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Salem City Councilwoman, Lisa Garst, handed in her resignation letter yesterday evening during a closed session portion of the council’s regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall. Garst, who was first elected to the city’s governing body in 2008, will officially step down from her post on December 15, 2015 to take over as the Director for a Livable Roanoke Valley. According to the city she has been instrumental in promoting various stages of greenway construction, establishing the Salem Rotary Dog Park, recognizing green initiatives in the city and forming the Salem Fresh Ideas Garden. In 2011, she received the DePaul Woman of Achievement in Government Award. Garst’s current term on City Council was set to expire in the summer of 2016. Originally, she had hoped to stay on council while beginning her new job with Livable Roanoke Valley, but she elected to step down to avoid any possible conflict of interest between the two positions.
From Virginia State Police: Virginia State Police Trooper K.W. Spencer is investigating a two-vehicle crash in Giles County. The crash occurred Nov. 23, 2015, at 9:45 a.m., at the intersection of Route 460 and Route 1308. A 1998 Ford Contour was making a left turn from Route 460 east onto Route 1308, when it pulled into the path of a 1998 Ford Escort. The Escort was traveling west on Route 460 and was unable to avoid the turning vehicle in its path. The two vehicles collided in the westbound lanes. The driver of the Contour, Mildred E. Bostic, 76, of Union, W.Va., was transported to Giles Community Hospital where she died later Monday morning. Bostic was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the Escape, Rex A. Gardner, 61, of Elliston, Va., was not injured in the crash. He was wearing seat belt. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
From the Henry County Sheriff’s Office: The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a missing person reported to us on November 19, 2015. Bridget Ann Williams has been missing since November 10, 2015. Bridget Ann Williams is an 18 year old white female and is described as approx. 4’11” tall, 110 lbs., brown hair and blue eyes. Bridget Ann Williams has been out of contact for periods of time in the past as well and at this time we have no reason to suspect anything has happened to her. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has checked all of her known addresses in this area without being able to locate her. Bridget Ann Williams has ties to Rustburg, VA and she has family in Kentucky. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is trying to confirm her well-being only, she has been entered as a missing person but she is not in trouble in any way. We need your help in trying to make contact with her to confirm that she is OK. Anyone who has information regarding this is urged to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751.
From Salem Police: The three-month-old female child, who was the victim in a felony neglect case this week, has died. This afternoon at 3:43 p.m., the medical staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial pronounced the child dead. An autopsy will be performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke. On Wednesday, November 18, at approximately 11:16 a.m., the Salem Police Department along with Salem Fire & EMS members responded to the 1000 block of Homestead Drive in reference to a call of an unresponsive child. Upon arrival, they located a little girl who was unconscious, but breathing. The child was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in serious condition. The child’s father, 41-year-old Jwawn Lamont James Sr., of Salem was arrested on Wednesday and charged with felony Child Neglect. James is being held without bond at the Roanoke County- Salem Jail. The incident is still under investigation.
Roanoke’s new Southern Professional Hockey League team will be known as the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. The name is a familiar tribute to Roanoke’s railroad history as is the logo that features a dog wearing a conductor hat with the famous neon star. Colors for the team will be red, gold, and blue hues which align with the Berglund Center’s logo and branding.
From Roanoke County Police: November 19, 2015 – Roanoke County Police need help in identifying suspects involved in a property damage and larceny at two local Kroger stores. The stores are 3790 Valley Gateway Blvd (Bonsack) and 7232 Williamson Rd. The suspects were seen exiting a red late 90’s model sedan at the time of the incident. Anyone with information about this is asked to contact Detective Finney with the Roanoke County Police Department at 777-5269 or call the Emergency Communication Center at 562-3265.
From Salem City Police: On Wednesday, November 18, at approximately 11:16 a.m., the Salem Police Department along with Salem Fire & EMS members responded to the 1000 block of Homestead Drive in reference to a call of an unresponsive child. Upon arrival, they located a three-month-old female who was unconscious, but breathing. The child was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in serious condition. Further investigation into the incident resulted in the arrest of 41-year-old Jwawn Lamont James Sr. of Salem. James, who is the father of the child, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with felony Child Neglect. James is being held without bond at the Roanoke County- Salem Jail. The incident is still under investigation.
Starting today drivers can expect new traffic control at the intersection of Route 419 (Electric Road) and Loch Haven Drive in Roanoke County during peak travel times. On weekdays, local police will be directing traffic at this intersection from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. A new traffic signal is being installed at this intersection, and police will continue to direct traffic during peak travel times on weekdays until it is activated. Drivers on Route 419 and Loch Haven Drive should expect possible delays and be alert to police controlling traffic
From Roanoke County Fire and Rescue: Crews were dispatched to the 400 block of Cedar Avenue in the Town of Vinton for a reported structure fire at about 8:15 this morning. When firefighters first arrived on scene they reported a detached garage that was about 50 percent involved. It took firefighters from Vinton, Mount Pleasant and Hollins stations about 30 minutes to get the flames knocked down. There are three separate garages that are connected to each other but not attached to the home. Fire investigators have determined the garage fire originated from a vehicle parked inside the largest of three garage structures. Damage estimates are figured to be $100,000 considering the damage to the structure and its contents. The heavy fire damage was to main garage, while the additional two garages have some smoke and water damage.
From Virginia State Police: Trooper T. A. Mackian is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on November 17, 2015. The crash occurred at 1:20 pm on Route 661 two miles east of Route 640 in Floyd County. A FedEx delivery van was traveling east on Route 661 when it ran off the roadway on the right side, overturned and rolled down an embankment. The FedEx van was driven by Erin M. Osborne, 39 of Bluefield, WV. Ms. Osborne was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene. Virginia State Police reconstruction was called to assist at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.