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100 years later: Remembering the fire that nearly wiped out Franklin
FRANKLIN, Wv. (WHSV) - 100 years ago the Town of Franklin, West Virginia was almost destroyed by a massive fire. On the evening of April 17, 1924, a fire broke out at the Pendleton Times that burned 37 buildings and left around 60 people homeless. ”The Pendleton Times they were...
Defense seeks venue change in Lawrence Puffenbarger case
FRANKLIN, Wv. (WHSV) - The man accused of sexually abusing multiple children in Franklin, West Virginia was back in court on Thursday for a status hearing. 61-year-old Lawrence Puffenbarger, known as ‘Grasshopper’ by many in the community, faces seven charges of first-degree sexual abuse. In Pendleton County Circuit...
Multi-family home catches fire in Harrisonburg, displacing six adults and one child
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - A multi-family home has caught fire in Harrisonburg, displacing six adults and one child. Firefighters responded to the fire at the home on the 700 block of Jefferson Street at 7:15 p.m., and saw heavy smoke coming from the second floor. All occupants exited safely and there are no reported injuries. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Sheriff’s Office investigating vehicle break-ins
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office is asking the community for information about a string of late-night vehicle break-ins earlier this week in the Belmont subdivision, west of Harrisonburg. Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told Rocktown Now that the burglaries likely happened between 11 p.m....
More Shenandoah Valley residents are experiencing homelessness
The latest point-in-time results come as home prices and rents skyrocket in the region. The number of people experiencing homelessness in the upper Shenandoah Valley increased between 2023 and 2024, according to newly released data. The results of a January count came at an April 11 event by the Western...
Cloudy tonight with showers in spots
Tonight: cloudy with a shower in spots late. Low 47. Winds south-southeast 6-12 mph. Tomorrow: a shower in places in the morning; otherwise, cloudy. A big warmup on the way. High 59. Winds. south-southeast 6-12 mph. Tomorrow night: partly cloudy. Low 49. Winds south-southwest 6-12 mph. Sunday: warmer and more...
James Madison University receives largest cash gift in school’s history
HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — A recent donation to James Madison University has set a record as the largest cash gift the school has ever received. JMU is announcing that a six-million-dollar contribution from the estate of Colonel Frances Weir, a 1949 graduate, will be used to set up a scholarship fund for good students in financial need. It will provide up to $240,000 dollars in scholarships every year.
Summertime heat to arrive Sunday
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - While the end of the week will continue to feel cool, big changes are on the way for the region. Clouds and some light showers Saturday will give way to sunshine and summer-like warmth Sunday behind a warm front, making the final days of April suddenly feeling like mid June.
Delays in case for Harrisonburg man charged in shooting
HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Harrisonburg man charged in connection with a shooting outside city limits will spend two more months in jail awaiting his first court appearance. Online records show that a hearing for Alfred Dale Eppard that was originally set for this morning was continued until...
GoFundMe open for Harrisonburg City School nurse
HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — A fire earlier this month destroyed the local home of Marvin and Angela Knupp. Now, a friend and co-worker of Angela Knupp has organized a GoFundMe page to help the couple rebuild. The goal is to raise $20,000 dollars. Angela Knupp is the school...
Harrisonburg woman to avoid jail time for fake bomb threat
HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) –The Harrisonburg woman who was charged with calling in a fake bomb threat at a Harrisonburg department store last month has escaped jail time. Online records show that Riley Mercado was found guilty of using profane language over public airways during a hearing this morning...
Route 259 bridge to be renamed in honor of Vietnam soldier
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — The newly-renovated Route 259 bridge in northern Broadway has been renamed to honor a Rockingham County soldier who died in Vietnam. The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed that the bridge on West Lee Street, near Hillyard Middle School, will now be known as the William M. Pangle Bridge.
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