Highlands Media Group

05/30/2026

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🚨 PICTURED BELOW: ALLEGED SHOOTER CHARGED IN CLIFTON FORGE GUNFIRE INCIDENT 🚨

The individual pictured below, Derrick McKinley Hatcher Jr., has been charged following a shooting incident that occurred at approximately 8 p.m. Friday, May 29, in the 900 block of Girard Avenue in Clifton Forge.

According to the Clifton Forge Police Department, a vehicle was struck by gunfire during the incident. The victim was able to leave the area safely and return home. Officers later processed the vehicle and confirmed it had been hit by gunfire.

Hatcher has been charged with:

▪️ Four counts of Attempted Malicious Wounding
▪️ One count of Shooting at or Throwing Missiles at a Vehicle

He is currently being held at the Alleghany Regional Jail without bond.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police say additional charges are pending.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Investigator V. L. Bowman at 540-863-2513.

⚖️ All criminal charges are allegations. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

📸 Photo provided by the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office and Alleghany Regional Jail.

05/30/2026

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05/30/2026

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🚨 Clifton Forge Man Charged Following Reported Shooting Incident 🚨

The Clifton Forge Police Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, in the 900 block of Girard Avenue.

According to police, officers were dispatched after receiving a report of shots fired at a vehicle. The victim was able to leave the area safely and return home. Officers later responded to the victim's residence, where they processed the vehicle and confirmed it had been struck by gunfire.

Police detained a suspect near the scene and, following an investigation, charged Derrick McKinley Hatcher Jr. with:

• Four counts of Attempted Malicious Wounding (Virginia Code 18.2-51)
• One count of Shooting at or Throwing Missiles at a Vehicle (Virginia Code 18.2-154)

Hatcher is currently being held at the Alleghany Regional Jail without bond.

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are pending.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator V. L. Bowman at 540-863-2513.

This story is based on information released by the Clifton Forge Police Department. All criminal charges are allegations, and the accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

05/30/2026

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05/30/2026

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🚂🎉 TODAY'S THE DAY! 🎉🚂

THE NEXT STOP ON THE 2026 SPRING & SUMMER ROAD TOUR ROLLS INTO THE RAILWAY HERITAGE FESTIVAL!

Join BIG AL today at the beautiful C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia, for a day filled with railroad history, family fun, and live entertainment.

📍 C&O Railway Heritage Center – Clifton Forge, VA
📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
🎙️ Catch BIG AL LIVE from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM!

Come enjoy:
🚂 Historic train exhibits
🚂 Mini train rides
🎶 Live entertainment
🍔 Food & vendors
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly fun for all ages
📻 LIVE Road Tour coverage and interviews

Our LIVE broadcast is proudly sponsored by Highlands Community Bank.

The 2026 Spring & Summer Road Tour is proudly presented by:
🟠 Virginia 811 — Dig With CARE
🟢 West Virginia 811

Stop by, say hello, take photos, and experience one of the most exciting stops to date on this year's Road Tour!

05/29/2026

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🇺🇸 THIS COMING WEEK ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE 🇺🇸

Join us for Week 3 of The Road to Independence – A VA250 Celebration Series, presented by ALCOVA Mortgage.

This week's theme, Community Exhibits & Local Stories, explores the people, places, and stories that connect the Alleghany Highlands to Virginia's pivotal role in America's journey to independence.

📻 Hear the series daily on all Highlands Media Group stations at:
🕥 10:30 a.m.
🕓 4:40 p.m.

FEATURED VA250 EVENTS & EXHIBITS

🪖 VA250 Revolutionary War Display
📍 Alleghany Highlands Discovery Center
149 Maple Avenue, Covington
🗓 Tuesday–Friday
🕛 Noon – 4:00 p.m.

⭐ Wall of Valor Exhibit
📍 Covington Post Office
123 West Locust Street, Covington
🗓 Monday–Friday
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

🪡 "From Our Neighborhood" VA250 Quilt Exhibit
📍 Historic Masonic Theatre
510 Main Street, Clifton Forge
🗓 Through July 10
🕙 Tuesday–Friday
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Throughout the week, we'll highlight the local exhibits, community stories, and historical connections that help tell Virginia's story—and America's story—as we commemorate 250 years of independence.

📞 For more information about VA250 events, contact the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at 540-962-2178.

🌐 AHChamber.com/VA250

Special thanks to our community sponsors:

🏛 Delegate Terry L. Austin

🛡 Nicole Gum Groseclose Insurance Solutions

Together, we're helping tell the story of Virginia's role in the birth of American independence.

05/29/2026

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🎟️🤠 WILD TRAILS FESTIVAL TICKET GIVEAWAY! 🤠🎟️

Get ready, Highway 64 listeners! Next week, BIG AL is giving away ONE PAIR OF 3-Day Passes to the 2026 Wild Trails Festival, coming to the State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg, West Virginia, June 18-20, 2026!

🔥 Featuring an incredible lineup including: Koe Wetzel, Tucker Wetmore, Ian Munsick, Shane Smith & The Saints, Kolby Cooper, Kaitlin Butts, Larry Fleet, Bayker Blankenship, Evan Honer, The Creekers, The Jack Wharff Band, and more!

🏕️ Your 3-Day Pass includes: ✅ Three days of live music
✅ On-site camping
✅ Access to food and craft vendors
✅ The full Wild Trails Festival experience in the beautiful Greenbrier Valley

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Purchase your passes at WildTrailsWV.com or call 1-800-314-ETIX (3849). Three-day passes and VIP packages are currently available, with camping included. A limited number of single-day tickets may be released closer to the festival, if available.

📻 Listen to Highway 64 with Big Al next week on 103.1 The Bear and 103.5 Big Country for your chance to win!

💻 Can't listen on the radio? Listen online at Highway64WithBigAl.com. Just click "Listen Live" and don't forget to hit the play button!

👇 Tag your concert crew and tell us which Wild Trails Festival artist you're most excited to see!

🎶🏕️🎸🎟️

05/29/2026

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⚠️ SkyView Traffic ALERT
🚨 Vehicle Crash
📅 Friday, May 29, 2026
🕒 Update: 2:30 p.m.

📍 I-64 Westbound at mile marker 20.4, Alleghany County

A vehicle crash has been reported on Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 20.4 in Alleghany County.

🚧 The westbound right shoulder is currently closed.

⏱ Motorists can expect delays in the area as crews respond to the scene.

⚠️ Drivers are advised to use caution, reduce speed, and be alert for emergency personnel and stopped vehicles.

Additional updates may follow.

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🔧This ⚠️SkyView Traffic ALERT is sponsored by:

Dewey’s Automotive, LLC
609 West Chestnut Street
Covington, VA 24426

Proudly serving the Alleghany Highlands and surrounding areas for over 50 years!

Services Include:

• 24 Hour Towing & Recovery
• Local & Long Distance Service
• Paint & Body Repair
• Jump Starts
• Fuel Delivery
• Lockout Services
• Insurance Replacement Rentals

🚗 Need help fast?

Visit DeweysAutomotiveLLC.com and tap the “Click Here to Call Now” button to instantly reach us from your smartphone or tablet.

If you’re involved in an accident or break down, request Dewey’s Automotive, LLC with your police officer or State Trooper or call 📞 540-962-3255

👍 Be sure to check them out on Facebook!

05/29/2026

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🚨 UPDATE: Subway Reopens Following Vehicle Crash

Subway at the BP/GoMart location in Covington has reopened after temporarily closing due to damage caused by Wednesday morning's vehicle crash.

The restaurant has resumed normal operations following cleanup and repairs to the affected area. According to store manager Robert Floyd, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

The crash occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday when a vehicle struck the building. While the convenience store remained open, the Subway portion of the business was temporarily closed until it was deemed safe to reopen.

Customers can once again enjoy full service at the location.

Image Disclaimer: The accompanying graphic was created by the Two Virginias Newsroom for illustrative and informational purposes. It may not depict the exact conditions, appearance, or extent of damage related to the incident.

— From the Two Virginias Newsroom

05/29/2026

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