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Lottery

PHOTO: Power Ball lottery ticket, Photo Date: 1/6/2022

Is it you? Virginia Lottery looking for $1 million winner

Updated: 2 hours ago
|
By Pat Thomas
The winning ticket matched the first five numbers and missed only the Powerball number.

Weather News

Early Spring Bloom

Warm winters bring early spring flowers

Updated: 3 hours ago
|
By Meteorologist Payton Major
How climate change is impacting spring flowers and the environment.

Court

Courtesy: ATF

Two plead guilty to Patrick County gun store burglary

Updated: 3 hours ago
|
By Pat Thomas
The two entered into plea agreements with the government in which they would be sentenced to between 100 and 150 months in prison.

Safety

Generic image of text that reads "FOUND SAFE" over a missing person poster.

Missing Endangered Child Alert canceled for Virginia girl

Updated: 5 hours ago
|
By Pat Thomas
The girl has been found safe, according to Chesterfield County Police.

Fire

Brush fire burns along 12 O'Clock Knob Road in Roanoke County

Containment grows on Roanoke County fire

Updated: 5 hours ago
|
By Pat Thomas
Fire crews are trying to contain the fire before wind causes the flames to jump containment lines.

Safety

Kohl Lambert had just turned 21 years old when he was fatally killed in a car accident on...

“My son was just starting life.” Mother calls for road safety improvements after son’s fatal crash

Updated: 14 hours ago
|
By Amaiya Howard
Kohl Lambert had just turned 21 years old when he was fatally killed in a car accident on Goodview Road.

Memorial

Students mourn loss of professor

Averett University comes together to mourn the loss of psychology professor

Updated: 16 hours ago
|
By Makayla Shelton
Some noted Dr. Hanbury as their favorite professor and others thanked him for his support.

Environment

Mountain Valley Pipeline construction in Roanoke County

Pipeline opponents question response of state agency

Updated: 17 hours ago
|
By Joe Dashiell
During a protest Monday morning, they said state regulators aren’t fulfilling their responsibility to protect water quality.

Business News

Every year, Downtown Roanoke celebrates Saint Patrick's Day with the Freedom First parade.

St. Patrick’s Day festivities boost local businesses in Downtown Roanoke, Chamber of Commerce finds

Updated: 20 hours ago
|
By Lindsey Cook
St Patrick’s Day is filled with fun festivities for everyone- but the holiday also gives a big boost to local businesses.

Crime

Jaquese Whorley mugshot

Former Salem middle school employee appears in court for crimes against minors

Updated: 20 hours ago
|
By Isabella Ledonne
Jaquese Whorley is facing multiple felony charges, including solicitation of a minor and aggravated sexual battery.
Local Radar
Local Radar

College

Hokies women's basketball team gearing up for NCAA tournament

Hokie fans react to women’s basketball earning No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament

Updated: 20 hours ago
|
By Annabelle Kinney
Hokie fans share their excitement for the women's basketball team ahead of the NCAA tournament.

Fire

Brush fire burns along 12 O'Clock Knob Road in Roanoke County

Public asked to avoid area of Roanoke County brush fire

Updated: 23 hours ago
|
By Pat Thomas and Kaitlyn Dillon
Salem Fire is assisting Roanoke County Fire and Rescue to fight the fire, which originated on 12 O’Clock Knob Road.

Crime

Richard Albers mugshot

Predator suspect arrested in child sex case

Updated: Mar. 18, 2024 at 11:43 AM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
Richard Herman Albers, 63, is charged with four counts of using communications systems to solicit a juvenile and two counts of attempted production of child pornography.

Accident

Suspect charged

Gladys man killed in crash Saturday

Updated: Mar. 18, 2024 at 9:26 AM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
Larry K. Smith, 63 of Gladys, died at the scene of the crash.

Accident

Toledo police lights

Martinsville man killed in Sunday crash

Updated: Mar. 18, 2024 at 9:14 AM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
Walter Dietrich Yeaman, 88 of Martinsville, died after being taken to a hospital, according to police.

Consumer

Gas Pump

Roanoke gas prices up substantially over the last week

Updated: Mar. 18, 2024 at 7:14 AM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
Average gasoline prices in Roanoke have risen 15.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.32 per gallon Monday.

Environment

Pulaski County

Pulaski County residents can participate in One Bag Challenge

Updated: Mar. 18, 2024 at 6:15 AM EDT
|
By Sophia Borrelli
It’s meant to help the issue of roadside trash in the county.

College

Virginia Tech's Georgia Amoore shoots the ball over two North Carolina State players during...

NCAA SELECTION SUNDAY: Virginia Tech women earn No. 4 seed, will host Marshall in First Round

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024 at 8:41 PM EDT
|
By Anthony Romano
The Virginia men will play Wisconsin in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio for a No. 10 seed.

News

Thousands of people and dozens of dogs turned out for the Freedom First St. Patrick's Day...

St. Patrick’s Day: Dogs on Parade

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024 at 7:51 PM EDT
|
By Joe Dashiell
Thousands of people and dozens of dogs turned out for the Freedom First St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shamrock Festival.

Accident

Fatal Crash generic image

Virginia State Police investigate deadly crash in Bedford County

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024 at 9:44 AM EDT
|
By Sophia Borrelli
The crash happened early Sunday morning on Mentow Road, just south of Leesville Road, according to police.

Accident

Police Lights Generic

ATV crash kills 48-year-old man in Floyd County

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024 at 9:42 AM EDT
|
By Tynisha Jackson
The crash happened Saturday night on Indian Valley Post Office Road.

Accident

MGN Generic picture

One person dead after crash in Franklin County

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024 at 9:30 AM EDT
|
By Sophia Borrelli
The crash happened Saturday evening on Mount Carmel Road, one tenth of a mile south of Gumtree Lane, according to police.

Accident

VSP investigating fatal crash in Henry County

Virginia State Police investigating fatal crash in Henry County

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024 at 9:24 AM EDT
|
By Tynisha Jackson
The driver was identified as Jennifer Marie Stokes.

Holiday

A car cruises through thousands of community members in the Freedom first St. Patrick's Day...

Roanoke kicks off St. Patrick’s Day festivities with Freedom First parade

Updated: Mar. 16, 2024 at 6:28 PM EDT
|
By Lindsey Cook
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Star City kicked off its holiday festivities with the annual Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival.

Politics

Supporters of Virginia Organizing rallied in Blacksburg to support legislation protecting...

Groups rally support for legislation as Gov. Youngkin considers bills

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 7:02 PM EDT
|
By Joe Dashiell
Governor Youngkin is now considering more than one thousand bills passed by the General Assembly. And Virginians are sharing their opinions on what should become law.

Target 7

18 homes had contaminated drinking water after a gasoline tank leaked in Franklin County

Target 7: More than 49,000 oil storage tank releases reported in Virginia, contaminating drinking water for multiple households every year

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 6:45 PM EDT
|
By Isabella Ledonne
Leaking underground storage tanks in Franklin County caused one of the larger contaminated water incidents the DEQ has seen.

Fire

The aftermath of a forest fire in Wythe Co., burning over 280 acres.

Brush fire in Wythe County serves as burn safety reminder

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 6:16 PM EDT
|
By Annabelle Kinney
Flames took over a wooded landscape in the Ivanhoe area of Wythe County Thursday night, burning over 280 acres.

Education

Medical students at Virginia Tech and around the nation celebrated Match Day and announced...

VTCSOM students celebrate residency announcements in Barbie-themed Match Day

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 6:02 PM EDT
|
By Lindsey Cook
Four years of undergraduate studies and four years of medical school all came together as dozens of Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students and medical students around the nation celebrated match day.

Investigation

Bath Co. Plane Crash

Communication attempts between DC control tower and plane that crashed in Bath County explained

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 5:14 PM EDT
|
By Leila Mitchell
WDBJ7 spoke with a pilot of 39 years to get his professional opinion on the control tower’s attempts to contact the private plane.

Schools

Averett University's new plane

Averett University Aeronautics reveals new plane at Aviation Day celebration

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 4:15 PM EDT
|
By Makayla Shelton
Pilots who fly all over the globe came back down to their stomping grounds for the special occasion.

Crime

Bobby Ronell Helms Jr. mugshot

Man arrested in Henry County on drug distribution charges

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 2:04 PM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
Bobby Ronell Helms Jr., 24, is being held without bond at the Henry County Adult Detention Center.

Crime

Shaquan Wilson mugshot

Nelson County chase ends with patrol cars hit, suspect hurt

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 8:56 AM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
28-year-old Shaquan Wilson of Waynesboro is being held without bond at the Albemarle County Regional Jail.

Holiday

Roanoke will be celebrating the Irish holiday Saturday

Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day events happening Saturday

Updated: Mar. 15, 2024 at 7:55 AM EDT
|
By Tynisha Jackson
Roanoke is celebrating the religious and cultural holiday.

Schools

Parents and teachers are speaking out at the Bedford County School board meeting after the...

Community voices concerns over possible closing of Stewartville Elementary School

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 9:40 PM EDT
|
By Amaiya Howard
Parents and teachers spoke out at the Bedford County School Board meeting after the board proposed the closing of Stewartsville Elementary School.

Schools

Roanoke School Board, City Council at odds over funding formula

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 7:13 PM EDT
|
By Joe Dashiell
A possible fight over education funding is looming in the city of Roanoke. School board members say their counterparts on city council are considering a change in the funding formula they’ve used for over a decade.

Politics

Gov. Youngkin takes aim at tax increases in state budget.

Youngkin takes aim at tax increases in state budget

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 6:45 PM EDT
|
By Joe Dashiell
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Virginia) is going on the offensive, as he tries to rally support for his budget priorities.

Target 7

18 homes in the Coopers Cove neighborhood tested positive for a petroleum compound

Target 7: Virginia DEQ reveals source of contaminated water in Franklin County neighborhood

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 6:27 PM EDT
|
By Isabella Ledonne
A report revealed three underground storage tanks that once held gasoline caused the contamination.

Development

New solar ordinance story map displays where solar farm will be located in Pulaski County.

Pulaski County continues to make progress on its solar energy project

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 6:16 PM EDT
|
By Annabelle Kinney
Pulaski County is continuing its efforts with its $400 million-dollar solar energy project.

Development

Patrick County solar farm

Patrick County approves its first solar farm; some residents express concern

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 5:01 PM EDT
|
By Makayla Shelton
The Energix development will be close to 300 acres on Commerce Street in Stuart.

Investigation

Covington Officer-Involved Shooting

Deputies involved in Covington shooting will return to duty; incident ruled justified

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 4:39 PM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
A shooting in Covington involving Alleghany County Sheriff’s deputies has been ruled justifiable, according to the sheriff’s office.

Crime

Veterinarians to Cats

Reward grows to over $7,000 to find suspect in cat abuse death

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 4:11 PM EDT
|
By Leila Mitchell
Veterinarians to Cats is offering a reward for whomever provides information that leads to the conviction of the people involved.

Community

Craig County has commissioned a mural by artist Jon Murrill

First public art headed to Craig County

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 3:32 PM EDT
|
By WDBJ7 Staff
The final design is expected to be unveiled April 20.

Community

Eleven officers sworn in at Danville Police Department

Eleven officers sworn in to Danville Police Department

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 2:06 PM EDT
|
By WDBJ7 Staff
The Danville Police Department swore in 11 new officers during a ceremony on Thursday, according to the Danville Police Department.

Accident

Passenger killed in wrong-way Carroll County crash

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 11:18 AM EDT
|
By Pat Thomas
The crash occurred about 12:31 a.m. on I-77, according to Virginia State Police.

Animals

Fundraising efforts to open a location in the city are underway.

Veterinary professionals seeking to open Cat Café in Roanoke

Updated: Mar. 14, 2024 at 7:41 AM EDT
|
By Tynisha Jackson
Fundraising efforts to open a location in the city are underway.

Development

Many changes to the development of the HopeTree property were presented before Salem’s...

Salem Planning Commission postpones decision on HopeTree rezoning

Updated: Mar. 13, 2024 at 9:35 PM EDT
|
By Amaiya Howard
Many changes to the development of the HopeTree property were presented before Salem’s Planning Commission.

Memorial

Veteran broadcaster George Bassett died March 8 in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He was 86 years...

WDBJ7 remembers weathercaster George Bassett

Updated: Mar. 13, 2024 at 7:16 PM EDT
|
By Joe Dashiell
We’re remembering George Bassett, a former colleague who had a major presence on the air and behind the scenes here at WDBJ7.

Politics

State budget approved by lawmakers includes funding for improvements to the Roanoke...

Transportation Museum included in state budget

Updated: Mar. 13, 2024 at 6:52 PM EDT
|
By Joe Dashiell
The state budget that lawmakers approved last week includes $500,000 for improvements and budget language that calls for a study of state agency status.

Court

The motion comes after Justin Sigmon was convicted of abusive sexual contact of a minor

Former Franklin Co. Sheriff’s major requests new federal trial after being convicted for abusive sexual contact of minor

Updated: Mar. 13, 2024 at 5:59 PM EDT
|
By Isabella Ledonne
Justin Sigmon was found guilty in November 2023 in a federal court in Florida.

Target 7

The organizers say the website is outdated and has not been updated.

Blue Ridge Rock Festival denies selling 2024 festival tickets, citing outdated website

Updated: Mar. 13, 2024 at 5:38 PM EDT
|
By Isabella Ledonne
Festival organizers confirmed artists and bands have been booked for 2024.
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