Gene Marrano
Its called a “BolaWrap,” a new law enforcement restraint tool that is not “pain compliant.” A loaded cartridge propels a laser-guided Kevlar tether at 640 feet per second – and it wraps around a target, restraining them safely. About 30 police departments nationwide are now using the “less lethal” device according to a BolaWrap executive. Many others – like Roanoke County – are considering it to fill “a gap in in policing tools,” said a retired Los Angeles assistant sheriff now working for BolaWrap. Roanoke County Police Chief Howard Hall watched a demonstration today at the police training academy:
The father of slain WDBJ-7 journalist Alison Parker has released a book about his daughter – shot dead on live TV along with camerman Adam Ward in 2015 – and his fight for improved gun safety. Andy Parker joined WFIR’s Gene Marrano in our studio on Friday – here is an in-depth, “Longer Listen” segment:
The Woodrum family in Roanoke includes some high-achievers – Josh Woodrum is a pro quarterback who has been with several NFL teams, while his younger brother Chris is overcoming his own challenges and getting ready to help run a business that should open by June. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Image: LU Athletics Facebook
(from Liberty.edu) For the fourth time in school history, Liberty is going to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed Flames defeated the No. 1 seed Lipscomb 74-68 to claim the ASUN Championship. (The Flames are heard in Roanoke on our sister station WPLY 610am and 101.1fm)
Liberty is the first league team to win the ASUN Final in its debut tournament since the 1997-98 season. The Flames (28-6, 14-2 ASUN) now have tied their school record with 28 wins on the season. Liberty’s Lovell Cabbil Jr., Caleb Homesley and Scottie James were named to the ASUN All-Tournament team, while James was also named the ASUN Tournament Most Valuable Player.
(AP)Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has named three new commissioners to service on the State Board of Elections, sweeping out the previous members. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Northam said Friday that he’s appointing Bob Brink, Jamilah LeCruise and John O’Bannon. Brink was an aide in former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration and former Democratic member of the House of Delegates from Arlington County. LeCruise is a lawyer from Norfolk, and O’Bannon is a former Republican delegate from Henrico.
The board oversees statewide elections, tabulates results and implements election policies set by the General Assembly and governor. Its members also supervise an elections commissioner chosen by the governor. Legislators must approve the appointments. The board’s membership would expand from three to five under a measure that legislators sent to Northam last month.
Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery, which has altered its timeline to build any east coast production plant in Roanoke due to declining market shares, will not bring back the popular Street Pub event this summer. A company spokesperson tells WDBJ-7 it was “typical” for Deschutes to do large events like Street Pub and then take a hiatus. Instead the company says it will focus on the Go-Cross cycling event it sponsors, held only in Oregon and in Roanoke. The spokesperson also says Deschutes will still meet a March 31 deadline to the City of Roanoke for a development plan for the property it has purchased outright from the city – after foregoing earlier incentives that would have kicked in with a 2021 launch date for the plant it announced would be built in Roanoke after a long and public courtship to land the craft brewer here.