Fauquier Times August 29, 2018

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SPORTS: Football debuts, stunning horse victories, Appalachian hiker. Pages 9, 10 and 11

August 29, 2018

Our 201st year

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Vol. 201, No. 35

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www.Fauquier.com

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$1.50

Warrenton couple displaced by house fire Donations sought for rebuilding By James Ivancic Times Staff Writer

Frederick and Frances Penn of Warrenton want to rebuild their home that stood for 50 years before catastrophe struck. A fire on Aug. 6 consumed their two-bedroom, single-story home at 8930 Meetze Road. Capt. Russell Baker, of the Fauquier County Fire Marshal’s Office, said the fire was likely caused by electrical wiring worn by age and damaged by water leaks. The Penns weren’t home at the time of the late-morning blaze, the couple said. The Penns didn’t have insurance on their home. A GoFundMe page has been set up for them. There’s a goal of $50,000. As of Aug. 28, a total of $3,351 had been raised. The couple figures they need about $150,000 to rebuild. Frederick Penn, 88, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. American Legion Post 360 in Warrenton stepped up to help with a donation of $500. “We’d like for the community and veterans to help with donations,” said Robert Chichester, service officer with Post 360. Penn said he worked on the maintenance staff of the City of Falls Church. Now retired, he and his wife receive Social Security benefits. The American Red Cross put them

TIMES STAFF PHOTO/KAREN CHAFFRAIX Frederick and Frances Penn’s home on Meetze Road was destroyed by fire Aug. 6. Inset, a submitted photo the Penns. up at the Howard Johnson Inn in Warrenton for three nights. They’re now staying with a son, one of seven surviving Penn children from an original nine. Reach James Ivancic at jivancic@ fauquier.com

A GoFundMe page has been set up with a goal of raising $50,000. As of Aug. 28, a total of $3,351 had been raised. The couple figures they need about $150,000 to rebuild. gofundme.com/pcgpzh-elderly-couple-in-need

New advisory group takes another crack at troubled intersections Two meetings are planned to discuss U.S. 29, Vint Hill Road, others By James Ivancic Times Staff Writer

Ike Broaddus, the co-owner of Old Bust Head Brewing Company in Vint Hill, believes he and others know how to make U.S. 29 in Fauquier County safer while improving traffic flow. But he said he’ll attend Thursday’s initial meeting of a “Route 29/New Baltimore Advisory Group” with an open mind. He wants to hear what Virginia Department of Transportation officials bring to the table. Broaddus is one of nine stakeholders advising VDOT as it takes a fresh look at making the INSIDE Business.............................................13 Classified............................................27 Communities......................................22 Faith...................................................26

stretch of U.S. 29 from the Warrenton town border to Vint Hill Road, near the Prince William County line, safer and less congested. This “do over” comes after VDOT plans for four intersections were roundly criticized by business owners, residents and the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors. The board this year approved a resolution that asked VDOT to cease currently planning and start the process anew. Of particular concern was a VDOT proposal to replace the existing traffic light at U.S. 29 and Vint Hill Road with a restricted crossing and U-turn configuration that would have relied on what some call “Michigan lefts,” a reference to

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the prominence of such intersections in that state. Business owners, including Broaddus, were concerned that such a design would make getting to Vint Hill difficult and dangerous for customers and truck shipments. Also, the Fauquier County school division didn’t like the idea of forcing school buses to make what they considered dicey U-turns on U.S. 29. Lou Hatter, communications manager for VDOT’s Culpeper District, said this isn’t the first time VDOT has re-started project planning. He pointed to the Route 29 Solutions program on U.S.29 in the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area.

See GROUP, page 3

Obituaries.............................................6 Puzzles.................................................8 Real Estate..........................................21 Sports...................................................9


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