STAUNTON – Motorists should expect major traffic disruptions near Front Royal in Warren County along Route 624 (Happy Creek Road) due to Norfolk Southern Railroad maintenance work. On Wednesday, February 14 work will be at the Route 606 (Shenandoah Shores Road) crossing and on Thursday, February 15 work will be at the Route 624 crossing near Route 647 (Dismal Hollow Road. The start and end times of the crossing closures due to the railroad maintenance work are estimates provided by Norfolk Southern.

The February 14 work is estimated from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. producing a major one-day transportation disruption affecting Shenandoah Shores, Christendom College and a variety of businesses and residential areas that can only be accessed by traveling over the crossing at Route 606 and Route 624. Route 606 at the railroad crossing is the single ingress and egress for Route 606 north of Route 624. Only emergency services will be able to enter or leave the area while the railroad work is underway. There is no detour available. All who use this intersection must expect no travel in and out of the area during the scheduled work.

The February 15 work is estimated from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Route 624 will be closed just west of the Route 647 intersection. Signs will guide traffic on the following detours:

All work is weather permitting, and the closure schedule is subject to change.

For updated traffic alerts and traveler information, dial 511 or visit https://www.511virginia.org.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.

The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.gov.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

(END)

[email protected]

540-292-2500 (cell)

Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. (“Equus”), one of the nation’s leading real estate developers and investment managers, announced that an affiliate completed the development and sale of the Virginia Inland Port Logistics Center, a 339,450 square-foot Class A warehouse/distribution facility along Route 522 in Front Royal, Virginia, to an affiliate of The Silverman Group, for $38.2 million. The property was 100% leased at the time of sale to an affiliate of Iron Mountain Incorporated, an industry leader in data storage and information management services, which in May 2022, signed a 10-year lease for the speculatively built facility.

Jonathan Beard, Bo Cashman, and Michael Hines of CBRE represented Equus in the transaction.

The property is within ½ mile of the Virginia Inland Port, which provides direct rail connections to The Port of Virginia in Hampton Roads/Norfolk, VA. The property’s proximity to the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. / Baltimore metro region was a key factor in the tenant’s decision to execute a long-term lease.

The building boasts a highly functional rear load design with high throughput features and is designed to accommodate two tenants. The building also features 32’ clear height, 51’ x 52’ structural steel column spacing with a 60’ speed bay, 34 loading dock doors with fully operational levelers, bumpers, seals, z-guards and LED swing arm lights. There are 21 knock-out panels which provides the ability to expand to 55 dock door locations. The building also possesses an ESFR Sprinkler System, 103 car parking spaces and 63 trailer parking spaces away from the loading docks.

Energy efficient features that were incorporated into this development include a 60 Mil heat load reducing white TPO membrane roof, LED high bay lighting with motion sensors, clerestory windows, the use of native landscape to minimize the need for irrigation and a stormwater management system designed to eliminate runoff of pollutants from paved areas.

“The disposition of the Virginia Inland Port Logistics Facility represents the successful execution of the Equus industrial development program,” stated Dan DiLella Jr., Senior Vice President of Equus Capital Partners, who along with Christopher Locatell, Senior Vice President, John Knott, Vice President, and Keith Hontz, Vice President, oversaw the transaction for the firm. “We are grateful to Colliers International and Jones Lang LaSalle, who were involved with the leasing of the project. Additionally, we appreciate the hard work and support that we received from the Warren County Planning Department. This development project is an economic win for the region.”

You might find Shelly Cook in the kitchen or behind the counter at Poppy’s Place, her new restaurant in downtown Front Royal. Or maybe you’ll find her next door at Royal Oak Bookstore, which she purchased this summer.

Still no luck? Try the motel under renovation down the block where she’s bringing back its mid-century charm.

Cook, an entrepreneur and builder who operates Servants Hands Construction, is one busy lady on a mission to bring function and beauty to the town she loves.

“I’m trying to re-do the town one project at a time,” Cook said. “I want people to fall in love with our little town. No place is perfect, but I think we have the most wonderful community. I love the people here. I think they’re kind, generous, loving.”

Her latest project, the former Sunshine Inn located at 416 S. Royal Ave. in Front Royal, is mid-way through its renovation. The formerly blighted and partially burned U-shaped motel that Cook has renamed the Olive Branch is getting a major facelift.

Cook said she picked the name, a biblical reference, “because this town needs peace.”

In keeping with the name, Cook has had the building repainted an olive green.

Slated to open in January, the extend-a-stay rooms will have a mid-century modern flair with custom furniture, a kitchenette, individual heating and air conditioning units, and a flower box out front.

Rooms range in size from 400 square feet to nearly 800 square feet, with 15 standard rooms and four suits. The design includes a gathering area in the lower level that will include a laundry room, kitchenette, billiard tables, a sitting area, and a classroom with a white board.

Cook purchased the property in July and has had her crew hard at work.

“We took 100 loads of debris from the property,” Cooks said, noting that in addition to general clean up the project has also included new cathedral ceilings along the back section, a new roof, and extensive concrete work in the lower level.

Cook hopes to win a government contract to house law enforcement officers in the area for training at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Canine Training Center south of town, as well as business travelers.

Over the last few years Cook has taken on several major renovations in Front Royal, including the extensive remodel of The Trellis, a former roadside motel on John Marshall Highway east of town.

Along with the Olive Branch, Cook is also in the planning stages for a smaller scale remodel at Royal Oak Bookstore, located next door to Poppy’s Place on South Royal Avenue. She purchased the building this summer and so far has cleared the front porch to make way for a seating area and upgraded the parking lot in the back.

Interior work will begin after the holidays, she said, noting that the current store staff will stay on and operate the bookstore, leasing the south half of the building from Cook.

“I didn’t want to disrupt their business or people’s holiday shopping routines,” she said, adding that she anticipates the store will be closed for remodeling for about a month after Christmas.

Work will include repairing the roof and removing the drop ceiling.

The north half of the building will become an “enhanced sitting area,” Cook said. “You can either go to Poppy’s or the bookstore and then sit down on a couch and have wi-fi.”

She plans to have herbal teas and coffee available.

“We’re just trying to create a space where people can come in, have lunch, get a book, go over and sit down. One of the reasons I really wanted that bookstore was because I don’t want kids to lose the written word. It’s one thing to read a book on your phone, but social media is so distracting. I wanted to see them be able to feel a book and to love the written word,” Cook said.

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF

1298 QUEENS HWY

FRONT ROYAL, VA 22630

In execution of a certain Deed of Trust dated October 5, 2015, in the original principal amount of $137,755.00 recorded in the Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court for Warren County, Virginia as Instrument No. 150005123 . The undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the South Royal Avenue entrance to the Circuit Court building for Warren County, 1 E. Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia or any such temporary alternative Circuit Court location designated by the Judges of the Circuit Court on September 20, 2023, at 11:30 AM, the property described in said Deed of Trust, located at the above address, and more particularly described as follows:

ALL OF THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, EASEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, LYING AND BEING SITUATE IN THE NORTH RIVER MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT OF WARREN COUNTY, VIRGINIA AT RIVERTON AT THE JUNCTION OF THE SOUTH AND NORTH BRANCHES OF THE SHENANDOAH RIVER, AND BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT NO. SEVEN (7) AS SHOWN AND ON A CERTAIN PLAT ENTITLED AVALON SHORES", OF RECORD IN THE CLERK`S OFFICE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WARREN COUNTY, VIRGINIA IN PLAT BOOK 2 AT PAGE 208.

TERMS OF SALE: ALL CASH. A bidder’s deposit of ten percent (10%) of the sale price or ten percent (10%) of the original principal balance of the subject Deed of Trust, whichever is lower, in the form of cash or certified funds payable to the Substitute Trustee must be present at the time of the sale. The balance of the purchase price will be due within fifteen (15) days of sale, otherwise Purchaser’s deposit may be forfeited to Trustee. Time is of the essence. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser may, if provided by the terms of the Trustee’s Memorandum of Foreclosure Sale, be entitled to a $50 cancellation fee from the Substitute Trustee, but shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. A form copy of the Trustee’s memorandum of foreclosure sale and contract to purchase real property is available for viewing at www.bwwsales.com. Additional terms, if any, to be announced at the sale and the Purchaser may be given the option to execute the contract of sale electronically. This is a communication from a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The sale is subject to seller confirmation.

Substitute Trustee:

Equity Trustees, LLC

8100 Three Chopt Road, Suite 240

Richmond, VA 23229

For more information contact:

BWW Law Group, LLC, attorneys for Equity Trustees, LLC

6003 Executive Blvd, Suite 101

Rockville, MD 20852,

301-961-6555

website: www.bwwsales.com

VA-354561-3

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF 1298 QUEENS HWY, FRONT ROYAL, VA 22630

In execution of a certain Deed of Trust dated October 5, 2015, in the original principal amount of $137,755.00 recorded in the Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court for Warren County, Virginia as Instrument No. 150005123 . The undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the South Royal Avenue entrance to the Circuit Court building for Warren County, 1 E. Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia or any such temporary alternative Circuit Court location designated by the Judges of the Circuit Court on September 20, 2023, at 11:30 AM, the property described in said Deed of Trust, located at the above address, and more particularly described as follows: ALL OF THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, EASEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THEREUNTO BELONGING, LYING AND BEING SITUATE IN THE NORTH RIVER MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT OF WARREN COUNTY, VIRGINIA AT RIVERTON AT THE JUNCTION OF THE SOUTH AND NORTH BRANCHES OF THE SHENANDOAH RIVER, AND BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT NO. SEVEN (7) AS SHOWN AND ON A CERTAIN PLAT ENTITLED "AVALON SHORES", OF RECORD IN THE CLERK`S OFFICE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WARREN COUNTY, VIRGINIA IN PLAT BOOK 2 AT PAGE 208. TERMS OF SALE: ALL CASH. A bidder’s deposit of ten percent (10%) of the sale price or ten percent (10%) of the original principal balance of the subject Deed of Trust, whichever is lower, in the form of cash or certified funds payable to the Substitute Trustee must be present at the time of the sale. The balance of the purchase price will be due within fifteen (15) days of sale, otherwise Purchaser’s deposit may be forfeited to Trustee. Time is of the essence. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser may, if provided by the terms of the Trustee’s Memorandum of Foreclosure Sale, be entitled to a $50 cancellation fee from the Substitute Trustee, but shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. A form copy of the Trustee’s memorandum of foreclosure sale and contract to purchase real property is available for viewing at www.bwwsales.com. Additional terms, if any, to be announced at the sale and the Purchaser may be given the option to execute the contract of sale electronically. This is a communication from a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The sale is subject to seller confirmation. Substitute Trustee: Equity Trustees, LLC, 8100 Three Chopt Road, Suite 240, Richmond, VA 23229. For more information contact: BWW Law Group, LLC, attorneys for Equity Trustees, LLC, 6003 Executive Blvd, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-961-6555, website: www.bwwsales.com. VA-354561-3."