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‘Swatting’ a major issue for Virginia schools last year, report

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‘Swatting’ a major issue for Virginia schools last year, report


ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – A recent report says swatting is a big issue for Virginia schools, and Albemarle County officials say it is something they take very seriously.

Swatting is where someone makes a false report to police, and in many cases, includes a threat of violence.

“A lot of these are designed to create panic or concern,” Albemarle County Deputy Chief of Police Terry Walls said.

“We’re very sensitive to the psychological sort of domino effect that can come from something like swatting on our students, and that’s something we’re deeply concerned about for students of all ages,” Albemarle County Public Schools Spokesperson Helen Dunn said.

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The Educators School Safety Network say swatting was the main reason police responded to schools in the commonwealth in 2022.

Dunn says it can be scary for students any time emergency responders are called out to schools because they don’t know what’s going on.

“Younger students can be a little bit more vulnerable to those kinds of concerns or misunderstandings, although any student really is certainly susceptible,” the spokesperson said.

“It’s very demanding,” Walls said. “A lot of these incidents that involve the schools or that are reporting very serious crimes will sometimes take up maybe half the officers that we have working.”

While ACPS didn’t experience any issues with swatting last year, Dunn says it is something they’ve seen in the past and the toll it takes.

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“Many emergency responders are called to a school. Obviously, that represents taxpayer dollar,” she said. “The school itself would be disrupted by responding in a variety of different ways to make sure that they’re doing what they need to do and following protocol to ensure that their students are kept safe.”

Walls says ACPD works closely with schools to come up with better ways to respond to these types of calls effectively.

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Duke run defense set for tough matchup against Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten in Week 12

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Duke run defense set for tough matchup against Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten in Week 12


At 7-3, the Duke Blue Devils could build upon an already impressive 2024 football season over the final two games. The first of those chances comes on Saturday night when they face the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The Blue Devils’ defense has been their strength so far this season, specifically the secondary. However, their run defense hasn’t been the greatest, which could make for a poor matchup with the Hokies.

Duke has allowed 149.3 yards per game on the ground this season, 71st among FBS teams. The Blue Devils improve on a per-play basis, moving up to 44th at 3.83 yards allowed per carry, and they’ve only given up 10 rushing touchdowns in 10 games, but it’s a far cry from their pass defense (12th in yards per attempt).

On the flip side, the Virginia Tech rushing offense ranks 36th in the nation with 185.3 yards per game. The Hokies are one of five ACC teams averaging more than five yards per attempt, and that is mostly carried by running back Bhayshul Tuten.

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On the season, Tuten amassed 951 yards and 12 touchdowns on 146 attempts, an average of 6.51 yards per tote. He’s eclipsed 100 yards five times, including a 266-yard performance against Boston College that included three trips to the end zone.

Quarterback Kyron Drones also deserves attention for the Hokies’ offense on the ground. The redshirt junior has added 336 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Those two have more than 69% of the team’s rushing production in 2024. If Duke is to win this game, the key will be limiting Tuten and Drones.



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Obituary for Virginia Frances Stoots at Beckley Peace Chapel

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Obituary for Virginia Frances Stoots at Beckley Peace Chapel


Virginia Frances Stoots, age 81, of Beckley, WV received her heavenly promotion to be eternally with the Lord on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Born in Hotchkiss, WV on May 11, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Arnold Hatfield and Margaret Archie. Virginia was a retired manager from Ginos



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15-year-old accused of shooting teen near Lake Edward in Virginia Beach

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15-year-old accused of shooting teen near Lake Edward in Virginia Beach


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A 15-year-old boy is charged with shooting a teen over a week ago near Lake Edward in Virginia Beach, police say.

The shooting happened just before 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 in the 5000 block of W. Hastings Arch.

Police say officers responded to the shooting following an alert from ShotSpotter, which is technology that can detect gunshots.

Watch related coverage: Suspect arrested in deadly shooting at busy Portsmouth intersection

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Suspect arrested in deadly shooting at busy Portsmouth intersection

Officers then found a 15-year-old boy from Virginia Beach who had been shot, police say. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Last Thursday, police charged a boy — also a 15-year-old from Virginia Beach — in connection to the shooting. He’s charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony, police added.

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The shooting is still under investigation. Police ask anyone with information to call detectives at 757-385-4101 or Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.





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