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The traffic back-up at Exit 150 is apparently clear, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation, but now there are traffic back-ups on I-81 northbound in Roanoke County.

So if you're in Roanoke trying to get back to Botetourt tonight, you might still have some trouble.

Here's the official VDOT advisory:

Location:Roanoke (County)
Description:
On I-81 North at mile marker 146 in the County of Roanoke, motorists can expect major delays due to a vehicle accident. Traffic backups are approximately 4.0 miles.
Last Updated: 11/20/2009 17:23:21

There's now been a second crash -- this one at milemarker 149 on I-81 north -- which has complicated the traffic situation in Botetourt.

The first crash was at milemarker 151, and at last report, the traffic was backed up five miles.

We have more details here. When we know more, we'll post more.

If you're stuck in traffic and viewing this on your Blackberry or other mobile gizmo of choice, let us know what you see. You can leave a comment below or email us at news@botetourtview.com.

Beware if you're in Roanoke and trying to get back into Botetourt County tonight:

Traffic is now backed up about 5 miles on I-81 in Botetourt County because of a wreck involving several vehicles, the Virginia Department of Transportation said.

The wreck happened near mile marker 151 in the northbound lanes. The left shoulder and left lane are closed.

We'll post more updates here and on this breaking news item from the newsroom of The Roanoke Times.

Traffic is backed up about a mile on I-81 in Botetourt County because of a wreck involving several vehicles, the Virginia Department of Transportation said.

The wreck happened near mile marker 151 in the northbound lanes. The left shoulder and left lane are closed.

We'll post updates here and on this breaking news post from the newsroom of The Roanoke Times.

We now have a copy of the actual surveillance video of the suspect in this week's bomb threats to James River High School and Eagle Rock Elementary.

This comes courtesy of the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.

The two calls -- which warned of a bomb in the elementary school and referenced a nonspecific danger at James River -- came about 11 a.m. from a pay phone at the Unimart on Jamison Avenue in Southeast Roanoke, according to Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle.

Anyone with information about this incident or the person in the security footage is asked to call the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office at 473-8230.

OTHER COVERAGE OF THE BOMB THREATS:
* Sheriff releases photos from surveillance camera that shows bomb threat suspect
* Photos from Buchanan Burger King, where many James River students ate lunch
* Sheriff says bomb threats traced to Southeast Roanoke
* Eagle Rock students now at Breckinridge; searches underway
* James River students dismissed; Eagle Rock also evacuated
* James River High School evacuated

Fincastle - Can emergency responders find you? It's much easier if your house numbers are clearly posted.
It has been 10 years since Botetourt County implemented Enhanced 911 service. In addition to installing highly specialized telephone and mapping equipment in the Emergency Communications Center, most County addresses were changed to a more effective, distance-based address system in order to make it easier for Fire, Rescue and Law Enforcement responders to quickly locate the scene of emergencies.
The system continues to work extremely well, but responders are often frustrated by the failure of some residents and businesses to properly post their street addresses.
"The numbering system generally works really well to help get us to the scene", remarked Jason Ferguson, Captain of the County's paid response staff. "You'd be surprised though, at the minutes we can shave off of a response time if numbers are clearly posted". Darryl Johns, Chief of the Eagle Rock Volunteer Fire Department, echoes the concern. "While responses to structure fires are sometimes easy to see from the road, most are not. The point is to put the fire out long before it gets big enough to see. If we are wasting time trying to turn a 32 foot truck around because the numbers weren't clearly posted, that fire has time to grow".
Assistant to the County Administrator, Spencer Suter, who originally helped implement the 911 program reminds residents that the correct posting of numbers is required by County code and offers the following advice:
"First, commit to posting your numbers properly. If they are not posted, you should make the time to do it as soon as possible. Even if your numbers are already posted, inspect them and ensure that they are fulfilling the intended purpose of guiding emergency service responders to your home or business, during both day and night, and in all weather conditions. Residential numbers should be at least 3 inches in height and businesses, 4 to 8 inches. Ideally, the numbers should be reflective and should be
EMERGENCY SERVICES
205 N. Roanoke Street, Suite 1
Fincastle, Virginia 24090
Phone: (540) 473-2098
Fax: (540) 473-8288
www.botetourt.org
posted so that the entrance to the structure can be clearly seen from an approach in either direction".
The applicable County code section can be viewed online at: http://www.botetourt.org/government/documents/mc/ch002.pdf (Municipal Code section 2 - Administration, Article IX, Div. 2)
Reflective numbers are inexpensive and can be purchased at most hardware stores. Chief Johns sums up the behest to residents by saying, "You never know when you'll need assistance from our crews. Please help us help you by posting your numbers properly."

--submitted by Spencer Suter

The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office has released surveillance video of a pay phone at the Unimart on Jamison Avenue in Southeast Roanoke, which is where authorities say the phone calls in Wednesday's bomb threats to James River High School and Eagle Rock Elementary originated.

The pictures were recorded by a motion-activated camera and show a male figure walking across a parking lot, toward the pay phone, at 11:05 a.m. He then heads back in the opposite direction at 11:10 a.m. The camera stops recording before the subject disappears from the frame and it remains unclear how he left the scene.

The person is wearing what appears to be dark overalls and has either a white sweatshirt hood or white stocking cap covering most of his head.

Anyone with information about this incident or the person in the security footage is asked to call the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office at 473-8230.

For more on the story, click here.

OTHER COVERAGE OF THE BOMB THREATS:
* Photos from Buchanan Burger King, where many James River students ate lunch
* Sheriff says bomb threats traced to Southeast Roanoke
* Eagle Rock students now at Breckinridge; searches underway
* James River students dismissed; Eagle Rock also evacuated
* James River High School evacuated

The panel of guests who spoke to the issue of Social Hosting ordinances had a boxed lunch from Blue Collar Joe's prior to the meeting.

Social Hosting can be defined as a parent or adults hosting parties within the home or property where underage drinkers have ready access to alcohol. Dram shop laws refer to a business's liability where the selling of alcohol to customers implicates the business in liability should an accident or death occurs. Such laws exist in 38 states. Virginia is not one of them. Both were topics in Botetourt County on Thursday.

The Botetourt Prevention Planning team met on Thursday, November 19, 2009 with local and state officials about the possibility of crafting a social hosting ordinance. Those invited officials included Scott Goodman and Will Goodman from the Virginia ABC board, Elizabeth Dillon, County Attorney, Juvenile and Domestic Court Judge Paul Tucker, Bill Cleaveland, newly elected Delegate to the General Assembly, Joel Branscom, Commonwealth's Attorney and Deputy Steve Flint SRO and DARE officer for Botetourt County Elementary schools.

Dillon informed the group that localities can not legally craft such legislation. Laws have to be part of the Code of Virginia. Branscom presented handouts on what the codes already on the books are in conjunction with underage drinking and selling alcohol to minors.

Lynn McDowell of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare gave the panel a brief lesson in the data collected in the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey that indicated a significant alcohol problem among county middle and high school youth.

Will Goodman spoke to the possibilities of such legislation verses tweaking the language of what is already out there on the books. He indicated and was seconded by Dillon that Dram Shop laws placing Civil and criminal liability on restaurants and bars has not been popular in Virginia and any such legislation addressing Social Hosting might hit a strong opposition lobby. As Dillon put it, "It is unlikely if there are no Dram Shop laws there will be more significant penalties placed on families with a social hosting ordinance. Cleaveland, who is a defense attorney by profession, spoke to the implications in enforcement of such laws.

The rights guaranteed homeowners under the 4th Amendment must also be taken under consideration when drafting legislation about entry into homes as well, noted Goodman. Branscom spoke to a lawsuit, which may be going to the US Supreme Court, concerning a Botetourt County deputy and entry into a home where teens were consuming alcohol. The suit is based on the 4th amendment rights of people in their homes.

Tucker said, "Botetourt County has great kids, but they make mistakes like everyone else. Is there an alcohol problem here? Yes. I think so. Anything that brings about thoughtful discussion is good and the debate on social hosting is worthwhile." Branscom went on to say though the forces to oppose Dram Shop laws would likely align to fight the Social Hosting laws as well.

"Public awareness is key," said Branscom.

Kathy Sullivan of RAYSAC introduced are some interesting facts about the so called social hosting laws. she said, "There is a nationwide trend in states to have an ordinance. In states where there are social hosting ordinances, underage drinking goes down. Civil fines are immediately accessed to parents and or hosts."

Dillon reminded the BPPT that the State of Virginia does not have specific liability. A bar can sell to an obviously drunk person who leaves and kills someone with his car and have no liability on the bar. The same rule applies to individuals. As BPPT memebr and crime prevention specialist, Sharon Coleman put it, "I can sue you if my child breaks an ankle on a trampoline at your home, but if you serve my child alcohol and they get killed, I cannot sue you."

The BPPT decide to form a subcommittee to further evaluate the process. In the meantime, Branscom advised them to align themselves with powerful lobbies like MADD and continue to research the possibilities.

No telling yet how much money the bomb threats today will end up costing Botetourt County, citizens, schools and the Sheriff's Office will have a price tag for additional services. The students at James River High School and Eagle Rock Elementary got sent from the respective buildings without backpacks and coats and no lunch for most.

Lunch at JRHS was just ready to serve. So what will happen to the food left in the cafeteria while the threat is searched? No doubt there's a financial loss. Gym students went out into the 45 degree temperatures in gym shorts and t- shirts. Many students had on regular shorts expecting to spend the day in side. Most who had on jeans had on short sleeve shirts and no jackets. The threat of rain hung heavy in the air.

Parents arrived at the school to pick-up students before 12:30. Those cell phones came in handy today as parents verified that a student could ride home with another parent, too. Not to mention the text messages that alerted the Botetourt View about what was transpiring at the school. Students filed off the field when a bus number was read to get on a bus to go home. Oh yes, extra Diesel fuel and additional pay to the drivers should be added to the cost.

Though they spent over an hour outside,  hope springs eternal in high school youth.

Hungry from the lack of lunch and standing in the cold, many traveled with parents and each other over to the Burger King in Buchanan. When asked if the students were sad to be out of school, a resounding "No" filled the dining area." No one felt threatened or a least admitted to it. "Take our picture,"  shouted Taylor Statum a junior and a "Yes,"chorused through the group. The order taker seemed less than thrilled with the additional business, but imagine how the coffers will count out tonight when perhaps a hundred students and parents eventually purchased food from the fast food spot. So not everyone lost money on the bomb threat today.

Several of the seniors recalled three years ago a student wrote a bomb threat in the bathroom and a similar situation happened.

Bomb sniffing dogs and additional personnel were called into Botetourt County. The JRHS staff went back into the school after the all clear around 2:15 p.m.

Watch for updates as they arrive.

OTHER COVERAGE OF THE BOMB THREATS:
* Sheriff says bomb threats traced to Southeast Roanoke
* Eagle Rock students now at Breckinridge; searches underway
* James River students dismissed; Eagle Rock also evacuated
* James River High School evacuated

The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office has issued the following release on today's bomb threats at James River High School and Eagle Rock Elementary:

Botetourt County authorities have traced nearly simultaneous telephone threats that emptied two Botetourt County schools shortly before noon Wednesday to a southeast Roanoke pay-phone and are seeking assistance from persons in the area in identifying a possible suspect, Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle has announced.
Classes were dismissed for the day at James River High School. Students at Eagle Rock Elementary School were sent to Breckenridge Elementary School where they were fed lunch and later were picked up by buses. A bomb was specifically mentioned in the call to the elementary school. A danger was implied in the call to the high school.
Sheriff Sprinkle said that the calls came from a pay-phone at a Unimart at 1219 Jamison Ave. Officers are now in the process of examining security cameras in that area, and are asking the public for any information regarding activity at that telephone between 11 and 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Persons with any information are asked to call the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office at 473-8230.
Eighteen sheriff's deputies, five Botetourt County fire departments and five rescue were occupied for nearly three hours at the two locations before the schools were cleared at 2 p.m., the sheriff said in discussing the degree of disruption and operational costs that resulted from the two hoaxes. Virginia State Police and Roanoke County provided bomb-sniffing dogs.
--END--

OTHER COVERAGE OF THE BOMB THREATS:
* Eagle Rock students now at Breckinridge; searches underway
* James River students dismissed; Eagle Rock also evacuated
* James River High School evacuated