Web Staff
From Roanoke County Police: The investigation into the illegal dumping of used tires on Highland Rd on 2/18/2015 has led to the arrest of two individuals. Amanda Dale Clark of Roanoke, 30 years of age and Jason Wayne Davis of Roanoke, 32 years of age were each charged with one count of illegally disposing of tires. The case was solved through the efforts of rangers from the Blue Ridge Parkway. While investigating the dumping of tires on the Parkway it was determined that the two incidences were related. The rangers developed leads through the neighborhood watch program that is in the area. Roanoke County Community Development Department and inmate labor provided by the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office cleaned up the tires. Approximately 2.5 tons of tires were cleaned up.
From Roanoke City Police: The Roanoke Police Department is investigating a commercial burglary that occurred in the 1900 block of Bellevue Avenue SE sometime between 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015 and 8 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015. Evidence indicates the suspect used an object to manipulate an outside window in order to gain entry into the business. Once inside, the suspect stole three laptop computers. The suspect is described as a white male, between 5’7” to 5’11”, medium build, short dark hair, and facial hair along his jawline and chin. Both pictures are believed to be of the same suspect. If you can help officers identify him, please call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500. Tips are anonymous and rewards are offered for the right information. The case number is 15-021949.
Roanoke County
Public Schools
The Roanoke County School Board has named Dr. Paul Lineburg as the new director of administration for Roanoke County Public Schools, effective July 1. Lineburg first joined Roanoke County Public Schools in 1995 as a teacher at Cave Spring High School. He moved to the RCPS Central Office in 2001 as the coordinator of Social Studies. In 2002, he returned to Cave Spring High School as assistant principal until 2010 when he became the assistant principal at William Byrd High School. Lineburg earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Virginia Tech in 1995, a Master’s Degree from Radford University in 2000 and a Doctorate from Virginia Tech in 2010.
Roanoke County Administrator Thomas Gates announced yesterday that Deputy Chief Joey Stump will serve as acting Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Chief, effective April 1. Current Fire & Rescue Chief Richard Burch announced his retirement in September. Burch’s last day is March 31. Stump began his fire service career in 1979 as a volunteer with the Bent Mountain Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He served as volunteer fire chief with the organization before being hired as a career firefighter with the Roanoke County Fire Department. Since then, he has worked his way up through several battalion chief and division chief positions until he landed in his current position as the division chief for homeland security.
As part of the Interstate 581 and Elm Avenue interchange project in Roanoke, nighttime slow roll lane closures will take place on north and southbound I-581 next week. On Wednesday there will be a shoulder closure on I-581/220 northbound from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge work. Intermittent 15-minute long slow rolls will also be used on I-581/220 northbound between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. Thursday morning. On Thursday there will be a shoulder closure on I-581/220 southbound from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge work. Intermittent 15-minute long slow rolls will also be used on I-581/220 southbound between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. Friday morning. During a slow roll, law enforcement will slow and possibly stop traffic as the equipment is being moved. Each slow roll is anticipated to last approximately 15 minutes.
From Roanoke County Police: Another case of illegal tire dumping has occurred in the County over the past several weeks. This event occurred as they have in the past on a rural road in the eastern portion of the county. There are currently no suspects in the tire dumping incident and the Police Department is asking residents to report any suspicious behavior related to this activity by calling the department’s non-emergency telephone number at (540) 562-3265. Anyone with information about this crime should call the Criminal Investigations Division of the Roanoke County Police at 540 777-8641, the Emergency Communication Center at 540 562 3265 or the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540 344 8500.
Due to the overnight snowfall, the Solid Waste Management Division has cancelled all collections for today, Thursday, Feb. 26. Unless otherwise notified, Solid Waste Management crews will resume normal operations on Friday, Feb. 27, with the following exceptions: No alleys will be serviced, due to snow accumulations and some side streets may not be serviced due to parked cars and snow mounds. Normal bulk collection and recycling (bottles and cans) will be collected on Friday as much as possible given conditions on residential streets.
From the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children are asking for the public’s assistance regarding new information that is being released in connection with the 1975 disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon. Law enforcement is seeking any information regarding a large white four door, possibly Chrysler New Yorker, early 1970’s model vehicle that is believed to have been involved in the disappearance of the sisters. The public is urged to call Montgomery County Police Department (Maryland) 1-301-279-8000 or The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 (THE-LOST) with information concerning the disappearance of Katherine and Sheila Lyon. Calls may be made anonymously.
Police say while they believe if the two girls were still alive alive today, they might look something like these age-adjusted photographs provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited
The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a citizen information meeting on a proposed project to reconstruct the 10-mile section of Route 220 between Iron Gate and the James River bridge near Eagle Rock in Botetourt County. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Eagle Rock Elementary School. VDOT says the primary purpose of this project is to enhance safety along Route 220 by providing an upgraded two-lane road, improving vertical and horizontal alignment, widening shoulders, realigning intersections, adding turn lanes and creating additional passing zones.
Sunday morning update from Roanoke City:
Roanoke, VA — Crews continue to work 24/7 to clear snow from city streets. The following is an update on snow removal progress made
since the last snowfall on Saturday, Feb. 21:
-100 percent of Arterial Streets have been plowed and treated. They are either down to the blacktop or slushy.
– 80 percent of Secondary Streets have been plowed and treated.
– 50 percent of Residential Streets have been plowed.
Temperatures are forecasted to warm up today, which should help crews
continue to make progress.
12:30 p.m. Update from VDOT
SALEM DISTRICT: CONDITIONS IMPROVE ON MAIN ROADS
Many secondary roads and neighborhood streets covered in snow and ice
SALEM – Equipment operators and contractors with the Virginia Department of Transportation have been plowing roads all morning and with warmer temperatures conditions have improved.
Interstates (I-77, I-81 and I-581) are clear. Most primary roads (those numbered 1-599) are in minor condition so drivers should watch isolated slick spots on ramps and in shaded areas.
Crews are working on secondary roads (those numbered 600 and above) and neighborhood streets. Many secondary roads remain snow covered in Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski and Roanoke counties.
Operators focus on the secondary roads with the highest traffic volumes first before proceeding to routes with lower traffic volumes such as subdivision roads and neighborhood streets. Crews will get to as many of the secondary roads as possible today.
Drivers should watch for isolated slick spots on secondary roads in Henry, Patrick and Carroll counties. These roads are considered to be in minor condition.
Motorists are cautioned to watch for ponding water or flooded roads as snow melts.
Snow plow crews began Sunday morning working to clear the roads, beginning with the interstates and other major routes.
Many secondary roads and neighborhood streets still were covered with packed snow from last week’s snow storm before the latest snow put down several inches more. In the City of Roanoke crews said they were able to get to some neighborhood streets Saturday. As of Saturday night, the city said major streets were passable, but not plowed to bare pavement. The city said it planned to move into the neighborhoods overnight, and salt was “proving to be very beneficial to plowing efforts.”
STAUNTON – (11 a.m.) Snowplows and sunshine are combining to improve driving conditions in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Many primary and secondary roads remain covered in snow or ice, however, and the Virginia Department of Transportation urges drivers to use extreme caution. Conditions could change rapidly as snow melts on Sunday afternoon, and flooding is possible in some low-lying areas.
The Interstate 81 southbound rest area at mile marker 199 remains closed due to truck parking on the ramps.
Crews are working 12-hour shifts to plow and treat roads throughout the 11 counties of the VDOT Staunton District. Their goal is to have at least one pass on all roadways within 48 hours after the end of a storm.
Here are the road conditions as of 11 a.m. Sunday:
Interstate 64 – Minor conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.
Interstate 81 – Minor conditions in Rockbridge and Augusta counties. Clear conditions in Rockingham, Shenandoah and Frederick counties.
Primary roads – Severe conditions in Rockbridge and Highland counties. Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Shenandoah and Clarke counties. Minor conditions in Augusta, Page and Frederick counties. Clear conditions in Rockingham and Warren counties.
Secondary roads – Severe conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge and Highland counties. Moderate conditions in Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.