Monday, December 16, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1777, Virginia became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, the first document to attempt to organize a government for the newly independent United States. The Articles would be replaced by the Constitution in 1789.

Welcome to a new week with The Virginia Flyover. We've been tracking a wildfire in Augusta County for days now. Be sure to check our Around Virginia section for today's update.

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High School Football Champs Crowned

Six teams captured state high school football championships over the weekend.

At James Madison University's stadium in Harrisonburg, Oscar Smith claimed the Class 6 title with a 21-20 victory over James Madison High School. Madison attempted the two-point conversion after scoring a TD with no time on the clock but was denied.

In the Class 5 game, Maury blew past Briar Woods by a 46-0 score.

In Lynchburg on Liberty University's field, Phoebus captured the Class 4 championship by topping Varina 23-6. The Class 3 game was never in doubt. Liberty Christian put up a touchdown on its first play from scrimmage and raced past Kettle Run 42-6 to capture its second-straight title.

In Salem, Graham topped Strasburg 31-8 to take the Class 2 title. In the Class 1 game, Essex avenged a one-point loss last year by shutting down Grayson County by a 22-0 score for this year's title.

Unexplained Drones In Virginia's Skies

Drones have been spotted across the Commonwealth on recent nights, including flights in southwest Virginia, in central Virginia, and near military bases in Hampton Roads.

Local and county law enforcement officers from across the state have contacted federal officials about the drone sightings near military posts.

In Virginia Beach, Naval Air Station Oceana reported it hasn't had any incursions but said, "the installation remains prepared to respond to any potential risks."

According to a White House spokesman, "We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus."

Gov. Glenn Youngkin wants more answers. "I remain deeply concerned that Virginia has consistently sought information from federal partners, and to date, the information shared with the Commonwealth has been insufficient," Youngkin said.

The governor promised that state agencies will also try to learn more about the drones.

Commanders Top Saints on Final Play

The Washington Commanders escaped with a victory in New Orleans when the Saints went for a two-point conversion with no time on the clock and didn't convert.

Washington jumped out to a 17-point lead but couldn't pull away from the pesky Saints.

On their final possession, the Commanders missed a 51-yard field goal that could have put the game out of reach, then the team allowed the Saints to put together a two-minute drill that resulted in a TD and set up the decisive final play.

Former Saint Marshon Lattimore played for the first time as a Commander, while rookie QB Jayden Daniels was 25 of 31 for 226 yards and 2 TDs.

The final score was 20-19. Washington moves to 9-5 and remains in position for a wildcard playoff berth.

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➤ Statewide: There are more than 1.2 million students in public schools, according to the Virginia Department of Education. That is roughly the same number as last year but is down 3% from pre-pandemic numbers. (More)

➤ Augusta County: A wild fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest was mostly contained. The U.S. National Forest Service is tamping down hot spots and does not expect the blaze to spread further. (Details)

➤ Norfolk: More than 1,600 graduates received their degrees from Old Dominion University during the school's fall commencement ceremony. (More)

➤ Smyth County: The entire Virginia stretch of the Appalachian Trail reopened. Segments of the trail from the Elk Garden Trailhead to the Tennessee state line had been closed since October because of damage caused by Hurricane Helene. (Details)

➤ Harrisonburg: JMU graduate Stan Jones donated $2.5 million to add a wing to the university’s library. It will be named for him and his wife, Rosemary. (More)

➤ Statewide: A report from the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission found that almost half of the Commonwealth’s 290 nursing homes have not had a state inspection in two years. Some haven’t been checked since 2021. (Details)

➤ Navy recaptured the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy with a dominating 31-13 victory over Army. The Midshipmen move to 9-3 and head to the Armed Forces Bowl, while the Cadets are 11-2 and will appear in the Independence Bowl. (Details)

➤ The Washington Capitals are first in the Metropolitan and visit Dallas tonight after topping Buffalo for their fourth-straight win. (More)

➤ The Virginia Tech women's basketball team blasted Radford 73-34 to move to 8-3. The Highlanders are 1-10. (Details)

➤ Love college sports? The best way to stay up to date on everything related to name, image, and likeness is by checking out NIL Wire. Sign up here with one click!

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➤ Douglas Development of D.C. will purchase the mostly empty Dominion Energy office tower in Richmond for $19.5 million. The space will be converted into apartments and hotel rooms. (More)

➤ Prince William County Supervisors signed off on a 350-home development along Route 28. The site will be rezoned from agricultural use to planned mixed residential. (Details)

➤ Vortex Companies announced it has acquired two Virginia companies: Tri-State Utilities, a Chesapeake-based infrastructure solutions provider, and Pipe Vision, a Richmond-based provider of pipe inspections. (More)

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➤ The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department practiced rappelling while entertaining young patients. First responders dressed as Santa Claus and characters from Frozen descended the outside of Inova Children’s Hospital and then visited patients in their rooms. (More)

➤ The Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia presents “Bach by Candlelight” tonight in Richmond. (Details)

➤ Roanoke’s Harrison Museum of African American Culture is expected to relocate next year, leaving downtown for Melrose Plaza in Northwest. (More)

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