Web Staff
From The Henry County Sheriff’s Office: The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred at 16 Daffodil Lane Collinsville, Virginia. A call was received at 2:51am on December 17, 2015 reporting a female had heard several gunshots and felt pain in her arm. Deputies and EMS responded and located Terri Hodges, 58, of 16 Daffodil Lane Collinsville, Virginia, who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Multiple gunshots were fired from outside the residence and one round struck Ms. Hodges. Ms. Hodges was transported to the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County and was subsequently transferred to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She is currently in stable condition. Investigators are currently interviewing several individuals who have information related to the shooting. Anyone having information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
Roanoke County Police have identified the final two subjects involved in a Grand Larceny and Property Damage at the Bonsack-area Kroger at 3970 Valley Gateway and the Kroger at 7223 Williamson Rd on 11/18/15 . Approximately 3000 dollars of coffee was stolen and the bay doors of the loading area damaged at Valley Gateway. The suspects have been identified as Dweight E. Harmon age, 61 charged with Grand Larceny and Property Damage Larry T. Stacy age, 45 charged with Grand Larceny and Property Damage Rachel M. Dixon, age 43 charged with Grand Larceny.
Kroger news release: Kroger opens its first wine and growler bar in western Virginia at noon tomorrow (Thursday, December 17) at the Colonial and Brambleton store in Roanoke County. Growlers are reusable glass containers for beer or wine, usually 32 or 64 ounces. “By adding growlers, Kroger can introduce customers to new and emerging brews that are only available on draft or specialty items they have never had a chance to taste,” said Terry Creaturo, wine coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Division. “It’s a way to feature local and craft beers made in limited qualities.” The wine and growler bar has 12 taps for beer and 16 for wine, offering a mix of local, regional and national offerings. The bar will be open every day, generally from noon to 8 p.m.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
Brian Hemphill
From Radford University: The Radford University Board of Visitors announced today the selection of Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., as Radford University’s 7th president, beginning July 1, 2016 when he will succeed Penelope W. Kyle, J.D. who is retiring after 11 years of service as Radford University’s president. Anthony R. Bedell, rector of the Board said, “Dr. Hemphill impressed the Board and the Presidential Search Committee as extremely well-qualified and experienced among a very strong field of candidates. He has the leadership, demeanor, vision and higher education credentials that the Board believes will serve Radford University and the Commonwealth of Virginia well. With a diverse background at a variety of universities across the nation, Dr. Hemphill has the energy and experience to build upon Radford University’s successes, to lead our campus community to exciting future possibilities, and to continue Radford’s tradition of education that is first and foremost student-focused.”
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) _ Virginia Tech police are searching for a man suspected of hiding underneath a student’s bed. Local news outlets report Virginia Tech police issued a crime alert Thursday about a possible attempted burglary in Cochrane Hall. Police say a student reported that she awoke Dec. 1 to find an unknown male under her bed going through her personal items. She yelled at the suspect who fled the room. The student’s roommate also saw the male fleeing the room. Investigators say they discovered that the door of the room was unlocked. They say similar incidents have happened in other residence halls around campus and that the same suspect may be responsible. The suspect is described as an Asian man wearing dark clothing. Anyone with information is urged to call police.
From The Salem Fire & EMS Department: The Salem Fire & EMS Department was called to Indiana Street this afternoon to check out a report of smoke in the area. While firefighters were there, dispatch received a separate 911 call for a structure fire at 819 Indiana St. That call came in at 4:01 p.m. and units arrived at the residence a minute later and found smoke coming from the house. Firefighters initiated an interior fire attack and found a kitchen fire that was fully-involved. The fire was extinguished at 4:11 p.m. and no one was injured. Approximately 14 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, & Medic 801) responded to the call. Roanoke County covered any additional calls in the city at station one as back-up during that time. The fire is still under investigation and a cause has not been determined at this time. The early estimate on damage is $10,000. The occupant of the home is being assisted by family members.
From The Salem Fire & EMS Department: Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 1203 W. Main St. this afternoon at approximately 12:55 p.m. The first units arrived at the McDonald’s restaurant within three minutes of receiving the call and found smoke coming from the building. The fire started in a deep fryer unit in the restaurant’s kitchen, and activated the overhead fire suppression system that functioned properly. However, it was not able to completely put out the fire and firefighters had to use dry chemical extinguishers to finish the job. The fire was completely out within six minutes of the first units arriving on the scene. The establishment’s employees helped evacuate the building and no injuries were reported. Approximately 14 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, & Medic 801) responded to the call. The early estimate on damage from the fire is $15,000. The McDonald’s will remain closed pending repairs and until further notice from the restaurant.
Germania Antonescu
From Virginia State Police: SALEM, Va. – State Police request the public’s assistance with an ongoing investigation into an illegal ATM skimming operation targeting banks within the Roanoke Valley. State police are currently looking for Germania Antonescu, 22. She does not have a fixed address and is believed to be operating with a group traveling through the region placing skimming devices on bank ATMs. Antonescu is female, 5’4”, 118 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a mole above her lip.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
Danielle Burnett
Antonio Lebron
From the Salem Commonwealth’s Attorney office: The Grand Jury for the City of Salem returned indictments this morning in connection with the September death of a four-year-old and injuries to a six-year-old, brothers who lived in the same residence. Danielle Janine Burnett was indicted on one felony count of murder, two felony counts of child abuse or neglect and two felony counts of cruelty to a child. Antonio J. Lebron was indicted on one felony count of murder, two felony counts of child abuse or neglect and two felony counts of cruelty to a child. Both are in custody at the Western Virginia Regional Jail. On September 24, 2015, officers from the Salem Police Department, along with Salem Fire & EMS and Roanoke County EMS members, responded to the 100 block of Front Avenue in reference to a call of an unresponsive child. Upon arrival, emergency responders located a four-year-old male and transported him to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. The child died three days later on Sunday, September 27. Both Burnett and Lebron have been in custody since September.