Lillian Boyd
From News Release: Liberty University’s Convocation stage next week will feature a prominent political commentator, a former NFL player, and members of President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
On Monday, Dec. 4, students will hear from Fox News contributor Tomi Lahren. She is one of the youngest political commentators on television and is best known for her “Final Thoughts” segment, where she weighs in on current issues and events. Lahren’s segments have been viewed more than 580 million times on Facebook.
On Wednesday, Dec. 6, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will share his family’s story and how God can use one’s story to impact lives and give encouragement to those who may be struggling.
On Friday, Dec. 8, Corey Lewandowski, Stephen Strang, and David Bossie will be speaking in Convocation. Lewandowski, former campaign manager for Donald Trump, and Bossie, former deputy campaign manager, co-authored the book “Let Trump Be Trump.” They will be joined by Strang, the founder and CEO of Charisma Magazine and author of “God and Donald Trump” and will be sharing about Trump’s rise to the presidency.
A 10-day Convocation schedule is announced each Monday.
From News Release: Virginia State Police E. L. Holiday is investigating a fatal crash that occurred at 10:30 p.m. November 23, 2017 on Route 842 three tenths of a mile south of Route 616 in Bedford County.
A 2000 Toyota 4Runner was traveling on Route 842, when it crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the roadway, down an embankment and struck several trees.
The Toyota was driven by Adam Bruce Kendall, 30, of Axton, Va. Mr. Kendall was not wearing his seatbelt and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
There were two passengers in the vehicle. Eric C. Gerner, 30, of Roanoke, Va. Mr. Gerner was wearing his seatbelt and was transported to a nearby hospital for injuries received in the crash. Daniel K. Yardley, 39, of Roanoke, Va. was not wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
From Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: On October 24, 2017, the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission held its fall conference at the Holiday Inn Select in Bristol, Virginia. The commission awarded the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office its fourth re-accreditation certificate. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office received its initial accreditation in 1999. The accreditation assessment takes place every four years.
On Monday afternoon October 16, 2017, a three person Assessment Team arrived at the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. The team was made up of law enforcement accreditation managers representing the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Park Police Department and the Vinton Police Department. The team first performed a walk-through inspection of the Bedford County Courthouse. The team then inspected a static display of a deputy sheriff’s patrol vehicle, animal control vehicle, K-9 deputy’s patrol vehicle, A.T.V.s, lake patrol boat and other specialty equipment and weapons. Also on Monday evening, one member of the team conducted a ride-along with a deputy for several hours.
On Tuesday morning, the assessment team conducted a walk-through inspection of the Sheriff’s Office including the administrative offices, record keeping practices, evidence rooms, file security and over-all security of the complex. After completing the walk-through inspection, the team began examining files containing the 188 standards required by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.
On Wednesday morning the team returned to the sheriff’s office and completed the file review process. At 3:30 p.m. the team conducted an exit interview with Sheriff Brown and his Command Staff. The team reported no major or minor violations were found during the assessment.
Sheriff Brown acknowledges that without the dedicated and hard working men and women of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office this major accomplishment would never happen. Especially Sgt. Brian Neal, who is the Office’s Accreditation Manager.
On Monday November 27, 2017, Mr. Derrick Mays, Department of Criminal Justice Services Accreditation Program Manager, will present the Re-Accreditation Certificate to Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown at 7:00 p.m. at the Bedford County Board of Supervisor’s Meeting.
Christiansburg authorities discovered 37 pounds of marijuana, equaling 200-thousand-dollars-worth. Police responded to the 2000 block of Simpson Road yesterday morning to find a semi-responsive man, who had to be revived with Narcan. The man was taken to the hospital. 60-year-old Michael Devore has been charged with intent to distribute, and 18-year-old Ciara Hungate had been charged with possession.
From news release: Christiansburg Police responded at 6:47 a.m. today to a call in reference to a male passed out and not breathing in the 2000 block of Simpson Road. Police and Christiansburg Rescue discovered a semi-responsive male, who was revived with Narcan and transported to a local hospital. While on scene, officers found a large quantity of marijuana, secured the residence and obtained a search warrant. When the search warrant was executed, officers seized approximately 37 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $208,000, along with other paraphernalia. Michael Travis Devore, 60, has been charged with §18.2-248.1(a)(3) – possession with intent to distribute marijuana (more than five pounds). Devore received a $1,000 secured bond. Ciara Brooke Hungate, 18, has been charged with §18.2-250 – possession of a Schedule I or II substance. Hungate was being held without bond on Wednesday.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman whose body was found Saturday near the Graves Mill Shopping Center as 47-year-old Dana Ray of Forest. Officials say the cause of death is inconclusive pending toxicology reports, but there is no evidence of foul play
From Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: The deceased female found in Forest on Saturday morning November 18, 2017, was identified as Dana C. Ray, age 47, of Forest. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke advices the cause of death is inconclusive pending the results of the toxicology report. There is no evidence of foul-play.
From Associated Press: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration has enacted rules for political rallies at Richmond’s Robert E. Lee statue that limit crowd size and ban guns. McAuliffe announced the new emergency regulations Monday. They were recommended by a state task force formed in response to deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville earlier this year. The regulations create a new permitting process for groups planning to rally at the Lee statue and cut the maximum crowd size from 5,000 to 500. Guns would be banned at permitted events. The rules also require permits for events expected to draw 10 participants or more. The emergency regulations will be in effect for 18 months before the state finalizes them, according to the governor’s office.
From News Release: Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at about 6:05 p.m., on Thursday, November 16, 2017 to the 3500 block of Forester Road in the Cave Spring area for the report of a structure fire. First arriving crews did find smoke showing from the front of the house. Crews from Cave Spring, Clearbrook, and Back Creek responded to the fire. There are no injuries. There are 5 adult occupants of the home and three of them were at home at the time of the fire. One cat was rescued from inside the house, a dog was also found safe. The fire was mostly confined to the kitchen, however there is smoke damage throughout the home. The fire marshal’s office is on scene to investigate a cause. The Red Cross is assisting the family.
Robert Jeffrey Jr. – Photo from Facebook
Robert Jeffrey Jr. formally announced his candidacy today for Roanoke City Council. He’s the CEO of Colors Virginia Magazine, a publication that spotlights diversity and inclusion. Jeffrey says his career has been heavily shaped by his own parents’ involvement with the NAACP and the church. WFIR’s Lillian Boyd spoke to Jeffrey:
Roanoke County school officials decided to back off on the decision announced earlier this month to relocate all Cave Spring High School students to Hidden Valley High next school year. WFIR’s Lillian Boyd reports on how they’re working to find a solution.
Cave Spring students attending classes at Hidden Valley could still become the decision, but the school board and administrators decided Friday to put all five options they had previously been considering back on the table. Roanoke County School Board Member Mike Wray spoke to WFIR:
“We were looking at what we’re going to have to do for the students, whether it be on site. We’re looking at safety factors as well as what we can do to, you know, provide for the students,” Wray said.
Officials are looking at options that include leasing space at Tanglewood Mall as well as different ways to divide the student populations between Cave Spring High School and Middle School.
“I want to hear what they feel and what like they would like to see, because when you listen to the parents, they have great ideas,” Wray said.
The school board is holding a meeting today at 5 p.m. at Cave Spring High to get feedback. Another meeting focusing solely on the renovations will be held November 27th at Hidden Valley High.