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From Salem Fire & EMS: The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a structure fire at 1727 Victoria St. on Sunday night at approximately 9:39 p.m. The residents were not home at the time of the fire, but three dogs that were inside the house were rescued by firefighters. The first units arrived within five minutes of receiving the call and found heavy smoke coming from the building. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of the first unit’s arrival. The building did sustain fire and smoke damage, but the fire was contained to one room. Approximately 20 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Medic 801, Medic 802 & Medic 803) and the Roanoke Fire & EMS Department (Engine 4) responded to the call. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department (Tanker 9) stood by and handled additional emergency calls, while crews were on the fire. The fire remains under investigation by the Salem Fire Marshal’s Office and there is no damage estimate at this time.
From Virginia State Police: SALEM, Va. – Virginia State Police Senior Trooper J. M. Kennedy is investigating a two vehicle fatal crash in Craig County. The crash occurred on Route 611, one half mile west of Route 609 at 11:51 am on November 28, 2015 in Craig County. A 1994 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up was driving east at a high rate of speed on Route 611 when it crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2005 Ford Ranger pick-up head-on. The 1994 Chevrolet was driven by Jesse Lee Brookman, 21, of Covington, Va. Mr. Brookman was not wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene. The passenger of the Chevrolet, Jeremy W. Phillips, 22, of Covington Va. was not wearing a seatbelt and was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The 2005 Ford was driven by George M. Ledford, 65, of Covington Va. Mr. Ledford was not wearing his seatbelt and was flown from the scene to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The crash remains under investigation.
Among today’s Black Friday deals .. the state’s A-B-C stores are offering some special discounts for shoppers. WFIR’s Velvet Hall has details…
ABC website to register for a gift card: https://www.abc.virginia.gov/
Update: Roanoke City fire investigators say the use of a propane heater indoors started last night’s fatal blaze.
Previously: One person died last night in a Roanoke house fire. It was reported around 8:50pm in the 1100 block of Stewart Avenue SE. Roanoke Fire-EMS says two other people were injured and three adults and three children are displaced. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The identity of the victim has not been released.
News release: Virginia Uranium, Inc., the Chatham, Virginia-based company that owns one of the world’s largest uranium resources, located in Pittsylvania County, has filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Wise County, Virginia, against Governor Terry McAuliffe and other officials of the Commonwealth. The suit asks the court either to order the Commonwealth to permit the plaintiffs to exercise their fundamental property right, under Virginia’s Constitution, to mine uranium situated on their property, or to provide compensation for taking plaintiffs’ property. “We have worked exhaustively for years to satisfy concerns about our plan from our neighbors, local elected officials, state legislators and other public officials,” said Virginia Uranium, Inc. President and CEO Walter Coles, Sr. “We have made clear that we intend to construct and operate the safest and most modern uranium mining operation in the world. However, the decision by state elected officials to preserve a ban that prohibits us even from applying for a permit to mine uranium has forced us to turn to the courts for remedy. Our goal is, and always has been, to responsibly tap a natural resource on our own private land as a business enterprise that will reward investors as well as strengthen our regional and state economies and contribute to national security by providing a clean, domestic energy source.”
Windsor Hills District school board member Jason Moretz and incoming Cave Spring District member Mike Wray will be holding a South County community meeting at 6pm on December 2 at Cave Spring Middle School. This meet and greet will serve as an opportunity to express any comments or concerns with Moretz and Wray. Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Killough will also be in attendance.
From Botetourt County: Consultants hired to determine the economic opportunities available in the Exit 150 area of Botetourt County reported yesterday that the area has the potential to support significant new retail, hotel, and housing development. RKG Associates told members of the County’s Board of Supervisors that there is underserved retail demand from households from Exit 150 north to Covington and Lexington and from travelers along Interstate 81. They also reported that there is opportunity to attract upper midscale hotels and to develop apartments and townhouses that could appeal to and attract younger residents. Specifically, the consultants estimate that the area where Interstate 81 and US Routes 220 and 11 converge has the potential for between 215,000 and 328,000 square feet of new retail development, ranging from restaurants to auto parts and sporting goods stores to a specialty fashion center or outlet mall. The consultants cautioned that achieving the potential of Gateway Center — the name given the area by County officials — assumes that “suitable sites can be provided in the future to accommodate these uses.”
UPDATED 1:00 pm — From Roanoke County Public Schools: An update to the situation at Hidden Valley High School and nearby schools … Police have concluded their investigation of the report made this morning regarding suspicious individuals near the HVHS campus. No further leads or sightings were reported. Hidden Valley High School will dismiss as normal with an elevated police presence. All after-school activities will proceed as scheduled. Tomorrow morning, there will be an elevated police presence at Hidden Valley High School, as a precaution. Cave Spring Elementary and Cave Spring Middle schools continue normal operations and will dismiss as normal. All after-school activities for both schools will proceed as scheduled. We would to thank the Roanoke County Police Department for their prompt response and investigation.
Roanoke College is expanding opportunities for international students through a new partnership with LCI Language Centers. An LCI English language school is now open on the Roanoke College campus, with the first full term for international students scheduled to begin in January 2016. LCI English schools provide students from all over the world with the language skills and cultural experience needed to succeed at U.S. colleges and universities. Local community members interested in improving their English are also welcome since LCI Roanoke English programs are also open to non-Roanoke College students.