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Julio Deleon

Julio Deleon

From Salem Police: On Friday, February 12, the Salem Police Department began investigating a sexual assault report that was first received by the Roanoke County Department of Social Services. Through the course of the investigation, Salem detectives made contact with a female who advised them that her daughter had been sexually assaulted by a man with whom she was currently in a relationship. The child in question is under the age of 13. The mother of the child told police that the male was living with her and the child when the assault took place at their residence in the 200 block of Chestnut Street. The young girl was not injured and did not need medical attention as a result of the assault. The suspect, identified as Julio Cesar Deleon II, 36, of Salem, was arrest and charged with two counts of Rape, five counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault and one count of Indecent Liberties with a Child. Deleon II is currently being held at the Roanoke County/Salem Jail without bond.

Larry Browning

Larry Browning

Donna Gardner

Donna Gardner

The Christiansburg Police Department, with the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on a residence located at 17 Alleghany Street in Christiansburg on Monday.  Officers located multiple one pot labs, precursors used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, and three firearms. There was evidence that a child under the age of 18 occupied and/or lived in the residence, but the child was not in the home at the time the search warrant was executed. Larry Browning, 48, and Donna Gardner, 46, were both arrested on multiple felony warrants and are being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond.

Rke Fire-EMS LogoHere’s the news release from Roanoke Fire-EMS: “On February 23, 2016, Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a fire in the 1600 block of Wayne St. The call was received at approximately 12:13am. When crews arrived they found a multi-family, residential structure with heavy smoke showing. One civilian was found deceased inside of the building. The identity of the victim will not be released until their family is notified. The cause of the fire is under investigation and damage estimates are approximately $27,000. The victim has been taken to the medical examiner’s office for identification.”

02-23 Slave QuartersFrom Botetourt County: Fincastle, VA – Contractors hired to move two historical structures at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield have scheduled to perform the move on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, and Thursday, February 25, 2016, weather permitting. Each of the two buildings will be moved individually and intact, one on each day.

The moves are scheduled to occur between 9:00 a.m. and noon each day. During the move, access to the Botetourt Center at Greenfield will be restricted. The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office will be controlling the access onto International Parkway from US Route 220. The westbound lanes of International Parkway leading into Greenfield will be blocked during the move. The eastbound lanes of International Parkway, currently leading out of Greenfield, will be temporarily divided to facilitate two-way traffic. Access to the Greenfield Education and Training Center and businesses in the park will be maintained throughout the move.

All access to International Parkway from the Botetourt County Sports Complex and Preston Parkway and all access to the Cherry Blossom Trail parking lots will be restricted at 6:00 p.m. the day before the move.

Anyone interested in viewing the move will be directed to the Greenfield Education and Training Center for public parking. Beginning at 8:45 a.m., a shuttle will take visitors to a viewing area to see the move.

Full access will be restored to International Parkway and the public parking lots once the move is complete. For more information, please contact Cody Sexton in the County Administrator’s Office.

Roanoke Mayor  David Bowers

Roanoke Mayor
David Bowers

From Roanoke Mayor David Bowers: I have decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for the 9th District Congressional seat.  I will not be a candidate. My sincere thanks goes out to the many, many Virginians in the 9th District who asked and encouraged me to run.  Much prayer and deliberation has gone into my decision not to run, but family and financial considerations just do not permit it at this time.  Additionally, though no one raised an objection to my not presently living in the 9th District, I just could not in my own heart overcome the thought of representing a district in which I did not live.

(Continue reading for the rest of Bowers’ statement.)

wfir-defaultFrom Virginia State Police:  A 15-year-old driver who led Virginia State Police on a pursuit in Franklin County last week is now in police custody. On Feb. 16, 2016, the 15–year-old male was apprehended in the City of Roanoke. State Police Troopers and Roanoke City Police Department located the teenager at a residence in the City of Roanoke. The subject was taken into custody without incident. State police has charged 15-year-old with the following: Hit and run (personal injury, Hit and run property damage, No drivers license,Reckless Driving and Felony Elude. He is being held without bond.

(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)

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Preston Chewning

Preston Chewning

From Vinton Police: On 2/11/16 Vinton Police and EMS responded to an address on Fairmont Drive in the Town of Vinton for an 11 month old injured by a fall. The child was transported to RMH and found to have multiple fractures and internal injuries. After further investigation, Preston Henry Chewning 21 of Vinton, has been charged with Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Abuse and Neglect of a Child, and Child Endangerment. He is being held without bond at the Roanoke County Jail.

Roonoke County SchoolsThis is the latest news release from Roanoke County Public Schools: “Earlier this morning, we were made aware of social media posts indicating rumors of a threat of an incident at Northside HS this morning.  Out of an abundance of caution, we have an increased police presence and extra staff at the school today and tomorrow.  Roanoke County Police has determined that there was NO validity to the threats.  The school day at Northside is continuing as normal with teaching and learning.  We thank the Roanoke Co. Police for their investigation.  We thank parents for their understanding today as we continue to teach our students.  We want to let parents know that absences will be treated as they would on any other normal school day.”

Bernice Proctor

Bernice Proctor

UPDATE: From The Henry County Sheriff’s Office: Investigators have been searching for Bernice Proctor since approximately 4:20pm on February 17, 2016 when her vehicle was located near 435 Old Liberty Drive in Martinsville, Virginia.  Ms. Proctor was located in a wooded area near her vehicle at approximately 4:00am on February 18, 2016.  She was transported to and is currently receiving treatment at the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County.  Medical personnel are treating her for hypothermia and dehydration.  She did not suffer any injuries.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the family would like to thank the Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Henry County Department of Public Safety and numerous volunteer search and rescue organizations with their valuable assistance in locating Ms. Proctor.

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Rke Fire-EMS LogoSeven people are displaced after an attic fire last night in Roanoke. It was reported at 9:04pm in the 1600 block of Chapman Avenue. When Roanoke Fire-EMS arrived they found light smoke showing from the eaves of the roof and upon further investigation found a fire in the attic. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical and damages are approximately $12,000. The American Red Cross is helping the residents.