Web Staff
ROANOKE, Va. – On March 16th, 2023, the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant 1500 block of Riverside Terrace SE in Roanoke, Va., as a result of a long-term drug investigation which involved several counties in the Roanoke area, to include Bedford, Alleghany, and Botetourt.
Seized during the investigation was approximately 10.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.1 ounces of fentanyl, 13 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine, 9.2 ounces of marijuana, 57 doses of Suboxone, and 33.5 doses of prescription pills, 20 firearms, and $6,647 in U.S. currency. The street value of all drugs seized are $1,051,367.00.
Ronnie Edward Niday, 19, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug, distribution of methamphetamine, and distribution of fentanyl.
Shawn Michael McCraw, 35, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug.
Ashley Nicole Bobbitt, 23, of Roanoke, Va., was charged with possession of a schedule I/II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug.
Niday, McCraw and Bobbit are being held with no bond at this time at the Roanoke Adult Detention Center.
The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task force is comprised of investigative personnel from the Roanoke City Police Department, Salem Police Department, Vinton Police Department and Virginia State Police.
The Botetourt County School district announced that due to widespread power outages, Buchanan Elementary, Eagle Rock Elementary, and James River High School will be closed today. These closures will not impact transportation shuttle runs from these schools.
The Little Town Players in Bedford is tackling Reginald Rose’s play “12 Angry Men.” As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports, the play written in 1954 is still relevant today.
UPDATE: The roadway is now open.
From Roanoke County Police: Both westbound lanes of Challenger Ave. are blocked due to a tractor trailer accident. Traffic is being diverted on the shoulder, but is still passable. Motorists are advised to find an alternate route. It is not expected the roadway to be closed for a long period of time. Another press release will be sent out when the roadway is open.
(Roanoke County, VA—February 23, 2022) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 10:25 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2022 to the 500 block of South Pollard Street, in the Town of Vinton, for the report of a commercial structure fire in an apartment building. First arriving crews from Station 2 (Vinton) found smoke inside the brick two-story structure and marked it a working fire. The brick house had been turned into 2 apartments. The occupant of the apartment where the fire occurred was not at home. The occupant of the upstairs apartment was displaced and was staying at a local hotel with the help of friends. Both apartments will be displaced. There were no injuries. We appreciate the assistance of Roanoke Fire and EMS on this call. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office was on scene to investigate a cause and provide a damage estimate.The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded their investigation and determined that the fire on South Pollard Street last night was accidental and caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. Damage estimates are $10,000. The occupants of the apartments were not officially displaced but did choose to stay elsewhere last night.
Photo: RBRA
ROANOKE, Va. (February 15, 2023) – Allegiant Air’s nonstop flights between Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) and Nashville International Airport (BNA) resume February 16 with round-trip service between the two cities every Thursday and Sunday through May 14.
“We’re excited for this service between Roanoke and the Music City to return,” says Mike Stewart, executive director of Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. “Passenger traffic levels definitely factor into airlines’ decision-making on where to add capacity, and we’re hopeful this direct service will continue well beyond May 14. Allegiant – like other air carriers – continually monitors traffic and demand and adjusts capacity accordingly. The bottom line is the more people who choose to fly ROA and this new BNA service, the better chance we have to attract new flights and destinations.”
One-way fares between Roanoke and Nashville start as low as $38. Flights depart Nashville at 1:39 p.m. and arrive in Roanoke at 4:08 p.m. The return flight departs Roanoke at 4:53 p.m. and arrives in Nashville at 5:24 p.m.
From the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office: (Yesterday) at around 3:15pm, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Animal Control Unit of Franklin County Department of Public Safety responded to the 500 block of Carolina Springs Road where a caller had located two deceased black labs on the side of the road. To our great dismay, the dogs have been identified as the two black labs, Colby and Caleb, that were stolen from the Waid Park area last week. Both have been taken to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for further examination and cause of death determination.
We are appalled at this senseless tragedy and extend our condolences to the owners of these dogs.
On February 11, 2023 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 2700 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW. Responding officers located an adult male victim with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound outside of a residence in the area. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Witnesses on scene advised the suspect involved in the shooting was inside a nearby residence. Officers verbally engaged with the suspect, who came out of the residence shortly after officers’ arrival. The suspect eventually complied with officers’ verbal instructions and was taken into custody without further incident. The adult male suspect was taken to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with detectives.
Roanoke Police arrested Curtis E. Keaton, Jr, 39 of Roanoke, and charged him with malicious wounding regarding this offense.
Details about what led to this shooting are limited, but it’s believed the two men are known to one another and a verbal altercation precipitated the shooting. This remains an ongoing investigation and no further details can be shared at this time.
RICHMOND – The countdown is on for the Super Bowl, and if drinking is part of your Sunday celebration, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to make sure you have a game plan for a sober ride home.
Before heading out to cheer on your favorite team, make plans to get home safely. If you are the party’s host, be sure a sober ride home for your guests is on your to-do list. Lack of planning and a couple of drinks could leave a guest impaired and in a potentially fatal situation; and fans don’t let fans drive drunk.
According to preliminary data, 245 people died last year on Virginia roadways in alcohol-related crashes. In 2022, on the day of the game, there were 36 alcohol-related crashes on Virginia roadways, which resulted in 15 injuries and two deaths.
“Annual events are reminders that we need to take care of ourselves and each other. Make a game plan to find a designated driver if you are celebrating with alcohol and if you are the designated driver, take that role seriously. Don’t drink and drive,” said Acting DMV Commissioner Linda Ford. “We are all winners when everyone gets home safely at the end of the night.”
DMV offers these quick and easy tips for safe traveling ahead of Super Bowl weekend:
Plan ahead by arranging a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan on drinking. Make sure friends and family also have a plan to safely get home.
Be a friend and never let someone drive drunk.
Download a ride-sharing app and keep a list of local cab numbers.
Always wear a seat belt. That goes for both drivers and passengers.
Be prepared for weather conditions and pay attention to any weather or travel advisories.