Park closed to fishing, courthouse demolitions, and a pro-choice protest: THE DIGEST

Shenandoah National Park closes fishing

LURAY – The June droughts have not let up .

As a result of the high temperatures and low rain, Shenandoah National Park is closed to fishing. The weather has resulted in low river flow and hot water temperatures, raising concern for the health of the fish.

“The additional stress of angling during these conditions could harm the native brook trout populations, which are already low across much of the park,” reads a press release from the park. “This closure is for all streams within park boundaries including both open-to-harvest and catch-and-release waters. The closure will be lifted when stream conditions improve. Stream flows are expected to remain low until significant precipitation occurs across the area.”

Droughts caused similar fishing closures in 2021 and 2023, according to the press release.

Staunton courthouse project to demolish more buildings than expected

Since the demolition of the Heck's building was completed , the city has decided to demolish the rest of the buildings on the lot.

“The original intent was to preserve some of the buildings for future government use, but with the buildings in poorer condition than originally thought, that plan is proving to be more costly,” reads a press release from the city. “Demolishing these buildings makes the most sense financially and considerably opens up the property to more possibilities in the future.”

According to the press release, demolishing the buildings will cost an additional $125,000, but repairing and replacing them would cost $813,000 and unforeseen future repairs.

The demolition is expected to begin the week of July 8.

25 miles of livestock fencing: Over $1 million granted to environmental conservation organization operating in Augusta County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced over $12 million in grant awards to support water quality improvement efforts in Virginia.

The seven awards include $1,632,400 to an Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley project, an organization working on environmental issues and contributing to environmental policies in Augusta County .

“This project will accelerate the rate of implementation and increase the effectiveness of water quality best management practices in a high-priority agricultural region of the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” reads a press release from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. “This will result in the implementation of 25 miles of livestock-exclusion fencing and the adoption of agricultural conservation practices on 3,500 acres.”

“These grants reflect our continuing commitment to protect the Chesapeake Bay and preserve our nation’s environmental legacy for future generations,” said EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office Director Martha Shimkin. “It is inspiring to be working with so many awardees who have long been committed to preserving, protecting and enhancing the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.”

A complete list of the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants recipients is available here .

Pro-choice protest at Augusta County Courthouse in Staunton

STAUNTON – Pro-choice protesters gathered in front of the Augusta County Courthouse on June 24.

Abortion access is a key issue for Virginia Democrats in this year's election . The Dobbs decision overturning the abortion access precedent set by Roe v Wade, recently passed its second anniversary. The ruling means abortion regulation is now controlled by the states.

About 40 people from Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro protested during the Rally for Reproductive Rights for about two hours. According to attendee Randall Wolf, passing cars signaled both their support and opposition to the protesters.

VDOT traffic for July 1 to July 5

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.

INTERSTAT E 64

• No lane closures reported.

INTERSTATE 81

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 205 to 208 , northbound and southbound – Right shoulder closures for shoulder repairs, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
• Mile marker 205 to 211 , northbound – Overnight single lane closures for pavement resurfacing, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through August 16.
• *UPDATE* Mile marker 215 to 213 , southbound – Right shoulder closures for sign installation, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 8 p.m. to 12 noon Wednesday.
• Mile marker 214 to 210 , southbound – Alternating lane closures for milling and paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through July 25. Exit 213 traffic will be detoured during ramp paving.
• Mile marker 221 to 227 , northbound and southbound – Left and right shoulder closures in place 24/7 through spring 2026. Work zone speed limit 60 miles an hour. Traffic restrictions are for I-81 widening project .

PRIMARY ROAD S

• *NEW* Route 11 (Lee Jackson Highway) – Flagger traffic control for utility work between Route 1210 (Spitler Circle) to Wright Lane/Main Street, Greenville, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday.
• Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Northbound and southbound alternating lane closures between Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue) and Route 613 (Old Greenville Road) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Wednesday.
• Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) – Northbound and southbound alternating lane closures between Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) and Route 652 (University Farm Road) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thursday.

SECONDARY ROADS

• *UPDATE* Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) – Flagger traffic control between Route 848 (Rankin Lane) and Route 634 (China Clay Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through July 11.
• Route 611 (Dooms Crossing Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 340 (East Side Highway) and Route 619 (Purple Cow Road) for utility pole installation, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through July 11.
• 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 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) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) for utility work, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September 30.
• Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor , through June 2025.
• 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: Park closed to fishing, courthouse demolitions, and a pro-choice protest: THE DIGEST