The weekend winter storm left the eastern two-thirds of the country with heavy snow, severe ice, record-breaking cold, and widespread power outages. The winter weather advisory is now in effect and expires at 1 p.m., but at 6 p.m. this evening, a cold weather advisory begins and lasts until noon on Tuesday. Very cold wind chills as low as five below zero are expected throughout the region. Gusty northwest winds will develop by late morning. This is cold enough to result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Temperatures will be slow to warm on Tuesday, but could rise just above freezing for areas east of the mountains for a few hours in the afternoon. Frigid conditions and chances of mountain snow showers will persist through the week, with the lowest wind chills by Saturday morning.
Average gas prices in Virginia are up 13.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.88 today, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Virginia are 14 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 21.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. AAA reports average gas prices are $2.64 a gallon in Patrick County, $2.71 in Martinsville, and $2.74 in Henry County.
The Reidsville Police Department is looking for a man that is wanted for first degree murder. A warrant has been obtained for 38-year-old Ronnie Junior Brim in the death of Christian Pollard. Brim is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach him. If you see him or know his whereabouts, call 911 immediately. The homicide occurred on January 14th in the 100 block of Madison Street. Upon arrival officers found 22-year-old Christian Pollard suffering from gunshot wounds. He later died from his injuries at a local hospital.
A substitute judge denied a request by Martinsville Mayor LC Jones for an emergency protective order against Councilman Aaron Rawls. Judge Wally Covington told Rawls he crossed the line, claiming he would “put someone in the dirt,” but told Jones the comment wasn’t sufficient to obtain the order. The matter came down to the definition of the term; Jones said to him it meant Rawls intended to kill someone, while Rawls said he meant to subdue someone in defense.
Meanwhile, petition coordinator Patti Covington said the signatures on her petition calling for Jones’s removal from office had been certified. Martinsville Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Flinn said he asked for a special prosecutor in the case but was denied, and the responsibility for determining the petition’s merit will fall to him. If he approves it, the matter will proceed to court. Flinn asked for the community’s patience during the process.
