Laurence Hammack

Roanoke

Veteran Roanoke Times reporter, covering environmental issues, including the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and business and enterprise stories.

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Articles

Lawsuit that claimed exposure to toxic fumes at Radford arsenal settled

5 days ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

A former employee of a fireworks company located on the grounds of the Radford arsenal has settled a lawsuit that claimed he was sickened by a cloud of toxic fumes from the munitions plant. William J. Dillon of Roanoke had sought $15 million from BAE Systems Inc., the company that operates the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. A stipulation of dismissal, filed late last month in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, states that “all matters in controversy” have been settled.
Roanoke police dog killed in pursuit of fleeing suspect

6 days ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

A Roanoke police dog died early Friday after being struck by a patrol car during a pursuit of a fleeing suspect. “The Roanoke Police Department is saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of K-9 Knox,” police said in a news release about the circumstances of an incident involving the 3-year-old German shepherd. At about 1:40 a.m., police spotted a stolen car at a gas station in the 3900 block of Melrose Avenue Northwest. The driver sped off when officers attempted a traffic stop.
2 men arrested in shooting near Radford University

6 days ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

Two men have been charged in connection with a shooting that happened Thursday afternoon near the Radford University campus. At least one person was injured, although no additional information was available. The incident happened in the 1100 block of East Main Street, about two blocks from campus.
Man convicted of killing 2 in Roanoke sentenced to life in prison

6 days ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

A Roanoke judge sentenced Alex Rios on Thursday to two life terms in prison for the murders of a man and a woman who were shot and stabbed repeatedly in a Brandon Avenue apartment. “This frankly, sir, was butchery,” Circuit Judge William Broadhurst told the 53-year-old Salem man in imposing a sentence that included an additional 10 years on three firearm charges.
Assistant prosecutor in Roanoke to run for commonwealth's attorney

1 week ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

John McNeil, an assistant Roanoke prosecutor for the past 25 years, is now a candidate for the top job. McNeil recently filed to run as a Democrat for commonwealth’s attorney. No other Democrats or Republicans filed before the April 3 deadline for party candidates, although independents have until June 17 to submit their paperwork. McNeil's candidacy was first reported by The Roanoke Rambler.
Former Roanoke City Council candidate charged with election fraud

1 week ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

A two-time Roanoke City Council candidate is facing election fraud charges related to his most recent campaign last year. Jamaal Jackson was indicted April 7 by a city grand jury on four felony counts of making a false statement on an election form. On or around March 17, 2024, Jackson “did unlawfully and feloniously commit election fraud by willfully making a materially false statement” on a form required of candidates by state law, the indictments charge.
Appeals court reverses conviction of Ferrum man who killed his two dogs

1 week ago | richmond.com | Laurence Hammack

An appeals court has reversed the conviction of Terry Eugene Michel, a Franklin County man found guilty by a jury of killing his two Labrador retrievers in a case followed closely by the community. In a 2-1 decision, the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that prosecutors failed to prove that Michel acted cruelly — a required element for a felony conviction — when he shot both dogs point blank in the head.
Appeals court reverses conviction of Ferrum man who killed his two dogs

1 week ago | martinsvillebulletin.com | Laurence Hammack

ROANOKE — An appeals court has reversed the conviction of Terry Eugene Michel, a Franklin County man found guilty by a jury of killing his two Labrador retrievers in a case followed closely by the community. In a 2-1 decision, the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that prosecutors failed to prove that Michel acted cruelly — a required element for a felony conviction — when he shot both dogs point blank in the head.
Appeals court reverses conviction of Ferrum man who killed his two dogs

1 week ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

An appeals court has reversed the conviction of Terry Eugene Michel, a Franklin County man found guilty by a jury of killing his two Labrador retrievers in a case followed closely by the community. In a 2-1 decision, the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that prosecutors failed to prove that Michel acted cruelly — a required element for a felony conviction — when he shot both dogs point blank in the head.
Roanoke man found outside burning house dies of self-inflicted injuries

1 week ago | roanoke.com | Laurence Hammack

A man found lying outside a burning home early Monday in northeast Roanoke died of what appear to be self-inflicted injuries, authorities said. Shortly after 4 a.m., crews with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department were called to a house fire in the 3300 block of Hollins Road. The fire is being investigated as arson, according to a search warrant stapled to a front porch railing post of the small white frame house Monday afternoon.