Public Safety

Three hunters have been charged in connection with an alleged deer spotlighting incident that occurred in the Flat Ridge community of Grayson County on Nov. 25.
Spotlighting — using lights to hunt deer at night — is illegal in Virginia.
Virginia Conservation Police Officer Jason Harris charged the following:
• Roy McKinley Payne of Galax, charged with spotlighting deer, no hunting license, no big game stamp

LAUREL FORK — Members of the Laurel Fork, Hillsville and Meadows of Dan fire departments responded to reports of heavy smoke and fire coming from a residence on U.S. 58, west of Dugspur Road, at about 7:18 Friday morning.

Calls about the heavy smoke came into Twin County E-911 from the rental home at 13889 Danville Pike and from a neighbor, said emergency officials. While there were people in the house at the time, they got out safely.

The Opticom system — devices on traffic signals that change lights to clear the way and make intersections safer for emergency traffic — have been installed at all intersections along East Stuart Drive in Galax, from the Main Street to Walmart.
Two preempting devices have also been installed at the Webster and Washington intersections on Main Street. Three more will be installed at Center, Grayson and Oldtown streets in January.

WOODLAWN - Hillsville and Galax fire departments responded to a fire off of Forest Oak Road at about 6 p.m. Sunday evening.

They found the home engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Watch The Gazette for more details as they become available.