🌱 Locals Indicted For Fraud + Shenandoah Potters Guild Show

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly cloudy. High: 80 Low: 57.
• Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 69 Low: 53.

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Here are the top three stories today in Winchester:

1. Two Winchester residents, Luke George and Ajarhi Roberts, have been indicted for allegedly defrauding the unemployment compensation program. George faces one count of felony conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses, while Roberts is facing one count of felony obtaining money by false pretenses and one count of felony conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses. The case was investigated by the Virginia Department of State Police, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Post Office of Inspector General. (CBS19 News)
2. The Shenandoah Potters Guild will hold a pottery show and sale on Jun. 10 and 11, featuring unique works created by guild members. The event, hosted by The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) in Winchester, will include demonstrations of the pottery-making process at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on both days. Admission or registration is not required for the show, sale, or demonstrations; however, an MSV admission fee is needed to view the gardens and galleries. (Augusta Free Press)
3. In addition to the last newsletter's previously-listed road closures, the City of Winchester has alerted residents of an additional upcoming road closure. Today (Friday, May 12), East Lane from Cork to Boscawen will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for Shentel aerial installation. As a reminder, Boscawen Street from Indian Alley to Cameron will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow for KidzFest. More information on road closures can be found on the city website. (City of Winchester VA - Local Government via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Winchester:

Friday, May 12

• Tyler Booth With Scott Kurt At Bright Box Theater (8:00 PM)

Saturday, May 13

• VALOR 5K Runway Run At Winchester Regional Airport (7:00 AM)
• Fort Loudoun Day At George Washington's Fort Loudon (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Congrats to John Handley High School's Class of 2023, aka the Winchester school's 100th graduating class! Catch the moving video tribute at the link. (John Handley High School via Facebook)
• Headed to KidzFest tomorrow in Old Town Winchester? Click here for a full list of events happening between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. along the Loudoun Street Mall. (Old Town Winchester, VA via Facebook)
• The Winchester Farmer's Market returns tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. after a short hiatus for last weekend's Apple Blossom Fest. The market will take place in the Freedom AG & Energy parking lot. (Winchester Farmer's Market via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!