Evan Jones
William Morva
The man convicted of fatally shooting a Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy and hospital security guard in 2006 has lost his latest appeal. The State Supreme Court has rejected William Morva’s petition that challenged his guilty verdicts. Morva faces a death sentence for killing Deputy Eric Sutphin and Security Officer Derrick McFarland. The Supreme Court released the order last Friday and made it public today. The same court has previously affirmed Morva’s convictions and upheld his death sentence.
The Roanoke County Library system is making plans to replace its Vinton branch. Three public meetings are planned to let people say what they would like in a new one, the first one at 7:00 pm tonight at the Vinton War Memorial. The county has already purchased land for the library. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Two Salem elementary schools are sending students to the gym first thing in the morning for activities designed to help them perform better throughout the day. WFIR Intern Reporter Lindsey Piland reports on the Action Based Learning Lab.
Chief Chris Perkins
Police Chief Chris Perkins says it didn’t take long Monday afternoon to know it was time for his staff to revisit security plans for the Blue Ridge Marathon. As a result, the Boston Marathon bombings are leading to heightened security at Roanoke’s own marathon this coming Saturday. Some you will see, but other security measures will be less visible. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke Police say security will be more evident along this weekend’s Blue Ridge Marathon — and they are asking for the public’s help as well. Chief Chris Perkins says in response to yesterday’s Boston Marathon bombings, he is increasing the number of city police officers assigned Saturday, and outside police agencies are also sending uniformed officers. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Former Governor and Senator George Allen had never before endorsed a House of Delegates candidate during an open Republican primary, but he did so today. Allen announced his support for Zach Martin in the 19th District:
Martin is one of five GOP candidates in the district represented for 52 years by Lacey Putney, who is stepping down. Republicans will select their candidate in a firehouse primary May 7th. The district covers parts of Bedford, Botetourt, and Alleghany Counties.
The State Board of Elections is going through almost 100,000d voter records — people considered active voters in Virginia also on active rolls in other states last November. Most cases are considered benign, like people who relocated to another state, but some cases have been referred to the Attorney General’s office. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Neil MacInnis
The man charged with shooting two people Friday at the New River Valley Mall made his first court appearance today. 18-year-old Neil MacInnis was brought in to Montgomery County General District Court this morning for arraignment. He is accused of shooting two women at New River Community College at the mall, facing two counts of malicious wounding and two more of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. MacInnis told the judge he understands the charges against him. He was appointed a public defender, and a preliminary hearing is set for June 18th.
City Manager Chris Morrill and his staff will present their proposed budget to City Council later today. It totals about $260 million, and it comes with a big question mark: how much will federal sequestration funding cuts affect city programs. Their best estimate is a $460,000 loss spread across more than two dozen programs. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
(Continue reading for a full list of programs likely to be impacted by sequestration budget cuts.)
Wade Barrette Lohse (Photo from Salem Police)
Police say a fugitive is suspected of stealing a Salem car — and they are asking you to be on the lookout. Police say it started last night with a suspicious vehicle call around the motels near the Electric Road exit of Interstate 81. Officers determined it was stolen from Louisiana and may be driven by Wade Barrette Lohse, a fugitive wanted there on multiple charges including vehicular homicide. Then this morning, a Jeep was reported stolen from a home about a mile away, and police believe Lohse may have taken it. It is a white Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, perhaps most notable for a bumper sticker reading “I have a Great Dane That Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student”.
(Continue reading for full information from Salem Police)