WATCH: City of Lynchburg holds press conference on violent crime
At 3:00 p.m., the City of Lynchburg will conduct a press conference at the Lynchburg Police Department’s West Building, 805 Court Street, in the conference room. City Manager Wynter C. Benda and Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema will address the recent violent crime in the City of Lynchburg.
Lynchburg Police moves officers to cover emergency calls as department sees 28 job vacancies
Those who live in Lynchburg may soon notice a longer wait time for police officers to respond because of a staffing shortage. Lynchburg Police Chief, Ryan Zuidma refers to it as the ‘perfect storm’- explaining what has led the department to have 28 officer vacancies.
Man convicted of charges in connection to February 2019 armed robbery in Lynchburg
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A man is facing charges stemming from a 2019 armed robbery involving a cab driver in Lynchburg. On the night of Feb. 10, 2019, authorities said a cab driver picked up two male passengers in the 1600 block of Bedford Ave before driving them to their destination on Grayson Ave. The report detailed that the men both demanded money from the cab driver while threatening to kill him. In response, the cab driver gave him all his cash before the two men ran away. AdThe final sentencing hearing for these charges is set for June 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lynchburg Circuit Court.
What’s News Today: Job fair, return to learn
Roanoke City Council will hold a public hearing tonight about banning firearms on city property. Roanoke Parks and Recreation holds a virtual job fair tonight. The City of Lynchburg begins the process of updating its Park and Recreation needs assessment and Comprehensive Park Master Plan today. AdSome Roanoke County students will to the classroom today. Fifth-grade students, who were receiving hybrid instruction, will be in-person four days a week starting today.
Lynchburg restaurants adjust outdoor dining to survive winter months
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Restaurants in Lynchburg are coping with the COVID-19 restrictions by adjusting the outdoor dining experience during the winter months. Henderson said capacity may be limited inside, but they basically have a full restaurant thanks to winterizing the outdoor space. Of course today’s beautiful, but we’ve seen a big drop with the weather,” Burgess said. The Office of Economic Development & Tourism is using CARES funding to purchase 50 heaters or reimburse owners for ones they bought. They also plan on accepting applications again starting Monday to help reimburse owner for heaters they purchased.
Lynchburg City Council questioned whether to limit capacity during latest meeting
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg City Council members will not be limiting capacity during meetings at this time. Vice Mayor Beau Wright made a motion Tuesday night, asking council if they should consider limiting the number of people, hours before the public was allowed into the open meeting. It was voted down 5-2. Wright says he brought up the issue because Bedford officials had just received a notice for violating Governor Ralph Northam’s executive order. Councilman Chris Faraldi, who voted against it, said limiting the number would infringe on the community’s rights.
Construction begins to replace Lynchburg’s Link Road Bridge
LYNCHBURG, Va. – If you’re traveling around Lynchburg, there will now be a detour near Link Road. The city is replacing Link Road Bridge near Evergreen Road. The existing bridge was built in the 1950s and is one span with two lanes. “We’re actually raising the bridge up a couple of feet to take that transition out from Evergreen down. It also increases the floodplain in the area, too, so the bridge doesn’t get flooded,” said Edd Wood, construction coordinator for the City of Lynchburg.
Lynchburg has 50 outdoor heaters to give to its restaurants that meet these 4 criteria
Lynchburg’s Economic Development and Tourism department launched a ‘Winterization’ campaign. City officials purchased 50 heaters to give to qualifying restaurants to make outdoor dining feasible during the upcoming winter months. Lynchburg City Council has allocated a portion of the grant funding provided to the city through the federal CARES Act to provide heaters, or reimbursement of up to $1,000 for heaters already purchased, to local businesses with outdoor dining areas. “You can either request up to four heaters for your restaurant or, if you’ve already purchased heaters, we will reimburse those costs up to $1,000. For those seeking reimbursement, equipment must have been purchased after March 1 and must be for the purpose of extending outdoor dining season.
Lynchburg officials say College Lake Dam is not near failing
LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATEThe Flash Flood Warning for College Lake Dam in parts of Lynchburg has been canceled by the National Weather Service. UPDATEContrary to the National Weather Service’s warning, Lynchburg officials said College Lake Dam is not in danger. Director of Water Resources for the City of Lynchburg, Tim Mitchell, told 10 News the dam is not beginning to fail. The National Weather Service has mistakenly reported that there has been a break in the College Lake... Posted by City of Lynchburg, Virginia Government on Wednesday, November 11, 2020ORIGINAL STORYThe National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning in effect for the potential failure of the College Lake Dam in Lynchburg Wednesday afternoon. According to the official warning, dam operators reported the potential failure and life-threatening flash flooding at 1:09 p.m.Officials say if the dam does fail, the water depth would rise 17 feet in seven minutes.
Family of murdered Lynchburg toddler files $150 million lawsuit against city
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The family of a Lynchburg toddler who was killed in 2018 is suing the Lynchburg Department of Social Services. 22-month-old Amarah Lane was killed by her mother Fantasia Lane, who pleaded guilty to her daughter’s death and sentenced to 23 years in prison. [Lynchburg woman sentenced to 23 years in prison for murder of infant daughter]The lawsuit was filed back in August by Amarah’s biological father, Brenten Woody, and his mother Sonya Woody in the Roanoke City Circuit Court. The defendants in the lawsuit include the Lynchburg Department of Social Services, the City of Lynchburg and the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Virginia. The Woodys are asking for $150 million for damages.
City of Lynchburg to distribute 20,000 masks and hand sanitizer bottles
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The City of Lynchburg is partnering with local nonprofits and Virginia’s Health Equity Taskforce to provide COVID-19 relief to residents. Nearly 20,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and masks will be distributed at Miller Park Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.About a dozen nonprofits will also be on hand to help residents with financial obligations including utilities, rent and job assistance. A group called Lynchburg Cares is spearheading the event and organizers want residents to know that assistance is available to them. “We really want to target those communities and people who are traditionally underserved and have a harder time getting access to these things,” said Piper VanDePerre of Lynchburg’s Department of Emergency ServicesCOVID-19 protocols will be followed and attendees are asked to wear masks.
Lynchburg business owners have more time to apply for local CARES Act grant
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg business owners have more time to apply for a local CARES Act grant. The City of Lynchburg extended its deadline to Oct. 30. You could receive a grant up to $20,000 as long as your business has at least one employee. The city council allocated four million dollars to the program. So far, 250 businesses have applied.
North Carolina man files $2 million lawsuit against Lynchburg Police Department
LYNCHBURG, Va. A North Carolina man is taking legal action after he said Lynchburg police used excessive force during his 2018 arrest. Larry Booker, of Winston-Salem, filed a $2 million federal lawsuit against the City of Lynchburg, the Lynchburg Police Department, the police chief and three officers, Luke Schartiger, Jonathan Bragg and Nathan Godsie. According to the Lynchburg Police Department, officers initiated a traffic stop at 3:23 p.m. for a car at the intersection of 17th and Floyd Streets that they said ran a stop sign. As police continued to try and detain Booker, the officers used their K-9, who bit Booker on the leg. In the lawsuit, Booker makes several claims of excessive force, conspiracy to violate civil rights, assault and battery, negligence, emotional distress and malicious prosecution.
What’s News Today: new police chief, budget hearings
ROANOKE, Va. – The City of Lynchburg holds a public hearing on its budget for the next fiscal year, which includes increases to water, sewer and trash collection fees. There is a limit on the number of people who will be allowed in council chambers. The Salem School Board could approve its budget for the next fiscal year. Sam Roman takes over today as Roanoke’s new police chief. He worked for the Roanoke Police Department for 25 years before leaving to become chief in Lexington.
What's News Today: future of education, looking to the future
Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. The City of Lynchburg's Task Force on the Future of Education meets today. The town of Christiansburg wants your thoughts as it looks to the future. There's a public meeting tonight where you can give your thoughts about what you want to see in different parts of town, including downtown. You can give your thoughts at a public meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at Recreation Center.
Man pleads guilty to burglary, attempted robbery, firearms charges for 2017 incident
LYNCHBURG, Va. - A man pleaded guilty Thursday to burglary, attempted robbery and firearms charges during a 2017 Lynchburg incident. The victim shot Saunders in his lower stomach, causing him to fall to the ground. Megginson overpowered the victim, took the victims gun and hit the victim in the head it. While at the hospital, Saunders told detectives that he went to the home to pick up marijuana from the victim. He claimed as he attempted to smell the marijuana, the victim shot him.