THIS ARTICLE IS COMMENTARY AND INCLUDED IN OUR COLUMNS SECTION.
Wildfires, murder confessions, elections, class action suit and depot debate
By Randy Arrington, publisher
LURAY, Jan. 1 — It’s always amazing to reflect on how much takes place within 12 months in our small corner of the Shenandoah Valley. Although still known as a quiet place to live, the Page Valley had its share of memorable moments in 2024 — 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 2024 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” or views, as reported by Google Analytics. PVN recorded nearly 1 million page views in 2024 and more than 230,000 users.
For those who greatly disagree with the inclusion, omission, or order of any issues or incidents that occurred in Page County in 2024, consider posting an original Top 10 list or suggested changes in our comment section below.
•••
#1 The Wildfires
“Our local agencies are exhausted, both mentally and physically, and we have a dire situation that is continuing to rage out of control.”
March 22, 2024 ~ Letter to Gov. Youngkin signed by Keith Weakley, chairman of Page County Board of Supervisors
Due to being one of the only news agencies exclusively covering the Page Valley, PVN’s most read topic of 2024 came in early spring when a series of wildfires broke out due to dry conditions and downed power lines, among other causes. High winds drove flames in a “perfect storm” on both the Massanutten and Blue Ridge mountain ranges, with more than 5,000 acres scorched and at least 10 homes destroyed. While print and broadcast media in nearby Harrisonburg followed the flames in Rockingham, Shenandoah and neighboring Hardy County, W.Va., PVN focused on the Page Valley fires and drew nearly 25,000 page views collectively on stories about the wildfires alone over a few weeks in March and April.
Volunteer firefighters struggled to hold the lines in the first 48 hours under the worst of conditions, as multiple fires broke out on March 20. They continued to struggle even after help arrived from the U.S. Forestry Service and the National Park Service a few days later. County officials sent pleas to Governor Youngkin to declare a state of emergency, so that state resources could be tapped into — a few days later, a fuel tanker was sent to the field headquarters at Cooter’s in the Valley for fire trucks to refuel.
Rain finally fell and helped fire lines stay contained, as the flames subsided and assessment of the damage began. Multiple agencies at the local, state and federal level worked together to protect life and property, but the greatest helping hand came from the community itself as dozens of groups began supplying food, water and supplies to first responders.
After the ashes cooled, the community held a parade to thank the firefighters. PVN sat down with Timmy Lansberry, both a firefighter and a law enforcement officer, to talk about how fast the fire was moving and what it’s like to tell a friend they have five minutes to leave their home.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Page Valley Livin’ reflects on March wildfires
Parade honoring firefighters for efforts during recent wildfires
Who we really count on in times of trouble
Wildfires contained, firefighters heading home
Rocky Branch blaze now 76% contained, more progress in national forest wildfires
Early damage assessment released
Page Valley’s 211 wildfire now 50% contained after scorching 5,000 acres
Page County calls for Youngkin to declare ‘state of emergency’ due to ‘dire situation’
Firefighters still attempting to contain several fires, homes lost, residents displaced
High winds result in downed lines, power outages and multiple wildfires that force evacuations
#2 Comer confesses to three murders
“If I can’t have it, no one else can have it either.”
May 16, 2024 ~ What John McClure testified that Timothy Thomas Comer told him he said to neighbor Greg Williams before shooting him on June 29, 2023
Following more than two-and-a-half hours of testimony and 13 witnesses presented by the prosecution, a general district court judge on May 16 certified three felony charges against Timothy Thomas Comer to a June 5 grand jury in circuit court. The most shocking testimony given during the preliminary hearing came from a former inmate, who stated that Comer not only told him details about the June 29, 2023 shooting of Greg Williams…but also how he shot his grandmother and nephew before pouring gasoline on their bodies and burning them inside their home.
John McClure, a recently released inmate housed in the same jail as Comer, testified that over a two-week period of conversations in jail Comer talked about the details of all three murders. Although court-appointed public defender Peter McDermott tried to point to inconsistencies in McClure’s testimony and highlight his criminal record, the former inmate stated that Comer told him he killed his grandmother and nephew as revenge for them selling his property “out from under him” while he was previously incarcerated. Williams’ shooting was also over property disputes, according to McClure’s testimony.
In June, Comer was indicted on seven felony charges, including three related to murder, three weapons charges, and arson. Although no date has been set, his murder trial should commence in Page County Circuit Court in 2025.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Jollet Hollow manhunt suspect allegedly confessed three murders to fellow inmate
Comer indicted for two additional murders, arson, weapons charges
#3 Year of the write-ins…almost
“I’d rather been running unopposed, but there has been some conflict circulating.”
Sept. 24, 2024 ~ Shenandoah Mayor Clinton Lucas, responding to a write-in challenge by Councilman Chris Reisinger
By a mere 34 ballots, the Town of Shenandoah voted to keep the same mayor its had since July 1, 1990. Clinton Lucas, the only name on the 2024 ballot, earned 556 votes, compared to 522 write-in ballots for Councilman Chris Reisinger. This was only the sixth time that Lucas has even been challenged for the mayor’s gavel during 18 two-year election cycles spread out over 34-and-a-half years.
Write-in campaigns and provisional ballots were at an all-time high, according to Page County Voter Registrar Carol Gaunt. In the race for Shenandoah Council, a total of 232 write-in votes were cast for Gary Red Taylor, while 142 went for Ana Maria Mendez. The other 44 write-in votes for council were spread out among more than 30 names. Those write-in ballots were not enough to unseat Reisinger on the council, along with Brenda Haggett and Mike Lowe.
Stanley Mayor Michael Knight also fended off a write-in campaign by Councilman and former mayor Doug Purdham. Knight won nearly 60 percent of the vote. Councilmen Joseph Mauck and Jeremiah Knight, along with appointee Robyn Good (special election), all returned to the Stanley Council.
Council member Stephanie Lillard defeated fellow council member and vice mayor, Ron Vickers, by 204 votes among 2,443 ballots cast in the race for Mayor of Luray. The 8-percent difference saw 1,310 ballots cast for Lillard (53.6 percent), while Vickers garnered 1,106 votes (45.3 percent). There were 27 write-in ballots.
The four-way race for three open seats on the Luray Council saw incumbents Jason Pettit and Joey Sours return for another four-year term, while Luray attorney Chuck Butler will become the newest member of Council in January. Pettit was the vote leader with 1,660 votes, while Butler won the third spot with 234 more votes than fourth-place finisher Robert Spencer.
There were 73 write-in votes in the Luray Council race.
Wendy Temple Holtzman — the first candidate to file for the Luray Council back in January — submitted a Candidate Withdrawal form with the county voter registrar on Sept. 4 and just made the cutoff for being removed from the ballot.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Lucas wins 18th term as mayor by 34 votes
Write-ins shake up Shenandoah races
Mayor, Stanley Council sworn-in early
Knight holds off write-in campaign by Purdham
Stanley now has a race for mayor
Lillard wins mayor’s race, Butler joins council
Holtzman drops out of Luray Council race
November ballot set for town elections
#4 Debate over the depot
“I really feel…a lot of it could have been avoided, if we had better communication…that would have lead to us getting to these discussions earlier…”
July 1, 2024 ~ District 3 supervisor Ryan Cubbage
On July 1, the Page County Board of Supervisors voted, 6-0, to allocate $8,500 to keep the Luray-Page County Visitors Center operating under the Chamber of Commerce at the historic train depot for another 30 days. A final decision on the Visitors Center’s fate — among three stated options — would be made at the supervisors’ July 15 meeting.
On July 15, the supervisors resolved a few months of concern and controversy within a few minutes when they voted, 5-1, to leave the Luray-Page County Visitors Center housed at the historic train depot in Downtown Luray. In addition, the county will continue, as it has for the past three decades, to contract with the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce to operate the Visitors Center for the next three years.
After previous plans to construct a new Visitors Center along Route 211 were abandoned, the Economic Development and Tourism Department, headed by Nina Fox, drafted plans to move the Visitors Center to Main and Broad (currently Appalachian Trail Outfitters) about one block from its current location. The three options that the board of supervisors considered included relocating the Visitors Center to Main Street (run by the county), leaving it at the historic depot and still managed by the Chamber, or leaving the center at the depot and have it managed by the county.
“I think the citizens should know…The Board has requested this [information] several times…by the time it got to us, it had made it’s way through social media, through news articles, and that is certainly not the way to handle it in the future,” District 1 supervisor Keith Guzy said prior to the final vote. “I’ve heard from numerous citizens and I’m pretty clear on what I should do tonight. It should have come to us first.”
ORIGINAL STORY
Visitors Center to remain ‘as is’
County announces ‘potential’ location of new visitors center
Visitors Center gets one-month reprieve at depot
#5 EMTs file federal class action suit
“Class members have been harmed by the Defendant’s failure to lawfully compensate them…Defendant failed to compensate [plaintiffs] at the statutorily required overtime rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 each week and whether Defendant’s conduct was willful, reckless or done knowingly.”
June 30, 2024 ~ Federal class action lawsuit filed against Page County Fire & EMS
At least a dozen EMTs who served Page County over the last three years signed on to a class action lawsuit filed June 30 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The federal court filing in Harrisonburg claims the number of class action plaintiffs could grow to 50 current and former Emergency Medical Service Technicians (EMTs), who seek damages for the county’s “systemic policy of failing to pay its employees for all hours worked and for overtime hours worked at the appropriate overtime rate, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)… the Virginia Overtime Wage Act (VOWA)… and the Virginia Wage Payment Act (VWPA)…”.
Since July 1, 2021, the group of EMTs claim in the lawsuit that the defendants — County of Page, Virginia and Page County Fire & EMS — never paid overtime rates for 62 hours per month, even though they were regularly scheduled to work 212 hours per month; deducted 24 hours of overtime from an employee’s paycheck for every day of leave taken; and due to staffing shortages, some plaintiffs, “at times,” would work shifts as long as 96 hours.
“While the exact number of class members is unknown to Plaintiffs at this time, upon information and belief, the class comprises at least 50 individuals,” the suit states. “The identities of the class members are readily ascertainable by inspection of Defendant’s employment and payroll records.”
In what the federal class action refers to as a “payment scheme”, Page County EMTs were routinely scheduled to work “at least 106 hours during each two-week period…or 212 hours per month.” For the first check of each month, EMTs were paid “straight time” regardless of the hours worked during the period. The second check included “straight time” hourly rates for up to 212 hours worked during the month, and only paid overtime rates for anything over 212 hours during the month “in certain circumstances,” the suit claims. Hours worked between totals of 160 and 212 for the month were paid at the regular hourly rate.
In what the lawsuit labeled “an illegal scheme to recoup leave hours”, the EMTs claim Page County deducted 24 hours of overtime from their paycheck for each day of leave they took, for any reason, rather than simply adjusting their “personal day” allotment accordingly and paying them for the overtime worked — at a rate of one and one-half times the regularly hourly rate.
ORIGINAL STORIES
EMTs file federal class action suit against Page County for three years of unpaid overtime
#6 Two cold cases solved
“After 28 years, we are now able to say who committed the brutal murders of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams in Shenandoah National Park. I want to again extend my condolences to the Winans and Williams families and hope today’s announcement provides some small measure of solace.”
June 20, 2024 ~ U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh
On May 19, 1996, “Julie” and “Lollie” entered Shenandoah National Park for a five-day hike. The two women in their 20s spent several days on the trail and were last seen around 5:30 p.m. on May 24, 1996, after getting a ride from a park official. Their bodies were found eight days later at a campsite about a half mile from Skyland Lodge with their hands bound and their throats slashed. Federal authorities spent the next 28 years searching for the killer — including one arrest that was later dismissed. On June 20, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Richmond Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia announced that the killer has finally been identified. Degree of certainty? One in 2.6 trillion.
Walter Leo Jackson Senior proved to be a positive DNA match to several pieces of evidence in the 1996 national park murders. The Cleveland, Ohio native and residential painter by trade, was also a convicted serial rapist, according to the FBI report, and “was an avid hiker and was known to visit Shenandoah National Park.”
In October of 2003, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft moved to continue the case he had placed against Darrell David Rice for the park murders, basically dismissing the charges that had been placed “under intense public pressure to blame someone,” according to Kavanaugh’s comments. He stated that the case against Rice was “not built on forensic evidence.” However, the DNA match to Jackson has a margin or error of one in 2.6 trillion.
Jackson, who went by the name “Leo,” died in prison in March 2018 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Jackson had a lengthy criminal history, including kidnapping, rapes, and assaults, according to the FBI press release. The investigative team continued taking steps to learn more about Jackson’s activities through the years, which included coordination with the Cleveland Police Department and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. The FBI hopes to use future tips and leads to create a timeline for the period before Jackson was incarcerated in Ohio.
A man that went missing in the Luray area around Labor Day in 2022 may be the remains that local investigators uncovered, according to a May 9 report, after receiving additional information in the case. Local law enforcement officials obtained warrants for the key suspect in the victim’s death and charged him with second degree murder. However, that suspect was also involved in a December 2022 police shooting at the Silver Legacy Casino in Reno, Nevada, where he is currently being held in custody.
Marcus Lee Lewis was initially considered a “person of interest” on Oct. 11, 2022 — a little over a month after Joshua Dee Bradford was last seen in the Luray area on Sept. 3, 2022 getting into a blue sedan. He was reported missing by his family, and the Page County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation.
When Lewis was approached by local law enforcement, he left Page County, according to a recent PCSO report. He would resurface about two months later in Reno, Nevada. It was around 6 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2022, when Reno Police responded “for a welfare check on a person who was barefoot and possibly armed with a knife,”according to a report by KOLO Channel 8 (ABC). When approached by Reno police, “Lewis failed to follow verbal commands and fled on foot. Officers then pursued him to the valet area of the Silver Legacy before deploying their taser. The taser proved ineffective and he continued to refuse verbal commands and shots were fired. Emergency medical aid was rendered on scene and Lewis was transported to the hospital for further treatment.”
ORIGINAL STORIES
Missing man last seen in 2022 may be remains found Monday by local investigators
FBI reveals killer in 1996 double-murder in Shenandoah National Park
#7 Addressing the drug issue
“We all talk about the drug issue in the county…We talk about it, and we talk about it…here we have a chance to walk the walk.”
Nov. 18, 2024 ~ District 3 supervisor Ryan Cubbage
After several months of review, discussion and adding new conditions at two levels of local government, the Page County Board of Supervisors voted, 3-2, on Nov. 18 to approve a special use permit for a “recovery treatment center” to be operated at the former Brookside Restaurant & Gift Shop on Route 211 east of Luray.
Cox Property Management, LLC has an option to buy the property from Cece Castle and plans to operate a recovery treatment center supporting up to 41 residents per day with a staff of 10 and one professional counselor. The “low intensity care” facility would not harbor hard criminals and will sit on a 4.5-acre site zoned for commercial use. The site provides ample parking, with more than 50 spaces, and traffic is expected to actually decrease under the new use.
Andrea Good gave a heartfelt, and even personal, presentation to the Stanley Council in June, seeking support for an organized effort to help others struggling with addiction in our community. She spoke of her own struggles, her own sources of strength, and how she wanted to help others find a similar path to recovery before returning to our community.
Holding posters filled with faces and the words — “Recovery is Possible” — supporters flanked Good as she presented preliminary plans to operate a “recovery home” or “facility” at 270 West Main Street. The home of Gene Goode was the first home donated to the Valley’s Rise Above Foundation, to provide the proper environment for those recovering from addiction.
“I see it as an opportunity to break the cycle,” said Page County Economic Development and Tourism Director Nina Fox, who spoke at the Stanley fire hall in support of the proposal. “Quality of life is a big part of economic development.”
ORIGINAL STORIES
Supervisors narrowly approve recovery treatment center, 3-2, at former roadside restaurant
Page County recovery court receives $1M in federal funds to expand services
Public hearing set for Nov. 18 on permit to operate recovery treatment center east of Luray
Recovery home proposed on West Main Street and other news from Stanley
#8 New leadership in education
“I am incredibly honored to take on the role of principal at Shenandoah Elementary, a place that holds a profoundly special space in my heart. Shenandoah isn’t merely a school; it’s intricately woven into the fabric of my life. As both an alum and now a parent, my roots here run deep. Within these walls, I’ve shared laughter, acquired knowledge, and undergone personal growth. Now, it’s a genuine privilege to contribute to the very place that has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. This isn’t just a job for me; it’s a calling.”
Jan. 19, 2024 ~ Shenandoah Elementary Principal Jodi Foltz
Derek B. Ritenour become the principal of Luray Middle School at the end of April. He brought seven years of administrative experience and previously served as assistant principal at Central High School in Woodstock. Ritenour filled an absence created by the mid-year departure of Heather Foltz.
After being named interim principal in September 2023, Jodi Foltz became principal of Shenandoah Elementary in January. The former assistant principal has served as an elementary classroom teacher. She replaces Corey Harlow. Jennifer Weikle was selected to serve as the next assistant principal in February.
Pam Hall was selected as the new Supervisor of Transportation in April. Hall has 13 years of experience within the PCPS transportation department. She has served as a driver, transportation clerk, and most recently provided division leadership following the retirement of the former transportation supervisor.
In May, Page County Public Schools announced that two new assistant principals would be joining the school division for the 2024-2025 school year. Craig Tutt serving Luray Elementary School, while Jennifer Hitt joined Page County Middle School.
In June, Page County Public Schools announced the hiring of Dr. Bryan Huber as the next Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Accountability and Innovation. He most recently served as Assistant Superintendent of Greene County Public Schools and replaces Gabby Ryman, who served in the position for two years and has accepted a position with Prince William County Public Schools.
With more than 20 years of leadership and instructional experience in public education for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Rockingham County Public Schools, and Northport-East Northport Union Free School District, Lee Purnhagen was selected in July as the new Assistant Principal for the 2024-2025 school year at Stanley Elementary.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Stanley Elementary names assistant principal
PCPS names new Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Accountability and Innovation
PCPS names two assistant principals
PCPS names Hall Director of Transportation
Assistant principal of Central HS to become new principal at Luray Middle School
Weikle named assistant principal of Shenandoah Elementary
Luray Middle School in search of new principal
Luray Middle School principal remains on administrative leave, no reason given
Foltz named Shenandoah Elementary principal
#9 Former NATO commander buys Mimslyn Inn
“We look forward to continuing the Mimslyn Inn legacy and building on Luray’s Downtown growth initiatives by enhancing the appeal in and outside the regional market.”
Jan. 24, 2024 ~ Press release from the new owners of the Mimslyn Inn
Since its opening in 1931, the Mimslyn Inn has endured several changes in ownership. Its current owners — Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Asam and their sons Christian and David — have invested millions into renovating the historic 45-room hotel along Luray’s West Main Street and expanding its surrounding offerings for destination weddings. At the end of January, the Asam family passed the baton to three partners anchored by a former NATO commander.
A press release was issued stating that the “iconic Mimslyn Inn…is to be acquired later this month by a partnership team composed of John Rutherford Allen, a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general, and former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan; along with his long term former adviser, Marc Chretien, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and is now the managing partner of Mount Defiance Cidery & Distillery in Middleburg, Virginia. The third partner, Cito Vanegas, CPA, MBA, is the CEO of a leading national talent management organization based in Arlington, Va.
The announcement also states that, “General Allen, a retired four-star Marine Corps General and noted Civil War historian, will conduct the occasional symposium and battle tour of Civil War actions in the area,” additionally noting that, “Civil War buffs, Luray Caverns, river and hiking enthusiasts, mountain lovers, and the Shenandoah National Park, are major draws to the Valley.”
The acquisition includes a collection of cottages and nearby homes acquired by the Asams over the past decade. That includes the former Luray hospital, built in 1868 and located behind the inn, purchased in 2021. The hospital and grounds were renovated as a wedding venue, featuring a large ballroom that can hold up to 250 guests. The views from the hospital are the inspiration for the venue with George Washington National Forest to the West and Shenandoah National Park to the East.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Former NATO commander and partners to acquire historic Mimslyn Inn at month’s end
#10 State title, broken records and a scholarship
“It’s not every day you get a call from an Olympian.“
Spring 2024 ~ LHS senior Davey Johnson about being recruited for track and cross country at Shippensburg University by Olympic marathoner and World Championships marathon bronze medalist Steve Spence
The courting started two years ago in the spring of his sophomore year, when the Luray High School standout runner began to contact college coaches by email and signed up for a recruiting app for athletes. Over the next year, colleges at all levels launched their own solicitations, trying to attract a young talent with drive and a competitive edge that captured two state titles, four state runner-up titles and broke numerous school and track records in multiple events.
“It is almost every athlete’s dream to be able to compete at the highest level, and I was no different. I was fortunate to engage in the recruitment process with multiple standout NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III programs. Through a lot of prayer by myself, friends, and family, I was led to Shippensburg,” LHS senior Davey Johnson stated in a social media post on Oct. 3 announcing his collegiate choice.
Over the last two years, Johnson has produced the only state titles earned by a high school athlete in Page County. During that time, he also produced four state-runner-up finishes and competed at high level national events. He broke course records, his father’s former times in certain events, and several school records.
Davey will run both cross country and track under Steve Spencer — a 1985 graduate of Shippensburg, Olympic marathoner and World Championships marathon bronze medalist, who is now in his 27th season of coaching the Raiders in cross country and serves as an assistant coach in track and field. The Raiders compete in the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Shippensburg University sits just west of I-81 in southern Pennsylvania and had an undergraduate enrollment of 4,421 in the fall of 2023.
ORIGINAL STORIES
Johnson takes ‘leap of faith’ to run for former Olympian at Shippensburg
Johnson signs with Shippensburg
Johnson wins second state title
26 local athletes competing at Class 2 state track and field championships at JMU
Johnson finishes state runner-up in 1000m for second-straight year, five Bulldogs earn all-state
Johnson wins state title, three others earn All-State honors at VHSL Class 2 track and field meet
•••
HONORABLE MENTION
COUNTY
• In county government, one debate that will linger well into 2025 is the discussion over animal control services. While supervisors eventually allocated an additional $12,000 to Sheriff Chad Cubbage’s salary to continue managing the service, the current discussion is focused on a new Memorandum of Understanding with all three towns, which may result in an additional fee being charged to each town. Another unresolved issue is the vacancy in the District 4 seat after the sudden — and still unexplained — departure of Isaac Smelser after only 10 months in office. Supervisors are expected to choose among four applicants in the coming weeks. There were some minor rescue efforts during Hurricane Helene and multiple relief efforts organized to help those who suffered much worse in North Carolina and Tennessee.
LURAY
• The Town of Luray started off the year by taking the “interim” off of Bryan Chrisman’s title and made him the next Town Manager, replacing Steve Burke. By the end of the year, Mayor Jerry Dofflemyer was stepping down and Ligon Webb’s seat on the council will be filled by Luray attorney Chuck Butler. In October, Luray Caverns marked the 50th anniversary of its National Landmark designation, and in July plans were revealed to transform the former Warehouse Art Gallery into affordable apartments with numerous amenities and a restaurant. During the summer, the Town worked with Cooter’s in the Valley to handle the logistics of 15,000-plus coming to Luray in mid-July for the 25th anniversary of the Cooter’s franchise, which originally started in Rappahannock County.
STANLEY
• In addition to the unexpected mayor’s race and the proposal for a recovery home on West main Street (mentioned above), the Stanley Council had to deal with the unexpected death of Councilman Duane Layman in April and appointed Robyn Good to the seat in May. Also in May, Stanley saw an Open House held at the Daughter of the Stars Theater and Cultural Center.
•••
2024’s TOP 10 POSTS ON PAGEVALLEYNEWS.COM
(Based on views 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 — 12,389 — County: “Jollet Hollow manhunt suspect confessed to three murders”
#2 — 12,366 — Letters: “Shout out to Luray police for a job well done”
#3 — 9,039 — Today in History: “Bear just wandering around Mill Creek”
#4 — 9,016 — High School Sports: “Comer steps down as PCHS Athletic Director”
#5 — 7,886 — County: “State police investigating pedestrian fatality on Route 340”
#6 — 7,839 — Editorial: “Why so secret?”
#7 — 6,687 — Luray: “Cooters, Luray work together to handle huge crowd for 25th anniversary”
#8 — 6,647 — County: “Firefighters still battling blazes, multiple homes lost”
#9 — 5,359 — Luray: “Holtzman drops out of Luray Council race”
#10 — 5,225 — Editorial: “Tired of ‘Tourism Wars'”
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
Page Valley’s Top 10 stories of 2023
Be the first to comment