News From Roanoke.com

Yet another facet of a Salem ATM company's struggle against financial sabotage played out in federal court this week with a split jury verdict in the case of a Utah man accused of meddling in Couvrette Building Systems' efforts to recover assets from a former top administrator.

Roanoke's superintendent of schools and school board chairman on Thursday said plans are being implemented to have a full-time principal at William Fleming High School by the start of the next school year.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The man charged in the death of a Ferrum College student and the wounding of another remains out on bail. Jason David Cloutier, 31, of Ferrum returned to court Thursday morning after being released Wednesday on $20,000 bond.

Botetourt County authorities are continuing their investigation of telephone threats that led to the evacuations of Eagle Rock Elementary and James River High School on Wednesday afternoon.

Police have identified the woman whose body was found Tuesday under a Roanoke bridge.

Jennifer Shantelle Adair, 30, of Roanoke was found under the Wasena bridge about 7:30 a.m. A crew on a Norfolk Southern coal train spotted her body near the train tracks and called police.

UPDATED 10:46 a.m. Nov. 19: Ferrum man charged in death of student remains out on bond

UPDATED 10:46 a.m. Nov. 19: Ferrum man charged in death of student remains out on bond

FERRUM -- The rural character of the Ferrum College campus fit Jessica Goode perfectly, those who knew her say.

Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's book-signing event slated for Sunday in Roanoke has not been canceled by the publisher, despite online and local media reports on Wednesday to the contrary.

You better watch out. Santa Claus doesn't want to catch the H1N1 flu virus.

Some national Santa hiring companies are trying to reduce the risk that this white-bearded man of Christmas -- and the children who sit on his lap -- will not contract the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu.

A man whose attempts to peddle stolen guns door-to-door in his Roanoke neighborhood tipped police to a network of heroin and weapons sellers pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal firearms violations.

Scott Martin is convinced that economic growth and tree-hugging go together just fine.

The Franklin County official made his name by using the region's mountains, rivers and open country to draw not just tourists, but industries that brought jobs and millions of dollars to invest in the regional economy.

RICHMOND -- Two major Roanoke Valley interstate highway projects and a New River Valley bridge replacement could be pushed out of the state's six-year highway construction plan as transportation officials continue to struggle with mounting needs and diminishing funds.

Refuse along the Roanoke River left by flooding from last week's storm won't hamper a half-marathon riverside run Saturday.

VIRGINIA BEACH -- The Coast Guard has cleared the barge that was moored in the Sandbridge section of the city.

At 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard released La Princesa from Lynnhaven Anchorage, Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads spokesman Lt. Jack Smith said.

Authorities evacuated and searched two Botetourt County schools Wednesday after a pair of midday bomb threats.

Violent crime that strikes the Roanoke Valley usually occurs in the abstract.

Victims usually are "other people," you know? Rare is the day when it slaps you in the face.

Which is why what happened to Brenda Hale on Sunday sounds shocking when you hear her tell the story.

An 18-year-old employee of the Valley View PetSmart was arrested Tuesday and charged with starting the weekend fire that caused an estimated $2 million in damage to the store.

UPDATED 12:13 p.m. Wednesday: Prayer service held for slain Ferrum student Jess Goode