’ honor
Gaskins goes head-to-head with state’s best
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HONORABLE MENTION
COUNTY
• In county government, local officials heard this year that $476,000 has been earmarked in federal funds for improvements at the Luray Airport, including the construction of a terminal; $300,000 was earmarked in county funds earlier this year for Phase II to develop a meat processing facility in the county; the county’s new emergency radio system went live increasing coverage from 60 to 95 percent; a backlog of criminal cases and processing judicial orders was highlighted and corrected in Page County Circuit Court; proclamations, warnings and fire bans were made to address drought conditions resulting from lower than average rainfall in 2023, including the county’s request for drought relief; and there was a great deal of discussion about the potential funding and construction of the proposed Page Valley Cultural Center and Business Hub.
LURAY
• The Town of Luray saw the controversial approval of a childcare facility on Main Street at St. Mark Lutheran Church in November after the application was submitted a second time to address concerns raised earlier; and the unusual July 15 break-in of the Singing Tower near Luray Caverns in which the suspect became trapped inside and requested police to come and get him.
STANLEY
• The Town of Stanley not only saw the huge poultry fire listed above, but the volunteer firefighters also stayed busy throughout the year from receiving nine call in 90 minutes during a storm in August, to celebrating the organization’s 75th anniversary in September. The Town also saw the opening of the Daughter of the Stars Theater on Main Street.
SHENANDOAH
• In addition to turnover in town hall, the Town of Shenandoah celebrated the opening of a new ADA approved trail in Big Gem Park in May, and the one-year anniversary of the Shenandoah Museum and Visitors Center in June.
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2023’s TOP 10 POSTS ON PAGEVALLEYNEWS.COM
(Based on readership or “hits” on each story, as reported by Google Analytics. It should be noted that our Obituaries far outpace any other category in terms of traffic. This list sticks to news or feature posts.)
#1 — 34,533 — Today in History: “Driver’s license service ends”
#2 — 11,556 — County: “Manhunt intensifies in Jollett, $2,500 reward for information”
#3 — 7,424 — County: “Comer charged with first degree murder”
#4 — 6,426 — Today in History: “Boy bitten by copperhead”
#5 — 6,319 — Education: “Shenandoah Elementary still in limbo, principal suspended”
#6 — 5,983 — County: “Missing 5 year old found dead near Government Pond”
#7 — 5,822 — Outdoors: “SNP adds 1,000 acres at Tanner’s Ridge thanks to three families”
#8 — 5,752 — Luray: “Luray man arrested after holding woman at gunpoint”
#9 — 5,526 — County: “Jury finds Shenandoah man guilty of first degree murder”
#10 — 5,368 — County: “Candidate attacked by three dogs during door-to-door canvass”
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