Buena Vista Police Chief
The Buena Vista city manager’s office on Friday released a statement regarding the recent resignation of Police Chief A.J. Panebianco.
According to the statement, city officials say that after discussing issues with Chief Panebianco, it was determined by Panebianco that it would be better for him to seek other employment opportunities. Panebianco then tendered his resignation.
City officials also say that Panebianco’s resignation is covered by employee confidentiality laws and nothing more will be discussed about the matter.
Fire Investigation
Investigators continue to search for the cause of Friday’s fire that devastated the Southern Inn on Main Street in downtown Lexington.
The early morning fire also caused smoke and water damage to the McCorkle’s Hallmark Card shop and ReMax Real Estate on Main Street.
No firm damage figure has been set but the damages could be upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It appears the building’s second floor collapsed onto the first floor. The building appears to be a total loss.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There were reports of lightning strikes early Friday morning in the area and the fire may have started in the kitchen, in the back of the building.
A Virginia State Police arson investigator was helping with the investigation.
Flash Flood Watch
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN VIRGINIA: ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, ALLEGHANY, AMHERST, BATH, BEDFORD, BOTETOURT, AND CAMPBELL UNTIL MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT.
SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
DUE TO THE LACK OF RAINFALL OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS… THE GROUND IS VERY HARD. AS A RESULT… SUDDEN DOWNPOURS OF RAIN WILL RUNOFF THE HARD GROUND… SIMILAR TO WATER RUNNING OFF AN ASPHALT PARKING LOT. THIS SUDDEN INFLUX OF WATER INTO STREAMS MAY RESULT IN RAPID SMALL STREAM RISES AND THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING.
Southern Inn Fire!
The Southern Inn restaurant on Main Street in downtown Lexington suffered extensive damage overnight due to a big fire.
Lexington Fire Chief Ty Dickerson says firefighters got the fire call around 1 a.m.
Dickerson says there were no injuries, but the Southern Inn building suffered a large amount of damage on the various floors and roof. There was also smoke and water damage to adjacent buildings.
Dickerson says it may be a while before they know the exact amount of damage that the Southern Inn building suffered or what caused the blaze, including the possibility that it was started by lightning. A Virginia State Police arson investigator will help with the investigation.
Murder-Suicide
Officials with the Rockbridge County Sheriffs office say a suicide note was discovered at James Sullenberger’s apartment. 63 year old James Sullenberger, the estranged husband of Nancy Sullenberger, apparently killed his wife Wednesday at their home in Fairfield and then fatally shot himself.
In the suicide note, Sullenberger detailed plans to kill his stepson, who was able to flee from the home Wednesday night after being shot at several times. Upon entering the home, deputies discovered the bodies of James Sullenberger and his wife.
There was a protective order against James Sullenberger after he was charged with assault and battery of his wife. He had been barred from the couple’s home.
The case remains under investigation.
Burn Ban!
Rockbridge County has instituted a no burn ban. That includes no open air fires of any kind.
Rockbridge County officials say the ban is in effect until the area receives significant moisture to reduce the threat of fires.
All citizens are encouraged to stay alert and report any signs of smoke to the proper authorities.
Those with questions they can call the office of emergency management at 463-2532.
Very Few Answers
Citizens in Buena Vista who wanted answers from Buena Vista city council Thursday on the resignation of Police Chief AJ Paniebianco received very little information.
Buena Vista Mayor Mike Clements wouldn’t take questions on the topic at the meeting on Thursday.
The city attorney said some of the issues can not be addressed because the resignation was a personnel issue.
Golf Course
Buena Vista officials say it appears that the city will still possess City Hall and the police station after the city met this week with representatives of the mortgage company that’s handling the loan on the golf course, Vista Links.
City leaders say it looks like ACA Financial will try to work with the city, when it comes to paying off the loan.
The city was hoping to pay 150,000 dollars in the coming year, although a $660,000 payment was due in mid July.
Additional meetings between the city and ACA are planned.
I-81
A single vehicle accident Wednesday morning on I-81 in Rockbridge County at mile marker 197.9 is backing up traffic, as of 9:45 a.m.
VDOT says motorists can expect major delays, as the north right lane and right shoulder are closed.
I-81 Accident
An accident on Interstate 81 in Augusta County is causing traffic delays.
The accident is at mile marker 211.7.
Motorists can expect major delays. The south left shoulder, left lane, and right lane are closed. Traffic backups were approximately 5.0 miles around noon today.