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Roanoke County police send this update on the truck wreck on U.S. 220 southbound near the Franklin County line:

5:05 PM I just spoke to SGT Matze who is the supervisor at the scene of the tractor trailer crash on RT 220. He advises at this time all lanes of Rt 220 are open. The crossover at Willow Branch will be closed as the tractor trailer is now resting in the median. Plans are made to pull the tractor trailer into the crossover and unhook the trailer so another tractor truck can be connected to it for transportation. The wrecker will then tow the crashed tractor. If the roadway requires additional closing, it will be sporadic and just for a few minutes later in the evening.

Stephen B. Turner
Administrative Lieutenant
Roanoke County Police Department

We've received this update from the Roanoke County Police Department about the truck accident on U.S. 220 south near the Franklin County line?

In reference to the release about Rt 220 at Willow Branch being closed, I have received an update from the supervisor at the scene. Tow trucks are currently trying to upright the tractor trailer. One lane of southbound traffic is moving slowly, causing traffic delays. At times, the northbound traffic also will have to be stopped to allow the wreckers to position for the moving of the tractor trailer. Efforts are being made to have the roadway clear by 5:00 PM but drivers should be aware of the possibility of further delays lasting longer than 5:00 PM

Stephen B. Turner
Administrative Lieutenant
Roanoke County Police Department

An overturned tractor-trailer has closed one southbound lane of U.S. 220 in Roanoke County near the Franklin County line.

The tractor-trailer, carrying 38,000 pounds of Tupperware, rolled on its side near Willow Branch Road. Roanoke County police are allowing small vehicles to slowly pass the wreck in the left lane. Drivers of large vehicles are being asked to stay in the right lane.

Officers are awaiting additional tow trucks to lift the trailer upright. They estimate the lane closure may be in place until 4 p.m.

No one was injured in the crash.

Here's the full text of the release from the Roanoke County Police Department:

Blocked Roadway - Franklin Road

A student from Cave Spring and also from Hidden Valley recently did a Public Service Announcement for the Roanoke County Prevention Council. We've got that PSA here and would love to share it with you.

Click on the link above to view the PSA.

And as always, send us your news by emailing us at news@swo-co.com.

We've just updated our Roanoke Valley crime map with the latest offenses from Roanoke County -- and Roanoke and Salem, as well. The latest data covers two weeks of offenses through Nov. 7.

From Nov. 1 through 7, police reported one burglary and eight larcenies in Southwest Roanoke County.

You can see a map of those incidents here or you can search the map yourself, by date, location or offense.

Our data delivery editor, Matt Chittum, has more information how you can use the searchable crime map.

Also on our Datasphere collection of searchable data: Graduation rates for every high school in the state.

A Roanoke County car wash is looking into installing new and stronger barriers after one of its employees crashed a Ford Expedition into a next-door beauty business on Saturday morning.

Just before 10 a.m., employee Stephanie Austin was driving a 2008 Ford Expedition out of the car wash headed toward another cleaning area at the Tanglewood Auto Wash on Electric Road. But the vehicle got away from her, said Officer Natalie Maxey of the Roanoke County police.

It drove straight forward, knocking down several barriers and crashing into the side of the Beauty Bar, a business next door.

“It went completely into the place of business,” Maxey said.

Some customers and employees were inside the Beauty Bar, but no one was injured, Maxey said.

She could not estimate the total damage to the building or to the vehicle.

The Ford Expedition is owned by Elizabeth Johnson of Roanoke, who was waiting for her vehicle to be cleaned, Maxey said.

Austin, 39, of Roanoke County, has been charged with reckless driving on private property, Maxey said.

Mike Bell, manager of the Tanglewood Auto Wash, said today that he does not know exactly what happened to make the Ford crash into the building. He considers the situation an accident. Austin, who has worked at the auto wash for more than a year, will remain employed, Bell said.

“Thank God nobody was hurt,” he said.

The auto wash’s insurance likely will cover damages to Johnson’s vehicle, he said.

“We are responsible for the vehicle,” Bell said.

Meanwhile, his business is evaluating what other kinds of barriers could be added between the auto wash and the Beauty Bar to prevent this kind of accident from happening again.

-- Jenny Boone

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for  Roanoke County -- along with Salem,  eastern Montgomery County, northwestern Bedford County, Craig County, Buena Vista, Botetout County, Lexington, Covington, southern Bath County, Rockbridge County and Alleghany County.

Flooding is expected in Montgomery and Roanoke counties and in Salem along the South Fork and Upper Roanoke River and its tributaries.

The newsroom of The Roanoke Times has more on this developing story.

What flooding or high water are you seeing around Southwest Roanoke County? Let us know. You can leave a comment below or email us at news@swo-co.com. If you have photos, please share those, too.

The Faith Christian School community invited all Veterans to come and be honored at their 'Honoring All Who Served' Veterans Day event at 9 a.m. this morning.

Head of School, Sam Cox, welcomed all of the vets to Faith Christian, followed by an invocation given by The Reverend Ed Dunnington.

The upper school drama students gave several performances during the event. Those students in the drama club include: Rhett Adams, AC Branch, Alex Byrd, Danny Byrd, Trevor Byrd, Meredith Green, Abby Head, Tori Head, Kristen Iler, Jackie Jessop, Jack Jordan, Katie McCurdy, Monica Pollard, Megan Sweeney, Alton Wampler, and Anna Willis.

The drama students performed 'Because of Them' and 'In Their Own Words: War Letters'. The letters used in the performance were selected from those documented in three books, War Letters, Behind the Lines, and Grace Under Fire by Andrew Carroll.

Roanoke County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard presented the colors and a salute to Armed Forces was played in which all Veterans stood to as it was played.

Taps were conducted by John Vitello of Cave Spring High School, who played the trumpet.

After the service Susan Childs said a message from a local resident was played over the loudspeaker to everyone in the School.  It was from a women who said she drives by Faith Christian School every day and that it was so moving to her to see the kids (our SGA) in the rain this morning at 7:30 waving flags along Buck Mountain Road. She said it was easy to stand in the sun and wave a flag, but for these kids to stand out in the pouring rain as a show of support to our military, was a very moving thing for her.

Boy Scouts, Pack 632 also greeted the carpoolers this morning with a corridor of flag waving upon arrival.

View photos from this event by watching the slideshow above, or click here for a more traditional view.

We've just updated our Roanoke Valley crime map with the latest offenses from Roanoke County -- and Roanoke and Salem, as well. The latest data covers two weeks of offenses through Oct. 31.

From Oct. 11 to Oct. 31, police reported one robbery, five burglaries, 11 larcenies, two motor vehicle thefts and one aggravated assault in Southwest Roanoke County.

You can see a map of those incidents here or you can search the map yourself, by date, location or offense.

Our data delivery editor, Matt Chittum, has more information how you can use the searchable crime map.

Also on our Datasphere collection of searchable data: Graduation rates for every high school in the state.

Two employees of Roanoke County's Fire and Rescue Department have received awards from the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).
The Fincastle Resolutions Chapter of SAR awarded the Fire Safety Commendation Award to Public Education Specialist Brian Clingenpeel and the Emergency Medical Services Award to Paramedic/Firefighter Lieutenant Jon Blank. "These awards are part of our Chapter's efforts to recognize and reward those public servants who provide outstanding contributions to our Community;" said Dr. Reverdy Wright, Chapter President.
As Public Education Specialist, Clingenpeel has created and presented fire and life safety messages for all ages. He has delivered his informative and effective messages to daycare centers, elementary schools, senior centers, and civic groups. He uses a Fire and Severe Weather Safety Trailer to demonstrate dangers and to teach people how to protect themselves from these dangers. Clingenpeel also implements the Department's exclusive Character Academy that teaches youth 10-14 years of age about fire and life safety. The kids also learn about the six pillars of character: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. Overall, Clingenpeel's extensive educational efforts have helped to prevent injuries and casualties
due to fire and other tragic events.    '
Paramedic/Firefighter lieutenant Jon Blank has made outstanding contributions to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by organizing and implementing the Department's EMS training over the past several years. He spearheaded the Department's on-line learning program that teaches new EMS techniques and provides information to members while also providing meaningful learning interaction with other members of the Department. The on-line training program is essential because it allows the required training to take place while keeping staff in the Fire Stations for call availability. He created study guides and practice tests to help personnel become certified at the Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-l) level by passing Commonwealth of Virginia tests.
"The SAR and our Fincastle Resolutions Chapter is honored to recognize and express its grateful appreciation to these two outstanding public servants for their critical work that affects all of us in the Roanoke area," said President Wright.
The Sons of the American Revolution was organized in 1889 as a historical, educational, and patriotic organization to perpetuate the ideals of the war for American independence. It seeks to maintain and expand the meaning of patriotism, respect for our National symbols, and the values of American citizenship. Its work is carried out through State Societies such as the Virginia Society, SAR, and local chapters such as the Fincastle Resolutions Chapter.

Submitted by Jennifer Conley Sexton.