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Here’s the press release from the Lieutenant Governor’s office: ROANOKE – Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam will visit Roanoke on Sunday, June 19. During the trip Lt. Governor Northam will bring greetings to the Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge and keynote the Harrison Museum of African American Culture’s Annual Reception.
Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 11:00am Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge Service, 806 Jamison Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24013
Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 4:00pm Harrison Museum of African American Culture, 25 Campbell Avenue SE, Roanoke, Virginia 24011
Here’s the press release from Botetourt County: Fincastle, VA – Ken McFadyen will join Botetourt County as Director of Economic Development, effective July 18, 2016. McFadyen, 45, will promote Botetourt’s economic development initiatives and pursue the many opportunities that the County has recently identified. McFadyen has 17 years of experience in economic development and public administration, including most recently seven years as executive director of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority, which serves Grayson County, the City of Galax, and Carroll County. Currently, he also serves on the executive committee of the Virginia Economic Developers Association, the Commonwealth’s professional association of economic development practitioners and consultants. Previously, McFadyen served four years as town manager of West Jefferson, N.C. and three years as assistant to the county manager in McDowell County, N.C., with an additional three-year stint working with a grassroots economic development non-profit organization that promoted a White House initiative. Some of the projects that McFadyen will be leading include the Exit 150 redevelopment, further development of the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, and attracting a younger demographic resident to Botetourt to take advantage of some of the recent job announcements, plus work in entrepreneurial development. McFadyen earned his master’s in public administration from Appalachian State University, where he also earned his undergraduate degree in history. He is an Eagle Scout and former Rotary club president. His wife Melanie graduated from the University of Virginia. The couple has a daughter Sara, 9, and son Conor, 7. His hobbies include hiking, American history and travel.
From Roanoke County Schools: ROANOKE – The Roanoke County School Board will accept applications from qualified voters residing in the Catawba Magisterial District who would like to be considered for the vacant Catawba District School Board seat. The School Board will accept online applications beginning Tuesday, June 14, 2016. The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 5 PM. Applications must be emailed to Angela Roberson, Clerk to the Roanoke County School Board at: aroberson@rcs.k12.va.us.
Applications should contain, but not be limited to, the following:
- Name
- Address
- Contact phone number
- E-mail address
- Education
- Work background
- Brief statement why you are seeking the appointment
- Any other information you would like to share with the School Board
The length of the submitted application should not exceed two typed pages. No one will be considered who did not file an application by the stated deadline. Individual board members will have access to applications as the School Board Clerk receives them. On June 23 at 6 p.m., the board will release the names of individuals who apply.
If consensus can be reached on a candidate, an appointment of that person will be made at the next meeting of the School Board. The person appointed must meet the qualifications for office before sitting with the board. The School Board reserves the right to modify this procedure as deemed necessary.
From Virginia State Police: COVINGTON, Va. – Virginia State Police Senior Trooper S. W. Alban is investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred at 7:40 pm on June 12, 2016 on Route 687, a quarter mile north of Route 728 in Alleghany County.
A 2006 Nissan Titan pickup truck was traveling north on Route 687 when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, fell approximately 30 feet into a creek bed and overturned.
The 2006 Nissan was driven by Stephanie B. Hicks, 29, of Covington, Va. Ms. Hicks was not wearing her seatbelt and was transported from the scene. Jacob Craft, 21, of Alleghany County was riding in the front passenger compartment and was not wearing his seatbelt and was transported due to his injuries.
The vehicle was also occupied by seven other passengers that were riding in the cargo area and were ejected:
Brandon Rice, 21 of Alleghany County; James Morro, 25 of Alleghany County; Kayla Carter, 18 of Alleghany County; Cody Thompson, 21 of Alleghany County; Levi Hugus, 21, of Alleghany County; William Ayers, 20, of Alleghany County and one female juvenile. They were all injured and transported from the scene by ambulance or med-flight helicopter to either Alleghany Regional Hospital or Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was called to assist with the crash investigation.
Charges are pending, and alcohol is believed to be involved.
The crash remains under investigation.
From Botetourt County: Fincastle, VA – Botetourt County has named Tommy Fuqua as the Interim Chief of Fire and EMS. Fuqua had served in a similar capacity with the County in 2013 and 2014 after retiring from Roanoke County. In light of Chief Jeff Beckner’s recent passing, the County wanted to provide strong operational continuity to the Department of Fire and EMS and the volunteer departments while also giving the first responders time to mourn and heal.
“No one is ever going to be able to replace Chief Jeff Beckner; however, we also have to be prepared to answer the calls of our community and do what Chief would have wanted us to do,” said County Administrator Gary Larrowe. “By bringing Tommy back on board, we have a familiar face who can provide stability during this time of transition to fire and rescue’s next chapter.”
Fuqua served for 30 years with Roanoke County’s Department of Fire & Rescue, serving as chief for 15 years. When Botetourt’s Director of Emergency Services resigned, Fuqua was brought on to serve as a senior advisor to the Department. During that time, he provided leadership to the combined fire and rescue system while preparing the Department for the hiring of its first chief. Fuqua will serve in the capacity again in order to maintain Botetourt’s high level of service by its first responders
“Jeff did many great things in Botetourt, and I am happy to honor his legacy by serving in this position,” said Fuqua. “The system in Botetourt is strong; I intend to maintain that strength.”
County Administration will begin the process of hiring a new Chief of Fire and EMS in the near future. No timeline is currently in place to fill the position of Chief.
Less than 6 months after taking his place as the Catawba representative on the Roanoke County School Board Thomas McCracken has resigned effective immediately – that happened last night just before his wife Laurie was promoted to assistant principal at Northside High School. He resigned to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest; other school board members indicated they might not vote for his wife’s promotion if he remained on the board. McCracken spoke to WFIR after being elected last November about his agenda, which included school construction:
From the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: On 5-17-2016 around 0100hrs an unknown subject operating an extended cab light colored GM pick-up (older model) and pulling a trailer pulled onto the lot of Commonwealth Auto located Montvale, Virginia. The suspect broke into a vehicle on the lot and stole several items from the vehicle. The suspect then left heading westbound on 460. Anyone with information on the suspect vehicle is asked to contact Investigator Scott Arney or Lieutenant Jon Wilks of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-4800 or use our anonymous online contact form.
UPDATE: Officials say Calvin Willard was found alive this morning.
EARLIER: Here’s the press release from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: Bedford County 911 dispatchers received a call from Lilac Road in Moneta at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. The caller, a family member, reported that the vehicle of a missing Franklin County man had been located at that address. Calvin Walter Willard, age 78, was reported missing on Monday June 6, 2016 to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Willard has numerous medical problems, including his right leg amputated below the knee, and walks with the assistance of a cane. He is also missing part of his left foot. Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies, Moneta Fire and Rescue units, Virginia State Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies launched an extensive search of the area. The search will continue today.
Jeff Beckner
News release: Botetourt County Fire & EMS and Roanoke Fire-EMS have important information regarding Chief Jeff Beckner’s Arrangements. They are as follows: Visitation will be at Oakey’s East on Wednesday, June 8th from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm. For guests attending the visitation – parking will be limited at the funeral home. ALL ATTENDEES OTHER THAN FAMILY ARE ENCOURAGED TO UTILIZE DESIGNATED OVERFLOW PARKING AREAS LOCATED AT ORCHARD HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH (6032 Cloverdale Rd., Roanoke, VA 24019) OR BONSACK BAPTIST UPPER PARKING LOT(4845 Cloverdale Rd., Roanoke, VA 24019). Continuous shuttles to the funeral home will be provided.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 9th at 11am at First Baptist Church located at 515 3rd St., SW – (enter on the Marshal Ave. side).