Web Staff
From the City of Roanoke: Roanoke, VA – This morning, a precast panel attached to Market Garage became dislodged and fell to the ground as crews were making a concrete pour associated with the new hotel under construction on the roof of the garage. No one was injured. City engineers and building inspectors visited the site today to view damage and gather facts about the incident. The hotel’s developer, Windsor/Aughtry Company, Inc. of Greenville, S.C. has instructed the contractor, Pride Construction, of Memphis, Tenn. to suspend work until a review is complete and the site is deemed safe to continue work. The garage remains open to customers.
Jeff Beckner
From Botetourt County: Fincastle, VA – Botetourt County has appointed Jeff Beckner as its first Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Beckner, a current resident of the County, brings more than 30 years of fire and EMS service and leadership to his new post. In this role, Beckner will oversee a combined fire and EMS system of 7 volunteer fire departments, 6 volunteer rescue squads, and a County department of 54 full and part-time staff. He will manage the daily operations of the Department, serve as Emergency Services Coordinator for the County, and administer the budget and capital improvements plan for the fire and EMS system. Beckner joins the Botetourt County team after a career-long tenure with Roanoke City’s Department of Fire-EMS.
(Continue reading for the full news release.)
Community Cultivators
DBA Community Outreach
Division Inc. (Facebook picture)
The shooting death of an unarmed black teen by a white police officer in Missouri is prompting a community meeting in Roanoke. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown’s death has led to two weeks of protests in suburban St. Louis. Some Roanoke residents are concerned and want to speak with local police. There’s a community dialogue with Roanoke Police Chief Chris Perkins tonight at Clean Cut Barber Shop on the corner of Melrose and 11th Street at 7 p.m.
Click HERE for the Community Cultivators DBA Community Outreach Division Inc. Facebook page or HERE for the Community Meeting Facebook event page.
(Continue reading for post from Community Cultivators DBA Community Outreach Division Inc. Facebook page)
Cox Communications is extending and expanding its Connect2Compete broadband adoption program. It offers $9.95 a month internet service to low-income families with K-12 students, to help them with homework. Cox has expanded the proof of eligibility to include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), in addition to the Federal Free School Lunch Program.
(Continue reading for full news release from Cox Communications)
News Release
Gleaning For The World Expanding Collection Points To Roanoke
August 19, 2014 | Concord, VA– Gleaning For The World is providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraq and Syrian refugees of the Islamic State, the terrorist militia formerly known as ISIS. Now more than 1,000,000 people in Iraq and Syria have fled the violence and brutality that this group inflicts. As the US military continues to make strikes against the Islamic State, more will be able to escape the clutches of this terrorist organization.
“We have seen the atrocities ISIS is perpetrating on these families,” says Rev. Ron Davidson, president and founder of Gleaning For The World. “Husbands have stayed behind to buy time for their wives and children to escape to these refugee camps, with little hope they will ever see them again. By helping the refugees, we can stand together against those committing these vicious attacks.”
Our strategic partners, working with Iraq and Syrian refugees, have asked for our help with this crisis.
In addition to the supplies we are sending, we will be holding local collections for the Islamic State refugees.
(Continue reading for drop-off locations and supplies needed)
From Roanoke Police (Wednesday, 8/20/14 2:09 p.m.):
On August 19, 2014 at approximately 9:25 a.m., Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Wise Avenue SE to investigate a car larceny in progress. A witness told police that an individual was seen rummaging through their vehicle and then fled the scene on foot. Officers located a suspect in the woods near Fallon Park. Officers identified the suspect as Eddie Dean Dooley, age 24, of Bedford. During the course of the investigation, officers uncovered evidence linking Dooley to the car larceny on Wise Avenue, as well as another car larceny from the 1000 block of Jamison Avenue SE on that same date. Dooley was charged with multiple counts involving petit larceny, entering a vehicle without permission, and drug related offenses. He was taken to Roanoke City Jail.
From Roanoke County: Sheriff Mike Winston announced Wednesday his retirement, effective October 31, 2014. Winston submitted his resignation to Board Chairman Joe McNamara. “I am grateful to the citizens of Roanoke County for their strong support and for electing me as their sheriff,” said Winston. “I have had considerable support from the staff of the sheriff’s office as we worked together to accomplish many goals. Most notably, we gained state and national accreditations; established a Jail Management/Civil Process System; heightened courthouse security; developed a volunteer program for citizens; and utilized inmate work crews to clean the major roadways in the county, as well as supplement the needs of the Parks and Recreation department. I am truly proud to have worked with such a dedicated group of friends.” At the date of his retirement, Winston will have been employed by Roanoke County for over 44 years, with the last four and a half years serving as sheriff. Winston began his career as a deputy sheriff assigned to the Roanoke County Jail. He moved on from that position to a patrol deputy and progressed through the ranks, also spending time in the criminal investigations division of the sheriff’s office. He was also the sheriff’s office first firearms instructor and served as Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) commander for 10 years. Winston holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Radford University. Lt. Colonel Charles (Charlie) I. Poff, Jr. will be proposed to the Board of Supervisors as the sheriff’s replacement.
Walgreens attempted
robbery suspect
(Provided by Roanoke
Police Department)
From Roanoke Police (Wednesday, August 20, 2014 1:27 p.m.)
On August 19, 2014 at approximately 11 p.m., a Roanoke Detective Sergeant observed an individual walking in the area of the 4700 block of Williamson Road NW. The individual matched the description of a suspect involved in an attempted robbery at Walgreens on August 18, 2014. The detective conducted a field interview with the man, and identified him as Samuel Cleophus Burton, age 18, of Roanoke. Burton provided information and then left the area. A more detailed follow up on Mr Burton revealed that he was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants out of Danville, Virginia . The detective and officers again approached Burton and placed him into custody for the warrants. During a subsequent search of his residence, officers discovered evidence linking Burton to the attempted robbery at Walgreens. Burton was charged with one count of attempted robbery and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Detectives had previously suspected the Walgreens robbery suspect was connected to a robbery at the Second Alarm Sports Bar that occurred on August 6th. When he was interviewed, Burton admitted to both robberies. The Second Alarm robbery is still under investigation and charges are pending. He was taken to Roanoke City Jail.
Vehicle thefts went down in Virginia last year. That’s according to the state police “HEAT” program, which stands for “Help Eliminate Auto Theft.” Pamela Jewel with the state police says there were 8,319 vehicle thefts reported in 2013, a decrease of 6 percent from the year before. In this area, Roanoke City showed the biggest decline, with motor vehicle thefts down nearly 28 percent.