Public Safety

Police tactical teams wearing body armor and brandishing automatic rifles took suspects into custody on Monday afternoon, as investigators searched a business and at least one residence in Galax.

The tactical units from Galax and Carroll County were serving drug-related warrants on behalf of the Twin County Drug Taskforce, police on the scene reported.

HILLSVILLE — Investigators believe that an unknown subject dumped the contents of a mobile methamphetamine lab in an alley behind Hillsville Town Hall on Thursday, according to Hillsville police.
Police received a call from a town maintenance worker about some suspicious materials found in shrubs in an alley near a town parking lot on Mill Street, said Capt. James Alderman. The worker did not approach the items, but notified authorities.

HILLSVILLE — Virginia State Police charged a 34-year-old Galax woman Monday after she entered Interstate 77 going the wrong way and caused a crash.
Merleen Sanchez was driving a 2001 Nissan Maxima at approximately 2:35 a.m. near the 8.8 mile marker, going south in the northbound lanes, according to a report by Trooper Matt Cochran.
The Maxima struck head-on a 2002 Hyundai Elantra driven by Muhammad Tahir of Charlotte, N.C.
The report listed one injury as a result and $9,000 worth of damage to each of the vehicles.

INDEPENDENCE — Last week, Gov. Bob McDonnell awarded $6 million in School Security Equipment Grants to improve safety and security for students and teachers in 459 Virginia schools and regional education programs, including Grayson County
The school division was awarded a $50,536 grant to be used at five schools.
The grants will pay for security equipment, including video monitoring systems, metal detectors, electronic-access controls, visitor-identification systems and communications systems providing direct links between schools and law enforcement agencies.