Roanoke Murder Sentencing, Virginia GOP Turmoil & Campbell County Eyes Data Center Limits

It's Tuesday, December 2nd. I'm Ian Price. Here's our top local story. A man who pled guilty to murdering a Roanoke community leader has been sentenced to life in prison. 34-year-old Kurt Davis was sentenced yesterday for the February killing of 80-year-old Susan Williams. Williams, a former longtime executive director of the local office on aging, was found dead outside her South Roanoke apartment with head trauma. Gore records show Davis told police he hit her several times with a rock. A Northern Virginia Republican activist says recent election losses were the last straw for a key member of the state GOP. WFIRS Clark Palmer has more. Scott Pio, the chairman of the Republican Party of Loudoun County, says outgoing Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears losing the Democratic governor-elect Abigail Spanberger by double digits last month, show state Republicans must do soul searching. Pio says in a video posted to the side formerly noticed Twitter that outgoing state party chair, Mark Peek, let down constituents and also failed to set the party up for future success. Despite approximately two million immigrants living and calling Virginia home. Our RPV has ignored opportunities under new state laws to integrate these communities into our base. This mischance to grow through targeted outreach represents a strategic blunder of epic proportion. Iowa says while he appreciates Pete taking the humble way out of office, the move must happen sooner. For too long, the RPV has operated as a dysfunctional entity, prioritizing the personal gains and complacency over growth. strategy, and victory. The fault of these losses lie squarely at the feet of the current chairman, executive leadership, and the state central committees who have allowed the party to atrophy. while Democrats built a formidable machine. Pio believes the state GOP's lack of resources and strategic failures would have doomed outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin if he would have been able to run against Bamberger. Claude Palmer, WFIRE News. VMI's new superintendent says he'll lead the school down the center line and try to stay off the front page of the Washington Post. Retired Lieutenant General David Furness. Told a state Senate committee yesterday, he recognizes the need to navigate multiple constituencies, including the governor, General Assembly, and Board of Visitors. His comments come after controversy surrounding his predecessors Alster and a fight between Senate Democrats and Governor Glenn Youngkin over board appointees.

Furness, who took over in August, noted he must balance federal guidelines from the Trump administration with alumni desires. Alumni support makes up 30 to 40 percent of VMI's operating budget. Senate President Pro Temp Louise Lucas praised his centerline approach. Those that are not big box store fans will try to shop for Christmas and holiday presents elsewhere. You may want to check out another craft show at the Burgland Center this weekend, WFIRS G. Morano on the 10th annual holiday craft and vendor show. Jason Lane's savvy events company has been putting on the holiday market at Berglins Center for a decade now. It's Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. My goal is... to help the small businesses. My goal is to get people to shop local and give back to the local community and local economy. I mean, a lot of people are struggling this holiday season with being without a job or they can't make ends meet or food or anything like that. So every little thing that you can help a small business where a locally owned vendor out goes a long ways. This is another way to help those struggling if attending the Holiday Craft and Bender Show this weekend. Toys for Tots will collect new unwrapped toys for distribution before Christmas. If you don't have a gift, you don't want to bring it. We also have a ton of raffle items. We have 10 huge raffle items that will be raffled and things off, $5 a ticket. or $6 for $20, and 100% of that money gets back to Toys for Tots for the Roneck Valley. Parking and admission is free this weekend at the Berglom Center when more than 240 local and regional vendors will be on site. Take a photo with Santa or the Grinch. There's free H&C coffee as well. Bernie Moreno, WFIR News. In other shopping news, small businesses across Roanoke reported strong sales during Small Business Saturday with some shops seeing double-digit increases. Caroline Dotson, owner of rodeo thrift, said sales were up 14% compared to the previous Saturday, with customers lining up before opening. Downtown's Shades of Color also reported good sales, though owner Pauline Wood noticed less foot traffic than last year. Dotson emphasized the importance of shopping small during the holidays, saying family-run businesses depend on community support. Local shop owners hope the momentum continues through Christmas. Roanoke City Police Department's I-Star unit has been named the Virginia Crime Analysis Team of the Year for 2025 by the Virginia Crime Analytics Network. Roanoke Chief of Police, Scott Booth, yesterday on the intelligence, statistics, technology, analysis, and research, or I-Star team. The I-Star team was recognized only for its significant contributions to reducing and solving crime within the city of Roanoke, but also for its ongoing support of regional and federal partners. Additionally, I-Star analyst, Britton, was named Virginia's new analyst of the year.

Campbell County's Board of Supervisors is expected to vote tonight on an emergency ordinance that would give them more control over proposed data centers. The rule would require developers to apply for a special use permit, even on land already zoned industrial. Resident Ashby Smith tells WDBJ7, people are worried about how much power and water these facilities consume. The concerns that anybody will have really about data centers are consumption of power, the consumption of water, noise, pollution, light, and these things don't really bring jobs. But not everyone's opposed. Bill Wheaton lives in Campbell County and tells WDBJ7 the region should embrace tech sector growth. The technology is growing every day. So why shouldn't Campbell County be part of a growing technology? Campbell is not alone. Bottatai County is already preparing for a Google facility that will draw water from Carvin's Cove. A permanent rule changing Campbell would still require a public hearing next month. Montgomery County School Board meets tonight to vote on pay raises aimed at filling vacant, skilled worker positions. Their proposal would boost pay for HVAC specialists, electricians, plumbers, bus drivers, and maintenance technicians to make the county more competitive. Skilled worker salaries would jump from a current range of about $39 to $73,000, up to $50 to nearly $93,000, depending on licensing. Bus drivers hourly pay would increase from $23.74 to a new range of $25 to $43. The changes would cost an extra $340,000 this school year and $680,000 annually taking effect January 1st. The board will also review more than 37 vacant positions across the school system. Healing Strides of Virginia in Southwest Reno County, a nonprofit that offers equine assisted services, is auctioning a guitar signed by Taylor Swift, calling it a rare opportunity for Swifties and collectors alike. Bidding to secure this authenticated collectible closes December 24th. Proceeds support healing strides, mental wellness, and horsemanship programs for veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities in the region. Friendship Health Rehab North and Friendship Health Rehab South have been honored as two of America's best nursing homes, 2026, by Newsweek, in partnership with global data intelligence firm, Statista. The recognition highlights facilities across the country that deliver outstanding care and resident satisfaction and have a strong reputation. The Friendship North Campus is ranked among the top tier in Virginia for the 150-plus bed size category. South Campus ranked among the top for 100 to 149 bed facilities. That's the latest. Check back tomorrow for our next update. Ian Price, WFIR News.