Latest news with #StauntonCityCouncil
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gypsy Hill Pool house safety concerns forces city to make changes for upcoming season
The Gypsy Hill Park pool is scheduled to open in two weeks, on May 24, but there will be some changes after an inspection identified some safety concerns with the current pool house. Staunton is considering a new pool house, but that would not be built, at the earliest, until after this summer's swim season is complete. City Manager Leslie Beauregard told Staunton City Council at its May 8 meeting that the design phase of that new construction is complete and it will go to bid May 19. "We're anxious to see what those bids will say," Beauregard said. That, however, is a future concern for city council. A more pressing problem is that the current pool house has some structural integrity issues that has forced the city to make changes for this season. Chris Tuttle, director of Staunton's Parks and Recreation, provided an update on those changes to council. "There's certain areas of the pool house we're not going to be able to use this year," Tuttle said. The rear staircase from the deck to the pool level is unusable this summer. So is the women's restroom. And the patio directly in front of the rear staircase will be limited in its use. Tuttle said that there is now more damage to the rear staircase than a year ago, with the concrete starting to deteriorate. That will be blocked off before pool opening. The city has come up with some solutions in order to open the pool on time, although Tuttle called it a "work in progress." The former men's restroom will now be the women's restroom with some changing stalls relocated from the old women's restroom to the new space. The handicap ramp will now be used to access the pool deck and signage will be installed to direct traffic flow. As far as additional restrooms, Tuttle said the city is looking into various options. One is to rent an ADA accessible multi-restroom trailer for this summer. Another option is what Tuttle called a "wedding porta-john" which is a more luxury portable restroom. Tuttle said the city thought they had a trailer unit ready to rent for $16,500 but they just found out that it is no longer available. Staff has continued to look for another trailer, but those are considerably more expensive, Tuttle said, with the cost ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 for the season. The other option, the "wedding porta-johns," would cost the city approximately $14,000, Tuttle told council. "That may be the direction we're going in," he said. There will also be temporary handwashing and outdoor rinse stations installed at the pool. Those have been ordered, per Tuttle. The staff has two weeks to find the solutions. "That's the situation we're in," Tuttle said. "We're going to make it work." More: Sports card shop opens in Waynesboro; Equipment company opens in Fishersville: BUSINESS BEAT More: Twin brother of Augusta County sheriff pleads guilty to felony drug charge — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Changes being made to Gypsy Hill Park pool house for summer due to safety concerns
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia State Police ID victims in fatal Augusta County crash
AUGUSTA COUNTY — Virginia State Police on Friday released the name of a man killed earlier this week in a single-vehicle crash near Mint Spring. The crash took place Wednesday in the 200 block of Folly Mills Station Road shortly before 10 p.m. Police said a 2005 Subaru Forester was going westbound when it went off of the right side of the road, hit a culvert and then struck a tree. More: Still a lot of unknowns about the Wharf Parking Lot as Staunton City Council gets update A passenger, 69-year-old William D. Garland, 69, of Staunton, died at the scene. The driver of the Subaru, Wendy K. Halterman, 55, of Staunton, suffered serious injuries and was flown to UVA Health in Charlottesville. State police said both victims were wearing seat belts. The crash remains under investigation. More: Murder suspect pleads not guilty in Waynesboro, loses bid to suppress police statements More: Can rabbit rescue be saved? Augusta County Board of Supervisors asks attorney to try to help Bunny Lu Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter) This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia State Police ID victims in fatal Augusta County crash
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia State Police ID victims in fatal Augusta County crash
AUGUSTA COUNTY — Virginia State Police on Friday released the name of a man killed earlier this week in a single-vehicle crash near Mint Spring. The crash took place Wednesday in the 200 block of Folly Mills Station Road shortly before 10 p.m. Police said a 2005 Subaru Forester was going westbound when it went off of the right side of the road, hit a culvert and then struck a tree. More: Still a lot of unknowns about the Wharf Parking Lot as Staunton City Council gets update A passenger, 69-year-old William D. Garland, 69, of Staunton, died at the scene. The driver of the Subaru, Wendy K. Halterman, 55, of Staunton, suffered serious injuries and was flown to UVA Health in Charlottesville. State police said both victims were wearing seat belts. The crash remains under investigation. More: Murder suspect pleads not guilty in Waynesboro, loses bid to suppress police statements More: Can rabbit rescue be saved? Augusta County Board of Supervisors asks attorney to try to help Bunny Lu Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter) This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia State Police ID victims in fatal Augusta County crash
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Still a lot of unknowns about the Wharf Parking Lot as Staunton City Council gets update
STAUNTON — There's more that is unknown than known at this time concerning the closure of part of the Wharf Parking Lot in downtown Staunton. City Manager Leslie Beauregard updated Staunton City Council on the area Thursday night at its regular meeting. In 2021, nine months after two devastating floods hit downtown Staunton, City Council allocated a portion of their American Rescue Plan Act funds toward flood mitigation efforts in the city. A tunnel survey and structural evaluation conducted by Wiley|Wilson explored the conditions where Gum Spring Branch and Lewis Creek run underground. Those efforts included a tunnel survey and structural evaluation conducted by Wiley|Wilson and started last week. What the engineers saw caused them concern about the structural integrity of the tunnel in several specific areas, primarily around the Wharf. The east portion of the Wharf Parking Lot has been closed as has the entrance from West Johnson Street. A new entrance to the west end of the parking lot was created off of Byers Street that can be accessed from Lewis Street. Traffic patterns on West Johnson Street have also been changed. Can rabbit rescue be saved? Augusta County Board of Supervisors asks attorney to try to help Bunny Lu Beauregard said the extent or cost of repairs is not known yet. The city is also not sure how to fund those repairs. "We have already been talking to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, we talked to the planning district commission," Beauregard said. "Looking at a combination of local dollars, grants. We even looked at if we take out bonds. We just don't know until we know the cost, obviously, but we're kind of exploring every single option." The timeline on starting emergency repairs and how long those repairs will take is also an unknown as of Thursday night. Beauregard said the city is also not sure of the longer term plans for creeks and tunnel systems and strategic flood mitigation. "That's a lot not to know," she said. "I realize." Murder suspect pleads not guilty in Waynesboro, losses bid to suppress police statements As far as what is known, Beauregard said that downtown parking and traffic flow will stay as is for now until more is known. Wiley|Wilson will continue to evaluate areas of concern. The engineering firm will also continue its evaluation north up Central Avenue and east to New Street. Beauregard said the Staunton Farmers' Market that operates in the west portion of the Wharf Parking Lot is still scheduled to start April 5. "Understanding though, if construction occurs and they have to leave that space for some period of time, they'll need a plan B," she said. "We're helping them work through that." It's also perfectly safe for pedestrian traffic on the eastern side of the Wharf Parking Lot, Beauregard said. The city manager thanked the staff that worked on this, including public works for creating the new entrance. "I think it looks like it belonged there forever," she said. "I think when this is all said and done, I think they're going to keep that as an opening and bollard it. It's always nice to have that option for special events or the Farmers' Market or whatever." Beauregard did tell council that this provides an opportunity to study parking in downtown Staunton. "I have a feeling that we will be updating you and the public often," Beauregard said. "Often and frequently and sharing as much detail as we can at any given time." More: VSP: One dead in Augusta County crash More: Staunton School Board, search firm meet to discuss timeline on hiring superintendent — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton City Council hears update on Wharf Parking Lot closure
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Wintergreen cop's slaying pleads guilty to murder
LOVINGSTON – A Maryland man who killed a Wintergreen police officer in a 2023 drug-fueled attack pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge of second-degree murder in Nelson County Circuit Court, records show. Daniel A. Barmak, 24, of Owings Mills, Maryland, shot and killed 31-year-old Christopher Wagner II the night of June 16, 2023, with the officer's gun. Wagner lived in Stuarts Draft and worked for the Wintergreen Police Department. Barmak had been previously charged with aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer. Testimony at a preliminary hearing held in January 2024 showed that Barmak went to Wintergreen with two friends for a weekend. After snorting more than 20 lines of ketamine over a two-day period, Barmak — who also brought along a large bag of psychedelic mushrooms — became erratic the second night of the trip, according to testimony. Two witnesses told police Barmak ingested ketamine, mushrooms, alcohol and smoked marijuana. Toxicology testing for ketamine was positive, according to court records. More: Virginia Festival of the Book, Staunton City Council begins FY 2026 budget process: The Digest On June 16 while staying at on Arrowwood Lane in Wintergreen, Barmak and his two friends worked remotely before going to a local cider spot that afternoon, according to testimony. Afterward, they went on a hike. It was during the hike that Barmak began exhibiting strange behaviors. Testimony showed after arriving back at the vacation home that he attacked his friends, stabbing one in the back and biting his ear, and hitting the other man in the face with a log before they both escaped outside. After Wagner arrived at the scene, the police officer confronted Barmak behind the residence. Barmak became aggressive, resulting in Wagner using his Taser in an attempt to subdue him. Testimony showed the Taser had little impact. As Barmak and Wagner tussled, seconds later a gunshot rang out. Wagner was found with a gunshot wound to the head, an officer testified. Police later discovered Barmak completely nude and covered in blood and mud while crouched near a tree line. Subdued by a Wintergreen police officer and two Nelson County deputies who arrived at the scene, he was later spotted chewing gravel after being handcuffed. Barmak also violently hit his head on the ground multiple times. Taken to the hospital, a bullet was removed from Barmak's leg, court records show. Prior to his arrest, Barmak worked in the insurance industry and earned between $50,000 and $70,000 per year. Besides pleading guilty to second-degree murder, he also pleaded guilty to two charges of malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. A two-day sentencing hearing in Nelson County Circuit Court is set to begin Sept. 29, court records show. More: Elderly Augusta County man loses $238,000 in scam Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter) This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Daniel Barmak pleads guilty to second-degree murder
