Orange County Insight September 2026

Orange County's monthly source for in-depth information about activities, programs, events, and more.

September 11, 2026, marked the 25th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks that led to the destruction of the World Trade Center towers in New York City, damaged the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and led to the crash of a flight in Pennsylvania. The tragedy led to the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals. During the attacks, and in the aftermath, millions of citizens across the country demonstrated bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism. At the forefront of these heroic response efforts were our dedicated servicemen and women, as well as firefighters, rescue personnel, law enforcement, and other first responders.

In recognition of their efforts, the anniversary of the attacks is honored as “Patriot Day.” As part of that remembrance, our staff and volunteer first responders participated in two activities the morning of September 11.

The first was a stair climb, during which our COFEMS staff climbed 110 flights of stairs (approximately the height of the World Trade Centers), in memory of the climbs made by responders that fateful morning. As they made each round, each participant rang a bell in memory of those lost.

The second was hosted by the Orange County High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC). Attended by a variety of first responders, administrators, teachers, and more, this event ensure the events of a quarter century ago are not forgotten by current and future generations.

OCI September 2026

Orange County Mourns the Passing of Former Supervisor Schwartz

The Orange County government and community are saddened by the passing of Mr. Robert “Bob” Joseph Schwartz earlier this month. Mr. Schwartz served as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from 1980 to 1991 and was selected as Chairman for a term during that tenure.

An Army veteran, Mr. Schwartz peacefully passed away on Thursday, September 3, at the age of 95. His life shines as an example of dedicated public and volunteer service. In addition to his Supervisorship, he served on the Orange County Welfare Board, the Orange County Planning Commission, the Regional Planning Commission, and the Board of the Central Virginia Regional Jail (CVRJ). His extensive involvement with the CVRJ is particularly noteworthy. After assisting with facility site selection, he was a member of their board for 25 years. Even more impressively, when considered as a whole, Mr. Schwartz served the public for more than 50 years. The General Assembly recognized the importance of this astounding achievement with a commendation awarded in 1999.

“Orange County mourns the loss of former Supervisor Schwartz,” said J. Bryan Nicol, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. "We should all seek to imitate the selfless spirit behind his extensive service, which positively impacted our community in ways we will continue to feel for generations,” he added. For more information about the service and life of Mr. Schwartz, please view his obituary at www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/49501070/robert-joseph-schwartz.

Important Election Dates

for the November 3, 2026 Election

The Voter Registration Office is located at:

130 North Madison Road, Orange, VA 22960. Questions? Call (540) 672-5262.

OCI September 2026

Planting the Seeds for Spring Recreation at Booster

It is well known that Booster Park is the primary athletic facility for youth sports in Orange County. For decades, the park’s athletic fields have served generations of young athletes. Some parents can even recall playing on the same fields that are now hosting their children’s games. While its longevity and service make it a special place, that same heavy use has led to a significant amount of wear that our staff are planning to address this off-season.

With that in mind, Booster Park’s larger soccer fields will be closing on Monday, October 5. We’ve coordinated with Orange Soccer Association to ensure games for the fall season have concluded before the closure begins. Closing in early October will give the necessary maintenance time needed to allow us to open the fields, for the spring season, without delay. Field treatments will include top dressing and fresh seeding. Our team is very excited to begin this work and to offer improved playing conditions next year.

Park patrons should expect the following as the project proceeds:

Booster Park’s larger, main soccer fields will close on Monday, October 5. Baseball/Softball Fields will not be impacted.

During the closure, orange snow fencing will be placed around the fields. You can help us make this effort successful by staying off the fields until they reopen.

Fields will turn brown first. We are applying a top dressing to the fields first. Don’t worry, they’ll look green again for the next season.

Fields are planned to reopen in time for spring sports.

OCI September 2026

Partnership Brings New Basketball League Program to the Court

In addition to field improvements (see previous page) for the spring season, Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Elite Orange Athletic Association (EOAA) to offer a youth basketball league for the winter. Registration opened for the league on Monday, September 14, and is open to kids aged 5-15. Play will begin in January and will be hosted at Locust Grove Primary, Locust Grove Elementary, and Locust Grove Middle schools.

EOAA has been operating a great program for several years, and this new partnership will build upon that success by bringing additional support and resources to the floor from Orange County Parks & Recreation! The result will be an even better experience for young athletes and their parents. Five age divisions are planned for the league, depending on registration numbers. Registration includes a jersey; the fee is $85 per participant, with sibling discounts available (15% for one additional sibling and 25% for two or more additional siblings).

Registration for this and other recreational programs, is available online at www.orangecountyva.gov/rec.

Encourages you to attend upcoming seasonal events!

OCI August 2026

First Responders Train for Trauma Events

Orange County Fire & EMS successfully completed its quarterly dynamic shift training in August, with a strong focus on trauma response and Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs). These exercises are a critical part of ensuring that our first responders remain prepared to meet the diverse challenges our community may face.

This quarter’s training focused on trauma, giving all three shifts a full day of realistic hands-on scenarios alongside our community partners.

Our crews did an outstanding job throughout the training, demonstrating strong teamwork, communication, and patient care while working through challenging scenarios. It was a great opportunity to put skills into practice and train alongside the agencies COFEMS works with in the field.

Collaboration during the scenario included Orange County Fire & EMS, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County Emergency Communications. Additional partners, including the Virginia State Police, Virginia Office of EMS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, PHI Air Medical, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Mine Run Volunteer Fire Company Squad 2, and Orange Recycling, played key roles as instructors, evaluators, and mentors, as well as providing specialized equipment to enhance the training environment.

OCI September 2026

Is Your Child’s

Car Seat Installed Correctly?

We can help! Schedule a car seat safety inspection with a Certified Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). The Orange County Office on Youth and Sheriff’s Office have trained CPSTs on staff! Call to make an appointment.

Office on Youth: (540) 672-5484

Sheriff’s Office: (540) 672-1200

OCI September 2026

September is National Preparedness Month

Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated. National Preparedness Month is a great opportunity to take a few simple steps to help protect yourself, your family, and your community before an emergency happens.

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them—from severe weather and power outages to fires, flooding, and other unexpected events. Taking time now to prepare can make a big difference when every second counts.

🏠 Prepare Your Home

Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.

Know how to safely shut off your utilities.

Keep emergency supplies in an easy-to-find location.

Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street.

🌦️ Know Your Weather

Stay informed about the weather, especially during severe weather events. Know the difference between a Watch and a Warning and have a way to receive emergency alerts.

📱 Have a Plan

Talk with your family about what to do during an emergency.

Know where you will go if you need to evacuate.

Choose a meeting place.

Keep important phone numbers accessible.

Make a plan for family members who may need additional assistance.

🚗 Don't Forget Your Vehicle

Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle and check it regularly. Consider including water, basic first-aid supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, and other items you may need if you become stranded.

🐾 Include Your Pets

Your emergency plan should include every member of your household, including your pets. Know where you would take them if you had to evacuate and keep their supplies together and ready to go.

🚨 Start Small

You don't have to prepare for everything at once. Choose one thing this month that you can do to become better prepared. Check your smoke alarms, build an emergency kit, learn CPR, practice your evacuation plan, or simply make sure your family knows where to meet during an emergency.

A few minutes of preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.

OCI September 2026

OCI August 2026

Proposed Copper Line Phase Out: What does FiberLync Offer?

As part of serving this community over the last 6 years, FiberLync has brought fiber internet service to the rural parts of Orange County, passing over 13,300 homes and businesses. We work diligently to understand the needs of citizens and make efforts to meet those needs when we can. The announcement of the Copper Line Phase Out has prompted many questions from subscribers about what their FiberLync service can do to fill the gap.

Below are some FAQs that may help those looking to make the move to a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).

Does FiberLync offer VOIP services?

Not currently. VOIP requires significant investment in hardware and infrastructure, which was not part of FiberLync’s (Orange County Broadband Authority) mission and vision.

Does FiberLync partner with VOIP providers?

FiberLync does not partner with any business that provides VOIP services. Any subscriber can select from the many VOIP providers offering services. We have many subscribers who made the switch, often moving their existing phone number to the new service.

Will VOIP work on my FiberLync service?

Yes! Many subscribers see a benefit to using our services over traditional copper/cable lines due to the capacity of fiber to offer faster download/upload speeds.

Does FiberLync receive any revenue or benefit from subscribers using VOIP?

While VOIP providers collect taxes and fees associated with offering voice services, FiberLync does not receive any revenue or fees from them.

Where can I find more information?

If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to us at (540) 360-0585 or info@fiberlync.net. We also welcome customers at our Customer Service Center, located in the former Faye’s Office Supply Building at 105 Byrd St., Orange, VA 22960. We’re open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

OCI September 2026

Opioid Response Program Launches Vending Machine Supply Program

To support those in need in our community, the Orange County Opioid Response Program has launched several vending machines stocked with lifesaving items, as well as personal hygiene and support products. Examples of available products include naloxone, toothbrushes, nail clippers, hygeine wipes, and more. All items in the machines are offered free of charge.

The pilot program began at the Sedwick Building, in the first floor lobby outside of the Office on Youth, located at 146 North Madison Road, Orange, VA. A second location recently opened at the Wilderness Branch Library at 6421 Flat Run Road, Locust Grove, VA. Both locations are operational.

To further improve access, an additional machine is planned for Gordonsville. It is expected to be in place this fall. This program is funded through Opioid Abatement Funds and private donations. Those interested in supporting the effort should contact Dr. Mahan at lmahan@orangecountyva.gov.

GIS to Update Orange County Tax Parcel Viewer

Orange County GIS, a program of our Information Technology Department, will soon update the County’s Tax Parcel Viewer. This update will provide easier search capabilities and a better user experience. The viewer will restructure the Orange County's GIS data into easily understood themes.

One exciting new feature is plain language searching. For example, if the user makes a request like “show me all the parcels sold in the past year,” the application will query the data and, if the information is available, return the results. The user can view the results on a map, or in a table. The new viewer integrates the county imagery flown in March 2026, along with a Google Map view and a screen of all available Orange County Real Estate Assessment information.

Navigation within the viewer is more accessible, and will help with the county's migration to more ADA-compliant map viewers.

Our GIS program hopes to have the new viewer available around October 1, and plans a public training session sometime later that month.

OCI September 2026

Notify Me

Receive Youth and

Adult Program Info by Text and Email!

orangecountyva.gov/rec

2nd Annual Overdose Vigil and Save A Life Day Events

The second annual Overdose Awareness Vigil was held on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) Office located at 101 North Madison Road, Orange, VA 22960. While focused on honoring the memories of loved ones lost to opioid use disorder, the event will also provided access to local recovery resources. The hours prior to the Vigil included free food, AcuWellness services, and the option to participate in a community mural. The Vigil itself began at 6:00 p.m.

In honor of Recovery Month, September, the mural from the Vigil is now on display at the Orange County Public Safety Building. Throughout the remainder of this month, those interested can place a flower in honor of a loved one or with a message of encouragement for those working to recover. Can’t stop by, call (540) 920-7877 to have a flower added.

To further life-saving efforts, the ORP has another event scheduled on Save A Life Day, September 24. Alongside other events, hosted in all 50 states, Orange County’s Save A Life Day event will take place at three convenient locations listed below. Free naloxone treatments, along with training and information about local resources, will be available at each site. Naloxone – also known by one of its brand names Narcan – is an easy-to-use nasal spray that works to reverse opioid overdoses.

Save A Life Day Locations

& Times:

Offender Aid and Restoration

(OAR) Office

101 North Madison Road

Orange, VA 22960

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Gordonsville Town Hall

112 South Main Street

Gordonsville, VA 22942

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wilderness Center

Shopping Center

5483 Germanna Highway

Locust Grove, VA 22508

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The Orange County ORP was recently recognized with a National Association of Counties Achievement Award for their innovative resource map created in partnership with the GIS program of the Orange County Information Technology Department. This map is a useful tool for anyone seeking resources for themselves or a loved one. More information is available at www.orangecountyva.gov/orp, or by calling (540) 661-5505.

Those in crisis should dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

OCI September 2026

Office on Youth to Launch Needs Assessment Survey

The mission of the Orange County Office on Youth (OOY) is “To prevent juvenile delinquency and promote positive youth development.” In support of this mission, the Office on Youth is exploring changes and enhancements to youth programming and is seeking valuable input from our community through the 2026 OOY Needs Assessment.

In the past, the school system administered the biannual Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which provided important insight into the habits, experiences, and well-being of our youth. However, the most recent survey was conducted in 2019. The 2026 OOY Needs Assessment will help provide a current picture of the needs, experiences, interests, and challenges facing youth and families in Orange County.

Learn more at orangecountyva.gov/ooyneeds

The information gathered through this assessment will help the Office on Youth identify gaps in existing services and develop a roadmap for future programs and resources. Your honest and thoughtful responses are essential to this process and will help us better understand where additional support is needed.

We encourage all participants to provide truthful, insightful, and constructive feedback. The information collected will be used to explore opportunities for programs, partnerships, and funding that can better serve the youth and families of Orange County.

Thank you for taking the time to participate and for helping us build a stronger future for the youth in our community.

If you have questions regarding this or other programs and/or services offered by the OOY, you can find information here.

OCI September 2026

OCI August 2026

SAVe the date

Booooster Park Fall Festival

Friday, Oct. 23

Activities:

Showing of Hocus Pocus

Orange County Office on Youth Launches Program to Help Fathers Build Their Skills

To help local fathers build their skills and be active, engaged participants in the lives of their children, the Office on Youth is launching 24:7 Dad®, a program of the National Fatherhood Initiative.

Area dads are invited to participate in a 4-session workshop that will give them the parenting, relationship, and communication skills they need to be involved, responsible, and committed fathers. The program will be facilitated by two Orange County dads. Beginning Monday, October 5, the program will run for four consecutive Mondays at Orange Baptist Church. Each session starts at 6:00 p.m. Dinner, childcare, and a $10 Sheetz gas card (each night) will be provided for each registered father.

“NFI is excited about Orange County Office on Youth’s efforts to help fathers build their skills through the 24:7 Dad® program,” said Christopher Brown, President of National Fatherhood Initiative. “Research shows that a major barrier to father involvement is a lack of skills in dads, many of whom grew up without fathers in their lives. At a time when 1 in 4 children live in father-absent homes, the Orange County Office on Youth should be applauded for its efforts to help dads get involved.”

Developed by fathering and parenting experts, 24:7 Dad® is the most widely-used evidence-based program designed specifically for fathers. It focuses on the characteristics that men need to be involved fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This community-based program helps men develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they need to get—and stay—involved with their children. The program focuses on key fathering characteristics—like masculinity, discipline, and work/family balance—and helps men evaluate their own parenting skills, as well as their fathering role models.

For additional information about the National Fatherhood Initiative, visit www.fatherhood.org. Register for the 24:7 Dad® program at https://forms.gle/e1MQDMMwo4dCiq3i8. For more information, email Robyn Chapman at rchapman@orangecountyva.gov.

Registration Closes

September 28!!

OCI September 2026

Economic Development Announces Selected Businesses for the Locally Made Market Hosted at the 2026 Montpelier Hunt Races

The Orange County Office of Economic Development and Tourism is pleased to announce the businesses selected to participate in the sixth annual Locally Made Market at the Montpelier Hunt Races. Congratulations to Inseparability Designs, Bound2Please Books, and Rio-Pop Crystals! All three businesses will all be featured under the Locally Made Market tent.

This program was created to support and encourage local entrepreneurship and will allow these home-based business owners to connect with a larger consumer base.

The 91st running of Montpelier Hunt Races takes place on November 7th, with gates opening at 9:00 a.m. The Locally Made Market tent can be found amongst other vendors in the Vendor Village.

For more information regarding this program, please contact the Economic Development & Tourism Office at (540) 672-1238.

www.eatsmartmovemoreva.org

OCI September 2026

Orange County Tourism Encourages Local Eateries to Take VRLTA 2026 Restaurant Operators Survey

Virginia is home to over 17,000 restaurants supporting over 385,000 jobs and delivering a total of $6.2 billion in total taxes annually. Their work is tremendously consequential for our communities, for their teams, and for their customers. As mounting economic headwinds have increased fixed costs for restaurants like electricity, gas, food, labor, rent, and credit card swipe fees, maintaining profitability has become an increasingly complex task. In fact, according to the National Restaurant Association’s annual 2026 State of the Industry Report, 42% of restaurant operators reported that their restaurants were not profitable in 2025.

In an attempt to get a clearer picture of how these obstacles are specifically affecting Virginia restaurants, VRLTA has prepared an operational survey. Orange County Economic Development and Tourism is encouraging local restaurants to take a few minutes to help VRLTA better understand the conditions that face the industry every day so that they can better advocate on your behalf to elected leaders in the General Assembly and the Governor’s administration. Responses are anonymous, and VRLTA states they will not use or disseminate any personal information.

Town of Gordonsville Prepares for 2026 Fried Chicken Festival

Gordonsville’s rich fried chicken heritage is closely tied to the legacy of the local Black women known as “waiter carriers,” who sold platters of fried chicken to railroad passengers in the 19th century. Their efforts helped establish the town’s reputation and inspired a local newspaper editor in 1869 to proclaim Gordonsville the “Chicken-leg Centre of the Universe.”

To celebrate this unique cultural heritage, the Town of Gordonsville is holding its Annual Fried Chicken Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the area surrounding Gordonsville Town Hall (112 S. Main Street) and is a “rain or shine” event.

The 2025 Fried Chicken Festival brought over 3,500 people to Main Street for a deep-fried good time, and the 2026 edition promises to be even bigger. This year’s festival features 70 vendors of all kinds, including 19 food vendors—at least 7 of whom plan to serve up chicken during the festival and will compete for the winning spot in this year’s Fried Chicken Contest.

This year’s festival also includes a section dedicated to town history where residents can share their stories for inclusion in a local exhibit. The exhibit will be installed at the Gordonsville Visitor Center and is supported in part by a grant from The Bama Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. To make this effort possible, the Town is partnering with local history organizations including the Exchange Hotel, the James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage, and the Orange County African American Historical Society, all of whom are participating in the festival.

Additionally, Virginian artist Sean Renfroe will present a display on the history of photography in the late 19th century and offer tintype portrait sittings throughout the day. The day’s entertainment will feature a performance by The Skip Castro Band, and event sponsors Piedmont Communications (WJMA/WJOL) will be there to keep the tunes going all day long. For those over 21, this year’s festival will also feature a beer and wine garden where attendees can enjoy offerings from Patch Brewing Co. and Well Hung Vineyard. Learn more at www.townofgordonsville.org.

www.eatsmartmovemoreva.org

OCI September 2026

2026 Orange County Holiday Schedule

New Year's Day

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 19, 2026

George Washington Day

Monday, February 16, 2026

James Madison's Birthdate (observed)

Monday, March 16, 2026

Memorial Day

Monday, May 25, 2026

Juneteenth

Friday, June 19, 2026

Independence Day (observed)

Friday, July 3, 2026

Labor Day

Monday, September 7, 2026

Columbus Day & Yorktown Victory Day

Monday, October 12, 2026

Election Day

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Veterans Day

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Noon Closure for Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 25, 2026

Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 26, 2026

Day After Thanksgiving*

Friday, November 27, 2026

Christmas Eve

Thursday, December 24, 2026

Christmas

Friday, December 25, 2026

This holiday schedule is subject to change and applies only to those County Government offices under the purview of the Orange County Personnel Policy Manual. Some offices may follow alternate schedules, such as the Landfill and Collection Sites. Public safety departments (Sheriff’s Office, COFEMS, E911) remain available 24/7.

The Board of Supervisors may grant additional holidays, under special circumstances, throughout the year. County employees will be notified of additional holidays after they are granted.

OCI September 2026

Dogs MUST be on a leash and cats MUST be in a carrier.

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Director of Finance and Budget

Administrative Assistant - Commissioner of the Revenue

Animal Shelter Veterinarian

Upcoming Orange County Meetings

Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, September 22, 2026; 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026; 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026; 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 1, 2026; 6:00 p.m.

Planning Commission

Economic Development Authority

Wednesday, October 21, 2026; 5:30 p.m. at 109 West Main Street, Orange, VA 22960

Unless otherwise noted, listed meetings are held at:

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room

Orange County Public Safety Building

11282 Government Center Drive, Orange, VA 22960

Volunteer Travel Counselors

Needed!

Learn more about Orange County and help our visitors!

Intersted? Email gbutterfield@orangecountyva.gov or call (540) 672-1238.

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