Latest news with #WDBJ7
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Active shooter opens fire on deputies in Virginia, leaving multiple injured
An active shooter opened fire on deputies in Virginia, leaving two injured. Emergency teams are on the scene at an address near Gretna in Pittsylvania County, with radio chatter alleging that the shooter has barricaded themselves in a home. A WDBJ7 reporter on the ground said there is 'very heavy scene at the intersection of Pittsville Road and Homestead Road'. In a statement, Congressman John McGuire confirmed that two deputies had been shot. He said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with the two deputies who were shot in Pittsylvania County, as well as their families. 'We are closely following the situation and keeping everyone affected in our hearts during this difficult time.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents report concerning increase in infestations as dangerous insects spread across US: 'Don't let it live … please kill all of them'
An invasive species is making its presence known in Virginia, and local vineyards are scrambling to minimize the damage, as reported by WDBJ 7. Despite their unassuming name, spotted lanternflies have quickly garnered a reputation as a particularly damaging pest. Native to parts of Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first detected in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania, per the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Since then, they have spread to multiple states and pose a threat to agricultural economies, native trees, and ecosystems. One of those affected states is Virginia, which has seen varying infestations of the invasive species since 2018. The insect poses a threat to various plants and trees, including economically important ones like grapevines, hops, and fruit trees. Home to six wineries, Bedford, Virginia, has learned about the destructive nature of the spotted lanternfly firsthand. This is why many business owners in the area are urging everyone to do their part in preventing an uncontrollable infestation. Danny Johnson, owner of Johnson's Orchard and Peaks of Otter Winery, spoke about the lengths that residents need to go in the fight against the invasive insect. "We try to educate everybody about them, and if they see one anywhere, even if it's at home, kill it," Johnson told WDBJ 7. "That's what we want them to do if they see one, don't let it live, everywhere this goes, please kill all of them." Shawn Jadrnicek, an Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, noted just how rapidly the spotted lanternfly has spread across the state. "Last year, we just had like a few sightings. Now, it's widespread. I've seen them all over the place," Jadrnicek explained to WDBJ 7. "People have trees covered with them, plants covered with them, so it's ramped up very quickly this year." Spotted lanternflies can cause severe damage to plants by sucking sap, which can weaken and destroy the plants' structure, making them vulnerable to other diseases and insects. The pest can also excrete a sugary substance known as honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold, further damaging plants and potentially preventing photosynthesis. As a whole, grapevines can be particularly vulnerable to spotted lanternfly infestations. Their feeding can lead to weakened vines, reduced winter hardiness, lower yields, and even vine death. Jadrnicek says that the key to controlling the spread of these invasive pests lies in targeting their habitat. And for spotted lanternflies, their favorite plant to call home is the Tree of Heaven, an invasive plant species known for its rapid growth and ability to outcompete native plants for resources. "You can use an herbicide called Triclopyr and you can hack and squirt around the base of the tree. Then use full-strength Triclopyr in those wounds that you make on the tree," Jadrnicek told WDBJ 7. "If you simply just cut down those trees, you're not necessarily going to kill them. They're going to sprout up from the root." To help aid in the fight against the spotted lanternfly, researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that ants may contribute as an early indicator of the pest's presence in an area. According to the study, ants have grown fond of the honeydew excreted by the spotted lanternfly and may travel to the food source. This may offer experts a much-needed head start to tackle infestations before they spiral out of control. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
San Francisco Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pickup truck crashes into home — family credits Metallica with saving them
A Virginia teen thanked Metallica for saving her parents' lives when a pickup truck crashed into her family's home earlier this month. David and Kristin McKee, along with their 14-year-old daughter Madeleine, had gone to bed earlier than usual on May 6 to rest up for the band's concert at Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium the following day. The couple said they typically stay up late watching television in the living room — the very part of the house the truck plowed into just hours after they went to bed. '(I asked David,) 'Do you wanna sit up?' And he was like, 'Nah, I think I just wanna go on to bed.' I said, 'I'll go on to bed too,'' Kristin McKee told local station WDBJ7. 'Then, just a few hours later, we heard a loud explosion, glass shattered. It was just madness from that point on.' Kristin continued, 'We were so fortunate that, that night, my daughter could have walked down that hallway and found us in the rubble. I thank God every day, and Metallica, for saving us.' Madeleine, who became a devoted Metallica fan after the Bay Area metal band's music was featured in the hit Netflix series 'Stranger Things,' later emailed the group. 'You saved my parents' lives, I will be forever grateful,' she wrote. 'Good luck with the rest of your tour, and hope to see you on the road.' While the family missed the concert due to the incident, they credit the timing of Metallica's tour with sparing them from tragedy. They also happened to miss what has been dubbed 'Metallica Quake.' The May 7 concert they were supposed to go to drew more than 60,000 fans and triggered minor seismic activity that was detected a mile away. The tremor posed no danger and was too small to register on the Richter scale. The McKees' home is undergoing repairs, and they hope to return within six months. Oddly, last month, Metallica announced a forthcoming documentary titled 'Metallica Saved My Life,' directed by 'Lords of Chaos' filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund. The film will spotlight personal stories from fans around the world and feature all four band members, along with actor Jason Momoa. Metallica's ongoing M72 World Tour, in support of their latest album 72 Seasons, is set to reach Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on June 20 and 22.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
911 dispatcher accused of ordering McDonald's when dealing with home invasion call: ‘Mhmm…McGriddle'
A Georgia man called 911 when he thought someone was breaking into his home — but he heard the dispatcher ordering breakfast from McDonald's on the other end of the line, according to a report. Dylan Johnson called 911 on Valentine's Day after his wife feared that someone was trying to break into their home. After trying three different lines, he finally got a hold of a dispatcher, who Johnson says he overheard ordering breakfast. 'My wife called me while I was at work about 9:30 and said someone was snooping around the house, knocking on the doors and banging on windows and stuff,' Johnson told WDBJ7. He then rang Chatham County's non-emergency line before ringing 911 three times. 'I was panicking. My wife was home alone with my five-month-old daughter…. I was coming home not knowing what I was going to come home to,' Johnson said. After trying to get in contact with an emergency dispatcher for six minutes, according to his call log reviewed by the outlet, he could hear that dispatcher pick up — and then he could hear her apparently ordering a McGriddle. 'Mhmm… McGriddle… *coughs* I'm sorry, what?' the dispatcher reportedly said three minutes into the call. Johnson was shocked. 'I really couldn't believe it. If it didn't happen to me, I wouldn't believe that it had happened to someone else. That's how unbelievable it was,' he told the outlet. By the time law enforcement showed up at his home, the suspicious person was gone, Johnson said. Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis told WDBJ7 that the dispatcher's actions are now under review by her supervisors. After completing a review of Johnson's call, officials will submit a report to Ellis, who will then discuss it with the Board of Commissioners, he told the outlet. The dispatcher involved in the incident has been disciplined, but its details are not known. The Independent has reached out to Ellis for more information. 'That should never happen, okay? Your ordering breakfast should be different from answering a call. The two should never intertwine,' Ellis told WOTC. Johnson said he was grateful the situation turned out to be OK, but stressed the need for change: 'When someone is calling 911, they need help. I want them to treat everything as an emergency as they should be.'
The Independent
09-04-2025
- The Independent
911 dispatcher accused of ordering McDonald's when dealing with home invasion call: ‘Mhmm…McGriddle'
A Georgia man called 911 when he thought someone was breaking into his home — but he heard the dispatcher ordering breakfast from McDonald's on the other end of the line, according to a report. Dylan Johnson called 911 on Valentine's Day after his wife feared that someone was trying to break into their home. After trying three different lines, he finally got a hold of a dispatcher, who Johnson says he overheard ordering breakfast. 'My wife called me while I was at work about 9:30 and said someone was snooping around the house, knocking on the doors and banging on windows and stuff,' Johnson told WDBJ7. He then rang Chatham County's non-emergency line before ringing 911 three times. 'I was panicking. My wife was home alone with my five-month-old daughter…. I was coming home not knowing what I was going to come home to,' Johnson said. After trying to get in contact with an emergency dispatcher for six minutes, according to his call log reviewed by the outlet, he could hear that dispatcher pick up — and then he could hear her apparently ordering a McGriddle. 'Mhmm… McGriddle… *coughs* I'm sorry, what?' the dispatcher reportedly said three minutes into the call. Johnson was shocked. 'I really couldn't believe it. If it didn't happen to me, I wouldn't believe that it had happened to someone else. That's how unbelievable it was,' he told the outlet. By the time law enforcement showed up at his home, the suspicious person was gone, Johnson said. Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis told WDBJ7 that the dispatcher's actions are now under review by her supervisors. After completing a review of Johnson's call, officials will submit a report to Ellis, who will then discuss it with the Board of Commissioners, he told the outlet. The dispatcher involved in the incident has been disciplined, but its details are not known. The Independent has reached out to Ellis for more information. 'That should never happen, okay? Your ordering breakfast should be different from answering a call. The two should never intertwine,' Ellis told WOTC. Johnson said he was grateful the situation turned out to be OK, but stressed the need for change: 'When someone is calling 911, they need help. I want them to treat everything as an emergency as they should be.'
