3+ mon, 1+ day ago (429+ words) Lynchburg, Va. " The Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) warns residents about a rise in vehicle thefts, nearly all of which, officials say, could have been prevented with a simple step: locking the car doors. Since June, LPD said they have investigated 98 incidents of larceny from vehicles. Of those, 96 involved vehicles that were left unlocked, according to police. They believe the spike in car theft is partly due to idle activity during the summer months. "That's because a lot of individuals are off for the summer," said LPD Communications Manager John Hartzell. "You've got a lot of young people kind of roaming around with nothing better to do, and so we generally will see this type of thing this time of year." In addition to stolen wallets, purses, and electronics, police say there has been an alarming increase in firearms being stolen…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (426+ words) Corn earworms are one of the most economically harmful pests in North America, and they can quickly become resistant to common insecticides. However, researchers at Virginia Tech are testing a new method to curb the negative impact of the pest: utilizing a type of fungus. Colton Game, Digital Content Producer BLACKSBURG, Va. " Corn earworms are one of the most economically harmful pests in North America, and they can quickly become resistant to common insecticides. However, researchers at Virginia Tech are testing a new method to curb the negative impact of the pest: utilizing a type of fungus. "They feed on the leaves, bolls, and flowers of the plant, disrupting its reproductive process and resulting in reduced yields and lower fiber quality. Their feeding damage weakens the plant and can lead to further pest infestations and disease." Over the years, farmers…...

8+ mon, 1+ day ago (436+ words) 10 News has the latest local breaking news and headlines from Roanoke, Virginia. Get Roanoke, Va., local TV news, Lynchburg, Va., headlines, national news, videos and more from NBC's local affiliate in Roanoke, Va. WSLS 10 Abbie Coleman, Weekend Anchor / Reporter LYNCHBURG, VA " An anonymous call about child abuse is what led to the arrest of Shannon Couch at the Caterpillar Clubhouse in Lynchburg. 10 News sat down with a parent whose child was in couch's class who says she never saw it coming. "There are so many questions going through my head as a mom, knowing that my kid was in that room. Did anything happen to my kid while she was in there? Did anything physical happen to my kid?" the mom said. The mom we spoke with asked to remain anonymous for the sake of her daughter. She says her…...

5+ mon, 3+ week ago (431+ words) SALEM, Va. " Grab your appetites and come hungry because Virginia's Blue Ridge Restaurant Week is taking place. You can try all sorts of eateries now until June 8 across Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem, Vinton, Rocky Mount, Botetourt and Franklin. 10 News checked out some of the places for you. At Gusto's Pizza in Salem, they are serving up a three-course meal for just $20. You can choose from salad, pizza or pasta, and a dessert. One of the pasta dishes is chicken alfredo. "The chicken we marinate it for a good bit of time, and it's just a recipe that's from the heart. I think that's the most important part. It's a years-long recipe that's been used, and so it's great," said Owner Sarah Summerlin. You can also choose from a variety of scrumptious desserts. "This is the three-layer chocolate cake, and…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (405+ words) The defense attorney for Nathaniel Pridemore, the man accused of assaulting four correctional officers during his murder trial, had a motion to withdraw from the case as Pridemore's defense attorney denied by a judge. This comes after Pridemore filed his own motion aiming to withdraw a guilty plea for the aforementioned assault charges. Pridemore was on trial after being accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old Cash Gaudio and 36-year-old Christina Hamilton when he assaulted four correctional officers. Pridemore was not in court on Monday but instead appeared by video call. He told the judge that - during the trial for the assault charges - he changed his plea to guilty mid-trial. He claims that he was pressured into the guilty plea by "other forces" telling him to be truthful. "The judge asked Pridemore, Did your attorney put the pressure on you to enter…...

8+ mon, 2+ week ago (137+ words) ROANOKE, Va. " The popular convenience store and gas station chain Wawa announced that it would be hosting a Community Partnership Event to officially introduce itself to the Roanoke Community and share more details about its first wave of "Westward Virginia Expansion" on Tuesday, April 1. Wawa said that it will provide an update on sites in the region and general timeframes for construction, investment in local communities and market projection. Wawa will also share details about the economic impact of expansion and announce its support of local non-profit partners. The event will take place at the Salem Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Following the Community Day event, Wawa will break ground that same afternoon at the future site of its first Lynchburg store. The event will feature the following people:...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago (466+ words) A new zoning proposal introduced at the Lynchburg City Council work session on October 14th is sparking debate about where abortion clinics could be allowed to operate in the city. The ordinance, brought forward by Councilman, Marty Misjuns, would restrict abortion clinics from opening within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, parks, churches, libraries, and all residential zoning districts in Lynchburg. The city hasn't had an abortion clinic since 2009, but this proposal could shape if and where, one might be allowed in the future. "It's not controversial. It's about being proactive to facilitate harmony in our community," Misjuns said during the council meeting. "It should never be controversial to build abortion clinics next to schools or across from churches." Under the ordinance, abortion clinics would also be categorized separately from other medical offices or hospitals. This change would require them to obtain a…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (137+ words) 10 News has the latest local breaking news and headlines from Roanoke, Virginia. Get Roanoke, Va., local TV news, Lynchburg, Va., headlines, national news, videos and more from NBC's local affiliate in Roanoke, Va. WSLS 10 LYNCHBURG, Va. " Wawa is set to open its first store in Lynchburg on Thursday, Oct. 23. The convenience store chain has a presence around the country, but has far fewer locations in Southwest and Central Virginia, with its nearest locations being in Fishersville and Farmville. The Lynchburg Wawa will open at 14039 Wards Road, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 23. The location will offer limited t-shirts for the first 200 customers, free hot coffee until Oct. 26, and more. Wawa plans to open more locations in the commonwealth in the coming years....

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (229+ words) 10 News has the latest local breaking news and headlines from Roanoke, Virginia. Get Roanoke, Va., local TV news, Lynchburg, Va., headlines, national news, videos and more from NBC's local affiliate in Roanoke, Va. WSLS 10 WATCH: Riverfront Park Amphitheater construction underway LYNCHBURG, Va. " An exciting development in downtown Lynchburg. Construction crews have raised the first steel hoop on the new Riverfront Park amphitheater project. The amphitheater is a key initiative in Lynchburg's Downtown 2040 Plan, designed to boost the local economy. Project leaders say they hope the new venue will attract bigger-name performers and allow for more community events throughout the year. "But this is such a big piece because now you start to really get a feel for what the structure is going to look like, and it's really exciting to see the scale and the scope of it. So far…...

5+ mon, 11+ hour ago (168+ words) 10 News has the latest local breaking news and headlines from Roanoke, Virginia. Get Roanoke, Va., local TV news, Lynchburg, Va., headlines, national news, videos and more from NBC's local affiliate in Roanoke, Va. WSLS 10 BEDFORD, Va. " Is it possible to build a new home in a weekend? With a lot of help, you can. The Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity"Bedford Branch held a "Blitz Build" this weekend. It normally takes four or five weeks to get a home under roof, but in Bedford, it happened in two days, thanks to a team of volunteers. "That's the beauty of Habitat for Humanity. It's a crazy model, but it works so well because everybody who's here cares about their neighbors. They're here to help the person who's going to buy this home. They're here to give her a hand up." Most…...