Abingdon Police Department: July 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- UPDATE ON TRAIN INCIDENT 7-28-18

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

Ruth Ellen Horne, 76, of 250 Stone Mill Road Apartment 2, Abingdon, Virginia, has been identified as the driver of the 2007 KIA Spectra that was struck by the train on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Further investigation revealed that Ms. Horne drove around the crossing arms and into the path of the train. Ruth Ellen Horne died Saturday evening at Bristol Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained from the collision.

*Note: Thank you to the Washington County, VA Sheriff’s Office for their help with this incident.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Train Incident on 7-28-18

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Saturday, July 28, 2018, at approximately 2:22 PM, Abingdon Police Department officers were dispatched to the railroad crossing at Preston Street in reference to a vehicle being struck by an eastbound train. The preliminary investigation indicates that the silver KIA sedan was traveling north on Preston Street when it was struck by the front of the Norfolk Southern train. The one occupant of the vehicle was transported by Virginia State Police Med-flight to Bristol Regional Medical Center.

The Abingdon Police Department, Abingdon Fire Department, and the Washington County Life Saving Crew all responded to the incident. At this time, the incident is still under investigation.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

2018 VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

2018 Virginia Highlands Festival Information

The annual Virginia Highlands Festival will be held Friday, July 27, 2018 through Sunday, August 5, 2018 in Abingdon. The arts and crafts section of the festival has been moved to the Barter Green across from the Barter Theatre. Music events will be held at the Abingdon Market Pavilion on Remsburg Drive. The antiques market will be located at the Washington County, VA Fairgrounds.

Road Closures for the event:

Partington Place will be closed each day from Main Street to the exit of the Martha Washington Inn's parking lot from 09:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. between July 27th and August 5th.

Remsburg Drive will be closed from the Farmer's Market to Cummings Street on the following dates and times:

· July 27th at 4:00 P.M. to July 30th at 7:00 A.M. (except it will be open during the Shriner’s parade on July 28^th from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.)

· August 3rd at 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

· August 4th at 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

Parking:

The Abingdon Police Department wants to remind festival visitors of parking restrictions. Like all tourist communities, Abingdon has several parking regulations that you should be familiar with to avoid subjecting yourself to an unwanted fine.

To assist you in planning your visit, the following parking restrictions are provided for your information.

In the Town of Abingdon, it is unlawful to:

1. Park Overtime – OVERTIME parking is enforced Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm. It is NOT enforced on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

2. Block a driveway.

3. Park so the parked vehicle partially blocks a driveway.

4. Block an intersection.

5. Park so the parked vehicle encroaches an intersection.

6. Park in a space designated by signage as a “Bus Stop.”

7. Park so that the left (driver’s) side of a vehicle is against the curbing of the roadway. This is commonly called “Parking Against the Traffic Flow” or “Parking Against the Flow” and is our most common violation.

8. Park in a loading zone.

9. Park in a space designated “No Parking.”

10. Park in any alley.

11. Park on a sidewalk.

12. Park so the vehicle occupies a portion of two marked parking spaces.

Parking will be limited and in high demand. Parking is available at the municipal parking lot (across from Ellis Soda Shop) and is free to the public. However, these spaces will fill quickly. To accommodate visitors, there is free parking at Heartwood (exit 14) and at Roses (exit 19). A shuttle will run from the parking areas between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day. You can avoid the traffic downtown by parking at Heartwood or Roses and taking the shuttle to event locations around Abingdon.

Coolers:

Coolers are not allowed inside the festival area.

The APD warmly welcomes your visit to our community. We hope that your visit will be greeted with smiling faces and a friendly atmosphere.

Monday, July 23, 2018

APD Call Log July 16-22, 2018

Blood Assurance Hosts Fourth Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blood Assurance Hosts Fourth Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

On Friday, July 27, 2018, members of the Abingdon Police Department, Abingdon Fire Department, Washington County, VA Sheriff’s Office, and Washington County Life Saving Crew are joining forces for the Fourth Annual Battle of the Badges blood drive. A trophy will be awarded to the department with the most blood donors. The drive will be held in the parking lot of the Abingdon Police Department at 425 West Main Street, Abingdon, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

“Donating blood is a way that we can all be a hero in our community. By donating to Blood Assurance, you insure that your donation will be used locally. Blood Assurance is the sole provider of blood for Johnston Memorial Hospital, Russell County Medical Center, and Smyth County Hospital.

Donating blood is simple, takes a small amount of time, and is relatively painless. Sadly, many who are eligible to donate, don't. Many are busy, and others are simply afraid. Nationally, less than ten percent of the U.S. population maintains the entire blood supply for our country. For this reason, blood donors are special people. They take the time to, literally, give themselves to others.

This is part of the reason that we host the "Battle of the Badges" blood drive. You do not have to be a member of an emergency service organization to join, but you can choose who gets to count your donation when you give and in the end, you will be a hero.

This is our fourth "Battle of the Badges" drive and this year we have set a goal of collecting two hundred (200) units! This is a very sizable, but achievable, goal! However, the emergency services community firmly believes that the citizens we serve will donate on July 27th to reach this mark. To accommodate this we will have additional collection vehicles available for this drive.

We hope to see you at the Battle of the Badges!”- Police Chief/Interim Town Manager Tony Sullivan

Blood Assurance relies on all blood types, but especially those with type O-negative blood, as it is the universal blood type. O-negative blood is given to patients in an emergency situation when their own blood type is unknown.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and a special “Battle of the Badges” t-shirt. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids -avoiding caffeine- prior to giving blood.

The blood drive is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come donate in the name of your favorite public service agency. To help minimize your wait time, we encourage you to sign up at bloodassurance.org/bob2018 for a time slot.