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From Virginia State Police: Virginia State Police Trooper B.M. DeLoatch is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash in Henry County. The crash occurred Nov. 18, 2017, at 6:50 p.m., on Route 220 less than a mile south of Route 674. A 1989 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck was traveling along Route 220 when it ran off the left side of the highway and struck an embankment. The pickup then struck two highway signs and the embankment a second time before finally coming to a stop. The driver, Fletcher L. Ross, 52, of Bassett, Va., was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the pickup truck during the course of the crash. Ross was transported to Martinsville Memorial Hospital where he died later that same night. The crash remains under investigation.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte
Congressman Bob Goodlatte says he will not run for reelection in 2018, saying he looks forward to what “the next chapter brings”. Goodlatte says after 25 years, it’s time to step aside and let someone else represent the district. He tells us the decision came in recent weeks, but he did not want to announce it during this year’s election campaigns:
Goodlatte says he expects the 6th District to remain in Republican hands, noting that even amid Ralph Northam’s victory for governor, more than 60% of voters in the district went for Ed Gillespie.
From Congressman Bob Goodlatte: When I first decided to run for Congress there were several things I wanted to achieve for the Commonwealth of Virginia and our nation. I had a strong passion for public service, a love of the law and the judicial system, and a deep appreciation for the people who call western and central Virginia home. These passions led me to serve on the Judiciary and Agriculture Committees throughout my time in the House, and have shaped my work on policies impacting the American people. I’ve had the privilege to serve as Chairman of both of these committees, and I’ve been proud to work on policies that have become law and advance fiscal conservatism, personal liberty, economic growth, and limited government.
For the past 25 years, it has been my honor to represent the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. I cannot begin to express how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to serve and take part in the great experiment of self-government envisioned by our Founders. It has been a labor of love to work countless hours and travel endless miles on the roads of our District for a quarter of a century.
Every two years, Maryellen and I sat down to discuss whether to run again or not. When we discussed the 2018 election, the conversation ended a little differently than in past years. After much contemplation and prayer, we decided it was the right time for me to step aside and let someone else serve the Sixth District. I will not seek re-election. With my time as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee ending in December 2018, this is a natural stepping-off point and an opportunity to begin a new chapter of my career and spend more time with my family, particularly my granddaughters.
While I’m not running for re-election, my work in the 115th Congress is far from done. There is much that I hope we can accomplish in the next year, including: bolstering enforcement of our immigration laws and reforming the legal immigration system, simplifying the tax code in order to stimulate job growth and benefit families in the Sixth District, enacting criminal justice reform, repealing Obamacare, advancing protections of the freedoms and liberties enshrined in our Constitution, and, of course, continuing first-class constituent service for the citizens of the Sixth District. I look forward to working with the House Leadership, the Senate, and President Trump in bringing real conservative change to our country.
I extend my deepest thanks to the people of Virginia’s Sixth District who have placed their trust in me. It is truly you who are the highlight of my time in elected office. I’ve had the good fortune of having an amazing staff team during my time in Congress – both in my Sixth District offices as well as in the Judiciary and Agriculture Committees. They’ve done excellent work, and I greatly value their commitment to serving the Sixth District and the American people. I’d also like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress with whom I’ve had the opportunity to work over the years. I genuinely appreciate your friendship and support. And finally, none of this would have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Maryellen, and our children, Bobby, Jen, and Jen’s husband, Matt. They have my enduring love and gratitude.
I look forward to what the next chapter brings.
From Roanoke City Police: On November 4, 2017 at 6:03 am Roanoke Police were dispatched to a suspicious fire inside an apartment in the 300 block of Westside Boulevard NW. Personnel from Roanoke Fire EMS had extinguished the fire by the time officers arrived. A deceased victim was found inside the apartment. An investigation is being conducted into the victim’s death. The cause of the fire is under joint investigation by our department and Roanoke Fire EMS. The identity of the victim will be released after proper notifications have been made. The investigation is ongoing.
Previously: A single vehicle crash at the intersection of Williamson Rd and Malvern Rd occurred at approximatly 1106pm on 11/3/17. Both the Driver (with life threatening injuries) and the passenger Sarah Taylor Jayne (with serrirous injuries) were transported to the hospital. The driver (who is not being identified pending notification of next of kin) did not survive the injuries sustained from the crash. Neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing their seatbelts. This crash are still being investigated.
From Roanoke County Police: A 16-year old Northside High School student has been arrested after bringing a pellet gun to school Thursday morning. School personnel were made aware of a student possibly in possession of a handgun. After an investigation by Roanoke County Police, the weapon was located and determined to be an unloaded pellet gun. Charges include possession of a firearm on school property and carrying a concealed weapon.
Photo: Roanoke Co. Police
UPDATE: Authorities say Catawba Creek Road was cleared and reopened to traffic at approximately 9pm
Original Story:From Roanoke County Police: An overturned tractor trailer is blocking both directions of traffic in the 5300 block of Catawba Creek Road. The road will be closed for the next 4‐8 hours as police work to clear the road. Police are asking motorists to seek an alternate route or avoid the area. Catawba Creek Road is mainly used by motorists as a shortcut to travel between Botetourt County and Catawba, avoiding the major roadways. The accident occurred just before 11:30 a.m. The driver did not sustain any injuries.
FROM VDOT: The Virginia Department of Transportation encourages race fans driving to and from Martinsville Speedway for the race on Sunday, October 29, to follow recommended traffic patterns as posted on signs and message boards.
VDOT will place many signs and changeable message boards throughout the region to assist travelers. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be heavy. Traffic is being routed to the speedway in certain patterns to minimize overall congestion as much as possible. Watch for the speed limit to reduce gradually from 65 mph to 35 mph on the Route 220/Route 58 Bypass as you approach the speedway.
- From Roanoke and areas north of Martinsville: Race fans traveling south on Route 220 can take the exit onto Route 58 to Martinsville to reach the track or they can continue on the Route 220/Route 58 Bypass past the speedway interchange and turn right onto the access road that leads into the speedway. The entrance is located one mile east of the Route 220 interchange and may provide easier access. Signs are in place designating the entrance to the speedway.
- From Danville and areas east of Martinsville: Motorists on the Route 58 Bypass should follow signs directing them to use the track’s back gate. This entrance is located off the bypass, east of the track.
- From Greensboro and areas south of Martinsville: Route 220 northbound traffic will split into three lanes shortly before reaching the speedway. Motorists should watch for electronic message boards and obey police directing traffic. Through traffic should use the left lane.
- From Stuart and areas west of Martinsville: Motorists should stay on Route 58 east and follow signs and message boards to the track.
- ADA Parking: Race fans needing ADA Parking are encouraged to enter the Speedway via Old Sand Road.
Those attending the race should closely follow directional information and plan to arrive early and expect heavy traffic and delays.
From Virginia State Police: BEDFORD, Va. – State Police Trooper M. R. Heath is investigating a Hit and Run crash which occurred on October 22 at 5:45 p.m. on Route 460, one half mile east of Bells Mill Road in Bedford County. The crash involved an overturned 2007 Ford Ranger pickup with two occupants. The driver of the 2007 Ford was George Edward Cumby, 67, of Moneta and the passenger, Mary Elizabeth Cumby, 65, also of Moneta were wearing their seatbelts. Both occupants were injured and transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Several eye witness’ at the crash scene described a maroon or burgundy four door passenger vehicle, driven by a black male with three small children in the back seat, as stopping briefly, then speeding away from the crash scene. The Virginia State Police are asking that anyone with information regarding this crash to please call 1-800-542-5959, or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. The crash remains under investigation.
From the Franklin County Sheriff’s office: We are currently investigating the larceny of two trucks from Duncan Automotive on US 220 in Wirtz. The trucks were last seen at Duncan Automotive on 10/20/17 at approximately 9:00 PM. Employees arrived on 10/21/2017 at approximately 6:00 AM and found the trucks missing. The first truck is a 2001 GMC Sierra SLE, two door regular cab, white in color. The second truck is a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, two door regular cab, white in color. The Silverado has a black snow plow bracket on the front bumper and wires coming from under the hood for the snow plow. Anyone with information related to the vehicle thefts is encouraged to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Caldwell at 540-352-5174.