News
Sen. Mark Warner
Speaking on WFIR this morning U.S. Senator Mark Warner called fellow Virginia Senator Tim Kaine “relentlessly optimistic” despite his recent failed bid for Vice-President on the ticket with Hillary Clinton – Warner also talked about Kaine’s return full-time to Senate duties. Senators Warner and Kaine attended law school together. Warner also says they’ve been friends for almost four decades:
Hear the complete conversation from “the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News” on the WFIR by clicking below
The number of offenders in restrictive housing in Virginia prisons is among the 9th lowest in the United States according to a recent report. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
They are often called “the Oscars of Teaching” – a special cash award and recognition for a job well done in Vinton today. A $25,000 surprise today for a 4th grade teacher at W.E. Cundiff Elementary in Vinton. The Milken Foundation presented Lindsay Murray with the award at a morning assembly. The foundation works with state departments of education to find worthy recipients. Murray has taught at Cundiff for seven years and was the only teacher in Virginia to receive one of this year’s Milken Foundation awards.
(AP photo)
This is the 75th anniversary of the day that profoundly changed the United States and the world — the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. At the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, educators say many people wondered at the time if our country had the resolve and ability to successfully meet the challenges and sacrifices needed to prevail. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
From the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: Over the last few months, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Christiansburg Police Department VICE unit, the Montgomery County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Marshal’s Service have conducted extensive operations and investigations into the use, manufacture, and distribution of methamphetamine. From September 15, 2016 through December 5, 2016, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has targeted meth related offenses with the culmination of those investigations being concluded on December 5, 2016 with a warrant round up being conducted in Montgomery County. On December 5, 2016, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Christiansburg Police Department VICE unit and the U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested 10 people on 84 felony warrants. During the targeted enforcement from September 15, 2016 through December 5, 2016, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office located 10 methamphetamine lab sites, conducted 4 search warrants, and identified 22 people involved with the use, manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release, including the names of those arrested to date.)
A class at the Brambleton Center is offering you a chance to paint a picture of your favorite furry family member. WFIR’s Ian Price has details on “Paint Your Pet” night:
Lloyd Welch, Jr.
MANASSAS, Va. (AP) – The man charged in the 1975 slayings of two sisters who vanished from a suburban Maryland mall has been indicted on new charges in connection with an unrelated case in northern Virginia. Multiple news outlets report that a Manassas grand jury on Monday indicted Lloyd Lee Welch, Jr. on charges of rape, sexual battery and taking indecent liberties. Further details regarding the charges were not immediately clear. Welch is awaiting trial in Bedford County, Virginia, on charges of first-degree murder in the disappearance of 12-year-old Sheila Lyon and 10-year-old Katherine Lyon. The sisters were last seen walking from their house to the Wheaton Plaza Mall. The girls never came home, and no bodies were found.
Jim Livingston (VEA photo)
The leader of the association representing Virginia public school teachers says just because student achievement is showing gains statewide, Virginians should not be satisfied with current state funding levels. Jim Livingston is president of the Virginia Education Association, and he speaks tonight in the Roanoke area. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.