News
A source tells WFIR the brewery that’s opening up a tap room at the Bridges is Starr Hill Brewery out of Charlottesville. Founded in 1999, Starr Hill is one of Virginia’s first craft brewing operations. No one connected to the Bridges has confirmed the brewery is indeed Starr Hill. An official announcement on the brewery that’ll sit between Starbucks and Moe’s is set for this afternoon at 1 pm.
Roanoke Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place yesterday at the BNC bank at the intersection of Keagy Road and Virginia 419. Authorities responded to the call just before 11 a.m. after a man walked into the bank near LewisGale medical center displaying a handgun and left on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Contact Police if you have any information about the incident.
Bedford FD photo
Bedford County fire officials say older, unsafe wiring started the Bedford fire earlier this month that killed a four-year-old girl. And from the account they now provide, the number of deaths could easily have been much higher. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Kroger is making the opioid overdose antidote naloxone available without a prescription at its Virginia pharmacies.The supermarket chain announced the decision Monday. It comes after the state health commissioner declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in November.The company says it has given its pharmacists extra training on substance abuse and made education materials for patients.The Roanoke Times reports CVS and Walgreens pharmacies also offer naloxone without a prescription.Naloxone, which is also known by the brand-name Narcan, can quickly revive someone who has stopped breathing after overdosing on opioids, which include prescription painkillers like Vicodin as well as illegal narcotics like heroin. In the past, naloxone was available mostly through clinics, hospitals or first responders, but many states and retailers have been easing access.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) – Members of the Virginia Tech community are denouncing alumnus Steve Bannon and calling on President Donald Trump to dismiss him from his administration.A letter posted Sunday on the Collegiate Times website, states that Bannon, who was Student Government Association president from 1975 to 1976, “sticks out as an aberration. He does not represent our values – he stands in opposition to them.”The letter, signed online by hundreds who identify themselves as students, faculty, staff and alumni, says “Bannon’s views are antithetical to the foundational values upon which the Virginia Tech community stands.” The letter alleges that Bannon encouraged prejudice at Breitbart Media and Breitbart published articles disparaging women, Muslims and the LGBTQ community under his leadership.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
From Roanoke County Police:On Monday, January 30, at 5:00 a.m., Roanoke County Police were called to the 6600 block of Thirlane Road in reference to a robbery and malicious wounding. One of the two victims was transported to the hospital. Detectives were able to make arrests based on eye witness accounts and surveillance videos. Steven Beckett, 28, Destiny Woolcott, 26, and Brooke Hodges, 23, were taken into custody without incident and are currently held without bond. Police believe the suspects knew the victims and planned the robbery. Drugs were a factor in this incident. Each suspect is charged with 2 counts of Robbery and 1 count of Malicious Wounding.
Steven J.L. Beckett
Brooke N. Hodges
Destiny M. Woolcott
Speaking live on WFIR this morning, Republican candidate for Governor Denver Riggelman – one of four vying for the GOP nomination in June – said he supports the temporary ban on immigrants from 7 majority Muslim countries put in place by President Trump. The former National Security Agency and Air Force Intelligence officer suspects the Trump administration may have enacted the immigration “pause” via Executive Order in part to put a new database vetting system in place. Hear our complete conversation with Denver Riggelman below:
The Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia has named a Roanoke City Councilwoman it’s new executive director. Michelle Dykstra comes to the organization with a strong background in leadership and non-profit development. Dykstra has been on Roanoke City Council since July 2016. Prior to winning a seat on Council, she managed the City Market Building. Boys & Girls Clubs focuses on afterschool programs – most often for children from lower-income homes.