Evan Jones
State Police photo
A Washington and Lee student was killed overnight and several other students were injured when an SUV left a Rockbridge County roadway, hit a tree stump and overturned. 21-year-old Kelsey Durkin was a senior from New Canaan, Connecticut. State Police say the driver is charged with DUI. He is identified as 21-year-old Nicholas Hansel of New Orleans. The university says 10 students in all were inside the vehicle.
(Continue reading for the full Washington and Lee University statement and State Police news release.)
The Dean of Liberty University’s Law School says legal challenges to President Obama’s health care law are far from over, despite yesterday’s Supreme Court decision. Liberty challenged the portion of the law requiring most employers to provide health insurance to their workers or pay a fine. The Supreme Court yesterday turned that challenge aside. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A resort less than two hours from Roanoke — and less than three hours from Lynchburg — is now earning rankings among the top 100 Hotels and Resorts in the world. Travel and Leisure Magazine and readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine have both recently rated Primland among the top resorts anywhere. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for the Primland website.
Stores are packed with “Black Friday” shoppers, and while the post-Thanksgiving bargains may not last for long, the planning begins way in advance. At the Clearbrook WalMart in Roanoke County, for instance, managers say they start preparing for this day six months ahead of time. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says a Boones Mill man shot his wife to death early Thanksgiving day, then took his own life. It happened around 1:30 am on Cascade Lane. The Sheriff’s office identifies the dead as 39-year-old Angela Cooper and 43-year-old Christopher Cooper.
(Continue reading for the full Franklin County Sheriff’s Office news rlease.)
Lots of people plan to prepare their Thanksgiving turkeys today in deep fryers — and fire officials say it is one of the day’s most common causes of injuries and house fires. They urge you to keep fryers away from any buildings, not on decks, in garages, or under breezeways or patio awnings. Officials say you should never place a frozen or partially thawed turkey in a deep fryer. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The traffic death of a Washington and Lee student killed on Interstate 81 leads to a father’s drive for a federal requirement for the largest trucks — devices that would limit big speeds. Cullum Owings was killed when a big rig ran into his vehicle the Sunday after Thanksgiving 11 years ago. The trucking industry’s largest association agrees with a call for limiters that would prevent trucks from exceeding 65. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who they say robbed the Carter Bank and Trust on Route 460 — twice. The bank is located between Bonsack and Blue Ridge. The second holdup occurred last Saturday. Authorities say in both cases, the man took a handwritten note from his wallet and claimed to have a gun.
Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office photos
(Continue reading for the full news release.)
No matter how the race for Attorney General is ultimately decided, the State Senate may begin next year’s session with all sorts of unanswered questions. Democratic Senators Ralph Northam and Mark Herring are both preparing to take statewide office, and until until their successors are selected in special elections, Republicans are assured of a temporary Senate majority at the time committee assignments and chairmanships are determined. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Many of us will hit the road this week for Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend — just as gas prices have taken an unexpected upturn. Analysts at gasbuddy.com say there is no obvious reason, and they still expect prices to resume a gradual downward trend into early next year. Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for Gas Buddy’s Roanoke prices.