THURSDAY, JULY 2nd, 2009 P.M. UPDATE
Reported by Chuck Vipperman  & Jack Garrett

ARSON!!!

The scene of Thursday's fire at the Cabin Lake Apartment complex.

(DANVILLE) --THURSDAY’S FIRE AT THE CABIN LAKE APARTMENTS WAS SET DELIBERATELY. THAT’S THE CONCLUSION OF ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHALL RICHIE GUILL, WHO SAYS THE FIRE WAS THE WORK OF AN ARSONIST. ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE, THE BUILDING WAS UNOCCUPIED AND WAS UNDER RENOVATION AT THE TIME. GUILL SAYS THE FIRE WAS STARTED ON A SECOND FLOOR DECK.  DANVILLE POLICE LIEUTENANT MIKE MONDUL SAYS A MAN WAS SEEN LEAVING THE AREA JUST BEFORE THE FIRE WAS SPOTTED ABOUT 3:45 A.M. HE'S DESCRIBED AS A WHITE MALE OR LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK MAN WITH DARK CLOTHING AND A WHITE HOODIE. MONDUL SAYS THE MAN WAS TRAVELING ON FOOT TOWARDS THE PINEY FOREST ROAD. HE’S ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CALL POLICE OR CRIME STOPPERS AT 434-793-0000. THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR FIRE AT THE COMPLEX IN THE PAST DOZEN YEARS. A 1997 FIRE ON THANKSGIVING NIGHT COMPLETELY DESTROYED TWO BUILDINGS AND LEFT MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE HOMELESS. THEN, SIX YEARS AGO, TWO ADDITIONAL SECTIONS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE BUILDINGS HAVE HAD MORE RECENT PROBLEMS. CABIN LAKE WAS AUCTIONED OFF IN MARCH AFTER THE FORMER OWNER, RAYMOND PYANT, FAILED TO PAY SEVERAL MONTHS OF WATER BILLS TO THE CITY OF DANVILLE. THAT LED TO THE CONDEMNATION OF CABIN LAKE AND A FORECLOSURE AUCTION.    

Firefighters douse hot spots flaring up following Thursday's fire.

(DANVILLE) -- IF YOU HAVE IDEAS TO IMPROVE TRAINING FOR JOBS IN AREAS LIKE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, THE DAN RIVER REGION COLLABORATIVE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. DANVILLE-PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LAURIE MORAN SAYS THE GROUP WILL FOCUS ON “GREEN SKILLS” AS IT AWARDS GRANTS ON THE SOUTHSIDE. THE GROUP HAS COMMITMENTS OF $1.5 MILLION FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE NATIONAL FUND FOR WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS. MORAN SAYS SOUTHSIDE WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO RURAL SITES IN THE NATION TO BE SELECTED. THE ONE-YEAR GRANTS WILL BE FOR $100,000 AND WILL BE AWARDED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE DAN RIVER REGION.   

(DANVILLE) --DESPITE PLEAS FROM THE VICTIM’S FAMILY FOR NO JAIL TIME, A DANVILLE JUDGE YESTERDAY ORDERED CHARLES WAYNE BARNETT SPEND THIRTY DAYS IN JAIL FOR A FATAL CRASH IN JANUARY.  BARNETT WAS DRUNK WHEN HE RAN HIS CORVETTE INTO THE MEDIAN OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND HIT A TREE.  HIS FRIEND, 39-YEAR OLD THOMAS GARDNER FORD, DIED IN THE CRASH.  BARNETT WAS CONVICTED EARLIER OF D-U-I AND INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.  JUDGE JOE MILAM ALSO ORDERED BARNETT TO PAY A THREE-HUNDRED DOLLAR FINE.

(DANVILLE) -- OFFICIALS IN HANOVER COUNTY  ASKED DANVILLE AND PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY AUTHORITIES FOR HELP AND THEY RESPONDED.    POLICE SAY 24-YEAR OLD JACOB LEE WRIGHT HAD BEEN SEEN RECENTLY IN THE CITY AND IN THE SPRING GARDEN ROAD AREA OF THE COUNTY.  ONCE THE APPEAL WENT OUT, DANVILLE POLICE SPOTTED WRIGHT AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. HE'S BEING HELD IN THE CITY JAIL, PENDING EXTRADITION TO HANOVER COUNTY, WHERE WRIGHT IS CHARGED WITH BREAKING AND ENTERING AND GRAND LARCENY.  

(DANVILLE) -- DANVILLE AND THE ADVANCED VEHICLE RESEARCH CENTER WILL PARTNER TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF THE CITY’S FLEET OF MUNICIPAL VEHICLES. THE A-V-R-C SAYS IT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE CITY’S FUEL ECONOMY. DANVILLE HOPES TO MAKE ITS FLEET OF VEHICLES MORE EFFICIENT WHILE REDUCING GAS CONSUMPTION. THE CITY WILL SERVE AS A DEMONSTRATION SITE FOR A-V-R-C TO MARKET PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES TO OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN VIRGINIA AND ELSEWHERE. DANVILLE AND THE ADVANCED VEHICLE RESEARCH CENTER WILL ACTIVELY SEEK FUNDING THROUGH STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS TO INSURE SUCCESS OF THE INITIATIVE.

(MADISON, N.C.) -- A STANDOFF AND A SWINE FLU SCARE??  ALL IN A NIGHT’S WORK FOR THE ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT.  LT-DEAN VENABLE REPORTS 30-YEAR OLD GERRY BULLINS WAS TAKEN IN AFTER HOLDING DEPUTIES AT BAY FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR, FIRING THIRTY SHOTS AT THEM IN THE PROCESS.   THEY WERE CALLED TO THE HOUSE AFTER BULLINS ALLEGEDLY FIRED A SHOT FROM A 22-CALIBER RIFLE DURING A FAMILY ARGUMENT.  BULLINS IS BEING EVALUATED AT A HOSPITAL WHILE AUTHORITIES WAIT TO FILE CHARGES.  NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE GUNFIRE.  VENABLE SAYS THE HOME IS UNDER VOLUNTARY QUARANTINE BECAUSE OF CONCERNS THAT SOMEONE INSIDE MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SWINE FLU.

(DANVILLE) -- F-D-A INVESTIGATORS THINK TAINTED FLOUR, USED TO MAKE COOKIE DOUGH AT THE DANVILLE NESTLE PLANT, MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN E-COLI OUTBREAK THAT’S SICKENED 72 PEOPLE.  INVESTIGATORS ARE CHECKING INDIVIDUAL INGREDIENTS IN THE FLOUR TO DETERMINE HOW E-COLI MAY HAVE BEEN PRESENT.  NONE OF THE 270-PLUS WORKERS WHO MAKE REFRIGERATED COOKIE DOUGH IN DANVILLE HAVE BEEN LAID OFF.  MANY ARE TAKING VACATIONS---OTHERS ARE HELPING IN THE PART OF THE PLANT THAT MAKES REFRIGERATED PASTA AND SAUCES.  NO WORD ON WHEN COOKIE DOUGH PRODUCTION WILL RESUME.

(DANVILLE) -- THE DANVILLE AREA HUMANE SOCIETY IS LOOKING FOR TEMPORARY HOMES FOR A FEW SPECIAL PETS.

SHELTER DIRECTOR PAULETTE DEAN SAYS THE SOCIETY IS EXPANDING A FOSTER PROGRAM THAT PLACES ANIMALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN HOMES FOR AN AVERAGE OF FOUR MONTHS. SHE SAYS THE TEMPORARY CAREGIVER MUST HAVE INSURANCE AND BE WILLING TO BRING THE ANIMAL TO THE SHELTER’S ADOPTION FAIRS. AND THEY MUST BE WILLING TO GIVE THE DOG OR CAT TO A PERMANENT HOME. TO LEARN MORE OR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, CALL THE ANIMAL SHELTER AT (434) 799-5306.

(DANVILLE) --A DANVILLE MAN IS CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY AFTER HE APPARENTLY KICKED A POSSUM TO DEATH WHILE RIDING ALONG WITH POLICE OFFICERS.  IT HAPPENED NEAR MONUMENT STREET JUNE 20^TH, WHILE OFFICERS WERE FILLING UP THEIR PATROL CAR.  THEY SAY 22-YEAR OLD EVAN BRYCE SCHULER JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT SAYING A WORD AND BEGAN KICKING A POSSUM HE SAW ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.  THE POSSUM DIED.  SCHULER TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT HE ACTED ON INSTINCT.  HE LIVES ON A FARM AND SAYS POSSUMS OFTEN KILL CHICKENS.  POLICE FORMALLY CHARGED SCHULER YESTERDAY.

(CHATHAM) -- A PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY JUDGE WILL NOT RECONSIDER AN AXTON WOMAN’S SUIT AGAINST THE PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. NANCY SMITH CLAIMS THE BOARD HAD NO RIGHT TO APPROVE MORE THAN $4 MILLION DOLLARS TO FUND A MEGA-PARK ON BERRY HILL ROAD. SHE SAYS THE BOARD WAS REQUIRED BY LAW TO HOLD A REFERENDUM. JUDGE CHARLES STRAUSS DISMISSED THE SUIT, SAYING THE BONDS WERE ISSUED BY THE REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY AND NOT THE COUNTY.  SINCE THIS WAS THE CASED, HE RULED THAT NO VOTE WAS NEEDED. SMITH ASKED STRAUSS TO RE-OPEN THE CASE, CLAIMING SUPERVISORS HAD FALSIFIED RECORDS.

(EDEN, NC) -- A ROCKINGHAM COUNTY INMATE WHO ESCAPED FROM MOREHEAD HOSPITAL WAS RECAPTURED ON A GOLF COURSE BY EDEN’S CHIEF OF POLICE. 40-YEAR-OLD TONY LEE ANDERSON WAS UNDERGOING EVALUATION AT THE EDEN HOSPITAL EARLIER TODAY WHEN HE ASKED TO USE THE BATHROOM. AFTER HIS HANDCUFFS WERE REMOVED, ANDERSON SHOVED THE DETENTION OFFICER AND RAN OUT THE DOOR. HE WASN’T HARD TO SPOT. ANDERSON WAS WEARING HIS GREEN JUMPSUIT WHEN HE CUT ACROSS THE MEADOWGREENS GOLF COURSE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEARBY. EDEN POLICE CHIEF REECE PYRTLE HEARD THE CALL. HE WAS IN STREET CLOTHES BUT GRABBED A GOLF CART AND HEADED ACROSS THE GREENS. THE INMATE DIDN’T RECOGNIZE THE CHIEF AND WAS CROSSING THE 11^TH FAIRWAY WHEN PYRTLE STOPPED ANDERSON AND ARRESTED HIM WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ANDERSON WAS IN JAIL FOR ROBBERY, LARCENY, BREAKING AND ENTERING AND AUTO THEFT. HE NOW FACES ADDITIONAL CHARGES OF ESCAPE AND ASSAULT. HIS FLIGHT TO FREEDOM LASTED LESS THAN 20 MINUTES.

(RICHMOND) -- THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS CONFIRMED A SECOND DEATH FROM SWINE FLU. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE ADULT MALE WHO DIED LIVED IN ARLINGTON. A PRESS RELEASE SAYS "THE PATIENT HAD AN UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITION THAT PUT HIM AT GREATER RISK OF COMPLICATIONS FROM THE FLU." 127 DEATHS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO H1N1 THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING TWO IN VIRGINIA AND TWO IN NORTH CAROLINA.

(DANVILLE) -- PATHS IS GETTING ANOTHER HALF-MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THIS MONEY WILL BE USED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE MAIN STREET HEADQUARTERS. BILLY CRUMPTON IS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR PIEDMONT ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDES CARE TO THE UNINSURED. THE LATEST GRANT IS ON TOP OF THE $180 THOUSAND PATHS USED TO HIRE A SOCIAL WORKER WHO HAS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND DISABILITY BENEFITS.  AND WITH THE DANVILLE'S JOBLESS RATE THE 3^RD HIGHEST IN THE STATE IN MAY, CRUMPTON SAYS THOSE SERVICES ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER.

(SOUTHSIDE) -- IF YOU SPOT A MARIJUANA PLANT ON YOUR PROPERTY, CALL STATE POLICE. SGT. KEN KEESEE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH A PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES THE PUBLIC TO REPORT DRUNKEN DRIVERS, SO THEY DECIDED TO MAKE THE SAME APPEAL TO IDENTIFY MARIJUANA GROWERS. KEESEE SAYS EMPTY FERTILIZER BAGS, A-T-V TRACKS AND WATERING SYSTEMS ARE ALL TELLTALE SIGNS THAT POT IS BEING CULTIVATED NEARBY. HE SAYS FOUR-WHEELERS HAVE CAUSED SOME CULTIVATORS TO BECOME COMPLACENT, WITH MANY NOW GROWING LARGE CROPS CLOSER TO HOME IF YOU SUSPECT MARIJUANA IS BEING GROWN ON OR NEAR YOUR PROPERTY, CALL THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AT: 1-800-542-5959.

(AXTON) --INVESTIGATORS THINK AN AXTON WOMAN FIRED A SHOT AT PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES WHO ENTERED HER HOME AT THE END OF A LONG STANDOFF MONDAY NIGHT.  IT BEGAN AT AROUND THREE P-M YESTERDAY WHEN DEPUTIES GOT A CALL OF SHOTS FIRED AT A HOME ON RETREAT DRIVE.  SHERIFF MIKE TAYLOR SAYS 57-YEAR OLD SHIRLEY WATKINS REFUSED TO COME OUT.  AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF NEGOTIATING, DEPUTIES WENT IN.  THEY SAY WATKINS FIRED A SHOT, BUT NO ONE WAS HIT.  WATKINS IS BEING EVALUATED AT DANVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WHILE PROSECUTORS EXPLORE POSSIBLE ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES.

Danville's David Wilson scores a touchdown for team USA in last night's 55-0 win over Mexico in the semifinals of the World Junior Football Championships in Canton, OH.

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