Wirtz
CRIME & SAFETY
43-year-old Penhook man killed in Franklin County crash
Virginia State Police is investigating a three-vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 6:30 a.m. on Sontag Road, one tenth of a mile west of Cooper Road in Franklin County. A 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling east on Sontag Road when the...
Roanoke man arrested after drug investigation leads to seizure of over 59 lbs. of alleged Methamphetamine
ABINGDON, Va. (WFXR)– The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports a Roanoke man was one of two individuals arrested after an extensive drug investigation, which led to the alleged possession of a substantial amount of methamphetamine on Wednesday, July 24. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies conducted search warrants...
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....
"My nephew's blood is on that concrete" aunt of Jakolbi Taylor speaks
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The family of a 16-year-old from Roanoke, Virginia is grieving after a deadly shooting on 16 North Avenue in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, ended Jakolbi Taylor's life. The shooting occurred at 1:15 a.m., when Myrtle Beach police responded to a call of a shooting...
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.
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.
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...
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