NATURAL BRIDGE

While most Americans sat back to watch the Bengals and Rams duke it out at the Super Bowl, not all first responders had the day off.

“Virginia Arcadia: The Natural Bridge in American Art,” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, surveys the arch as icon and propaganda.

Megan asks a couple of locals what is on their Virginia bucket list.

Natural nighttime darkness is disappearing, making stargazing more difficult. International Dark Sky designation recognizes areas and organizations working to maintain spaces where the public can see stars more easily.

If you’re a fan of the outdoors and history, we have the perfect spot for you. This local natural wonder is where many couples say, “I do.”

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – A stunning natural landmark is putting Rockbridge County on the map. Natural Bridge State Park and the iconic natural bridge will be featured on the fall cover of the 2021 Virginia Travel Guide. The local tourism marketing director, Patty Williams, said they were thrilled to hear about the honor and that this kind of attention will draw in visitors. And once they’re here they’re going to love the natural beauty and want to see more of it,” said Williams, the director of marketing for Rockbridge Regional Tourism. She also said restaurants, shops and other attractions will likely get a boost too.

NATURAL BRIDGE – A curious cat got more than it bargained for after it got stuck in a tree on a branch 30 feet off the ground. Thankfully, the local fire department still makes cat rescues, which is now uncommon among other rescue organizations. Firefighters got out their ladder truck and sent firefighter Sheldon Snead up the ladder. He says he is no stranger to heights, but this was the first time he had been sent up to rescue a cat. With the cat tucked under his arm, Snead carried it back down to safety.

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. – One small cat gets to live another day thanks to a few volunteer firefighters. On Wednesday, the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department responded to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Campground to get a cat out of a tree. Crews arrived and within minutes brought the cat to safety.

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. – The Virginia Safari Park is contributing more money to conservation programs, thanks to big success in 2020. Along with its sister zoos, the Safari Park donated $50,000 to conservation programs worldwide last year. The drive-thru style zoo in Natural Bridge saw huge numbers of guests during the pandemic, allowing them to contribute more to these causes than they ever have. Mogensen said decreased tourism because of the pandemic led to more poaching, making the work of conservation programs more important than ever. Click here to learn more about the Safari Park.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – The soggy start to 2021 didn’t prevent some Virginians from keeping a favorite tradition. National forests and state parks across the country offer First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day. Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County typically hosts guided tours; however, because of the pandemic, they had self-guided ones and a scavenger hunt. Workers said although the crowd was smaller this year, it’s a symbolic way to start the year off on the right foot. Jackson said many people took advantage of the outdoors in 2020 and he hopes it continues this year.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. Deputies are searching for the man who robbed a gas station Friday night, about 2 miles away from Natural Bridge State Park. Shortly before 11 p.m., someone call 911 about an armed robbery at the Exxon on South Lee Highway in Natural Bridge,The robber is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, according to authorities. Deputies and a Virginia State Police trooper searched the area and are following up on leads. Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call the Rockbridge County Sheriffs Office at 540-463-7328.

Gene Anderson and his friend arrived at the Pink Cadillac Diner just off Interstate 81 in Natural Bridge to try its ‘Elvis Burger.’ However, the restaurant was mysteriously closed when they got there. For those unfamiliar with the Pink Cadillac Diner’s signature burger, it’s a half-pound, double-decker burger with lettuce, tomato and the diner’s own sauce. The Pink Cadillac Diner is closed tomorrow, Wednesday July 29 and May never reopen. “Making the Elvis burgers for those guys just made me think, ‘No, we’re going to reopen,’” Torrence said. “I’m actually sort of a vegetarian, or try to be, but you can’t pass up an Elvis burger.

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. - Crews are battling a blaze in the Jefferson National Forest. The fire was first reported Friday at 10:30 a.m. and is now about 20 acres. The fire is located south of U.S. 501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest. About 20 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service are currently working on the fire, along with one heavy helicopter. The fire has caused the following closures:A 10-mile section of the Appalachian Trail (Trail #1) from US-501 at the James River Foot Bridge south to Petites Gap Road (Road #35)The James River Foot Bridge parking areaMatts Creek Trail (Old A.T., no current trail number)Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.