Kaira Willis

Roanoke

Multimedia Journalist at WDBJ7

She/Her | VCU Alumna | Reporter @WDBJ7

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Articles

Couple gets married at Commonwealth Senior Living Facility

1 week ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ) - Weddings are something most girls dream of at an early age. For Martha Crockett, a big traditional church wedding with her father walking her down the aisle was her dream. But a health diagnosis forced a change of plans. From an early age, Martha Childers (née Crockett) knew she was a daddy’s girl. “My dad’s my hero, and he’s my best friend,” she said.
Juneteenth Celebration in Roanoke

1 week ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Juneteenth marks the freeing of the last enslaved people in our country on June 19th, 1865 - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It was declared a national holiday in 2021 by former President Joe Biden. People across the country and in our hometowns are celebrating the holiday. The Blacks in Technology of Southwest Virginia put together a Juneteenth Celebration: A Day of Independence and Unity at the in Roanoke to honor the holiday.
“I just felt stranded.” Woman rescued during flash flooding

1 week ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - People across our hometowns have been impacted by this week’s storms. Heavy rainfall caused flash-flooding that forced some to evacuate from their homes. WDBJ7’s Kaira Willis spoke to a woman in Rockbridge County who was stranded during one of the storms. What was supposed to be a relaxing couple’s weekend turned into a nightmare for Kristin Dorsey, who was rescued after being stranded for hours on the road that leads to her home during the storm.
Camp Easterseals evacuates to Craig County High School for shelter in place

1 week ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

CRAIG COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Continuing coverage of Monday night’s storms; 77 people were evacuated from a camp for people with disabilities due to flash flooding and had to spend the night at Craig County High School. WDBJ7’s Kaira Willis has an update on relief efforts. Craig County High School is operating as a shelter for the 37 campers and 40 staff members who were evacuated from Camp Easterseales during the storm. “Our community is amazing.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation discuss current status of Orchard Lake Dam

1 week ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Botetourt County recently issued a statement regarding the current status of the Orchard Lake Dam. A second dam in the county that now must either be brought into compliance with modern safety regulations or be breached and the lake drained.
Delta Iron Works holds grand opening in Lynchburg with jobs on the way

2 weeks ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - A manufacturing company in Lynchburg is celebrating an expansion. Earlier this year, Delta Star Inc. announced a second expansion in Lynchburg that will bring 300 jobs to the Central Virginia region over the next few years. The grand opening of Delta Iron Works Wednesday wraps up the 2023 expansion and aims to shape the future of power. “This is a great community to invest in, great skilled labor, land to build on, and a history of energy just in this area.
Roanoke City Parks and Recreation discuss lifeguard shortage

2 weeks ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The Summer season is here and many pools in our hometowns are opening. We wanted to check in with Roanoke City Parks & Recreation to see how they’re managing during the national lifeguard shortage. WDBJ7’s Kaira Willis has been looking into this story and has more on the impact. According to the American Lifeguard Association, the national lifeguard shortage has been a recurring problem for several years now.
Town of Buchanan’s 9th Annual Reggae by the River Canceled

2 weeks ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - A popular music event held in one of our hometowns has been canceled this year. We’re learning more about why Reggae by the River isn’t happening next month. The 9th annual Reggae by the River was set to be held at the Buchanan Town Park in July. The town recently announced on social media that the event was canceled this year due to unforeseen circumstances.
Commemoration ceremony in Bedford honors sacrifices on D-Day

3 weeks ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

BEDFORD, Va. (WDBJ) - Our hometowns join those around the world honoring the sacrifices made to protect our freedoms on the 81st Anniversary of D-Day. 25 hundred Americans died as Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France on the morning of June 6th, 1944. While the sacrifice was great, winning the battle was critical for defeating Nazi Germany and victory in Europe less than a year later.
Virginia State Police breaks down AMBER versus CODI alerts

3 weeks ago | wdbj7.com | Kaira Willis

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - This week law enforcement in two of our local jurisdictions put out notices of missing children. The most recent, a five-year-old, missing out of Campbell County. Peyton Knight was last seen with her dad, Cal Lee Davis Junior. Some have asked why these cases don’t set off amber alerts. Today WDBJ7’s Kaira Willis took that question to Virginia State Police.