News
Kmart is closing more than 100 stores nationwide, including two in the Roanoke Valley. The area stores set for closure are on Hershberger Road at the former Crossroads Mall and West Main Street in Salem. Kmart and its parent company Sears are closing about 150 stores in all, but there are no indications that any area Sears stores are on that list.
Sarabeth Hammond
Virginia is one of two states with races for governor this year, so it will receive plenty of national attention. Our political analyst says one of the Republican candidates is trying to lay claim to the Donald Trump, anti-establishment label. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is promising to veto legislation banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, saying such a “socially divisive” proposal hurts the state’s image.The legislation, proposed by a Republican delegate, mirrors similar measures supported by Congressional Republicans and one signed into law in Ohio last month. Abortion-rights opponents have been emboldened by the election success of Donald Trump and the Republican Party and plan a broad push nationwide.The Democratic governor told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Republican-controlled General Assembly should not “waste time” trying to be part of that effort. McAuliffe does not typically comment on proposed legislation, but said he needed to make clear to companies looking to invest in Virginia that the legislation had no hope of passage.
William Herbert Martin III
From Henry County Sheriff:The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a larceny that took place on December 29, 2016 at 2575 Virginia Avenue Collinsville, Virginia. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that William Herbert Martin III, 28, of 119 Maple Street Martinsville, Virginia, stole a Taurus 9mm pistol. Continue reading
Town of Christiansburg news release: Christiansburg Police are investigating an armed robbery at BB&T on Peppers Ferry Road. Police received a call in reference to the robbery at 11:53 a.m. An unknown male, described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall, displayed a handgun inside the bank. He demanded and received an undisclosed amount of money and left the bank on foot, headed south. Employees and patrons were in the bank at the time, but no one was injured. The suspect was described as wearing dark clothing and a lighter-colored baseball hat. Police have been searching the area, with the assistance of a K-9.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s office says two 15-year-old boys are responsible for dozens of thefts from vehicles in the Ashley Plantation neighborhood. Items taken include firearms, GPS units, other electronics and cash. Investigators say they were led to the suspects by an alert parent who notified them of suspicious items found in the family’s home.
(Continue reading for the Botetourt County Sheriff’s office news release.)