Web Staff
State health officials report 25 new coronavirus cases and 3 new hospitalizations for the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. There is also 1 new COVID-related death among Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke and Botetourt Counties. State health officials report 6 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Roanoke City, 13 new cases in Roanoke County, 4 new cases, 1 new hospitalization, and 1 new death in Salem, and 2 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Botetourt County.
The latest numbers from the Virginia Department of Health, show 1 new coronavirus related death and 3 new hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley. There are 26 new cases among Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke and Botetourt Counties in the latest 24-hour reporting period.State health officials report 12 new cases in Roanoke City, 8 new cases, 3 new hospitalizations, and 1 new death in Roanoke County, and 6 new cases in Botetourt County.
State Police say four Alexandria residents are charged with leading troopers on a high-speed chase that started on Interstate 81 in a vehicle stolen in Lynchburg — and inside the car was a firearm stolen in Winchester.. Troopers say the chase started Monday evening when the car was clocked doing 99 miles per hour on Interstate 81 in Pulaski County, and speeds during the pursuit sometimes topped 120 miles per hour. It ended two counties later at a dead-end lane in Grayson County. Police say the four suspects all took off on foot but were later taken into custody.
NEWS RELEASE: At 7:58 a.m. on Monday (April 19), Virginia State Police Sergeant D.D. Johnson was running radar on Interstate 81 in Pulaski County when an Acura sedan registered 99 mph in a posted 70 mph zone. The sergeant pulled in behind the Acura and activated his lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the Acura refused to stop. A pursuit was initiated with the Acura reaching speeds of up to 120 mph.
The pursuit continued into Wythe County where the Acura exited the interstate and entered the Town of Wytheville. The Acura then headed south on Route 21 towards Grayson County.
The suspect vehicle continued to elude law enforcement and came to a stop at the end of Winterplace Lane in Grayson County. The four occupants then fled on foot. A search perimeter was immediately established with the assistance of the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Independence Police Department, Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, Galax Police Department, the Alleghany County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshall Service.
A search of the Acura yielded the recovery of a firearm that had been reported stolen in Winchester, Va. The Acura had been reported stolen in Lynchburg, Va.
Over the course of several hours, all four individuals were located and taken into custody:
- Malikai Robert-Elija Crawford, 21, of Alexandria, Va., was charged with possession of stolen property (Vehicle), possession of a stolen firearm, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of concealed weapon, reckless driving and one felony count of eluding police.
- Reyanna Malikia Foreman, 19, of Alexandria, Va. She was charged with possession of a stolen firearm.
- Two juvenile males, both from Alexandria, Va., were charged with numerous offenses, including possession of stolen property (vehicle) and possession of a concealed weapon.
Crawford and Foreman are being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.
The incident remains on going at this time
The latest numbers from the Virginia Department of Health, show no new coronavirus related deaths but 1 new hospitalization in the Roanoke Valley. There are 57 new cases among Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke and Botetourt Counties in the latest 24-hour reporting period.State health officials report 12 new cases in Roanoke City, 15 new cases and 1 new hospitalization Roanoke County,26 new cases in Salem, and 4 new cases in Botetourt County.
Photo: City of Roanoke
Roanoke City will have a new Deputy City Manager this summer. Clarence Grier was most recently Deputy County Manager in Guilford County, North Carolina — the Greensboro area. According to He left that position earlier this year; according to the Guilford County-based Rhino Times, Grier was relieved of his position after a new majority took control of the county’s board of commissioners. Grier will succeed Sherman Stovall, who will retire in June.
NEWS RELEASE: Clarence G. Grier has been named Deputy City Manager for the City of Roanoke. Following the retirement of Deputy City Manager Sherman Stovall in June 2021, Grier will assume the responsibility of managing and directing City departments, public safety agencies, and programs based on general direction and policy of the City Manager and City Council.
Since 2015, Grier has served Guilford County, N.C. as Deputy County Manager, where he supervised nine departments: Animal Services, Child Support Enforcement, Emergency Services, Family Justice Center, Fleet Operations, Information Services, Purchasing, Risk Management and Minority Women Business Enterprises. His local government experience includes service as Assistant County Manager-Chief Finance Officer for Orange County, N.C. (2009- 2015); and as Director of Finance for the Greensboro Housing Authority (2008- 2009).
Grier holds a Bachelor’s degree from Campbell University (Buies Creek, N.C.) in business administration. He also is a Certified Public Accountant, an AICPA Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and an AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).
Grier and his wife have family in Roanoke, and he secured his first job out of college here more than 30 years ago. He was a high school and college basketball star, having been drafted by the NBA’s Houston Rockets in 1987.
“Finding someone to carry on the incredible work of Sherman Stovall, who is retiring in June, was no easy task,” said City Manager Bob Cowell. “After receiving well over 100 applications and interviewing six highly qualified professionals, I feel very fortunate to have found someone of Clarence’s caliber, available and interested in joining our team. Clarence’s long tenure in public service, deep understanding of public budgeting and financing, and stellar reputation helped him stand out above all the other candidates. I am thrilled we were able to secure someone who I believe will serve the residents of Roanoke well for many years, just as Sherman has done all these past years.”
“I am excited and truly honored to be provided the opportunity to return to the Star City where my career began and serve the citizens of the City of Roanoke. Roanoke is very dear to me both personally and professionally,” said Clarence Grier.
Photo from BCSO
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office says a sting operation led to an arrest for allegedly stealing a pontoon boat, then trying to sell its motor. Officials say the boat was stolen in December in the Thaxton area, and investigators later learned Eric Nichols tried to sell the craft’s motor. They posed as buyers, and after the sting transaction was completed, they found the boat and arrested Nichols for grand larceny. He is currently jailed without bond.
NEWS RELEASE: On December 13, 2020, Bedford County Sheriff Office received a report for a stolen Apex Pontoon Boat from the Thaxton Area. Investigators became aware of a suspect by the name of Eric Nichols through tips from the community.
On April 13, 2021, Investigators became aware that Nichols was attempting to sell the motor from the stolen pontoon boat.
On April 14, 2021, Investigators with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office purchased the motor from Nichols (a sting operation), which resulted in his arrest for possession of stolen property. A search of Nichols property was conducted, and Investigators located the stolen Apex Pontoon Boat. Which resulted in warrant for Grand Larceny being obtained for Nichols, and he is currently being held with no bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority in Bedford, VA.
The latest numbers from the Virginia Department of Health, show no new coronavirus related deaths or hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley. There are 27 new cases among Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke and Botetourt Counties in the latest 24-hour reporting period.State health officials report 9 new cases in Roanoke City, and Roanoke County, 5 new cases in Salem, and 4 new cases in Botetourt County.
NEWS RELEASE: On Friday evening, April 16, 2021, deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the McCoy area of the county for a suspicious vehicle, which was trespassing on private property. Deputies located the vehicle, which was occupied by three adults and following a brief interaction, the deputies requested the assistance of narcotics K9 Maxx. When the K9 was deployed it alerted on the vehicle and subsequently a search was conducted.
Photo: HCSO
NEWS RELEASE: On April 17, 2021, at approximately 8:42 pm, the Martinsville-Henry County Emergency 911 Center received a call that an individual had been shot at 1163 Jarrett Dr., Bassett, VA. Deputies arrived on the scene and encountered the suspect outside of the residence. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Deputies entered the residence and located the victim lying on the floor. The victim had suffered at least one gunshot wound to the chest. The Henry County Department of Public Safety also responded to the residence, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as Kaleb Tremaine Greene, 24, of Maple St., Martinsville, VA. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the Western District of Virginia, where an autopsy will be performed.
Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Kaleb Greene was visiting the home located at 1163 Jarrett Dr. Greene was involved in an argument inside of the house when the suspect, Isaiah Jeremiah Dillard, 21, of 1136 Jarrett Dr., Bassett, VA produced a firearm and shot Greene. Greene and Dillard were acquainted with each other.
Isaiah Jeremiah Dillard was charged with first degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He is currently held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
Anyone having information regarding this homicide is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards of up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
NEWS RELEASE: On April 16th, 2021 the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke received the state of Virginia’s FIRST baby American black bear of 2021! This baby bear was found in Floyd County, VA eating goat feed. After watching the baby from a distance for hours the mother never returned. This little guy weighs only 2.8 lbs and with cooler nighttime temps the Department of Wildlife Resources had no choice but to bring the baby to the center so it wouldn’t freeze. It will be transferred to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro tomorrow. It is VERY abnormal for a bear cub of this size to even be out of the den this early.
Photo: SW Va Wildlife Center of Roanoke