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Byron Hamlar
Byran Hamlar Statement:” After prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have made this difficult decision. With great intentions, I entered the race because I felt I could make a difference for our community. However, realizing the importance of the council and its commitments, I am concerned that I would be unable to fully devote myself at this time. My wife and I are expecting our first child in the upcoming months. Although I feel strongly about serving the community, my first commitment must rest with my family. I would like to thank all of my supporters and friends for their encouragement. Please know that this will not be my final involvement. I will look for future opportunities to enthusiastically serve the great people of the Roanoke Valley.”
Israel Cunningham
From Salem Police: This morning at approximately 8:21 a.m., officers were called to the 1800 block of West Main Street in reference to a shoplifting incident. The suspect was observed leaving the parking lot, and officers were given a description of his vehicle as soon as they arrived on the scene. The male suspect’s car was quickly located in the vicinity, but the driver refused to pull over when officers activated their emergency lights and siren. A pursuit ensued and eventually ended in Roanoke City where the vehicle was abandoned in the 200 block of Westside Boulevard. After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was located and taken into custody. Israel Antonio Cunningham, 27, of Roanoke, has been charged with Grand Larceny and Felony Eluding. Cunningham is currently being held at the Roanoke County/Salem jail without bond. There were no injuries during the incident.
Nicole Lovell
David Eisenhauer
Natalie Keepers
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) – Police still aren’t saying exactly how the lives of a slain seventh-grader and two Virginia Tech students charged in her death intersected. Investigators have released no details about what happened to 13-year-old Nicole Madison Lovell after she climbed out of her bedroom window last week. Her body was found Saturday after a four-day search just across the state line in Surry County, North Carolina. Eighteen-year-old David Eisenhauer is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder. Nineteen-year-old Natalie Keepers is charged with improper disposal of a body and accessory after the fact in the commission of a felony. The two students from Maryland made their initial court appearances Monday but said little. Eisenhauer is from Columbia and Keepers from Laurel. Their lawyers have declined to comment.
Roanoke Co. Police photo
From Roanoke County Police: On Monday, February 1, 2016 at 11:51 am the Roanoke County Police along with Roanoke County Fire & Rescue were called to a train crash involving a work truck on the Spring Hollow Access Road. It was determined that a Appalachian Power work truck began to go across the crossing on Spring Hollow Access Road and was struck by a Westbound Norfolk Southern Freight Train. There were two occupants in the work truck. The two occupants were:
– Mr. Johnny Collins, 22 yoa of Abingdon, Virginia. He was transported by rescue to Roanoke Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
– Mr. William Lineberry, 56 yoa of Bluefield, West Virginia. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Information provided by Norfolk Southern indicated that the train was not carrying any hazardous materials. The Norfolk Southern Police and the Salem Police who are members in the Blue Ridge Regional Crash Investigation Team responded out and assisted in the investigation. The investigation is on-going at this time and anyone with information should call Officer D. Bruch at (540) 777-8620, or the Emergency Communication Center at (540) 562-3265.
From Vinton Police: The Vinton Police Department would like to identify the female in the provided surveillance photo. The female placed a credit/debit card skimming device and a camera on the ATM at First Citizens Bank in Vinton on 1/30/16 at approximately 1:40pm in an attempt to steal customers’ financial data. An employee of the bank attempted to use the ATM and noticed the skimming device a short time later. At this time there is no reason to believe that any customer’s financial information was compromised. Bank officials are working closely with law enforcement as we investigate this matter. If you have any information or can identify the female in the photograph please contact Det. Sgt. V. L. Cummings at Vinton Police Department, 540-983-0617 ext. 7034 or the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500.
Tom Roe
News release: The Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association conducted a special meeting today at the Roanoke County Law Library in the Roanoke County Courthouse in Salem to consider endorsing one of nine candidates for an expected vacancy on the 23rd Judicial District of Virginia General District Court. The meeting was attended by 58 members of the Association. After voting was completed, the Association adopted a resolution to endorse Thomas W. “Tom” Roe, Jr. for the judgeship.
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From Governor McAuliffe’s office: RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today Arkay Packaging Corporation, one of the world’s premiere folding carton manufacturing companies, will invest $11 million to upgrade equipment and expand its operation in Botetourt County. The project will create 50 new jobs. Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Arkay Packaging is a leading company that has continued to invest and expand in Virginia since it began operations in Botetourt County in 1996. Advanced manufacturing is an industry of the future, and growing this sector is vital to building a new Virginia economy. We thank Arkay for the vote of confidence in the Commonwealth, and we welcome 50 new jobs to the company’s strong employee base.”
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From the Virginia Lottery: Kelly Cox wasn’t quite sure of the name of the game. She just knew that the jackpot was more than $1 billion and it was time for her to get in the game. So she stopped at a 7-Eleven on her way home from work. “I’d just like $20 of whatever that big jackpot is,” she told the clerk. One of those ten tickets ended up matching the first five numbers in the January 13 Powerball drawing to win $1 million. On January 28, the Salem woman returned to the 7-Eleven at 2035 Roanoke Boulevard in Salem to receive her check from the Virginia Lottery. The store received $10,000 from the Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
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From the Virginia Department of Education: The Virginia Board of Education today granted “Partially Accredited: Reconstituted School” status to 31 schools that otherwise would have been denied state accreditation because of persistently low student achievement. The board’s accreditation regulations define reconstitution as a process to improve instruction and raise student achievement by restructuring a school’s governance, faculty, instructional program and/or student population. Under the regulations, a Partially Accredited: Reconstituted School rating may be granted for up to three years if a school is making progress toward full accreditation. A reconstituted school reverts to Accreditation Denied status if it fails to earn full accreditation within three years, or if its annual application for partial accreditation is not renewed.
Schools awarded Partially Accredited: Reconstituted School ratings statewide include:
- Bedford County — Staunton River Middle
- Buena Vista — Enderly Heights Elementary, Parry McCluer Middle and F.W. Kling, Jr. Elementary
“All of these schools are on a trajectory toward achieving full accreditation within three years,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples said. “And they have made significant internal changes that represent a clear commitment to improved performance and substantive reform of practice.”
From Roanoke Police: On January 25, 2016 co-workers of Jonathan Alan Kent, age 26, of Roanoke reported him missing to the Roanoke Police Department. At this point in the investigation, it appears Kent has not been heard from since January 20th. He is described as being 5’9″, 150 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone who can help locate Kent is encouraged to call our Tipline at 540-344-8500. Tips can be anonymous. A picture of Kent is attached. Kent’s vehicle is a 2015 Gray Honda CRV. It has a Virginia license plate VEC-7717.