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Education-News1From the Virginia Department of Education: Eight teachers today learned of their selection as 2017 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year during surprise classroom visits, school assemblies and announcements by their division superintendents — and in the case of a Spotsylvania County Spanish teacher — Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples. “Today we recognize eight teachers in Virginia who exhibit integrity in their profession and inspire their students to high achievement.” One of the eight finalists is Crystal DeLong, a social studies teacher at Liberty High School. The teachers were selected from among candidates nominated by school divisions in each of the state’s eight superintendents’ regions. The candidates submitted portfolios highlighting their accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities.

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State Police photo

State Police photo

From State Police: Virginia State Police investigated a two vehicle crash involving a Franklin County School Bus and a Ford pick-up truck this morning at 7:37 am on Bethlehem Road in Franklin County. The school bus was slowing or stopping when it was struck in the rear by a Ford pick-up. The school bus was driven by Jonathan Hubbard, 22, of Rocky Mount, VA.  Mr. Hubbard was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.  There were 19 juveniles riding on the bus and none were injured. The driver of the Ford pick-up, Stephen Yopp, 50, of Boones Mill, VA.  Mr. Yopp was wearing his seatbelt and was treated and released. The driver of the Ford was charged in the crash.

 

James Barrow

James Barrow

From Henry County Sheriff’s Office: On September 12, 2016 at approximately 12:22am, a deputy from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Impala for a minor traffic violation. The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and the operator of the vehicle failed to stop for the deputy. The deputy followed the suspect vehicle North into Collinsville at speeds below the posted speed limit. The suspect made a series of turns that resulted in traveling South on Virginia Ave., at this time the driver accelerated and traveled at a high rate of speed and disregarded traffic control devices. The pursuit traveled into the City of Martinsville where the Martinsville Police Department assisted with the chase. The suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed into an electrical pole on Oak St. in Martinsville.

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Kyle Carrington

Kyle Carrington

Cameron Jackson

Cameron Jackson

From Liberty University:  LYNCHBURG, VA — On July 13, 2016, Liberty University received a report of sexual assault alleged to have occurred off-campus in August 2015.  Liberty University is committed to student safety and has a process in place for handling reports of sexual harassment, discrimination and assault involving members of the university community, regardless of whether those cases occur on- or off-campus.  Liberty University has followed that process in this case, which included convening its Threat Assessment Team, notifying and cooperating with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Lynchburg Police Department pursuant to Virginia law and university policy, and conducting a Title IX investigation and Conduct Review Committee hearing concerning the reported allegations.  As a result of the investigation and a hearing held on September 8, 2016, two current students, Cameron Jackson and Kyle Carrington, and one former student, Avery James, were found responsible for violating the Student Honor Code and Liberty University’s Policy on Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Assault.

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wfir-defaultFrom State Police: ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – The Virginia State Police is investigating a non-fatal shooting incident involving a Rocky Mount police officer that occurred Saturday evening (Sep. 10) in the town limits of Rocky Mount, Va. At approximately 11:20 p.m., a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy and Rocky Mount Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the 900 block of Tanyard Road/Route 40. The suspect vehicle refused to stop and attempted to flee the scene. With the police officer and sheriff’s deputy’s vehicles blocking the suspect vehicle’s means of escape, the suspect vehicle began ramming the law enforcement vehicles. During the course of the suspect vehicle trying to escape and running into the law enforcement vehicles, the Rocky Mount police officer fired at the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle then broke free, fled the scene and was stopped by the same officers a short distance later.

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GEORGE TORODE

1:05 pm Updated news release from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: The victim of this morning’s shooting is Kimberly Meador, age 47, 1021 Crabapple Lane, Huddleston. Torode and Meador were well known to the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office due to their ongoing domestic issues.  On Saturday September 3, 2016, Meador went to the Bedford County Magistrate’s Office and obtained a warrant for Assault and Battery and an Emergency Protective Order for Torode. The protective order stated that he was not to have any contact with her. He was arrested on that warrant and served the protective order on Sunday morning, September 4, 2016 and released from jail on a $2,500.00 unsecure bond.

10:13 AM Here’s the updated release from Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: A man matching the description of George Torode was been found deceased of what appears to be self inflicted injuries. The body will be sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke. Investigators are no longer searching for George Torode.
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Roanoke County SchoolsFrom Roanoke County Public Schools: SALEM – Ben Amos has been named the new boys baseball head coach for the Glenvar Highlanders.  Amos, a graduate of William Byrd HS and Roanoke College, was the assistant coach for Glenvar before being named the head coach.  At Roanoke College, Amos was the starting shortstop and captain for the Maroons.  He has played under a multitude of coaches, which brings diverse and effective strategies to his coaching philosophy. He was on the first ten & under AAU team in the Roanoke Valley, the Virginia Cavaliers.

Amos played for the Cavaliers year around until the age of eighteen. He played in Amateur league baseball at the age of 21. He has been coaching since he was 19.  Amos was an assistant coach for American Legion Post 80 for three years, a middle infield coach for Salem High Junior Varsity.

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