Public Safety

HILLSVILLE — Deer jumping over the side of the Howlett Street bridge, possibly fleeing from traffic, have been plummeting to their death right onto the U.S. 58 bypass below, according to Hillsville Police Chief Steve Williams.
The 60-foot fall is fatal to the deer, and Williams also worries what could happen to the people in vehicles that happen to be below Howlett Street.
"I believe this makes a total of eight deer that have jumped to their death from that bridge," he said in his written report to Hillsville Town Council last Monday.

Three blood collection drives are planned in the Twin Counties during February, as the American Red Cross experiences mounting effects of severe winter weather that caused the lowest January blood supply in a decade.
Severe weather throughout much of the eastern half of the U.S. has caused cancellation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross, including more than 600 in the Appalachian region.

Virginia sheriffs applauded Gov. Bob McDonnell’s recent action to address the public safety shortfall in the state sheriffs’ budget by proposing an amendment to the General Assembly to provide an additional $6.5 million.
Earlier this month, the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association was concerned that 376 deputy sheriffs would have to be laid off in the proposed budget.
There was a $13.4 million shortfall in the year beginning July 1, 2011. McDonnell addressed the concern by submitting an amendment for $6.5 million.  

HILLSVILLE —  A high-voltage donation worth $30,000 has equipped the Carroll County Sheriff's Department's with 30 Tasers, says Sheriff Warren Manning.
"It's just another tool that we have," the sheriff told The Gazette. "Whatever you think of it, it's a safety tool."
Other law enforcement agencies in the Twin Counties already carry Tasers.