Crime and Public Safety
ROANOKE, Va. (City of Roanoke) — As the holiday season approaches, the City of Roanoke is reminding residents to take precautions when handling Christmas lights and electrical cords to avoid potential exposure to lead.
According to Lead Safe Roanoke, many holiday light cords contain trace amounts of lead, which can transfer to the skin during handling. While lead is not absorbed through the skin, the primary risk comes from ingesting lead residue, often through eating or touching the mouth after handling cords.
To reduce risk, the city advises washing hands thoroughly after handling light cords or other electrical cords. Additionally, residents are encouraged to avoid eating, drinking, or feeding children during decorating activities. Keeping cords out of reach of infants and toddlers adds an extra layer of safety.
These simple steps can help ensure a safe and festive season for everyone.
For more safety tips and resources, visit City of Roanoke’s website.
AARP Virginia reports that veterans and their families lost over $477 million to scams in 2023 alone. WFIR’s Ian Price reports that the organization is raising awareness this Veterans Day to combat the growing number of service-related scams.
To report scams, contact local law enforcement. For assistance from AARP, call 877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
This is Drowsy Driving Prevention week. Daylight Saving Time ended over the weekend and eventhough we theoretically gained an hour of sleep, it takes a few days to adjust to the time change. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports that can be dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.
Triple -A and the National Sleep Foundation are teaming up to raise awareness to the dangers of drowsy driving. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports tens of thousands die every year on the roads due to lack of sleep.
The new exhibit at the Salem History Museum honors a nationally recognized local institution. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the Salem Rescue Squad is the spotlight.
Visitors to the Salem Museum are now able to journey through over 90 years of history of the Salem Rescue Squad. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us the squad is one of the oldest continuously operating all volunteer rescue squads in the nation.
Jonneisha Shanel Ivory
UPDATE: Jonneisha has been located safely.
Previous:The Virginia State Police has issued a CODI Alert on behalf of the Roanoke City Police Department on 10-23-24.
The Roanoke City Police Department is looking for Jonneisha Shanel Ivory, age: 12, race: Black, sex: Female, eyes: Brown, height: 5’7″, weight: 125. Last seen wearing White/Green tennis shoes, light teal jacket, pink backpack, green and red How Grinch Stole Christmas long sleeve pajama set.
She was last seen about noon on foot on Hershburger Road NW near Ferncliff Avenue NW .
This disappearance poses a credible threat to her health and safety as determined by the investigating agency.
Police Chief Scott Booth
Virginia officials touted the statewide success of Operation Cease fire. Roanoke city has been a part of that success as one of the pilot cities for the program. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
State and local officials are celebrating the success of two programs in the Star City…Operation Ceasefire and Operation Bold Blue Line. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.
Health experts say now is the time to get vaccinated. Flu, Covid and RSV vaccines are available. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
The State Epidemiologist says now is the time to protect yourself from seasonal illnesses. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us flu and covid cases may be low now but health officials expect those numbers to rise as temperatures lower.
A new reporting requirement means millions of small businesses have to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports many business owners don’t know about the requirement, and it could cost them.
The Corporate Transparency Act is meant to expose bad actors who facilitate money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud, and other illegal acts. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports all business owners must file a beneficial Ownership Information Report.
The two most recent record-breaking fire seasons this past Spring and a year ago in the fall of 23’, have been labeled the most damaging fire seasons Virginia has experienced in more than 30 years. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
We are in the middle of Fire Prevention week. While the Roanoke City Fire Department stresses fire safety all year, the department places a special emphasis on it during the month of October. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
If you live in Roanoke City and need a smoke alarm the fire department wants you to contact them. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the free alarms are a part of fire prevention week.