Town of Abingdon Facilities Closures and Services Update 5-26-2020

Town of Abingdon Facilities Closures and Services Update

The Town of Abingdon is taking several measures to support the goal of protecting the well-being of our community, and the capacity of our overall healthcare system. Effective May 26, 2020, many offices, including Town Hall and the Police Department, will be open to the public; however, some Town facilities will remain closed until further notice. Below is an update on Town facilities and services.

• Town Hall is open but customers may continue to use the following methods for transactions such as paying sewer bills or taxes:

o U.S. Mail
o Online – www.abingdon-va.gov/online-bill-pay
o Credit card via telephone: (276) 525-1464
o Dropbox located at the front of Town Hall

• There is a “dropbox” located outside the first floor of Town Hall for patrons to submit business licenses, building permits, and other items to the Planning and Public Works Departments. Other services (such as applications for permits, licenses, and applications for utility services) may be negotiated by use of telephone or e-mail communication. Many forms can be downloaded from our website www.abingdon-va.gov (and identified using the search tool).

• Tourism offices, at 335 Cummings Street, will continue to serve visitors by phone and e-mail only. The building is closed to the public. You may contact the office via phone at 276-676-2282 or e-mail at acvb@abingdon-va.gov.

• The Muster Grounds, at 1780 Muster Place, is closed to the public until further notice. You may contact the office via phone at 276-525-1050.

• Public parks and playground facilities are open under normal operating conditions as long as patrons remain compliant with appropriate social distancing guidelines. Pavilions with picnic tables will remain closed until further notice. For more information or questions about the parks, playgrounds, and pavilions, call 276-492-2144.

• The Coomes Recreation Center will remain closed until further notice. For further updates, follow their social media pages or visit their website at www.coomescenter.com.

Continue to follow the Town website and social media pages for further updates and schedule changes.

APD Call Log May 11-18, 2020

Virtual Torch Run 2020

Abingdon Police Department

                                             

For Immediate Release

Virtual Torch Run

Each year the Abingdon Police Department participates in the Torch Run for Special Olympics. This is an annual event to deliver the Olympic flame to Richmond before the opening ceremonies of the Virginia Games while raising money for the Virginia Special Olympics along the way.  Because of COVID-19, this year’s run across Virginia has been changed to a virtual run. Members of the APD will be signing up online and tracking our miles between June 8^th-12, 2020, making the trip to Richmond virtually, and we are asking you to join us.  Law Enforcement and the athletes need YOUR help to keep the "Flame of Hope" burning bright for the future and health of our athletes.

Help us cover 1,900 miles by running, biking, or walking and tracking your miles between June 8th - June 12th. Then join us virtually on June 13 for the final mile and celebratory dance.

Whether you walk a mile or run 26.2, your participation will provide people of all abilities uncompromising inclusion— in school, employment, healthcare, social activities, and sports.

Check out the Facebook event for more information. https://www.facebook.com/events/1572888326208197/

To register for the Virtual Run, visit the website-

https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/event/virtual-torch-run/e283653

Please join us!

Abingdon Police Department- Traffic Stop Yields Drug Charges on 5-16-2020

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Saturday, May 16, 2020, at approximately 3:47 AM, Officer M.R. Fields observed a silver Cadillac fail to stop at the red light at the intersection of Thompson Drive and East Main Street. Officer Fields stopped the Cadillac for the violation. As he approached to speak with the driver, he noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Based on his observations, Officer Fields asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle, which was granted.

The search uncovered a Glock 43 pistol, several small plastic baggies containing a green plant-like substance, $280.00 in cash, a baggie containing a small blue pill, and various drug paraphernalia.

The driver was identified as Justin B. Morrison, 20, of 519 Seven Mile Ford Road, Marion, VA 24354.

Morrison was placed under arrest and transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. He is charged with possession with intent to sell, give or distribute marijuana in violation of § 18.2-248.1 of the Code of Virginia; Possession of a Concealed Weapon in violation of § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia; and a summons for a traffic violation. Morrison was released on a $6,000 secured bond.

Additional charges are pending.

Virginia Creeper Trail to Reopen on May 12 at 5:00pm

Virginia Creeper Trail to Reopen on May 12 at 5:00pm

The Virginia Creeper Trail will reopen effective Tuesday, May 12 at 5:00 pm; however, facilities and services along the trail will remain closed. The Center for Disease Control’s guidelines related to social distancing will be required for use of the trail during the COVID-19 pandemic along with other steps aimed at protecting public health.

The decision to reopen the trail was made jointly by the US Forest Service and the Towns of Abingdon and Damascus in consultation with the Mount Rogers Health District.

In compliance with the CDC’s guidelines, all trail users should maintain physical distancing, including maintaining at least six feet distance between individuals and others who are not in the same party. No groups of 10 or more should travel or congregate on the trail, at access points or in the parking areas.

In addition, at this time, for protection of trail users and employees with limited personal protection equipment (PPE), all restroom facilities, visitor and welcome centers and picnic shelters will remain closed. All visitors should plan to bring their own water and hand sanitizer. Most trash receptacles will not be available so trail users should plan to “pack-in and pack-out”. Routine trail maintenance will be limited.

“We are so glad to reopen the trail, which is such an asset to our residents and visitors. We are grateful for the coordination between all the stakeholders who have worked hard to ensure that the trail is being re-opened as quickly and safely as possible,” says Matthew Crum, president of the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy.

For more information, visit vacreepertrail.org

The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail is a 34.3-mile rail-to-recreation trail, traversing through two counties from Abingdon, Virginia, through Damascus, and ending just past Whitetop Station in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, at the Virginia-North Carolina border. Damascus and Abingdon local governments administer the trail from Abingdon to Damascus (mile 0-15); and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests’ Mount Rogers National Recreation Area manages the trail from Damascus up to the North Carolina line (mile 15-34).

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Wear Blue in Support of Law Enforcement on May 15, 2020

As part of National Police Week, the APD is asking everyone to wear blue in support of law enforcement on Friday, May 15, 2020. Send us your pictures on Friday of you and your businesses/organizations wearing blue. You can email the pictures to crimereport@abingdon-va.gov. We will share them on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Help us “Go Blue” on Friday, May 15, 2020.

APD Call Log April 27-May 4, 2020

Community Members Encouraged to ‘Go Blue’ for National Police Week

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Community Members Encouraged to ‘Go Blue’ for National Police Week

National Police Week was established in 1962, by President Kennedy. May 15th was chosen as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for while ensuring the safety and protection of others.

The Abingdon Police Department is encouraging people everywhere to show support for law enforcement by displaying something blue on their property during National Police Memorial Week, May 10-16, 2020. In the past, many people have displayed a blue porch light, blue ribbons, blue balloons, or signs throughout National Police Week.

This is a great time to remember the sacrifices of officers both locally and nationally. No matter whether the sacrifice is made across the country, or on the streets of our local community, men and women risk their personal safety each day for the protection of the liberties of others. Please join us in recognizing the service of the men and women of law enforcement.

Send us pictures of you or your business/organization “Going Blue” during National Police Week. You can email the pictures to crimereport@abingdon-va.gov and we will share them on our social media pages.

Thank you for all your support!

APD Call Log 20-27, 2020