This Week's Top Stories

public safety

Virginia State Police Investigate Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting at Staunton Walmart

A man was shot and killed by a Staunton police officer Tuesday night at the Richmond Avenue Walmart; the officer has been placed on administrative leave while VSP leads the investigation.

A Staunton police officer fatally shot a man at the Walmart located at 1028-C Richmond Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, September 22, at approximately 7:15 p.m. The man, identified by Staunton Police as Montique Treymayne Gaston, 39, of Portsmouth, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Staunton Police Department placed the officer involved on administrative leave, standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in Virginia. At SPD's request, the Virginia State Police assumed control of the investigation.

events

Queen City Mischief & Magic Returns This Weekend, Closing Downtown to Traffic

Staunton's beloved Harry Potter–inspired street festival, now in its 11th year, takes over the historic downtown September 26–27, with the city closing a portion of Beverley Street to vehicles starting Friday evening.

Downtown Staunton transforms into an enchanted village this weekend as Queen City Mischief & Magic (QCMM) holds its 11th annual festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 26–27. The volunteer-run event draws more than 20,000 visitors to the city's historic streets, featuring costumed characters, themed dining and shopping, potion-making, wand dueling, and live performances. This year's edition adds programming from the worlds of Oz and Wicked alongside the longtime Harry Potter themes.

City Council

City Council Adopts Flood Resilience Plan, Unlocking State and Federal Grant Eligibility

Staunton City Council unanimously approved the city's first Flood Resilience Plan on August 27, a five-year roadmap that now makes the city eligible for construction grants covering up to 95 percent of project costs.

Staunton City Council voted unanimously on August 27, 2026 to adopt the city's first Flood Resilience Plan — a five-year, living planning document that lays out a long-term roadmap to protect neighborhoods, businesses, and infrastructure from severe weather and flooding events. With the plan now formally on the record, the city is eligible to apply for grants through Virginia's Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF), administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The CFPF program has in prior years allowed project awards of up to $7.5 million.

Upcoming Events

Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27

Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival

📍 Downtown Staunton (Beverley St. and surrounding blocks) · 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Verify · Visit Staunton

Opening Reception October 4; Through October

CoArt Gallery — October Featured Artist: John Frantz

📍 CoArt Gallery, Downtown Staunton · Opening: 4:00–6:00 PM; Gallery Wed–Sun 11 AM–5 PM · Verify · Staunton Downtown Development Association

Saturday, October 17

International Archaeology Day at Frontier Culture Museum

📍 Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, 1290 Richmond Road, Staunton · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Verify · Rocktown Now

Saturday, November 7

Frontier Culture Museum Second Annual Cider Festival

📍 Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, 1290 Richmond Road, Staunton · 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Verify · Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia

Through November 13

The Tempest — Blackfriars Playhouse Fall Season

📍 Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Downtown Staunton · Various times · Verify · American Shakespeare Center

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Staunton Named Tree City USA for 30th Consecutive Year

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