Web Staff

Lynchburg CollegeA major gift for Lynchburg College, in fact, its biggest ever. The college announced Tuesday that 1948 grad Walter Ridgway bequeathed $5-million upon his death last year. Half of that will provide college scholarships, the other half to building construction and maintenance. Ridgway, a native of Roanoke, also left a $1-million endowment to HopeTree Family Services in Salem, $500,000 to First Baptist Church in Roanoke and $400,000 to Glade Spring Baptist Church.

Tiffany Holland (Roanoke Co.  Police Photo)

Tiffany Holland
(Roanoke County
Police Photo)

UPDATE 10:05 p.m., Tue. 8/19/14:

From Roanoke County Police:

On 08/16/2014 Roanoke County Police were called out to investigate an abandoned vehicle parked in a citizen’s driveway in the eastern portion of Roanoke County. Upon investigating the abandoned vehicle information came forward that led us to believe that the persons in the vehicle Joshua Bolt & Tiffany Holland Bolt may be in danger. Shortly after sending out the press release this afternoon, Roanoke City Police were contacted in reference to two people on a riding lawn mower going up Bennington Street SE in Roanoke City. As Roanoke City Police officers arrived on-scene, the male subject identified as Joshua Bolt took off running. The female on the riding lawn mower was identified as Tiffany Holland Bolt and she did not run. Upon the arrival of a Roanoke County Police detective, property in Mrs. Bolt’s possession was identified as being related to a burglary from 08/18/2014. Through further investigation, Mr. & Mrs. Bolt have been linked to a total of three burglaries in the eastern portion of Roanoke County. Based on this information, Roanoke City Police set up a perimeter and tracked Mr. Bolt with a K9, but Mr. Bolt was not able to be located. Mrs. Bolt was transported to the Roanoke County Jail where she is currently being held.

(Continue reading for pictures of Joshua Bolt, wanted for multiple charges)

Continue reading

ABC-LogoVirginia ABC Special Agents Seize and Destroy Moonshine Still in Franklin County; Illegal Operation Suspected of Selling to Underage Customers

RICHMOND – An investigation by Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) special agents culminated yesterday in the discovery and destruction of a 50-gallon operational copper still in the Rocky Mount area of Franklin County.

Acting on a citizen’s tip, and with the assistance of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, ABC special agents conducted a “knock and talk” last evening at a residence on Davis Mill Road in Rocky Mount.

Sammy Lee Scott, 49, answered the door and gave verbal and written consent for agents to search his property. In addition to the 50-gallon still, agents seized 300 gallons of live mash, more than 40 gallons of untaxed liquor and numerous other pieces of distilling equipment and supplies.

ABC agents destroyed the still on site. The illegal operation, which had been under surveillance for approximately six months, is alleged to have been selling moonshine to underage customers.

Scott is expected to be charged with a Class 6 felony for manufacture of illegal alcohol. A Class 6 felony is punishable with one to five years in jail, or jail for up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500, either or both.

The case is pending further investigation and will be presented before a Franklin County grand jury in the near future.

The Roanoke Civic Center will be getting a new name by October: the Berglund Center. Two bidders came in for the naming rights at civic center, Haley Toyota and Berglund Automotive. Berglund submitted the higher one at $1.75-million, with $500,000 in the first year and the remainder over 10 years. The auto dealership also will donate 10 cars. While the details are not worked out yet, it’s likely that Berglund will give one car a year for the civic center to give away at its own discretion. Haley had offered $1.55-million, with $300,000 the first year and the rest over 10 years. The city hopes the money will help offset some of the cost of operating the civic center complex, which averages about $600,000 a year.

Roanoke-CityThe City of Roanoke now will allow alcohol to be served at Preston Park. In a controversial move, Roanoke City Council on Monday voted to amend city code to include Preston Park to a list of park facilities where alcohol is allowed. Non-profit organizations that hold events at the park can serve beer and wine, but first have to get city approval. There had been some concern about the change, including its proximity to Breckenridge Middle School and Preston Park Elementary School.

From Roanoke City Police: On August 18, 2014 at 5:18 a.m. Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 4800 block of Williamson Road NW, the Walgreens, to investigate an attempted armed robbery.  A store employee told officers that the suspect went to the store’s front counter and demanded money.  The suspect displayed what appeared to be a firearm.  At this time evidence indicates that, before taking any money or other items, the suspect exited the store through the front door.  No one was injured and no items are believed to have been taken at this time.  The suspect is described as being approximately six feet tall, wearing a dark blue hoodie, black sweat pants, and white sneakers.  If you have any information that could help investigators, please call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500.  Tips are anonymous and rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

WalAR3WalAR4

 

Mill Mountain ZooIt’s all about animals and art. “Animals, Art & Articulation” is coming up Wednesday night at the Mill Mountain Zoo. The Zoo’s education manager, Bambi Godkin, says a silent auction will feature some works of art by the animals themselves. She says the event is a good fit with Roanoke’s art community. There also will be food and live music. Tomorrow night’s fundraiser is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the zoo. Admission is $20 or $15 for zoo members. Click HERE for more information.

Fatal-fireNews Release from Salem Fire-EMS:

The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a structure fire at 827 Lakeview St. at approximately 7 a.m. this morning. The initial report of a fire was called in by citizens who saw smoke coming from the structure. While conducting search and rescue operations, firefighters found one person deceased in the home. The name and age of that individual are not being released at this time pending notification of family members. There were no other occupants in the home at the time of the fire.

The first units arrived within five minutes of receiving the call and found thick smoke coming from the home. Crews found heavy fire in a bedroom and were able to contain the fire within 10 minutes of arrival. One firefighter did fall from the first floor down to the basement during firefighting operations, but was not injured.

Approximately 25 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Tower 1, Medic 801, & Medic 802) and the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department (Air 9) responded to the call. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department Tanker 9 provided staffing to cover additional calls within the City of Salem.

The fire remains under investigation by the Salem Fire & EMS Fire Marshal’s Office. If warranted, additional information will be released once the investigation is complete.

Robin Williams disney.wikia.com

Robin Williams
disney.wikia.com

The apparent suicide of Robin Williams is shining a spotlight on depression and mental illness. Officials say it appears he took his own life, after recently suffering from severe depression. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please contact someone at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can click HERE or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Someone can help by talking to you and putting you in touch with a local practitioner.

——————————————–

From Mental Health America:

Remembering Robin Williams: His Life Should Continue to Inspire Us

August 12, 2014

By Paul Gionfriddo, President/CEO

Robin Williams’ tragic and untimely death after a decades-long battle against bipolar disorder reminds us that mental illnesses are all-too-often serious and life-threatening chronic diseases.

Continue reading