Web Staff
From Virginia State Police:
WYTHE CO., Va. – A Pennsylvania man faces multiple charges after fleeing from Virginia State Police just outside the Wythe County line. Kevin L. Ranck, 47, of Mount Joy, Penn., is being held at New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin, Va., on one felony count of eluding police, one count of resisting arrest and one count of reckless driving. Shortly before 9 a.m. Monday (March 31, 2014), Virginia State Police Trooper A.W. Crigger attempted to stop a 1997 Buick sedan traveling south on Interstate 77 near the 49 mile marker in Bland County. The traffic stop was for speeding in excess of 100 mph. When the trooper activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the Buick, its driver, Ranck, refused to comply and a pursuit was initiated. Continue reading
William Carr
(Martinsville Bulletin
photo)
Former Congressional candidate William Carr, of Patrick County, has announced that he will challenge Salem-based Congressman Morgan Griffith in the 9th District race in November. Carr opposed Griffith for the 2010 Republican Party nomination; Griffith was selected from the six candidates at a party nominating convention. Carr will run this time as an Independent. (An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Griffith defeated Carr in a primary.)
Relisha Tenau Rudd
(FBI photo)
Washington, D.C. police and the FBI are trying to find Relisha Tenau Rudd, 8, and Kahlil Malik Tatum, 51. Law enforcement officials believe the two could be together. Tatum is considered armed and dangerous. He is now wanted for the murder of his wife. Police found her body last week at a Prince George’s County, Maryland motel and Tatum has not been seen since March 20. The last time anyone saw Relisha was March 1.
Investigators say an outlet on the outside patio started a fire in the 4800 block of Horsemen Drive, NE. Crews responded around 8:14 p.m. Thursday to find heavy smoke and flames from the side of the house. Two people inside at the time escaped without injury. It took crews about 45 minutes to get the fire under control. The fire extended from the outside into the attic. Damage estimates are approximately $65,000.
There’s no word yet on what caused a fire in the 900 block of 13th Street, SE. Crews responded at 9:10 p.m. for an outside storage building and found it fully engulfed in flames. The fire also damaged the outside of an adjacent home and garage. There are no injuries reported. Damages are estimated at around $5,000.
From VDOT: – Beginning Sunday, March 30, contractors will begin an extensive pavement rehabilitation project on northbound Interstate 81 between mile markers 120 and 125. The work will require a nighttime left lane closure in the work zone beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday, March 30. The lane closure will be in place, Sunday through Thursday, from 10 p.m. each night until 6 a.m. the following morning until fall 2014. Additionally, this project will require a detour that will be in place for 24 hours a day for approximately eight consecutive days. The detour is dependent upon weather and the contractor’s work schedule. The exact days and times will be announced at a later date.Different traffic impacts are scheduled for day and nighttime traffic during the eight-day detour.
From Roanoke City Police: Detective Dale Brink has been going the extra mile in his efforts to reunite an Apple iPAD with its owner. It was recovered during a burglary investigation last November. The “cover photo” on the iPAD is of three young men, and a young woman, who appear to be attending a wedding at a church. The iPAD is password protected. If you can help, please call the Roanoke Police Department at 540-853-5959. This brings us to our Crime Prevention Thursday tips on protecting your valuables:
Roanoke, Va. – The Humane Society of the United States has awarded Angels of Assisi a grant and training to help implement a community outreach program. The Elinor Patterson Baker Foundation granted Angels of Assisi $25,000 to bring resources and services to underserved pet owners in Roanoke. The Pets for Life program will give residents in underserved communities easy access to pet services. Angels Executive Director Lisa O’Neill says it also provides information that will pave the way to positive, long-term change for the animals, families, and the community.
GarnerForCouncil photo
Roanoke City Council candidate Valerie Garner says a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request she made validates that Roanoke Mayor David Bowers used his official city e-mail account to advocate for incumbent council members Ray Ferris and Bill Bestpitch. Both men are up for reelection as independent candidates in May. The independent Garner says Roanoke City has no policy against such use of e-mail during political campaigns. Garner says she would introduce a code of ethics that would prohibit that practice if she is elected May 6.
Posted Mon., 3/24/14 7:57 a.m.:
Roanoke County police report an accident is blocking Franklin Road (Route 220), near Starlight Drive. A vehicle overturned and hit a utility pole, severing the pole. The northbound and southbound lanes are closed. Police ask that you avoid the area and use alternate routes. It will take several hours to clear.
