Web Staff
Gregory Killough (VHSL photo)
From Roanoke County Public Schools: The Roanoke County School Board has named Dr. Greg Killough as the next superintendent for Roanoke County Public Schools, beginning July 1. Dr. Killough will replace Dr. Lorraine Lange, who will retire on June 30 after serving as superintendent since 2006. Dr. Killough has served as the superintendent for Caroline County Public Schools in Caroline County, Virginia since July 2008. A native of Blacksburg, Dr. Killough holds a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, a Master’s degree in Supervision and Human Development and a Educational Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision from George Washington University and a Doctorate in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia.
(Continue reading for the full news release.)
From Yokohama Tire: On January 7, 2015, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC (YTMV) announced the indefinite layoffs of 31 hourly employees represented by United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1023. The positions make up less than five percent of the union workforce at the plant. YTMV, located in Salem, Virginia, produces passenger and light truck tires, and currently has 910 employees, of which 718 are union workers. The positions are being phased out to more effectively streamline YTMV’s current production schedule and inventory capacity. The layoffs are in accordance with the company and the union’s collective bargaining agreement, which runs through May 16, 2018. The tenure of the 31 employees was 14 months or less.
A Red Cross bus rear-ended a Roanoke County school bus yesterday shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Franklin Road. There were eight students on board at the time; six of them were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. According to a Roanoke County news release, one student suffered serious injuries and the other five suffered mostly bumps and bruises. Neither of the drivers were injured. The remaining two students were picked up by their parents from the scene.
From Roanoke County Police: We have received several reports from citizens in reference to a phone scam. The caller identifies himself as a member of the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office and advises them there is a warrant out for their arrest because they failed to appear for jury duty. The subject tells them they can avoid going to jail if they can pay. The subject requires the person to stay on the line and go to a store where the victim is told to put money on a green dot card. They then get those card numbers and remove the money from the green dot card account. It is important for everyone to know that no representative from the court system or law enforcement would ever ask or take payment over the phone for anything.
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William Cabbler
From Roanoke City Police: On January 5, 2015 a Roanoke Grand Jury issued a direct indictment against William Christopher Cabbler, age 36, of Roanoke on charges of Possession of a Firearm as a Convicted Felon and Possession of Ammunition as a Convicted Felon. The indictments are related to the double murder in the 3600 block of Shenandoah Avenue NW on January 4, 2015. Additional charges against Cabbler are pending. Anyone with information on Cabbler’s immediate whereabouts is encouraged to call 911. Those with information that may assist in locating Cabbler, or have information related to the murder investigation, is encouraged to call the Roanoke Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit at 853-5959 or Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500. Tips are anonymous and rewards are offered for the right information.
The Roanoke County School Board will announce tomorrow their decision for the next superintendent for Roanoke County Public Schools. The new superintendent will also be introduced. The event is open to the public as the school board will be taking formal action at the news conference. The announcement will be made tomorrow at the Roanoke County School Board Offices located at 5937 Cove Road, Roanoke, at 6 p.m.
The LewisGale Regional Health System will no longer announce new year babies. This comes after recommendations from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The center encouraged hospitals to reconsider providing birth announcements to the media because of infant abduction concerns. The change impacts both LewisGale Medical Center and LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, the two LewisGale hospitals that deliver babies. Both LewisGale hospitals still found a special way to celebrate the first baby born in the new year. At LewisGale Medical Center the parents of the first baby of 2015 received a $250 gift card from the hospital. At LewisGale Hospital Montgomery the baby was given a hand knitted blanket and hat to go home in along with a diaper bag full of baby care items.
UPDATE: Roanoke Police have released store surveillance video which shows the shooting. Click here to see the video.
From Roanoke City Police: On January 5, 2015 at 11:30 a.m., Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 3400 block of Shenandoah Avenue NW to investigate a shooting in the parking lot of a convenience store. The victim, identified as Robert Deon Johnson, age 20, of Roanoke, was found in the parking lot and transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his upper torso.
Surveillance video from the convenience store shows Johnson arrive at the store driving a vehicle. There is an acquaintance, who is a passenger in the car. Johnson enters the store with the acquaintance. As they enter the store, a newer model burgundy Jeep enters the parking lot and parks next to Johnson’s vehicle. Johnson exits the store and gets in the driver’s side of his car. The acquaintance exits the store shortly after Johnson and walks into the parking lot. The suspect is seen getting out of his vehicle and talking to Johnson’s acquaintance.
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From Roanoke City Police: Police have confirmed the identities of the two murder victims in the shooting incident on January 4, 2015 in the 3600 block of Shenandoah Avenue NW: Ronald Lee Ramey, age 55, of Roanoke. Ramey was pronounced dead at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Lenard Antonio Hamlett, age 29, of Roanoke. Hamlett was pronounced dead at the scene. The four other individuals who suffered gunshot wounds in the incident have been identified as: Nelson Mikal Sanders, age 22, of Roanoke; Jamar Antonio James, age 27, of Roanoke; John Ethan English, age 36, of Roanoke; and Kente Gilkes, age 33, of Roanoke. The investigation has determined that all six individuals were attending a large private party at 3626 Shenandoah Avenue NW when shots were fired. The police department is also in the process of determining who was responsible for renting the building and hosting the party. The party appears to have started after all ABC licensed businesses had closed for the evening.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
This is a big year for Appomattox–the 150th anniversary of the event that ended the Civil War. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is looking for volunteers to help handle the crowds expected for the sesquicentennial of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee’s army. Volunteer Services Coordinator Alyssa Holland says they don’t need more reenactors, but they do need people to help with everything from crowd control to visitor orientation. Holland says they’re looking for volunteers to work April 8th through 12th. Orientation days are scheduled for January 10th and 24th and they’ll take applications through March 1st. Continue reading