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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Some Virginia law enforcement officials are being equipped with cellphones that will help them connect domestic violence victims to services.Through a partnership with Attorney General Mark Herring, Verizon Wireless is loaning 500 mobile phones to Virginia law enforcement officers to help them utilize a tool designed to identify domestic violence victims at risk for further abuse.First res ponders will ask victims a set of questions aimed at predicting whether they are in danger of further harm. If they are determined to be at risk, officers need phones to connect victims to community services.Herring’s office says many departments don’t issue phones and some don’t allow officers to carry personal phones. Victims often don’t want to use their own phones because they fear retaliation from their abuser.
Rescued horses and military veterans coping with post traumatic stress disorder are now coming together at a farm in Buchanan. WFIR’s Gene Marrano explains:
Alexis Coward
Kayla Swortzel
Jordan Twiggs
From the Christiansburg Police Department: We are searching for three missing juveniles October 5, 2016 – The Christiansburg Police Department received a report on October 3 at 7:15 p.m. in reference to three Christiansburg High School students who had not returned home from school that day. Jordan Twiggs, 14, Alexis Coward, 14, and Kayla Swortzel, 14, left school after classes were dismissed on a school bus and got off the bus in the area of Swallow Lane in Montgomery County. The parents of the high schoolers told the Christiansburg Police Department the juveniles had talked about living together near a river. The Christiansburg Police Department has several officers and detectives searching various areas in the County, including locations the juveniles may be familiar with. Twiggs is described as 5-foot-5 and 130 pounds with brown eyes and sandy hair. Coward is described as 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. Swortzel is described as 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information is being asked to call Sgt. Randall Womack at the Christiansburg Police Department at (540) 382-3131 or after hours at (540) 382-4343.
CHIP of Roanoke Valley is holding its free dental day tomorrow, giving kids the chance to have fun while getting needed dental care. The details from WFIR’s Starr Anderson.
From Advance Auto Parts: ROANOKE, Va., October 5, 2016 – Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, serving both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, today announced it has appointed Thomas (Tom) Okray as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, effective October 31, 2016. As part of the previously announced orderly transition, Mr. Okray will succeed Mike Norona, who will remain with the Company in an advisory role until the end of the year.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine went on the offensive last night at Longwood University challenging Indiana Governor Mike Pence on a list of controversial statements made by Donald Trump. WFIR’s Ian Price has details on the one and only vice presidential debate:
A recent spike in home burglaries in southwest Roanoke County centered around jewelry thefts brings a reminder from the police department to use common sense in keeping your home safe. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Starting later today, you can now enroll for expedited airport screening without leaving the Roanoke area. Virginia’s DMV is the first such state agency in the country to offer the Transportation Security Administration’s Precheck service, and you can now complete the enrollment process at the Roanoke DMV center. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full TSA Precheck information.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office received information that there were lewd sexual acts along with the displaying of obscene motion pictures taking place at Passions Video located at 6535 Greensboro Rd., Ridgeway, Virginia. Passions Video is advertised as being an adult video store with movie arcade and adult novelties. Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the operator of Passions Video was charging a fee to allow customers to enter the rear area of the business. In the back portion of the business, there were multiple televisions playing obscene pornographic videos. It was in this area that customers were engaging in sexual acts. While investigating the allegations, it was discovered that the business was owned and operated by Randy Dell Corns, 51, of 7804 Maplewood Rd., Waxham, NC.
A hands-on opportunity to learn more about science and technology – the first Virginia Tech Science Festival takes place on Saturday as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: