🌱 Man Arrested After Police Chase & Crash + Sales To Run For Sheriff

Hello, neighbors. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Winchester Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in our community.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Warmer with plenty of sun. High: 52 Low: 26.
• Tuesday: Brilliant sunshine. High: 60 Low: 37.

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Here are the top three stories today in Winchester:

1. Michael Patrick Stewart, 25, of Baltimore was arrested after a police chase led to a two-vehicle crash behind Winchester Medical Center on Mar. 17. According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, a woman said Stewart, the father of her child, had assaulted her at the Sheetz convenience store at 1503 N. Frederick Pike, a short distance northwest of Winchester. Police found Stewart driving his 2009 Infiniti G37, but he refused to pull over and began driving erratically to try to evade the police. Stewart then exited Va. 37 at the exit behind Winchester Medical Center and turned left in front of a 2016 Toyota RAV4, which caused the two cars to crash. Stewart has been charged with two felonies, hit and run and eluding police, and nine misdemeanors. (Subscription: The Winchester Star)
2. On Saturday. Mar. 18, on the steps of the Joint Judicial Center in downtown Winchester, Interim Winchester Sheriff William Sales announced that he will run for sheriff in this year's special election, which will be held as part of the general election on Nov. 7. Sales, who will run as an Independent candidate, became interim sheriff after Les Taylor retired after eight and a half years in the role. "He stepped up to be the sheriff seven months ago and he's done a great job so far," Taylor said of Sales. He's going to continue doing a great job with your help keeping him in office." (Subscription: The Winchester Star)
3. On Mar. 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., South Loudoun Street from Cork to Cecil will be closed for the Central Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project work and street paving. The project has been replacing all underground utility infrastructure in certain downtown streets. Click here to learn more. (City of Winchester VA - Local Government via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Winchester:

Monday, March 20

• Coffee n’ Kickin’ It At Within Reach Peer Center (11:00 AM)
• Annual Youth Art Exhibition: 2023 Youth Art Show At Mosaic Church (4:00 PM)

Tuesday, March 21

• Chat & Playdate At Handley Regional Library System (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Festival officials have announced the princesses who will serve in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVI for the 2023 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester! Elke Carolyn Doby, Mia Taryn Ingram, Anna Corrie Prosser, Sara Rebecca Tyson, Olivia Blair Walker, and Laken Paige Whipkey have been selected as the princesses of the festival. Click here to read more. (The Winchester Star via Twitter)
• The City of Winchester's next workshop will be held on Mar. 25 at Rouss City Hall, Zuckerman Room. Register to learn tax dollars, grants, and State/Federal funding are allocated, how the city plans ahead for capital improvements, and more. See details and register here. (City of Winchester VA - Local Government via Facebook)
• Looking for your new dream home or just curious about the real estate in your area? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Winchester area, including a beautiful four-bedroom on Middle Road for $649,900! (Winchester Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday. See you all soon for another 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!