Clark Palmer
Statement from Terry McAuliffe’s campaign: While last night we came up short, I am proud that we spent this campaign fighting for the values we so deeply believe in. We must protect Virginia’s great public schools and invest in our students. We must protect affordable health care coverage, raise the minimum wage faster, and expand paid leave so working families have a fighting shot. We must protect voting rights, protect a woman’s right to choose, and, above all else, we must protect our democracy. While there will be setbacks along the way, I am confident that the long term path of Virginia is toward inclusion, openness and tolerance for all. Congratulations to Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin on his victory. I hope Virginians will join me in wishing the best to him and his family. I would like to thank my wife Dorothy, my family, and my incredible campaign team for their tireless efforts and dedication over these past eleven months. And to all of my supporters across Virginia who knocked on millions of doors, made countless phone calls, and talked to their family, friends and neighbors: I am eternally grateful that you joined me on this journey to move Virginia forward. Serving as Virginia’s 72nd governor was the highest honor of my life, and I will never stop fighting to make our Commonwealth stronger and brighter for all.
For the first time in 12 years, Virginia will be led by a Republican Governor. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has more about Glenn Youngkin’s apparent victory
For the latest election results click here:
https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2021%20November%20General/Site/Statewide.html
Rocky Mount, Va – October 31, 2021: On Saturday, October 30th, 2021, at approximately 5:38pm, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call for a shooting incident in the 300 block of Countryside Lane in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The caller advised that a family member had shot another family member. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin County Public Safety responded to the scene and located two males outside of the residence with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. David Ray Wyatt, 54 years old of Rocky Mount, VA, was pronounced deceased on scene from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Terry Allen Hurline, 65 years old of Rocky Mount, VA, was transported from the scene to the hospital, where he succumbed to his life threatening injuries. The investigation of this incident remains ongoing. This is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the public.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Culpeper woman, who went online in an attempt to hire a hitman using bitcoin, was arrested today on federal criminal charges.
According to court documents, Annie Nicole Ritenour, 25, placed an “order” via a Dark Web website that advertised murder-for-hire services. Ritenour created an account with the website and deposited approximately $3,200 in bitcoin to hire a hitman to kill her intended victim. To further assist with her “order,” Ritenour uploaded photos of her intended victim, as well as other personal information, including their place of employment, type of vehicle they own, and the best time and place to kill them.
“This case highlights the need for more intense federal enforcement of the cyber security protocols of the Internet,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia has made cybercrime a priority for this exact reason, and this murder-for-hire plot serves as an example of why we need to remain vigilant in the policing of those dark corners of the web where cybercrime thrives.”
“Upon learning of the murder-for-hire plot, the FBI moved quickly to ensure the safety of the intended victim and identified Ms. Ritenour as the person responsible for the threat,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Neil Mathison said today. “The FBI reminds the public that making threats online or using the Dark Web to hire someone to harm another has serious consequences, and we will work with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to hold criminals accountable.”
Ritenour is charged with one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence and one count of murder-for-hire. If convicted, Ritenour faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber is prosecuting the case.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe holds a 49% to 48% lead over Republican Glenn Youngkin in Virginia’s contest for governor, according to a survey of likely voters released today by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University. McAuliffe’s 1-point lead is within the survey’s margin of error (+/-3.5%), a virtual tie in which third-party candidate Princess Blanding’s 1% share of the vote looms larger.
With voting underway in the Nov. 2 general election, Democrats also hold small but shrinking leads down-ballot. The race for lieutenant governor tracks the top of the ticket, with Democrat Hala Ayala showing a 1-point lead over Republican Winsome Sears, 49% to 48%. Seeking a third term, Attorney General Mark Herring narrowly leads Republican Jason Miyares 48% to 47%.
Republican likely voters are significantly more enthusiastic about voting in this election than Democrats (80% to 65% very enthusiastic), an advantage that has surged 9 points since the Oct. 8 Wason Center survey.
“McAuliffe is facing strong headwinds in a state that has historically selected governors from the party not in the White House and with a Democratic president whose approval rating is underwater,” said Wason Center Research Director Dr. Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo. “Republican voters also appear hungrier for a win and increasingly see a chance to take a statewide race for the first time since 2009.”
Democratic leads that showed in previous Wason Center polls during this election have all but disappeared.
Independent voters continue to favor all three Republican candidates, while partisans on both sides are locking into position for their party’s candidates. A large, mirrored gender gap has emerged, with male voters shifting towards Republican candidates (56% to 42%) and women moving towards Democratic candidates (56% to 40%). Regionally, the hotly contested Richmond/Central region has tilted significantly in Republicans’ favor since the Oct. 8 survey, going from a 3-point Republican lead to a 12-point Republican lead (55% to 43%) at the top of the ticket.
The results of this poll are based on 944 interviews of registered Virginia voters who are likely general election voters, including 446 on landline and 498 on cell phone, conducted October 17-25, 2021. The full report is attached and online at https://cnu.edu/wasoncenter/.
UPDATE FROM VINTON POLICE: Vinton, VA -An arrest has been made in connection with the homicide of Gary McMiller that took place on October 11, 2021, at 809 Hardy Rd. The individual was taken into custody on October 21, 2021,by the Roanoke City Police Department. The suspect has been charged with:1) Murder in the commission of Robbery2) Attempted Robbery3) Use of Firearm in the commission of Robbery. Pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3706, no additional information canbe released on the suspect. The Vinton Police is continuing the investigation to determine the identities of two additional suspects .If you have information please contact (540) 283-7034
PREVIOUS: Vinton, VA–The malicious wounding that took place on October 11, 2021, at 809 Hardy Rd is now being investigated as a Homicide, as the victim of this incident, Gary McMiller, 38, of Vinton has succumbed to his injury. Detectives with the Vinton Police Department have been in contact with the Roanoke County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office with the details of this case. No arrests have been made at this time. No further information regarding the details of this incident is available at this time.
Information regarding the incident is asked to call the Vinton Police Department at (540) 283-7034. Vinton, VA-On October 11, 2021, at 9:39 PM officers of the Vinton Police Department responded to a Malicious Wounding at 809 Hardy Road, in regards to reports of a person with a gunshot wound. Responding officers located an adult male inside the establishment with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. A preliminary investigation indicates that a shooting took place in the parking lot of the aforementioned address. The suspected vehicle, a silver sedan, fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.
No suspects have been located at this time. The male was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division are still actively working to determine the circumstances that led up to the shooting. This matter remains under investigation and no further information is currently available for release. Information regarding the incident is asked to call the Vinton Police Department at (540) 283-7034.
PREVIOUS: Vinton, VA -On October 11, 2021, at 9:39 PM officers of the Vinton Police Department responded to a Malicious Wounding at 809 Hardy Road, in regards to reports of a person with a gunshot wound. Responding officers located an adult male inside the establishment with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. A preliminary investigation indicates that a shooting took place in the parking lot of the aforementioned address. The suspected vehicle, a silver sedan, fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival. No suspects have been located at this time. The male was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division are still actively working to determine the circumstances that led up to the shooting. This matter remains under investigation and no further information is currently available for release. Information regarding the incident is asked to call the Vinton Police Department at (540)283-7034.
