A man is behind bars after investigators say he set several fires downtown, damaging three vehicles.

SALEM, Va – Prisons and jails have been targets for COVID-19 outbreaks since the pandemic started, but priorities for vaccination in Virginia could soon change that. Western Virginia Regional Jail Superintendent Bobby Russell and his staff were the next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. The health department’s interactive map]“It allows us to be able to protect both the staff and the inmate population,” explained Russell. Russell said the vaccine is the best way to protect the population as a whole. “We are fortunate enough to be able to vaccinate the inmate population utilizing our medical staff,” said Russell.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – On Monday, health department inspectors toured the Western Virginia Regional Jail and gave it a positive review for its operation and protocols. About 230 inmates out of 814 inmates have now tested positive for COVID-19 at the Western Virginia Regional Jail. Dr. Molly O’Dell with the Roanoke Health District inspected the jail and said compared to other jails, Western Virginia Regional Jail is clean and operates well. Several inmates said the quarantine period for the inmates who test positive ranges from three to nine days. Along with attaining more PPE supplies, Russell said they added more medical staff members to handle the hundreds of inmates.

SALEM, Va. – Western Virginia Regional Jail initiated mass testing for the coronavirus Friday, and inmates' families are worried about losing their loved ones. His wife is one of 120 infected inmates at the Western Virginia Regional Jail. “I mean they’re doing their job but they’re not doing the job they should be doing," he said. Russell said staff is sanitizing the facility daily with electrostatic sprayers and are washing masks twice a week. A month ago, the Salem jail took in several inmates from the Franklin County Jail because of an outbreak there.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - A man awaiting trial for first-degree murder and other charges in Franklin County died in jail on Friday morning, according to Western Virginia Regional Jail Superintendent Col. Bobby Russell. On Friday morning, Eames reportedly began experiencing medical complications while being treated by the jail medical staff. During this evaluation and treatment, Eames lost consciousness and medical personnel called 911, Russell said. From the jail, Eames was taken by Roanoke County Fire-EMS personnel to Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Roanoke's medical examiner performed an autopsy and rendered a preliminary finding that Eames died of natural causes.