Authorities in Giles County issued a water boil notice Monday afternoon because an equipment failure is allowing unfiltered water to enter the drinking stream in that area.
Click here for more details from the newsroom of The Roanoke Times.
We've just updated Radford's searchable crime database with the most recent offenses. In all, Radford police reported 48 offenses from August 23-29.
Among them were four burglaries, three larcenies, four assaults, one sex crime -- and lots of drunkeness and liquor law violations.
You can see a map where the incidents took place - or you can search the database yourself, by date, by location or by offense.
The Radford crime database is part of our Datasphere site of searchable data. Among other things you can find: School-by-school results on the annual No Child Left Behind tests.
We have details on the search warrant filed in the case of the two Virginia Tech students found slain at Caldwell Fields.
We'll be posting updates on the case in the news events portion of our breaking news blog.
An art exhibit opens Tuesday at Blackwater Loft in Floyd focused on the history of the region known as Blue Springs. Arts reporter Mike Allen has details on his Arts & Extras blog.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office wants to speak with anyone who was in the area of Caldwell Fields or the Jefferson National Forest Shooting Range on Craig Creek Road between the times of 8:00 a.m. Wednesday August 26 and 8:00 a.m. Thursday August 27.
This is in conjunction with the investigation into the slaying of two Tech students there.
For more details, see this post on our breaking news blog.
We'll be posting other updates as they arrive in the news events portion of that blog.
The funeral services for Virginia Tech sophomores David Metzler and Heidi Childs, who were found shot to death in Montgomery County last week, are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. today at Heritage Baptist Church in Lynchburg.
Metzler's service will be at 1 p.m., while Childs' will be at 3 p.m. Each service will be streamed live on Heritage Baptist Church's Web site.
For more details, see this post on our breaking news site.
UPDATE: The live stream is now underway. You can view it here.
Letters are going out today to Fairlawn residents detailing a proposed sewer rate increase. The letters will be attached to sewer bills, which will come in an envelope instead of thier usual postcard form.
For residential customers, rates will increase from a flat rate of $13 per month to $23 per month. For commercial customers, rates will increase from $13 per month plus $3.27 per 1,000 gallons for usage over 5,000 gallons per month to $21.00 per month plus $4 per thousand gallons.
The rates are anticipated to increase Jan.1, said Ronald Coake, chairman of the Pulaski County Sewerage Authority. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17.
Sewage rates have not been raised since 1987, according to the letter.
"The increased rate is comparable to that [1987] rate in today's money," Coake said.
This year's budget is approximately $300,000, and the projected income is $212,000. Income has dropped over the past few years, and the authority's budget has been subsidized from the authority's surplus funds, Coake said.
The Pulaski County Sewerage Authority has approximately 825 customers in Fairlawn, and only serves the Fairlawn area, not including the New River community or Viscoe Road area, Coake said. The Sewerage Authority was established in 1966 to serve only Fairlawn, and the Pulaski County Public Service Authority was established later to serve the rest of the county, Coake said. The increased rates will not affect Public Service Authority customers, Coake said.
Here's the full text of the letter: Read more »
Here's the full text of a letter that Virginia Tech President Charles Steger sent this afternoon to the Tech community in the wake of the shooting deaths of two students:
To the Virginia Tech Community
Dear students, parents, faculty, and staff,
As our university community continues to grieve the losses of David Lee Metzler and Heidi Lynn Childs, we are reminded of the students, faculty, friends and colleagues whose lives we cherish and will always remember.
At times like these, it is helpful to remember the value of friendship and community. We encourage university community members to support each other and to seek assistance as needed. Resources are available for support, consultation, and counseling.
Campus Resources
Students:
Dean of Students office, 201 W. Roanoke St, 540/231-3787, corner of Roanoke Street and Draper Road, beside downtown 7-11.
- General advocacy and support
- Class absence verification
- Connection to VT Interfaith Council (campus ministers)
Cook Counseling Center, Mc Comas Hall, 540/231-6557
- Individual and group counseling
For the weekend:
- On-campus students - contact your RA for support
- Off-campus students - contact the VT Police Department for connection to counseling or advocacy on-call staff members - 540/231-6411.
Families:
Dean of Students Office, 201 W. Roanoke Street, 540/231-3787, vtparent@vt.edu
Faculty and Staff:
Support services are available through Human Resources, 540/231-9331,www.hr.vt.edu www.hokiewellness.hr.vt.edu/emotional/CounselingResources.php
Additional resources include:
Marriage and Family Therapy, Center for Family Services 540/231-7201 www.familytherapy.vt.edu
Virginia Tech Women's Center 540/231-7806
www.womenscenter.vt.edu
Psychological Services Center 540/231-6914
www.psyc.vt.edu/centers/psc/
Beginning a new tradition, a wreath has been placed in front of the Chapel on the Drillfield in memory of the loss of David and Heidi. As soon as we have information from the families concerning memorial services, we will make it available to the university community.
As you know, this tragic event took place in the Jefferson National Forest area in a remote part of Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Sheriff's office continues its investigation and search for suspect(s). We urge the university community to be vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff (540-382-2951), to the Virginia Tech Police (540-231-6411) or to your local police.
We are a strong community and, as we have before, I urge you to care for each other and seek help and support whenever necessary.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Steger
We have updates on the police investigation into the deaths of the two Virginia Tech students at Caldwell Fields on this breaking news post.
If you plan to see "Shade of the Trees" -- the new play at Studio Roanoke which stars Chris Brumback of Blacksburg -- you'd best hurry.
Tuesday night's opening show was sold out Studio Roanoke advises that some performances only have a dozen tickets left to sell.
The show continues tonight at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
For details, see Studio Roanoke's website.
We posted rehearsal photos from the show -- and other info -- on August 20.
