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You may have heard the term “Active Shooter” — it has been used to describe incidents where a gunman opens fire at church, school, mall or other business. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is helping these organizations create a plan to stay safe. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
Students at the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for Science and Technology are preparing to share their recent research at the school’s annual project forum. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports, they are also looking to the community for some help:
State Police photo
From State Police: ROCKBRIDGE, Va. – A Virginia State Police traffic stop Thursday (Jan 25) on Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County netted ten pounds of Marijuana. At 8:46 a.m., Virginia State Police Senior Trooper M. C. Forbes stopped a southbound 2018 Ford Escape for excessive speed. The Trooper’s radar recorded the vehicle traveling at 80 mph in the posted 70 mph zone on Interstate 81 at the 196.8 mile marker. During the course of the traffic stop, the Trooper noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded ten pounds of marijuana. Further investigation revealed the two occupants were traveling to Roanoke, Va. The driver, Whitney Brooke Dudley, 23, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with speeding, and possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Mahvasi Donta Fennell-Owens, 21, of Lexington Va., was charged with possession of Marijuana. The driver and passenger were transported to the Rockbridge County Jail, where Dudley and Owens were released on bond.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte
From Congressman Bob Goodlatte: Last night, the United States Senate failed to reach 60 votes to pass legislation to extend funding for the federal government. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement on the federal government shut down:
“Senate Democrats had two choices last night: Vote to keep the government open, allow important discussions to continue, ensure our troops are paid, and accept another opportunity to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program for 66,000 Virginia children, or vote to shut down the government. It’s disappointing that they chose to stand in the way of military readiness and children’s health coverage all because they have not yet gotten a deal on DACA. It defies logic.
“By forcing this government shutdown, Senator Schumer and his colleagues are putting unlawful immigrants before America’s lawful citizens, children, and our troops. No discussions on including DACA in this funding bill should be on the table while Senator Schumer and his allies hold the American people and our government hostage. Reopen the government so that these important conversations can continue.
“Meanwhile, the House passed a long-term funding package and reauthorized CHIP months ago. And again this week the House passed a bill to fund the government and ensure CHIP continues. The Senate needs to act. Senator Schumer, stop the politics and fund our government.”
Henry Routon
Brittany Nichols
News release: The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a possible meth lab which was located at the Hometown Inn, 18059 Virgil H Goode Hwy, Rocky Mount, VA. On 01/19/2018 at approximately 4:30 PM, Franklin County Deputies were investigating the odor of marijuana coming from a room at the motel. When deputies went to secure the room, the resident of the room assaulted law enforcement officers. The room was secured and a meth lab was discovered. 43-year-old Henry Eric Routon of Callaway and 30-ear-old Brittany Danielle Nichols of Moneta were both arrested and face charges related to the meth lab. Routon is currently being held without bond. Nichols is being held on a $1,000.00 secured bond. The Virginia State Police Clan lab team assisted in clean up of the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Finance and Budget Committees, and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Budget Committees, released the following statement:
“A year after Donald Trump became President, he and Republican leaders in Congress have delivered the shutdown he’s been calling for. Those who will suffer the most from his actions are federal employees and DoD personnel in Virginia who have already been hurt as we lurch from one budget crisis to the next. We put forward offer after offer tonight to prevent a shutdown and keep the government open over the weekend so we could work together to finalize a deal. Republicans rejected every single one. Virginians are counting on us to pass a bill that funds our military, education and health care programs, extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and protects Dreamers. We’re still at the table so we can reach that deal, and Republicans should reopen the government immediately and join us.”
On Thursday, Warner and Kaine announced their opposition to another one-month CR because it would needlessly perpetuate budgetary dysfunction and uncertainty for Virginia and the military. They called on Republican leadership to avert a government shutdown and stay in session through the weekend to finalize a deal.
Rep. Morgan Griffith
Saturday, January 20, 2018 – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the United States Senate failed to pass a measure to fund the government, thus triggering a partial government shutdown:
“The Senate has failed to govern. The House of Representatives passed a measure that funded the government for four weeks and provided six years of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Senate did not pass this measure, or even amend it and send it back to the House for us to give it due consideration. Instead, senators did nothing.
“This latest failure only reaffirms that the Senate’s modern filibuster-cloture-hold rule needs to end. It is damaging the Republic, and in this case, Americans will suffer the consequences.
“Virginians are particularly affected by the Senate’s refusal to reauthorize CHIP, as the Commonwealth is almost out of funds for the program.”
From Roanoke County: Roanoke County staff will host a community meeting about the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline project. The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 25 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Cave Spring High School (3712 Chaparral Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018). Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Though the project has not met final federal approvals needed to begin construction, in recent court filings, MVP has indicated its desire to begin construction as early as February 1. As a result, County staff has been preparing for its role during a construction phase. County staff will provide a presentation to include information related to public safety, communications and public expectations. Following the presentation, staff will answer questions. The community meeting is not a public hearing to debate the merits of the project; rather, it is to provide citizens with an understanding of the construction process, expectations of Police and Fire & Rescue personnel, and the means for citizens to contact staff with questions.
State Police say a six-year-old boy was killed today when the sled he was riding ran onto a roadway and was struck by a car. Troopers say it happened in the Axton area of Henry County. The boy died later under hospital treatment. Police say the car’s driver will not face any charges.
From State Police: At 11:02 a.m., Thursday (Jan. 18), Virginia State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash in the Axton community of Henry County. A 2006 Ford Fusion was traveling north in the 4400 block of Old Liberty Drive when a 6-year-old male slid into the roadway. The child was on a sled, which slid right underneath the vehicle. The child passed away at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, where he had been transported for treatment. The vehicle’s driver, a 73-year-old Henry County male, immediately stopped and remained at the scene. The driver was not injured. The crash remains under investigation at this time. No charges will be filed.
Roanoke County Officers were called to the 8100 block of Gander Way last night. Two vehicles were reportedly driving down the street toward Plantation Road shooting at each other. One subject has been identified. There are no arrests so far and no known injuries.
From Roanoke County Police: On Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at approximately 2110 hours, officers were called to 81oo block of Gander Way in reference to a disturbance with weapons. Information was received that two vehicles were driving down Gander Way toward Plantation Road and occupants of the vehicles were shooting at each other. One subject has been identified. The investigation is ongoing. At this time there are no known injuries from this incident. No arrests have been made and anyone with additional information about this crime is asked to call the Roanoke County Police Department at (540) 562-3265.