Web Staff
From The Salem Fire & EMS Department: Officials responded to a structure fire at 1436 Gordon St. this afternoon at approximately 2:16 p.m. Two people were home at the time of the fire, but both escaped without injury. The first units arrived within seven minutes of receiving the call and found smoke coming from the building. Although the structure did sustain some fire and smoke damage, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and contain it to the kitchen area of the house. Approximately 14 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, & Medic 801) responded to the call. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was caused by unattended cooking. The damage from the fire is estimated to be less than $5,000.
The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office and the Roanoke City Police Department are investigating an apparent suicide by an inmate. On Monday, December 7, 2015 at 1:02PM a Roanoke City Sheriff’s Deputy found Inmate Clifton Antonio Harper unresponsive and hanging in his cell by his bed sheet. Deputies immediately initiated CPR and called Jail Medical Staff and 911. Medical staff responded to the cell and administered CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator). EMS responded to the Roanoke City Jail and transported the subject to a local hospital for further treatment. The subject was pronounced dead at 6:50 PM on December 8 , 2015. The incident remains under investigation at this time. Mr. Clifton Antonio Harper was processed into the Roanoke City Jail on March 17, 2015. He was being held on multiple charges: Burglary, Grand Larceny and Assault.
Botetourt Co. Fire-EMS photo
From Botetourt County Fire & EMS: On Tuesday, December 8, 2015, around 11:30 a.m., units from throughout Botetourt County were dispatched to the 200 block of Main Street in Glen Wilton for the report of a structure fire with smoke coming from the eaves. Upon the arrival of units from Glen Wilton, heavy fire conditions were noted to the second story of the home. One person was at home at the time of the fire, and fortunately, no one was injured. Crews from Glen Wilton, Iron Gate, Eagle Rock, Clifton Forge, Fincastle, and Botetourt Fire & EMS worked until around 2:00 p.m. suppressing the fire. Approximately 20 personnel responded to assist in containing the blaze. The structure sustained significant damage, estimated at $25,000 or greater. Two residents were displaced, and the American Red Cross is providing assistance. The origin of the fire appeared to be a wood heating stove
Artis Johnson
From Salem Police: Early this morning at approximately 4:15, a.m., the Salem Police Department responded to the 2000 block of E. Main Street in reference to a reported assault. Upon arrival, the officers discovered a female victim who had apparent injuries to her face and neck. The woman told police that late on Monday night, December 7, she was at a residence on Clay Street when a male suspect assaulted her, struck her several times in the face and then strangled her until she was rendered unconscious. The female advised that when she regained consciousness, she at tempted to leave the residence, but was physically restrain ed from leaving by the same male. A short time later, the female was able to exit the residence, return home and contact police. The victim was transported by rescue personnel to Lewis Gale Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment for non-life threatening injuries. After subsequent investigation, 46-year-old Artis Johnson of Salem was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery, Strangulation and Abduction. Johnson is currently being held in the Roanoke County/Salem Jail without bond. Police have determined that the suspect was an acquaintance of the victim.
MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Officials say 35-year-old William Hall took his own life, found dead in the attic of Redeeming Life Ministries Church between Buena Vista and Glasgow; a gun was found near Hall’s body. Police SWAT teams had surrounded the church for much of the day after signs of forced entry were noticed.
EARLIER: From Virginia State Police: Federal, state and local law enforcement are continuing their search efforts in Rockbridge County Monday for a male subject who shot at a deputy shortly after midnight Saturday (Dec. 5). A Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Route 60 in the county. The deputy activated his emergency lights and the vehicle’s driver, William Evan Hall, 35, pulled over and stopped. During the course of the traffic stop, Hall fired at the deputy at least two times. The deputy’s vehicle was struck. Fortunately, the deputy was not injured. Hall then sped away from the scene. A pursuit was initiated by the deputy, but was discontinued when the responding deputies lost sight of Hall’s vehicle. The sheriff’s office later located Hall’s abandoned vehicle.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
From Salem Police: Early this Saturday, at approximately 12:20 a.m., Salem Police Officers received a call concerning a reported assault in the 1800 block of West Main Street. When they arrived at the Walmart parking lot, the officers made contact with a female victim who advised police she had been assaulted by two black males. The victim told the officers that while she was loading her items into the passenger side of her vehicle, she was approached by the suspects and hit several times by both men. The men then stole a cell phone from the victim before fleeing from the scene on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment. After further investigation, the suspects were identified as Khyre Edwards, 18, of Roanoke and a juvenile male, also of Roanoke. Edwards has been charged with one count of robbery, three counts of assault and battery and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Anyone having information about the whereabouts of Khyre Edwards is asked to call the Salem Police Department at (540) 375-3078.
Chief Chris Perkins
From the City of Roanoke: Roanoke Chief of Police Chris Perkins announced his retirement today after more than 23 years as a member of the Roanoke Police Department. He will retire on March 1, 2016. Chief Perkins joined the department on October 12, 1992. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1 999, lieutenant in 2004, captain in 2006, and deputy chief in 2008. He became chief on October 13, 2010. “Chief Perkins was one of my first hires when I arrived in Roanoke and I couldn’t be more proud of the work he’s done,” said Roanoke City Manager Chris Morrill. “His contributions, which are many, will have a lasting impact on not only the Police Department, but our entire city for generations to come.”
Click here to read Chief Perkins’ letter.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
News Release: – The Results Companies, one of the world’s leading Customer Experience providers, recently announced plans to expand their Virginia operations to include a contact center in Martinsville, Virginia. The new state-of-the-art facility, due to open in January, will bring more than 500 jobs to the Martinsville area and allow the company to accommodate current and future growth needs for exceptional customer service operations to their largely Fortune 500 Partner base. In advance of the center opening, The Results Companies will be hosting a hiring event from Thursday, December 3rd through Saturday, December 5th.
Hiring Event Dates and Times
Thursday, December 3rd, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, December 4th, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Interested applicants should plan to attend between the above times at the location of their new center at 2000 Virginia Avenue (Collinsville, VA 24078).
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
Jeremy Johnson
From the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: On Sunday November 29, 2015, the office received a call to Johnson School Road in Thaxton reference to dogs being shot at. Bedford County deputies responded and identified Jeremy Johnson as the suspect. A warrant was obtained for Johnson and when deputies returned to his residence to arrest him they located evidence of possible narcotics activity. Bedford County Sheriff’s Vice Investigators were notified and a search warrant was obtained to search the residence. While searching the residence investigators located nine one pot methamphetamine labs and two firearms. Jeremy Lee Johnson, age 25, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty, reckless handling of a firearm, possession of methamphetamines, manufacturing methamphetamines, and possession of narcotics while in possession of firearms. He was transported to the Bedford Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.