Investigation underway after man serving a life sentence for killing a Roanoke County woman dies
ROANOKE, Va. โ The Virginia Department of Corrections is investigating the death of one of its inmates who was serving a life sentence. Jeffrey Easley died on Monday while at Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax, Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections. In December 2010 in Roanoke County, Easley killed Tina Smith and kidnapped her then 12-year-old daughter, leading State Police to issue an Amber Alert. On Feb. 28, 2012, he pleaded no contest to the capital murder charge against him and received a life sentence. Easley was an inmate at River North Correctional Center in Independence, Virginia, prior to his death.
UN: Huge changes in society needed to keep nature, Earth OK
A United Nations report released on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 says humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. So the world must make dramatic changes to society, economics and daily life, a new United Nations report says. And many of the solutions, such as eliminating fossil fuel use, combat multiple problems including climate change and pollution, she said. The report also tells nations to value nature in addition to the gross domestic product when calculating how an economy is doing.
As schools go virtual, Grayson County is sticking with in-person education
Grayson County Schools announced it will continue regular classes indefinitely, with social distancing procedures in place. [Carroll County schools will shift to virtual amid surge in coronavirus numbers]Superintendent Kelly Wilmore believes his school district is safe because of the rural make-up of Grayson County. In total, Grayson County has had 587 COVID-19 cases, with 44 hospitalizations and 22 deaths, according to VDH. She said she understands Wilmoreโs decision because children may not be able to learn remotely in Grayson County. โWe know that in Grayson County, going virtual is not really an option.โWilmore said he has plans to adjust if an outbreak occurs in Grayson County, but remains confident his kids can make it to the end of the year without having to go virtual.
Southwest Virginia school cleared to open after being damaged by weekend earthquake
INDEPENDENCE, Va. โ A southwest Virginia school district is delaying its start, but not because of COVID-19. After careful examination, including notes and cell phone pictures, structural engineer Todd Poff gave the cracks at Independence Elementary School his stamp of approval. Grayson County Superintendent Kelly Wilmore points to a crack at Independence Elementary School as structural engineer Todd Poff takes notes. Grayson County Schools Superintendent Kelly Wilmore was at a school on Sunday when the earthquake happened. The other two schools in the county with cracks from the earthquake were still being assessed as of late Monday afternoon.
Father of three dies after being struck by lightning during trail race
A man running a 50K race in Independence, Kansas, died after he was struck by lightning shortly before he finished the run. INDEPENDENCE, Kansas (CNN) - A man running a 50K race in Independence, Kansas, died after he was struck by lightning shortly before he finished the run. Thomas Stanley, 33, died Saturday afternoon while running in the FlatRock 50K trail race at Elk City Lake Park, a Facebook post from the organizers of the race said. The post said he was struck by lightning just as he was approaching the finish line of the 50K (31.06 miles) race. "He was unable to cross the finish line, unfortunately, but he is one of our finishers," Robinson told CNN affiliate KWCH.
Cannonball From Civil War Found Lodged in Missouri Tree
Remnants of a Civil War battle in Independence, Missouri, were uncovered earlier this week by a local tree service that deemed an old tree needed to be taken apart for safety purposes. Jeff Eastham of Jeffs Tree Services said he was sent to the home because he was told the tree posed a danger to the rest of the local landscape. In fact, homeowner Randall Pratt said this isnt the first time a cannonball was found on the property. During another renovation in 1980, the family found a cannonball lodged inside the structure of the house. It was a part of the tree for at least 157 years and it will stay with the house, he said.