Rhodes promoted, company to invest $18 million in Rockbridge: THE DIGEST

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Staunton’s Rodney Rhodes promoted

STAUNTON – A familiar face in Staunton’s government has a new role.

Senior Planner Rodney Rhodes led the Planning and Zoning Division for the past seven years. On March 7, Rhodes was promoted to Director of Community Development, overseeing Planning and Zoning, Building Services, Environmental Programs, and Housing Programs.

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the great group of team members that have been assembled in the Community Development Department,” said Rhodes. “It is time to take the training wheels off the seven-year-old department and work towards a common vision and goals. Implementation of the various action items in the City Council adopted plans and studies will be a priority.”

Rhodes has worked on a wide variety of projects for the city, giving a presentation on one subject or another in nearly every City Council meeting. These projects include the comprehensive plan, the Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan, Staunton Crossing, and the West End Revitalization Strategy Plan.

“The City and City Council have a much-needed focus on development, and hiring a full-time Director of Community Development is a key step,” stated City Manager Leslie Beauregard. “Rodney has already proved that he is a leader within our team and I look forward to seeing what else he can accomplish in this new role.”

Modine to expand, offer over 200 jobs in Rockbridge

Thermal management solutions leader to invest $18.1 million to increase capacity in Rockbridge County, creating 211 new jobs

RICHMOND — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced in a March 7 press release that Modine, a diversified global leader in innovative thermal management solutions, will invest $18.1 million to expand its Rockbridge County operation to increase capacity for the production of data center cooling equipment. The project will create 211 new jobs.

“Virginia continues to be the epicenter for the data center industry, which makes it the perfect location for Modine to expand manufacturing capacity,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Modine’s increased production of data center cooling equipment will meet the growing demand of this vital sector in the Commonwealth while creating high-quality 21st century jobs.”

“Modine has thrived in Rockbridge County for more than 60 years and continues to reinvest in the Commonwealth — the strongest testament to Virginia’s advantages,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.“We encourage interested applicants to visit www.modineva.com to apply.”

Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockbridge County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $470,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Rockbridge County with this project.

Support for Modine’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Governor’s administration and the Virginia General Assembly. Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

Staunton Books and Tea planning soft opening

Staunton Books and Tea announced on Facebook that it will hold a soft opening Sunday, March 17 at 34 E. Beverley St.

"We will share a cake to celebrate the Bronte's patriarch’s 246th birthday and host a books sale and signing by Rachel Cantor, the author of 'Half-Life of a Stolen Sister.'"

The book signing is part of the 2024 Virginia Festival of the Book. Cantor will read from her book at 11 a.m. at the American Shakespeare Center before the signing at Staunton Books and Tea.

Owner Julia Sabin told the News Leader that the event is just a soft opening and they will continue building the business, with plans to start serving drinks and light desserts this fall.

The News Leader will be talking more with Sabin soon and will have more information on the new book store.

Shenandoah National Park plans prescribed burn

LURAY — Fire managers at Shenandoah National Park plan to burn approximately 88 acres of Big Meadows sometime between March 11 and April 15, weather permitting, according to a press release.

A notice will be posted on social media when a date is finalized. A portion of Big Meadows (mile 51 on Skyline Drive), the open area across from Byrd Visitor Center, is burned each year for the purpose of maintaining the open vista by preventing encroachment from small trees and shrubs.

Fire managers anticipate one day of operations to complete the project. Prescribed burns are ignited by fire managers under a pre-determined set of conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, fuel moisture and resource availability. Prescribed burns will be conducted as interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced National Park Service personnel.

Smoke from the burn may be visible in and around the Big Meadows area, the release said. Visitors driving in areas of smoke should take additional care by slowing down and ensuring their headlights are on. All park facilities will remain open during the prescribed burn. Access to Big Meadows will be restricted during the burn.

Virginia Festival of the Book comes to Staunton

STAUNTON – Two Virginia Festival of the Book authors are passing up the main Charlottesville location to come to Staunton this week.

“We’ve had folks asking about it again, if we’re going to have any festival preview events, so we’re really excited to be able to say, ‘Yes we are.’” says Ali McCue, Public Services Librarian at the Staunton Public Library.

First, Mojgan Ghazirad will read from her autobiographical novel The House on Sun Street at the Staunton Public Library on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. The press release explains, “Her novel explores the experience of a young girl and her family during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, a period that marked a cataclysmic change in the rights of women.

Second, Rachel Cantor will read from her novel, Half-Life of a Stolen Sister, at the American Shakespeare Center on Sunday, March 17, at 11 a.m. The press release reads, “Cantor’s book reimagines the lives of 19^th-century poets and novelists, the Bront? sisters. This reading will be interspersed with performances of Wuthering Heights by local actors from Staunton organization The Off Center. This will be followed by a book signing.”

Details on all 2024 Virginia Festival of the Book events are available at VaBook.org.

For more information on the Staunton Public Library, go to www.StauntonLibrary.org.

Contest calls for Virginia photographers

VIRGINIA – Virginia photographers are eligible to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s annual Save The Bay Photo Contest.

Photographers from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. are eligible to enter the competition with photos illustrating “the plants, animals, and people that rely” on the “the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”

“The beauty of the Bay is captured best by our everyday interactions with it,” said Jennifer Wallace, CBF’s senior creative project manager and contest organizer. “That is proven to me every year when submissions for the photo contest roll in. I am always amazed by the talent of each contestant and the benefits these photos have for our mission to save the bay.”

The winners will receive a one-year membership to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500. The deadline for submissions is March 29. After a foundation panel narrows down the entries, the public will vote on the winners in the Viewer’s Choice Gallery from April 8 to April 30.

More information and submission instructions can be found at cbf.org/photocontest.

Waynesboro announces Hopeman Bridge traffic delays

WAYNESBORO – Hopeman Bridge construction on Ivy Street will cause traffic delays throughout the March 11 week, until March 15.

“Traffic delays are a necessary but frustrating part of road projects,” reads the city’s announcement. “Drive carefully and be on the lookout for flaggers or traffic signage indicating traffic pattern changes. Please pay attention to flaggers and avoid the area if at all possible. Thank you for your patience.”

VDOT traffic alert for March 11 to March 15

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

INTERSTATE 64

*NEW* Mile marker 90 to 93, eastbound and westbound – Overnight single lane closures for inspection of Route 285 overpass bridge, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday night (March 17).

INTERSTATE 81

*NEW* Mile marker 206 to 205, southbound – No lane closures but survey work in right of way, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mile marker 212 to 214, northbound – Overnight single lane closures for maintenance to Route 11 bridge, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Wednesday night.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 227, northbound and southbound – Overnight right lane and shoulder closures for shoulder strengthening and moving equipment, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through night of March 25. Daytime shoulder closures for tree removal and maintenance operations, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Thursday. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

PRIMARY ROADS

Route 11 (Lee Highway) – Northbound right lane closures between Route 940 (Dick Huff Lane) and Staunton city limits for sidewalk installation, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 24.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Eastbound and westbound left shoulder closures due to widening project in the area of the Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue) interchange, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. through April 30.

*NEW* Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Route 831 (Old White Hill Road) and Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) for tree removal operations, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

*NEW* Route 340 (East Side Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Route 778 (Harriston Road) and Route 1343 (Northwood Drive) for tree removal operations, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SECONDARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 602 (Summerdean Road) – Utility work in right of way between Route 682 (McKinley Road) and Route 677 (Shemariah Road), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 11 – March 28.

Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025.

Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.

Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 29. Estimated completion summer 2024.

Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025.

Route 675 (Broadhead School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Route 604 (McClures Mill Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Route 778 (Knightly Mill Road) – Middle River bridge closed beginning Wednesday, February 28. Traffic can use nearby Route 774 (Cline River Road) bridge.

Route 795 (Entry School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 608 (Long Meadow Road) and Route 640 (Old White Bridge Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Route 796 (Kiddsville Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 797 (Miller Road) and Route 608 (Long Meadow Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.

Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Rhodes promoted, company to invest $18 million in Rockbridge: THE DIGEST