The Valley Today

In the heart of Old Town Winchester, at the bustling Espresso Bar, a deeply insightful conversation unfolded between Janet Michael, host of The Valley Today, and Andrea Cosans, Executive Director of Winchester CCAP. The topic, while sobering, is crucial: the recent cuts to SNAP benefits and their far-reaching impacts on the community. "I'm here about once or twice a week," Andrea began, referring...

The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival (SVMF) has been a staple of summer entertainment in the Valley for over six decades, and this year is no different. Janet Michael, host of 'The Valley Today,' sat down with Dennis Lynch, SVMF's Executive Director, to discuss the exciting lineup and community impact of the festival. The conversation, filled with insights and anecdotes, sheds light on what attend...

In this latest edition of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael engages in a comprehensive discussion with Ken Slack, a communication specialist for the Staunton District of VDOT . The conversation revolves around various crucial road improvement projects and provides insights into the progress and challenges faced by VDOT. Highlighting bridge maintenance and replacements, Ken explained the ongoi...

In this episode of Public Safety Thursday live in the studio for The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Captain Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to talk about safety, community events, and even some light-hearted personal anecdotes. Captain Gosnell gives details for an important public event – the Battle of the Badges blood drive. Scheduled for Friday, July 11, at t...

In a recent episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by Niki Foster from the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce who provided an insightful look into the operations and events of the Chamber. The conversation delved into various significant aspects that are pivotal to the community and the Chamber. Initially, Janet and Niki talked about the Chamber's new fiscal year, whi...

On this episode of Tourism Tuesday, hosted by Janet Michael, the focus was on a timeless event: Colonial Kids Day. Bringing history to life, this event, organized by the Clarke County Historical Association and headed by Executive Director Nathan Stalvey, is set to take place on July 12th at the picturesque Burwell-Morgan Mill. As Nathan explained in detail, this family-friendly event isn't just a...

In a pivotal episode of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Chris Rucker , the Chief Administrative Officer for Valley Health . Set against the backdrop of growing concerns about the future of Medicaid, this conversation sheds light on the complexities and critical significance of this crucial health program. Janet begins by highlighting the urgent nee...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with Brady Cloven, Executive Director for Friends of Old Town, and his guest, Heidi Hiller, owner at Murphy Beverage Company to discuss everything from wine selection to community engagement. Heidi dives into how she took over the shop. A long-time customer herself, Heidi made a career switch from financial analysis to the wine indu...

Jim Barnett Park is gearing up for Parks and Rec Month, bringing a whirlwind of activities to Winchester this July. Janet Michael, host of the Valley Today, sat down with Chris Konyar, Director of Winchester City Parks, to discuss the exciting lineup. Chris kicked off the conversation by highlighting the festivities starting with the ' Red, White, and Boom ' fireworks display on July 3rd. The day...

In an event bursting with pride and youthful exuberance, the Valley Today welcomed several graduates of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's Arising Leadership Program. The program, designed to cultivate the next generation of confident leaders, concluded with a memorable graduation ceremony that highlighted the growth and achievements of its participants. In today's episode, host Janet Michael,...

In this episode of Tourism Tuesday - Winchester-Frederick County edition - host Janet Michael is joined by Justin Kerns from the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau and his guest Charles Harbaugh IV, the Mayor of Middletown , to discuss the town's upcoming events. A quintessential American pastime is coming to Middletown with a twist—vintage baseball. This isn't your regular...

In today's episode of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael sat down with the team at Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity to discuss their impactful work in the community. The episode featured an in-depth conversation with Executive Director Kim Herbstritt, Aging in Place Coordinator Brittany Day, ReStore Manager Matt Sharp, and Assistant Manager Izzy France. Kim detailed Blue Ridge Habitat's mission...

In the latest episode of Valley Today, hosted by Janet Michael, the focus was on Waterwise Gardening, featuring an in-depth discussion with Joanne Royalty, a Program Associate from the Frederick County Extension Office and a Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener. Though typically known for her expertise on the Spotted Lantern Fly, Joanne provided invaluable tips on gardening during drought co...

June is Men's Health Month, making it a perfect time to highlight the importance of men's health. In a conversation hosted by Janet Michael on The Valley Today, Dr. Isaac Prince—a primary care physician at Valley Health Primary Care—joined to discuss critical health topics that men should be aware of. With his insight, Dr. Prince underscored the importance of regular check-ups and the often-overlo...

In a recent episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomed Carl Knoblock, the Virginia District Director of the Small Business Administration , for a discussion on local manufacturing. Carl and Janet offered insights based on their recent visit to Trelleborg Marine Systems in Berryville, a facility specializing in creating giant fenders for marine applications. Carl marveled at the techn...

In this episode of Tourism Tuesday - Berryville/Clarke County edition - of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by Martha Reynolds, the Executive Director of Barns of Rose Hill. The discussion spanned an impressive roster of upcoming events that showcase the dynamic range of activities hosted by this beloved local institution. Kicking off the conversation, Martha highlighted the highly a...

In a recent episode of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael delved into the dynamic world of senior services and community engagement with her guests Gina Hilliard, President of the Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce, and Greg Stockton, Director of Development for Seniors First. Their conversation ranged from event planning to innovative fundraising ideas, reflecting a community deeply committed to...

In the bustling town of downtown Winchester lies the corporate headquarters of Hang 10 Car Wash , a company revolutionizing the car wash industry. Janet Michael, host of The Valley Today, recently sat down with Ashley Farley, Partnership Lead, and Michael Martin, Marketing Director, to uncover what sets this car wash apart from traditional ones. Hang 10 Car Wash is quickly expanding, boasting four...

Laurel Ridge Community College recently shed light on its highly demanded CDL (Commercial Driver's License) program during a conversation on the Valley Today, hosted by Janet Michael. The discussion featured Guy Curtis, the Director of Marketing for the college, and Jeff Burkhart, the Senior Director of Operations for the Driver Training Program with Ancora Education . The program highlighted the...

In an exciting development for the Shenandoah Valley business community, the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF) and the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC) have announced a strategic partnership designed to bring together the best of both organizations. The conversation on an episode of The Valley Business Today, hosted by Janet Michael with Ryan Hall, Executive Director at SCCF, and...

Mount Jackson's parks and recreational areas are booming with new developments. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael invited Olivia Hilton, the town manager, to provide all the inside details. Initially approved in January, the master park and pedestrian connectivity plan , or MP3, is Olivia's primary focus. It all starts with Lions Park, the main community park, which is set to...

The process of finding appropriate care for aging parents is often overwhelming, especially when faced during a crisis. Janet Michael, host of The Valley Today, recently spoke with Vicki Harris-Williams, founder of 'A Safe Haven for Seniors,' to discuss her mission of assisting families through this difficult journey. Here are the key takeaways from their conversation. Vicki began by sharing her f...

In the latest edition of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael sat down with Andy Gail, CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley, and Holly Roberts, founder of Love To Nic, to discuss their impactful and collaborative efforts to support the homeless and needy communities in Northern Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Holly shared that Love To Nic was founded in memory of her late son, Nic, who str...

This month's episode of Public Safety Thursday with Captain Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office featured an in-depth conversation about their K9 Unit. Captain Gosnell shared with host Janet Michael about the vital role these specialized officers and their canine partners play in public safety. He addresses the complex responsibilities and essential duties performed by the K9...

In this episode of Valley Today, host Janet Michael brings a mix of community insights and local initiatives. Joining her on the show are Niki Foster from the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce and her guests Aaron and Harmony Hike from the Hike Kids Foundation. Harmony and Aaron share their inspiring journey with the Hike Kids Foundation, which aims to empower children by providing ess...