CRIME

FAKE BOMB USED TO ROB FAIRLAWN EATERY

THE FAIRLAWN BOJANGLE'S WAS ROBBED THURSDAY NIGHT BY A MAN WHO STRAPPED A DEVICE TO AN EMPLOYEE'S ARM AND CLAIMED IT WAS A BOMB, ACCORDING TO THE PULASKI COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE EMPLOYEE REPORTED THAT HE WAS TAKING OUT TRASH ABOUT 11:50 P.M. WHEN A MASKED MAN APPROACHED HIM, SHERIFF JIM DAVIS SAID IN A NEWS RELEASE. THE SUSPECT ASSAULTED THE EMPLOYEE AND STRAPPED A SMALL DEVICE ON HIS ARM THAT HE SAID WAS A BOMB, DAVIS SAID.

THE SUSPECT INSTRUCTED THE EMPLOYEE TO GO BACK INSIDE, GET THE CASH OUT OF THE REGISTER AND BRING IT TO HIM, DAVIS SAID. THE EMPLOYEE WENT INSIDE, WHERE HE TOLD ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TOOK A SMALL AMOUNT OF CASH FROM THE REGISTER FOR THE SUSPECT.

THE SUSPECT REMOVED THE DEVICE FROM THE EMPLOYEE'S ARM AND FLED WITH THE CASH, DAVIS SAID.

THE DEVICE WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE AND INSPECTED BY VIRGINIA STATE POLICE BOMB TECHNICIANS, RADFORD POLICE AND PULASKI COUNTY OFFICERS AND INVESTIGATORS. THE DEVICE WAS RENDERED SAFE AND FOUND NOT TO BE EXPLOSIVE, DAVIS SAID.

THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

-- Shawna Morrison

ROAD WORK

PAVING SET TO BEGIN SUNDAY ON INTERSTATE

WEATHER PERMITTING, PAVING WILL AFFECT traffic on southbound Interstate 81 in Montgomery County between mile marker 116 and mile marker 109 during nighttime hours.

The left lane will be closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Also, weather permitting, crews will be marking the same stretch of interstate. Motorists should watch for lane closures between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday and Monday.

-- The Roanoke Times

ROAD WORK

WALNUT DRIVE TO CLOSE FOR PAVING

BEGINNING MONDAY, WALNUT DRIVE IN CHRISTIANSBURG WILL BE CLOSED FOR PAVING OPERATIONS.

THE STREET SHOULD REOPEN BY THURSDAY, ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE THE TOWN OF CHRISTIANSBURG.

-- The Roanoke Times

Safety

CARILION NRV

PHONE SERVICE RETURNS AFTER 5-HOUR OUTAGE

CARILION NEW RIVER VALLEY LOST PHONE AND FAX SERVICES EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

THE OUTAGE WAS FIRST NOTICED BETWEEN 3:30 AND 4:30 A.M., AND SERVICE WAS RESTORED AT 9:15 A.M., SAID ALLISON BUTH, MEDIA RELATIONS SPECIALIST FOR CARILION CLINIC.

THERE WAS NO INTERRUPTION IN PATIENT CARE DURING THE OUTAGE, BUTH SAID.

A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR VERIZON, CARILION NRV'S PROVIDER, SAID HE COULD NOT RELEASE DETAILS OF ANY PROBLEMS AND DIRECTED QUESTIONS TO VERIZON'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.

FURTHER INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

-- Amy Matzke-Fawcett

TRANSPORTATION

STATE RELEASES 6 NEW LICENSE PLATE DESIGNS

SIX NEW LICENSE PLATES OK'D BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY EARLIER THIS YEAR BECOME AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY.

They are:

n Operation Enduring Freedom

n Virginia State Defense Force

n Northern Neck Tourism and Conservation

n Choose Life

n Shenandoah National Park Trust

n Virginia's Tobacco Heritage (for trucks larger than 7,500 pounds; the plate is already available for cars)

The fees for special plates $10 to $25; some are one-time fees and others are paid annually, according to a news release from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The special plate fees are paid in addition to the regular vehicle registration fees.

To view and order special plates, visit www.dmvNOW.com.

-- The Roanoke Times