Ohio Officer Critically Injured in Crash
4 hours ago
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Worried about a Sex Offender in your neighborhood?
Try looking at Family Watchdog
It gives you info on registered sexoffenders in your neighborhood.
You can also find information on product recalls.
Virginia has a total of 16484 registered offenders state wide
We have a population of about 7,324,000
That works out to about 2.250 per thousand
Mr. State Trooper-Welcome back to the Valley
For more than two years, Mount Crawford native Jonathan Pine combed through charred brush as an investigator with the Virginia Department of Forestry.
In October, Pine left his job in Fauquier County and joined 58 other cadets at the Virginia State Police Academy in Richmond.
Now, Pine, 24, is out on the roads patrolling Shenandoah County.
"I investigated how wildfires started," Pine said. "I enjoyed the law enforcement part of my forestry department job and wanted to do it full time."................
Patrolling The Valley
On July 3, Pine graduated from the academy with a class of nearly 60 cadets. The following Monday, Pine, along with Trooper D.A. Dean, hit the Shenandoah County roads.
Dean, who has been with the state police for about seven years, is serving as Pine's field training officer.
"He's been showing me the county, the different roads and some of the trouble areas," said Pine..................
See the full DNR story here
In October, Pine left his job in Fauquier County and joined 58 other cadets at the Virginia State Police Academy in Richmond.
Now, Pine, 24, is out on the roads patrolling Shenandoah County.
"I investigated how wildfires started," Pine said. "I enjoyed the law enforcement part of my forestry department job and wanted to do it full time."................
Patrolling The Valley
On July 3, Pine graduated from the academy with a class of nearly 60 cadets. The following Monday, Pine, along with Trooper D.A. Dean, hit the Shenandoah County roads.
Dean, who has been with the state police for about seven years, is serving as Pine's field training officer.
"He's been showing me the county, the different roads and some of the trouble areas," said Pine..................
See the full DNR story here
U.S. Is Alone in Rejecting All Evidence if Police Err
You know it as "Fruits of the poisonous tree"
The United States is the only country to take the position that some police misconduct must automatically result in the suppression of physical evidence. The rule applies whether the misconduct is slight or serious, and without regard to the gravity of the crime or the power of the evidence.
“Foreign countries have flatly rejected our approach,” said Craig M. Bradley, an expert in comparative criminal law at Indiana University. “In every other country, it’s up to the trial judge to decide whether police misconduct has risen to the level of requiring the exclusion of evidence.”
But there are signs that some justices on the United States Supreme Court may be ready to reconsider the American version of the exclusionary rule. Writing for the majority two years ago, Justice Antonin Scalia said that at least some unconstitutional conduct ought not require “resort to the massive remedy of suppressing evidence of guilt.”
The court will soon have an opportunity to clarify matters. The justices will hear arguments on Oct. 7 about whether methamphetamines and a gun belonging to Bennie Dean Herring, of Brundidge, Ala., should be suppressed because the officers who conducted the search mistakenly believed he was subject to an outstanding arrest warrant as a result of careless record-keeping by another police department.
See the full NY Times story here
The United States is the only country to take the position that some police misconduct must automatically result in the suppression of physical evidence. The rule applies whether the misconduct is slight or serious, and without regard to the gravity of the crime or the power of the evidence.
“Foreign countries have flatly rejected our approach,” said Craig M. Bradley, an expert in comparative criminal law at Indiana University. “In every other country, it’s up to the trial judge to decide whether police misconduct has risen to the level of requiring the exclusion of evidence.”
But there are signs that some justices on the United States Supreme Court may be ready to reconsider the American version of the exclusionary rule. Writing for the majority two years ago, Justice Antonin Scalia said that at least some unconstitutional conduct ought not require “resort to the massive remedy of suppressing evidence of guilt.”
The court will soon have an opportunity to clarify matters. The justices will hear arguments on Oct. 7 about whether methamphetamines and a gun belonging to Bennie Dean Herring, of Brundidge, Ala., should be suppressed because the officers who conducted the search mistakenly believed he was subject to an outstanding arrest warrant as a result of careless record-keeping by another police department.
See the full NY Times story here
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Suspicious Package Detonated Outside Store South Of City
The discovery of a suspicious-looking package, which turned out to be harmless, shut down the main entrance to the Wal-Mart just south of Harrisonburg for several hours Wednesday.
Around 11 a.m., a contractor hired to mow the shopping center's grass found what appeared to be a piece of pipe with two caps on each end, said Capt. John Huddle, an assistant fire marshal with Rockingham County Fire and Rescue.
The landscaper then called 911 to report the incident............
"We agreed, it appeared it could be a pipe bomb," he said.
At that point, Huddle requested assistance from the Virginia State Police Bomb Squad based in Culpeper, which arrived around 12:30 p.m.
"They examined it and felt it had the potential that it could be an actual device," he said.
Around 1 p.m., the bomb squad detonated the pipe. After inspecting the device, Huddle said investigators found no explosives inside.
See the DNR story here
Around 11 a.m., a contractor hired to mow the shopping center's grass found what appeared to be a piece of pipe with two caps on each end, said Capt. John Huddle, an assistant fire marshal with Rockingham County Fire and Rescue.
The landscaper then called 911 to report the incident............
"We agreed, it appeared it could be a pipe bomb," he said.
At that point, Huddle requested assistance from the Virginia State Police Bomb Squad based in Culpeper, which arrived around 12:30 p.m.
"They examined it and felt it had the potential that it could be an actual device," he said.
Around 1 p.m., the bomb squad detonated the pipe. After inspecting the device, Huddle said investigators found no explosives inside.
See the DNR story here
D.C. Residents Applying for Permits, Heller denied
The plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that overturned Washington's strict 32-year-old handgun ban was among the first people to arrive at police headquarters to try to register his firearm.
Dick Heller showed up early Thursday, the first day that the city began registering residents for handguns. He remains upset with the city's unusual restriction that bans weapons that carry more than 12 rounds of ammunition. Heller, who owns about half a dozen guns, also is frustrated that you can register only one for the first 90 days.
BUT ! ! ! !WUSA9.com followed up with this..........
But at least one very high profile application was already rejected.Dick Heller is the man who brought the lawsuit against the District's 32-year-old ban on handguns. He was among the first in line Thursday morning to apply for a handgun permit.But when he tried to register his semi-automatic weapon, he says he was rejected. He says his gun has seven bullet clip. Heller says the City Council legislation allows weapons with fewer than eleven bullets in the clip. A spokesman for the DC Police says the gun was a bottom-loading weapon, and according to their interpretation, all bottom-loading guns are outlawed because they are grouped with machine guns.
Dick Heller showed up early Thursday, the first day that the city began registering residents for handguns. He remains upset with the city's unusual restriction that bans weapons that carry more than 12 rounds of ammunition. Heller, who owns about half a dozen guns, also is frustrated that you can register only one for the first 90 days.
BUT ! ! ! !WUSA9.com followed up with this..........
But at least one very high profile application was already rejected.Dick Heller is the man who brought the lawsuit against the District's 32-year-old ban on handguns. He was among the first in line Thursday morning to apply for a handgun permit.But when he tried to register his semi-automatic weapon, he says he was rejected. He says his gun has seven bullet clip. Heller says the City Council legislation allows weapons with fewer than eleven bullets in the clip. A spokesman for the DC Police says the gun was a bottom-loading weapon, and according to their interpretation, all bottom-loading guns are outlawed because they are grouped with machine guns.
Trial Set for retired Front Royal police officer James Striker
A trial date has been set for a retired Front Royal police officer charged with shooting at his son.
Fifty-one-year-old James Striker appeared for a bond hearing in Warren County Wednesday afternoon.
Striker faces charges of discharging a firearm within a dwelling as well as misdemeanor charges of brandishing and reckless handling of a firearm.
The charges stem from an incident on Tuesday when investigators say Striker shot at his son from his bedroom window.
See the full WHSV story here
Fifty-one-year-old James Striker appeared for a bond hearing in Warren County Wednesday afternoon.
Striker faces charges of discharging a firearm within a dwelling as well as misdemeanor charges of brandishing and reckless handling of a firearm.
The charges stem from an incident on Tuesday when investigators say Striker shot at his son from his bedroom window.
See the full WHSV story here
Monday, July 14, 2008
Back from Boy Scout Camp
Busy summer here in the Valley. Not crime wise, but family responsibility and vacation wise.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Ky. woman accused of trading sex for fuel
Police in northern Kentucky arrested a woman who officers say traded sex for gasoline.
Police in Fort Wright set up a prostitution sting and said one of the suspects they arrested engaged in sex for a $100 gasoline card and other gifts.
Thirty-four-year-old Angela Eversole of Fort Wright is charged with prostitution and doing business without an occupational license. She pleaded not guilty at a Tuesday arraignment.
Police also arrested a man they said paid Eversole. He is 50-year-old Kenneth Nowak of Avon, Indiana.
Kenton County prosecutor Ken Easterling said it's sad when people are selling their bodies for gas.
See the story here
Police in Fort Wright set up a prostitution sting and said one of the suspects they arrested engaged in sex for a $100 gasoline card and other gifts.
Thirty-four-year-old Angela Eversole of Fort Wright is charged with prostitution and doing business without an occupational license. She pleaded not guilty at a Tuesday arraignment.
Police also arrested a man they said paid Eversole. He is 50-year-old Kenneth Nowak of Avon, Indiana.
Kenton County prosecutor Ken Easterling said it's sad when people are selling their bodies for gas.
See the story here
Foot chase leads to arrest for Waynesboro man
A Waynesboro man wanted on a firearms possession charge was caught in a gas station bathroom after a foot chase in the city Wednesday morning. Police received a tip that William Feck, 21, was in the area of Hardee’s on West Main Street around 11 a.m., according to Sgt. Kelly Walker. Officers arrived and Feck ran behind the adjacent Long John Silver’s.
See the full NewsVirginian story here
See the full NewsVirginian story here
Police Say Hide Your Valuables
Charlottesville police say you need to lock up your car and hide your valuables. The city's police chief says the crime numbers show a big jump in car break-ins compared to last year.
These numbers are for the first half of the year. Police say violent crimes such as murders, rapes and robberies are down 11 percent. But property crimes, specifically car break-ins are up more than 40 percent in Charlottesville.
Police say thieves are making off with iPods, computers and anything else in sight. "It's an attractive crime obviously for a thief because it's a very target rich environment in commercial areas, particularly around the university as well and frankly people aren't as conscientious as they should be about the items they leave in their car," said Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo.
See the full Channel 29 news story here
These numbers are for the first half of the year. Police say violent crimes such as murders, rapes and robberies are down 11 percent. But property crimes, specifically car break-ins are up more than 40 percent in Charlottesville.
Police say thieves are making off with iPods, computers and anything else in sight. "It's an attractive crime obviously for a thief because it's a very target rich environment in commercial areas, particularly around the university as well and frankly people aren't as conscientious as they should be about the items they leave in their car," said Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo.
See the full Channel 29 news story here
A Vote To Do Nothing At Harrisonburg High School
Something’s just a little too pat about the investigation into the football drug scandal at Harrisonburg High School, which can be summarized thusly: Despite at least one and perhaps several crimes being committed under the not-so-watchful eyes of football coaches, the school board, as Wednesday’s News-Record reported, voted not to punish anyone.
If this result seems reasonable and “fair,” take another look at the facts. Three HHS athletes, an affidavit for the case’s search warrant shows, robbed a friend from another school. Investigating this crime led police to execute a search warrant at HHS to probe possible drug use by student athletes. That search, the affidavit says, exposed a player’s selling and distributing pain pills to teammates. The players also say, according to the affidavit, that one HHS coach knew about the robbery and others knew about the drug sales.
The revelations prompted the school board to hire an outside investigator, who determined that coaches kind of knew something, but not really. The report, or at least the sanitized version the school board deigned to release, cleared the coaches and concluded thusly:
“Some members of the coaching staff were aware of rumors and suspicions of drug activity by at least one of the team players.” While coaches “took some steps to investigate … a more sustained and thorough investigation may have led to detection of drug activity” and “it is likely the school division would have learned of the use of pain pills by some other members of the team. …”
“This lack of a coordinated response and failure to use all investigative techniques available to uncover illegal student activity highlights the need for more intensive and comprehensive training of staff.”
The school board added that no coach had “direct knowledge” or witnessed drug activity and that administrators knew zilch.
The report’s prolix locution means coaches knew something was up and fumbled it, and it created the excuse for what the school board did Tuesday night: nothing.
The school board voted 5-1 to keep the coaches, who won’t receive even the mildest reprimand. Only school board member Sallie Strickler had the courage to vote against retaining them because she has “real concerns about the leadership of the football program.”
If this result seems reasonable and “fair,” take another look at the facts. Three HHS athletes, an affidavit for the case’s search warrant shows, robbed a friend from another school. Investigating this crime led police to execute a search warrant at HHS to probe possible drug use by student athletes. That search, the affidavit says, exposed a player’s selling and distributing pain pills to teammates. The players also say, according to the affidavit, that one HHS coach knew about the robbery and others knew about the drug sales.
The revelations prompted the school board to hire an outside investigator, who determined that coaches kind of knew something, but not really. The report, or at least the sanitized version the school board deigned to release, cleared the coaches and concluded thusly:
“Some members of the coaching staff were aware of rumors and suspicions of drug activity by at least one of the team players.” While coaches “took some steps to investigate … a more sustained and thorough investigation may have led to detection of drug activity” and “it is likely the school division would have learned of the use of pain pills by some other members of the team. …”
“This lack of a coordinated response and failure to use all investigative techniques available to uncover illegal student activity highlights the need for more intensive and comprehensive training of staff.”
The school board added that no coach had “direct knowledge” or witnessed drug activity and that administrators knew zilch.
The report’s prolix locution means coaches knew something was up and fumbled it, and it created the excuse for what the school board did Tuesday night: nothing.
The school board voted 5-1 to keep the coaches, who won’t receive even the mildest reprimand. Only school board member Sallie Strickler had the courage to vote against retaining them because she has “real concerns about the leadership of the football program.”
Polite Parkway Driving
Officials are asking visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway to be polite on the narrow and curving mountain roadway during the summer tourist season.
Parkway officials said cyclists, recreational vehicles and anyone driving slowly should move over for regular traffic along the roadway in North Carolina and Virginia. Parkway officials said Wednesday that slower traffic can move into overlooks as needed.
Parkway officials said cyclists, recreational vehicles and anyone driving slowly should move over for regular traffic along the roadway in North Carolina and Virginia. Parkway officials said Wednesday that slower traffic can move into overlooks as needed.
See full story here
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Since I have retired
I have been searching for great donuts.
I decided to try and grow my own
Wish me luck.Road Trip:Extreme DUI Suspect Retrieved From S.C.
Most prosecutors won't extradite someone charged with a misdemeanor. But in the case of one South Carolina resident, Rockingham County prosecutors wasted little time asking deputies to go get her after she failed to appear on a DUI charge.
Police say Jane Ellen Plikaytis, 48, of Tega Cay, S.C., registered a 0.33 when her blood-alcohol content was tested following a traffic stop on Interstate 81 on May 8. Virginia's limit for being legally intoxicated is 0.08.
Plikaytis was contacted after she missed her original court date of June 12, but she told the court that she would not return to Virginia willingly, according to prosecutors. And while it's not common for someone to be extradited for a misdemeanor, prosecutors say they made an exception in this case, citing the aggravating circumstances.
"She was driving 25 mph in the middle of the highway, causing more than a 3-mile backup," said Alycia Eldridge. "We extradited her because of the severity of the DUI and the hardship it caused to the community."
See the story here
Police say Jane Ellen Plikaytis, 48, of Tega Cay, S.C., registered a 0.33 when her blood-alcohol content was tested following a traffic stop on Interstate 81 on May 8. Virginia's limit for being legally intoxicated is 0.08.
Plikaytis was contacted after she missed her original court date of June 12, but she told the court that she would not return to Virginia willingly, according to prosecutors. And while it's not common for someone to be extradited for a misdemeanor, prosecutors say they made an exception in this case, citing the aggravating circumstances.
"She was driving 25 mph in the middle of the highway, causing more than a 3-mile backup," said Alycia Eldridge. "We extradited her because of the severity of the DUI and the hardship it caused to the community."
See the story here
One In Custody, Another Sought In Robbery
Harrisonburg police have one suspect in custody and are searching for another in the armed robbery of a woman early Saturday morning on Hill Street, according to a statement from HPD..........
Police say the two suspects approached the victim on the 400 block of Hill Street and took her cell phone at gunpoint, according to the statement.
Authorities say the suspects were "recently acquainted" with the woman, but the statement did not specify the nature of the relationship or when, exactly, the suspects had first met the victim.
See the story here
Police say the two suspects approached the victim on the 400 block of Hill Street and took her cell phone at gunpoint, according to the statement.
Authorities say the suspects were "recently acquainted" with the woman, but the statement did not specify the nature of the relationship or when, exactly, the suspects had first met the victim.
See the story here
Wset Virginia Woman Takes Kids on Robbery
A woman faces child neglect as well as armed robbery charges after police say she took her kids along to hold up a video gambling parlor.
St. Albans police arrested 28-year-old Melissa Ann Spencer after she allegedly robbed Lewie's in St. Albans Tuesday night.
According to the criminal complaint, the St. Albans woman allegedly entered the business with her two small children, held a pellet pistol to the clerk's head, and demanded money.
Spencer was arrested a short time later at a nearby house. According to the complaint, she told police she was sorry and just wanted a better life for her children.
She was being held Wednesday at the South Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bond. An officer at the jail said he didn't know whether Spencer has a lawyer.
See the WHSV story here
St. Albans police arrested 28-year-old Melissa Ann Spencer after she allegedly robbed Lewie's in St. Albans Tuesday night.
According to the criminal complaint, the St. Albans woman allegedly entered the business with her two small children, held a pellet pistol to the clerk's head, and demanded money.
Spencer was arrested a short time later at a nearby house. According to the complaint, she told police she was sorry and just wanted a better life for her children.
She was being held Wednesday at the South Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bond. An officer at the jail said he didn't know whether Spencer has a lawyer.
See the WHSV story here
City Man To Do Time On Child Porn Charges
A Harrisonburg man who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography will spend more than a year in prison following his sentencing in Rockingham County Circuit Court Monday.
Judge James Lane sentenced Mark Paulson, 48, to 16 years in prison but suspended all but one year and seven months.
On April 24, Paulson avoided trial when he agreed to a plea deal with the commonwealth's attorney's office. Under the agreement, he entered an Alford plea on four counts of possessing child pornography, and two additional counts of possession were dismissed.
In an Alford plea, a defendant doesn't admit guilt but concedes that there is sufficient evidence in the case for a conviction.
Since Lane determined that at least three of the children were younger than 13, the sentencing guidelines prepared by the court recommended a sentence between one year and seven months and four years and three months. Lane sentenced Paulson to four years on each of the counts before suspending the majority of the prison term.
See the Daily News Record story here
Judge James Lane sentenced Mark Paulson, 48, to 16 years in prison but suspended all but one year and seven months.
On April 24, Paulson avoided trial when he agreed to a plea deal with the commonwealth's attorney's office. Under the agreement, he entered an Alford plea on four counts of possessing child pornography, and two additional counts of possession were dismissed.
In an Alford plea, a defendant doesn't admit guilt but concedes that there is sufficient evidence in the case for a conviction.
Since Lane determined that at least three of the children were younger than 13, the sentencing guidelines prepared by the court recommended a sentence between one year and seven months and four years and three months. Lane sentenced Paulson to four years on each of the counts before suspending the majority of the prison term.
See the Daily News Record story here
Attempted Murder Charges in Shooting Case
Two men charged with trying to kill another in a shooting must prepare to face those charges.
An Augusta County grand jury certified the charges against Nathaniel Stinnet and Kyle Stullenburg Tuesday.
Authorities say the two men opened fire on another man in November over $6,500 they say they were owed.
They reportedly chased the victim and then shot at him from their car as they were traveling through Stuarts Draft.
The victim escaped unharmed.
Among other charges, both are charged with attempted first degree murder.
See the WHSV story here
An Augusta County grand jury certified the charges against Nathaniel Stinnet and Kyle Stullenburg Tuesday.
Authorities say the two men opened fire on another man in November over $6,500 they say they were owed.
They reportedly chased the victim and then shot at him from their car as they were traveling through Stuarts Draft.
The victim escaped unharmed.
Among other charges, both are charged with attempted first degree murder.
See the WHSV story here
Drag Racing DWI Charge
A man accused of drag racing in Augusta County now faces an additional charge of driving while intoxicated.
Twenty-two-year-old Cory Beasley was charged Monday in Augusta County District Court.
Brittany Engleman was a passenger in Beasley's car in October during an incident police say involved a race with another vehicle on Route 42 in Buffalo Gap.
Engleman died as a result of a car crash from the alleged race. Beasley, along with Robert Gaylor and Torrence Mack, were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges for Engleman's death.
Beasley's hearing is set for September 23.
See they story here
Twenty-two-year-old Cory Beasley was charged Monday in Augusta County District Court.
Brittany Engleman was a passenger in Beasley's car in October during an incident police say involved a race with another vehicle on Route 42 in Buffalo Gap.
Engleman died as a result of a car crash from the alleged race. Beasley, along with Robert Gaylor and Torrence Mack, were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges for Engleman's death.
Beasley's hearing is set for September 23.
See they story here
Post 9/11 Police Training
Law enforcement officers from across the Valley took part in training exercises as part of a federal mandate preparing them for critical incidents such as hostage situations and school shootings...........
The program stems from the 9/11 tragedy and recent incidents such as the Virginia Tech shootings have ignited this type of training.
"Being professionals, we would be remiss if we didn't take opportunities to learn from some things just like that, and they did a lot of things really, really well. And that's what we are trying to make sure that we can do," says Brown.
It's training they hope not to use, but to be prepared. It is part of the job.
Dodd concludes, "With the changing world that we have going on right now, you got to do everything you can do to be up to speed and keep ahead of trends."
See the Whsv story here
The program stems from the 9/11 tragedy and recent incidents such as the Virginia Tech shootings have ignited this type of training.
"Being professionals, we would be remiss if we didn't take opportunities to learn from some things just like that, and they did a lot of things really, really well. And that's what we are trying to make sure that we can do," says Brown.
It's training they hope not to use, but to be prepared. It is part of the job.
Dodd concludes, "With the changing world that we have going on right now, you got to do everything you can do to be up to speed and keep ahead of trends."
See the Whsv story here
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