Ian Price
A formal assessment of what’s contributing to the violence in Roanoke is being executed by Elite Business Strategies, the Roanoke Gun Violence Prevention Commission, and newly hired Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Coordinator Chris Roberts. He says there are different surveys for residents, young people, community leaders, and one for people who work directly with students. The surveys are anonymous.
A new study shows chronic pain patients significantly reduce their use of opioids following the initiation of Cannabis Therapy. The head of a Virginia Marijuana Advocacy Group tells WFIR’ Ian Price that that’s nothing new:
MGN
Two working fires in Roanoke. Officials posted on Facebook that Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched after 3 am this morning to a fire in the 400 block of 8th Street SE. That fire is reportedly under control. Roanoke Fire-EMS is also on the scene of a working fire in the 1200 block of 12th Street NW. No further details are available at this time.
A regularly updated study shows how safe each state is during the COVID-19 pandemic. WFIR’s Ian Price has details about where Virginia landed on the list:
The Roanoke Times might be changing ownership. Hedge fund Alden Global Capital, one of the country’s largest newspaper owners with a reputation for intense cost cuts and layoffs, has offered to buy the local newspaper chain Lee Enterprises for about a 141-million-dollars – that according to The Virginian-Pilot which is owned by Alden Global Capital. They also own the Daily Press and if this deal went through, they would own the Richmond-Times Dispatch as well as the Roanoke Times.
Photo of Michael Chandler from Facebook
The body of the Big Stone Gap officer killed over the weekend in the line of duty will be escorted from Roanoke back home today. The Wise County Sheriff’s officers say there will be an escort tribute honoring Officer Michael Chandler. First Responders including Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS will escort Chandler back home from the Roanoke Medical Examiner’s Office to be with his family, friends, and loved ones in Big Stone Gap, VA.
The AP previously reported on the shooting. Details are posted below.
BIG STONE GAP, Va. (AP) – Virginia state police say a 33-year-old man is in custody after a police officer from Big Stone Gap was fatally shot during a welfare check. State police said 29-year-old Offficer Michael Chandler died Saturday evening of injuries he received during the early morning shooting. Police said a suspect from Big Stone Gap was apprehended at a Tennessee motel by the Kingsport, Tennessee Police Department’s SWAT team, patrol division and criminal investigations division after an extensive search by local, state and federal law enforcement. He was being held on probation violations, and charges related to the officers’ shooting are pending.
From Franklin County Sheriff’s Office: Moneta, Virginia (November 14th, 2021) – At approximately 11:29pm on Saturday, November 13th, 2021, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office E911 Communications Center received a call for a residential structure fire located at 10 Southern Key in Moneta, VA. The caller reported that there were people trapped in the residence. Upon arrival, the large residence was discovered fully involved with fire and four people were noted to be trapped on a back deck, approximately 12 feet off of the ground. Franklin County Volunteer and Career Fire/EMS rescued three from the deck, while one jumped from the deck during the rescue. A total of eight people (5 citizens and 3 firefighters) were transported to local hospitals, with one later being transferred to Wake-Forest University in Winston Salem, NC.
Companies in response were from Burnt Chimney Fire Department, Scruggs Fire-Rescue Department, Westlake Fire-Rescue, Smith Mountain Lake Fire Department, Red Valley Rescue, Franklin County Career Fire-EMS Personnel, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Franklin County Fire Marshal’s Office are continuing to investigate this fire incident.
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Update 11/16: Clayton T. Williams, 46 of Roanoke, died at the scene of a shooting early Sunday morning in the 3100 block of Williamson Road NE.
From Roanoke Police Department previously: Several acts of gun violence impacted our community this weekend. Here are the details we can share about these incidents at this time:
On November 13, 2021 at approximately 7:25 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 3300 block of Melrose Avenue NW. The City of Roanoke E-911 Center advised the victim of this incident was being transported via personal vehicle to the hospital. While en route, the vehicle stopped at Fire-EMS Station #5 for further assistance. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the adult male victim to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be serious injuries.
Officers responded to the 3300 block of Melrose Avenue NW and did not locate any evidence on scene. However, evidence of a shooting was located
in the 1000 block of Peck Street NW. Preliminary investigation indicates this is where the incident occurred. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation.
On November 14, 2021 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified of shots fired in the 4800 block of Eden Drive NW. While officers
were en route, the City of Roanoke E-911 Center advised that a person with a gunshot wound had been located in the 2000 block of Gandy Drive NW.
Officers rerouted to the Gandy Drive address and located an adult male with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Officers on Eden Drive located evidence of a shooting. Preliminary investigation indicates this is where the man was injured. However, further details are limited due to the victim’s lack of cooperation. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation.
On November 14, 2021 at approximately 5:00 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified of shots fired in the 3100 block of Williamson Road NE. As officers were responding, the City of Roanoke E-911 Center advised that more information came in indicating there was a person with a gunshot wound on scene. Responding officers located an adult male with a critical injury outside of a residence in the area. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the victim deceased on scene. Update 11/16: Clayton T. Williams, 46 of Roanoke, died at the scene of a shooting early Sunday morning in the 3100 block of Williamson Road NE.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call (540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637;
please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
The biggest fundraiser for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center gives you the chance to name an owl or two. The money is needed to help fundraise for year-round operations and ongoing legal expenses, as WFIR’s Ian Price reports
Click here to go to bid on the auction
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- Eastern Screech Owl with Samantha
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- Eastern Screech Owl 2
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- Eastern Screech Owl
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- Barred Owl
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- Barred Owl 2
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- Barred Owl 3
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- Barred Owl 4