Web Staff
UPDATE: Wed., 7/23/14 5:25 a.m.
From the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office:
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the death of the two victims found on Saturday, July 19th, 2014 on Tucker Terrace. In addition to the victims remains found at the scene, numerous items of physical evidence will be submitted to the forensic science laboratory in Roanoke. The exact identification, manner and cause of death of the victims can only be determined by a complete and thorough autopsy. The autopsy and the examination of the forensic evidence may take several weeks or more before any investigative conclusions can be reached. Preliminary investigations of these deaths does not indicate the involvement of a third party. However, the investigation is ongoing.
Bedford County Sheriff’s investigators are not making assumptions concerning the two deaths. But will follow where ever the evidence leads them.
From the City of Roanoke: At a press conference earlier today, the city officially launched Solarize Roanoke, a program designed to make solar energy affordable and accessible to homeowners. Solarize Roanoke is a partnership between the City of Roanoke, Community Housing Partners, local solar installers, Freedom First Credit Union, and local community members. The program will run until Sept. 3o. Homeowners living in the following zip codes are eligible to participate: 24011, 24012, 24013, 24014, 24015, 24016, 24017, 24018, and 24019.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
From Roanoke County Police:
Over the course of several weeks there have been numerous larcenies from vehicles in Roanoke County and Roanoke City. To include over 40 in Roanoke County. Through a joint investigation with Roanoke City, detectives from both departments worked together to follow up on leads. Through this joint investigation it was determined that three subjects were involved in several of the Roanoke City cases and close to all of the Roanoke County cases. The suspects are identified as Michael Furrow – 39 of Roanoke City, Richard Chambers – 30 of Roanoke City and Samantha Simmons – 26 of Roanoke City.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
The Virginia Department of Transportation says a lane closure will affect this morning’s commute for some on Interstate 81 North. The northbound right lane of I81 is closed in Roanoke County, between mile markers 136 and 138. The closure is in place for bridge work that had been expected to be removed by 6 a.m. Work is taking longer than expected. The lane is expected to reopen around 9 a.m.
From Roanoke County Police: (July 15, 2014)—At 11:03 Monday evening, multiple calls to 9-1-1 reported a man with a handgun and shot gun or rifle had entered the first floor of the Health and Rehab Center at Friendship Retirement Community in the 300 block of Hershberger Road, where he fired a shot into the ceiling and ordered staff to get out. The suspect has been identified as Dennis Michael Wright, 59, of Roanoke City. Within two minutes, Officer P. McMillan was on scene. McMillan was directed to the upper floor where Wright had last been seen. Once there, employees said Wright had gone into the elevator and McMillan ran back to the first floor. Wright exited the elevator and crossed the lobby to the front door where McMillan caught up with him and ordered him to drop his weapons. He complied initially, then proceeded to bend to the ground, stepping towards a handgun which he retrieved and aimed towards McMillan. After an exchange of gunfire between Wright and McMillan, Wright was struck and subsequently transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. McMillan was not injured. The total number of shots fired is still being investigated.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release.)
Virginia has printed about two million copies of the updated official highway map. Greg Bilyeu, Communication Manager with the Virginia Department of Transportation, says in this age of on-line directions and GPS, the printed maps are still popular.
The new two-year maps feature state forests to mark the centennial of the state forestry system. You can find the maps at welcome centers and request them at highway rest areas.
You can download the maps on-line or order a free paper copy.