River Bend Vol Fire Station 40

10/23/2026

10/21/2026

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10/19/2026

‘SAFE RIDES AND EVERYDAY HEROES,’ VIRGINIA STATE POLICE REMINDS DRIVERS TO STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES AND STUDENTS

October 19-23 is National School Bus Safety Week

RICHMOND - The school year is in full swing for the entire Commonwealth and during National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 19-23), Virginia State Police want to remind drivers they can be everyday heroes by sharing the road with students and stopping for school buses when appropriate, ensuring everyone has a safe commute. This year’s theme is “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), less than one percent of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles.* However, the risk increases when a child is either departing or approaching a school bus.

On Oct. 7, 2026, a juvenile leaving a school bus on Route 23 in Scott County was struck by a dump truck that had swerved to avoid the bus. The juvenile suffered injuries, and the driver of the dump truck, Myron L. Mcamis, 64, of Chuckey, Tenn., was charged with reckless driving.

Additionally, on Oct. 12, 2026, a school bus in Tazewell County was struck as it stopped to let children depart along Route 460. A Subaru Outback behind the bus stopped but it was struck by a Subaru Legacy, forcing the Outback into the bus. The driver of the Legacy, Leslie A. Varney, 31, of North Tazwell, Va., was charged with reckless driving.

Virginia law requires a person driving a motor vehicle, regardless of direction, to stop for a school bus that is stopped and “taking on or discharging” passengers. The law does not require stopping if the vehicle is travelling in the opposite direction on a divided highway (Virginia Code § 46.2-859).

The NHTSA also reminds parents to speak to their children about school bus safety, reminding them not to run or play at the bus stop. Additionally, students should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before departing or boarding, and should always cross in front of the school bus.

*https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety

10/19/2026

10/16/2026

I want to share this week’s drought update with you.

MAIN POINT: The worst category of drought has been removed from our area.

Rainfall over the past weekend has brought some slight improvements to our situation.

The D4 area was dropped from Guilford and Rockingham Counties, while D3 remains.

How dry has it been? January through September was the 5th driest start to a year in Guilford County in 132 years of records. We are running more than 11 inches below normal.

It takes time for moisture to replenish the soil, streams, groundwater, and reservoirs after such a prolonged dry stretch.

We’ll need more consistent rainfall in the weeks and months ahead to make a lasting difference.

I do think it’s worth noting that fall and winter are better times to battle a drought than the summer.

- Less evaporation: Cooler temperatures and a weaker sun mean less moisture is lost from the soil.
- Less demand from plants: Grass, trees, and other vegetation need less water as they slow down or go dormant. That leaves more moisture available to soak into the ground.
- Better groundwater recharge: With less water being used by plants, more rainfall has the opportunity to seep deeper into the soil and eventually replenish groundwater.
- Rain can go further: An inch of rain in November can be more effective at replenishing soil moisture than an inch in July, when heat and thirst

Our wet pattern hasn’t started yet, but is expected to this winter with El Niño.

10/16/2026

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