NEW RIVER

When the weather warms up, there are more outdoor recreational activities for you and your family to enjoy.

The man who was arrested and charged in connection to the death of his girlfriend’s daughter back in 2019 has received a prison sentence.

While this year’s Polar Plunge will still be outside and in-person, it won’t be a run into the New River.

The biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics in Southwest Virginia takes place on Saturday, and hundreds of people are ready to be freezin' for a reason for a great cause.

In less than three weeks, the 10 News team and people from across Southwest Virginia will willingly take an icy dip into the New River for the annual Polar Plunge.

An additional 1-3" of rain will likely mean flash flooding in areas already hit hard by rain Tuesday

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office has identified the body found by two fishermen in the New River on Sunday.

Thanks to Mike for sending us today's Picture of the Day from the New River in Giles!

Authorities are investigating what led up to the death of a West Virginia man who was kayaking along the New River in Giles County, according to the Department of Wildlife Resources.

A 59-year-old man died on Saturday when the canoe he was in capsized on the New River while in Montgomery County.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – A Pulaski County woman learned Thursday how long she’ll spend in prison for her role in her daughter’s 2019 death. Moore was originally charged with child abuse and reckless care of a child; however, she was found not guilty of the child abuse charge back in August 2020. In July 2019, authorities arrested Moore and her boyfriend, Adrian Puckett, after 3-year-old Josie Burleson drowned in the New River while the pair was under the influence of meth, according to Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan. At the time of her disappearance, authorities said more than 100 people were searching for Josie for more than 5 and a half hours. AdAt the time, Dunagan told 10 News that while there have been drownings in the New River before, “when it’s a small child, it’s really different.

GILES COUNTY, Va. – The New River in Giles County is anticipated to crest at 15.8 feet at around 7 a.m. on Friday, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service. Giles County administration sent out a “code red” alert to citizens regarding this latest forecast. They said this crest is comparable to the April 14th, 2020 crest at 15.2 feet. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, the river was at 13.1 feet. Administrators said forecasts can change quickly and citizens who live in flood-prone areas should continue to monitor river conditions and the forecast throughout the night.

RADFORD, Va. – Two Radford police officers are being recognized for their lifesaving efforts on the New River after they responded to a tuber in distress call on Aug. 2. When they arrived at the New River near Riverview Park, the officers immediately jumped in and swam over to the tuber, eventually getting them safely to shore, according to the Radford City Police Department. Radford Fire and EMS examined the tuber before they were taken home. In a release, Radford Police Chief Jeff Dodson said, “Officers Coffey and Benson acted admirably and as heroes, putting another’s life before their own. They also thanked the police officers and Radford Fire and EMS.

New River – Saturday morning the Independence Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a subject stranded in the New River. According to the Independence Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page, upon arrival a Virginia Conservation Police Officer and the Galax Assistant Fire Chief had gotten to the subject and brought her to awaiting firefighters on the shoreline. The fire department encourages everyone to use caution as the river is still high and dangerous.

Published: May 21, 2020, 4:56 pm Updated: May 22, 2020, 10:15 amRADFORD, Va. The New River in Radford has reach major flood stage, according to the National Weather Service. In 24 hours, the New River at Radford rose more than 15 feet. As of 9:15 a.m., the river is down to 17.01 feet, which is just above the 16-foot moderate flood stage threshold. Already, the New River has overflowed into Bisset Park, which is now completely underwater. Full Screen 1 / 5 Flooding in Bisset Park in Radford on May 21, 2020.

Published: May 21, 2020, 7:53 pm Updated: May 22, 2020, 10:09 amGILES COUNTY, Va. Giles County issued a Code Red Emergency Alert on Thursday night as the New River rose. At 10:30 p.m., the river was at 18.23 feet, which is considered major flood stage. By 2 p.m., its forecasted to dip back to moderate flood stage, and by 8 p.m., the river is expected to down to minor flood stage. For reference, the October 12, 2018 flood crested at 19.47 feet. Several low lying roads such as Jason Circle and Lurich Road have already been inundated in the county.

The Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics Virginia through fundraising leading up to the event. This year, the Polar Plunge raised nearly $60,000 for Special Olympics Virginia, surpassing the organization’s goal of $55,000. It’s really exciting to see.”'WSLS 10 raised more than $8,500 for the Polar Plunge, which was second-most among all fundraising teams. The top team was the Virginia Tech chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, who raised nearly $15,000. "A week into me being in the organization, they had me raise money for the Polar Plunge, so they get you started early with that kind of stuff.”The money raised during the Polar Plunge will be used for a myriad of important costs within Special Olympics Virginia.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – A woman and her boyfriend are each facing felony child abuse charges in connection with 3-year-old Josie Burleson’s death. 10 News previously reported that Kimberly Moore and her boyfriend Adrian Puckett were high on meth when Josie wandered off and drowned in the New River in July, according to Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan. Adrian Puckett (left), Kimberly Moore (right). Puckett’s arraignment was initially delayed because even after Josie’s death, he was still too high to appear in court. A Wythe County grand jury indicted Moore and Puckett on Tuesday.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of people are eagerly awaiting the chance to take an icy dip into the New River next month, as a part of this year’s New River Polar Plunge. “It gets really exciting, especially if there’s snow on the river bank,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director of Special Olympics Virginia. 10 News is excited to partner with Special Olympics Virginia to support the Polar Plunge, which is the main fundraiser for Special Olympics programming in southwest Virginia. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford. You can help support Special Olympics' mission by making a donation to this year's Polar Plunge or signing up to take the Plunge.

The New River Polar Plunge is set for Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing in Radford’s Bisset Park. Check-in registration begins at 10 a.m. with the Plunge set for 12:30 p.m. The funds raised from this event help Special Olympics Virginia and its mission to help more than 25,000 athletes of all abilities. This year, the plunge is looking to raise $55,000. Not looking to take the plunge yourself but still want to donate?

RADFORD, Va. - Big projects are in the works that may drastically change the way Radford University works and plays. Radford University President Brian Hemphill gave his annual state of the university address on Friday during which, among other news, he announced two big developments outlined in the university's master plan. The university is planning to build a full service, multi-story hotel near campus at the intersection of Tyler Avenue and Calhoun Street. The "River Campus" project will provide outdoor activities for students, staff, faculty and community members. As "visiting scholars" at Radford, the New River students will live in campus residence halls, eat in the dining halls and study on campus.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. - A 3-year-old girl who drowned in the New River on Wednesday will be buried over the weekend. Her mother's boyfriend, Adrian Puckett, who was arrested in connection with her death, is still too high on meth to appear in court. Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan said the autopsy revealed Josie drowned. He would see Puckett, Moore and little Josie almost every day. "Nothing that happens in the courtroom is going to bring Josie back," said Wythe County Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Jones.

NARROWS, Va. - UPDATEA man is in custody after he ran away from authorities during a traffic stop, according to the Giles County Sheriff's Office. Terry Hungate, 23, of Blacksburg, is facing charges in Giles County for reckless driving as well as outstanding charges in Montgomery County for misdemeanor destruction of property and misdemeanor assault. Deputies say they received a complaint Wednesday of someone driving the wrong way down Rt. ORIGINAL STORYAuthorities are searching for a man after a traffic stop led to a police chase on foot. According to the Giles County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened in Narrows late Wednesday night.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. - Authorities arrested a 3-year-old girl's mother and her boyfriend after the girl drowned in the New River while the pair was under the influence of meth, according to Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan. Josie Burleson was found dead in the New River just after 1 a.m. Wednesday after authorities say her mother, Kimberly Moore, and boyfriend, Adrian Puckett, reported her missing. Moore and Puckett told authorities that Burleson was playing near the New River trail outside of their rental property on Rocky Road when she wandered off. Dunagan said there have been drownings in the New River before, but "when it's a small child, it's really different. Probably the worst thing for the responders is the fact that it is a small child because it tugs at your heart a little bit more."

GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. - Authorities say they have found the body of the tuber who went missing on the New River earlier this week. The Grayson County Sheriff's Office says the body of Joanne Hatcher, 57, from Sparta, North Carolina, was found 3 miles downstream of where she was last seen. She was last seen around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday on the New River near the Virginia and North Carolina state line. Hatcher was not wearing a life jacket and did not know how to swim, according to authorities. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. - A multi-state search for a missing woman continues after she floated away while tubing on the New River. They've found the Jo Anne Collins Hatcher's inner tube and her cellphone and now their mission is to find her body. Baywood Search and Rescue volunteer Diana Murphy said they're fighting tough conditions on the New River in the search for Hatcher. Hatcher's friend was too upset to talk with 10 News on camera, but she's hoping rescuers can find her. "We're hoping as the river recedes and the water clears up that we'll be able to make a find.