Web Staff
(AP photo)
From Norfolk Southern: NORFOLK, Va., November 17, 2015 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) (“the Company”) today confirmed that it has received an unsolicited, low-premium, non-binding, highly conditional indication of interest from Canadian Pacific (CP.TO) to acquire the Company for $46.72 in cash and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.348 Canadian Pacific shares per Norfolk Southern share, representing a premium of less than 10% based on closing prices today.
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Mark Miear
From Montgomery County Public Schools: The Montgomery County School Board selected Mark Miear, Ed.D., as the new superintendent for Montgomery County Public Schools. Miear is currently the assistant superintendent for Winchester Public Schools in Winchester, Virginia. Previously, he has served as director of secondary education, a high school principal, a high school associate principal, an assistant director of personnel and a history teacher. Mier also served in the United States Marine Corps. Miear earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Liberty University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lynchburg College and a doctor of education in educational leadership from the University of Virginia.
Joshua Cardwell
Henry County Sheriff Deputies arrived at 1035 Hobson Rd., Axton, Virginia after a 911 call reporting a shooting. Authorities say investigators found a male victim in the residence with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Michael Moore, 49, was subsequently air lifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where he underwent surgery for a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his right leg. Officers determined that the shooting occurred during an argument between Moore and his son in-law, Joshua Cardwell, 25, of Martinsville. Cardwell fired one shot at Moore hitting him in his right leg. Cardwell has been charged with Malicious Wounding and Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, both charges are felonies. Cardwell is currently being held in the Henry County jail without bond.
Lavest Wisenton
Cory Thomas
Lavest Whisenton, age 27, of Bassett, Virginia is being charged with second degree murder in the death of Cory Thomas also of Bassett according to Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Whisenton was indicted yesterday, November 16, 2015. Cory Thomas was last seen on October 31, 2010 in Henry County. Thomas was driving a burgundy 2004 Chevrolet Blazer. The Chevrolet Blazer was found, abandoned, on Highway 220 in the Oak Level area of Henry County on November 1, 2010 by the Virginia State Police. On March 2, 2011, decomposed human remains were discovered in a wooded area behind an abandoned residence located at 330 Woodland Road in Bassett. The human remains were identified as that of Cory Thomas through the comparison of known dental records. Authorities say through the investigation it was determined that Thomas was beaten to death and his body was taken to Woodland Road. At the time of his disappearance, warrants were still outstanding against Cory Thomas in reference to the homicide of Jason Miller who was found on November 17, 2010 in a shallow grave on Penrose Lane in Henry County. Patrick Gilbert, age 34, of Bassett VA. was later convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and conceal evidence in the death of Miller. Investigators believe drugs and the murder of Jason Miller is the motive for Cory Thomas’ homicide. Lavest Whisenton is currently an inmate in the Virginia prison system on unrelated charges. He will be transferred back to Henry County for the indictment to be served.
The Virginia House of Delegates Republican Caucus unanimously elected its leadership team yesterday and nominated Delegate William J. Howell for an eighth term as Speaker. Majority Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo and Majority Whip Jackson Miller were each also elected unanimously. The caucus opened its meeting with a prayer in honor of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris, France this week.
Roanoke City Police say the Boost Mobile at 3542 Melrose Avenue NW was robbed Friday night. Nobody was hurt. The suspects at this point are two black males. As you’ll be able to see, both were armed. They both ran away on foot after taking cash from the register. Officers did an extensive search of the area but could not find the suspects. Call 540-344-8500 with any tips or send an anonymous text message to CRIMES (274637). Start any text message with the keyword RoanokePD: to ensure that it’s properly sent. 
Hidden Valley High School won the Rescue Mission’s annual Happy Coast-giving coat collection. Since October, seven high schools in Roanoke City, Roanoke County and Salem have been competing to collect the most winter coats. All the coats collected are given to men, women and children in the community who need a coat for the winter. Students at Hidden Valley collected a grand total of 219 coats. The DECA Club led the charge on the collection and will be rewarded with a pizza party, sponsored by Benny Marconi’s. Hidden Valley won by a slight margin over Cave Spring High School, which collected 202 coats. Roanoke Catholic collected 83 coats, Patrick Henry High School collected 75, Salem High School collected 62, Northside High School collected 39 and Forest Park Academy brought in 31. Overall, the high schools collected an impressive 711 winter coats!
The brush fire is now completely contained by a bulldozer line according to Roanoke County Fire & Rescue. Crews will assemble to mop up and travel the perimeter to map coordinates and figure accurate acreage burned. Once all the land has burned within the containment area, it could be as much as 50 plus acres.
From Roanoke County Fire & Rescue: Crews were dispatched to the 9100 block of Willow Branch Road in southwest County for a reported brush fire at about 1:20 this afternoon. When firefighters first arrived they found about two to three acres of wooded land on fire and the wind spreading the flames quickly. Crews worked immediately to establish a containment line by using hand rakes to dig lines in the dirt out in front of the fire. A nearby creek was used for one side of the containment line. At 4:30, the fire has now grown to approximately 15 acres, but officials believe it is under control and about 75% contained. There are now about 23 firefighters on scene working to try and get the flames contained before nightfall. After darkness sets in, crews will remain on scene throughout the night to monitor and reinforce containment lines. Virginia Department of Forestry personnel have been called in and now have a bulldozer on the scene. The dozer will work on strengthening the containment line. There are no fire hydrants in this area of Roanoke County, so any water used is shuttled in on brush and tanker trucks. No structures are threatened at this time.
Elton John and his band will perform at the Berglund Center on Friday, March 18, 2016. The show will feature hits and classic album tracks from throughout his five-decade career, as well as selected tracks from his upcoming album Wonderful Crazy Night. Tickets go on-sale Friday, November 20 at 10 a.m. Click here for ticket information.