WHEEradio

09/17/2026

Obituaries have been updated. The complete listing is at the link in the first comment.

09/17/2026

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/legislative-compromises-pushed-am-radio-bill-to-house-passage

NAB and other prominent players hail Tuesday's House vote as a win, but the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act does contain some compromises.

09/16/2026

Griffith Statement on House Passage of AM Radio for Every Vehicle

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 979 – the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This legislation directs federal agencies to issue a rule that compels automobile manufacturers to install AM radio for new vehicles. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.

Following House passage of the bill, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who voted for the bill and is a co-sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement:

“AM radio is a tested and tried technology that reliably delivers news in real-time to people while they are driving. Access to this technology can be life-saving during a disaster, particularly in rural areas where redundant communications systems are essential.

“With this bill, those who live in and/or drive through rural communities will continue to receive reliable signal and service through AM radio.

“I urged House leadership to bring this bill to a vote. I am proud that the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is one step closer to becoming law.”

09/16/2026

Suspect arrested

Danville police have arrested 24-year-old K-Sean La’Darius Royster, who was wanted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the September seventh shooting at Purdum Woods. A one-year-old child injured in that shooting was released from the hospital the next day and is recovering. Police thanked the public for its assistance. The investigation remains ongoing.

09/16/2026

Two deceased in Patrick Springs crash

Two Ararat residents died in a head-on crash Monday evening in Patrick County. State police say a Kia crossed the centerline on Spring Road near Foxtrot Lane and struck a truck. The Kia’s driver, 55-year-old David McAdams, and passenger, 54-year-old Dovie Maye Niten, died at the scene. The truck driver was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Investigators continue.

09/16/2026

The Martinsville City School Board has appointed MHS junior Ja’Corian Turner as its student representative for the 2026-27 school year. Turner carries a 4.1 GPA and takes AP and dual-credit courses. The board also learned that a planned school-based health center at Albert Harris is about $400,000 over budget and heard concerns about enforcement of the student dress code.

Tonight, the Martinsville City Public School Board appointed MHS junior Ja'Corian Turner to serve as a student representative to the School Board for the 2026-2027 school year!

Ja'Corian, like other student representatives before him, will have an important role this year: bringing the perspective and ideas of students directly to division leadership and helping ensure their voices are part of the conversations shaping MCPS.

And MHS Principal Dr. Aji Dixon said tonight, Ja'Corian is exactly the kind of young person you want representing his classmates.

“He is just as good a student as he is a young person in general,” Dr. Dixon told the Board. “He has a 4.1 GPA, and takes rigorous Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses. He’s a great young man.”

Ja'Corian is also a student-athlete and a member of the varsity Bulldog basketball team, currently putting in the work in the gym to prepare for another season. 🏀

Congratulations, Ja'Corian! We’re proud to see you step into this leadership role, and we can’t wait to hear the perspective you bring to the table. Thank you for stepping up to represent your fellow students and shape the future of Martinsville City Public Schools!

09/16/2026

A man is jailed without bond after an assault Monday in Henry County. Deputies say a man found severely injured at a Brook Court home was flown to a hospital and is believed to be stable. Deputies recovered his stolen car in Patrick County. Robert Glenn Wagoner Junior faces charges of breaking and entering, aggravated malicious wounding and motor vehicle grand larceny.

Aggravated Assault Investigation Leads to Arrest

On September 14, 2026, at approximately 5:45 AM, deputies with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported assault at a residence located at 43 Brook Court in Henry County.

Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male victim inside the residence suffering from severe injuries.

Deputies also discovered evidence indicating that forced entry had been made into the residence. During the initial investigation, deputies determined that the victim’s vehicle, a Toyota Camry, had also been stolen.

The victim was treated at the scene by Henry County Public Safety and subsequently airlifted to an area hospital for further treatment. At this time, he is believed to be in stable condition.

As the investigation continued, a concerned citizen contacted law enforcement and reported that the stolen vehicle had been located on property in Patrick County.

Deputies with the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office responded and confirmed that the vehicle was the Toyota Camry stolen from the victim’s residence.

Investigators developed information identifying Robert Glenn Wagoner Jr. as a suspect in the assault and theft of the vehicle. Investigators with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office subsequently located Wagoner at a family member’s residence in Henry County. Evidence related to the investigation was recovered, and Wagoner was taken into custody.

Robert Glenn Wagoner Jr. has been charged with:

• Violation of Virginia Code Section: 18.2- 89 - Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit Assault and Battery

• Violation of Virginia Code Section: 18.2-51.2 - Aggravated Malicious Wounding

• Violation of Virginia Code Section: 18.2-95 - Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

Wagoner is being held without bond at the Henry County Adult Detention Center on these charges.

The motive for the assault remains under investigation. Additional details will be released as appropriate as the
investigation continues.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Henry County Department of Public Safety, the Virginia State Police, and the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this investigation

09/16/2026

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/u-s-house-passes-bill-to-require-am-radio-in-new-cars

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act" has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

09/16/2026

Witnesses who talked with the driver said she told them she was working for DoorDash and talking on her cellphone when she ran off the road, knocking down a street sign and damaging her car. There were no injuries at the single vehicle crash at the intersection of Starling, Mulberry and Market on Tuesday evening.