Burnt Chimney
CRIME & SAFETY
Serial arsonist off the streets of Downtown Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. – An alleged arsonist is off the streets of Roanoke. Police arrested and charged 42-year-old Quinton Gifford with three felony charges and three misdemeanor charges in connection to a string of fires that were intentionally set downtown. “It certainly poses a hazard,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Capt....
More than 60 pounds of meth seized in Virginia, 2 men charged, authorities say
ABINGDON, Va. (WCYB) — Nearly $2 million worth of methamphetamine has been seized in Virginia, and two men have been charged, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Tyrone Robert Irving, 45, of Roanoke, was charged with:. Possession with Intent to Distribute of a Schedule I or II Controlled...
Boones Mill Police Department welcomes K9 Officer Rex to its first-ever K9 program
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — On Thursday, the Boones Mill Police Department (BMPD) introduced the community to their newest member, K9 Officer Rex. Rex is a 22-month-old Belgian Malinois certified in patrol, tracking, and narcotics. K9 Rex and Chief Kelvin Pruett completed their training with K9 Working Dogs International, LLC at a National K9 Training Center in West Virginia in July.
Celebration of life planned Saturday in Virginia for 16-year-old shot to death in Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A celebration of life service is planned Saturday in Roanoke, Virginia, the hometown of a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed early Saturday morning in Myrtle Beach. Jakolbi Taylor was killed at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday near a beach-access point at 16th Avenue N. and Ocean Boulevard. The rising […]
Community mourns Jakolbi Taylor; funeral to be held Saturday
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Roanoke is preparing to say farewell to one of its own as the community gathers for the funeral of 16-year-old Jakolbi Taylor. Jakolbi was shot and killed after a basketball tournament in Myrtle Beach over the weekend. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. and will take place at Patrick Henry High School, where Jakolbi’s passion for basketball flourished.
Roanoke man to serve five years in prison for 2023 shooting death of teenager
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - A Roanoke man was sentenced Tuesday for the 2023 shooting death of a teenager, according to Roanoke City Circuit Court. Ronald Bonds III, 33, was sentenced to ten years with five years suspended after he was found guilty of felony shooting in a public place with injury and felony possession of a firearm by a violent felon. Bonds will serve two years of supervised probation for each charge upon his release, according to court records.
Roanoke Man Dies In Parkway Accident
A Roanoke man was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Rockbridge County Tuesday afternoon. According to the Virginia State Police, the accident occurred at 1 p.m. near Painter Mountain Road. A 2024 Kawasaki ZX-4 was traveling north on the Blue Ridge Parkway, when the motorcycle...
Man charged with six counts of Arson in connection with fires that occurred in Downtown Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. – A man has been charged with six counts of arson after an investigation into fires that occurred in the downtown area of Roanoke in the last 30 days, according to the Roanoke City Fire Marshal. The man has been identified as 42-year-old Quinton Gifford and he...
'Suspicious' fire in Forest extinguished, person of interest identified: Firefighters say
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Everyone is safe after a suspicious house fire in Forest on Thursday afternoon, according to firefighters. According to the Forest Fire Dept., at approximately 4:36 p.m. they received a call about a fire in the 1000 block of Valor Court in Forest. After responding,...
State Police to offer assistance to S.C. in Roanoke teen’s homicide investigation
A state delegate is asking the Virginia State Police to help solve the murder of a Roanoke teen who was shot and killed in Myrtle Beach on Saturday. Jakolbi Taylor, 16, died at the scene of the shooting around 1 a.m., according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department. The homicide took place in a beach access area.
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