Latest news with #Roanoke
Fox News
08-07-2025
- Fox News
Suspect arrested after alleged mid-flight bomb threat caused emergency landing
A suspect who allegedly made a bomb threat on an Allegiant Air flight over the weekend was arrested Sunday afternoon and charged with false information and threats. Taj Malik Tayor, 27, of Largo, Florida, told another passenger on Allegiant Air flight 1023, headed to Roanoke, Virginia, that his laptop was a bomb, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The plane had taken off from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), and quickly returned to that airport after the alleged threat. "The passenger immediately notified the flight attendants," the sheriff's office said. "Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb." After the plane landed, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office K9s searched Taylor's belongings. They did not find a bomb. According to Pinellas County jail records, Taylor was booked just before 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night, and was released from custody about 11 hours later on Monday morning. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken over the case, and provided an arrest affidavit for Taylor. The affidavit says that Taylor, "knowing the information to be false, willfully and maliciously with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, gave, under circumstances in which the information may have reasonably believed, false information about an alleged attempt being made to do an act… specifically, possession on or about the defendant's person an explosive device…" According to the affidavit, Taylor told investigators that he made the comments after a passenger was rude to him, and said that he was recently released from a mental health facility. He said he had taken medication on Saturday, the day before the alleged threat, and was "suffering from a lack of clarity." Taylor appeared in court Monday morning, according to the FBI. It is unclear whether he has an attorney. "Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport," the airline told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The plane landed safely and was met by law enforcement officers, who took the passenger into custody." "We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our passengers and thank them for their patience. As a gesture of goodwill, we issued $100 vouchers to each itinerary, to be used for future travel." Fox News Digital reached out to Taylor.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Allegiant flight forced to return to airport over passenger's terrifying remark to stranger
A passenger on an Allegiant plane derailed the flight and frightened passengers when he made a wild claim that his laptop was a bomb. Taj Taylor, 27, made the terrifying threat to another passenger on Allegiant flight 1023 departing from the St. Pete Clearwater Airport in Florida to Roanoke, Virginia on Sunday, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The passenger he threatened immediately notified flight attendants and after just 40 minutes in the air, the plane was diverted back to St. Petersburg. The sheriff's office K9 unit searched Taylor's belongings and fortunately came up empty-handed. Other passengers also reported hearing Taylor make the bone-chilling threats. Footage from those on the flight revealed the moments officers entered the plane and approached Taylor. The suspect stood up in his chair and removed his earphones as officers questioned him about the threats. Another video from inside the airport revealed Taylor walking with his hands behind his back down the tarmac. Three officers were seen escorting him off the plane. Once a new crew boarded the Allegiant flight, the plane took off for Roanoke. Flight logs showed that the plane landed back in Clearwater at 2:08pm and finally got back in the air at 6:26pm. Taylor was hit with felony charges of making threats and false information in the first degree. He was arrested and booked in jail on Sunday night. Taylor was released the same day and the case was taken over by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Taylor hasn't yet entered a plea, according to court records. Daily Mail reached out to the FBI for an update on the case. Social media accounts associated with Taylor have him listed as a seminary student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty is a private evangelical college and is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Social media accounts with Taylor's name have him listed as a seminary student at Liberty University and a veteran of the Air Force According to his Instagram bio, he graduated from Virginia State University and is an ordained clergyman. He also states that he is a veteran of the Air Force. Taylor's last post on Facebook is a video of his sermon on Father's Day. He doesn't have a violent criminal record other than charges from traffic court, according to Pinellas County court records. He was previously in court for operating a vehicle without insurance and speeding, among other minor traffic infractions.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION AND LIGHTERA, LLC ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION
Lightera Makes Investment in OCC ROANOKE, Va. and NORCROSS, Ga., July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCC) ("OCC®") and Lightera, LLC ("Lightera") today announced the companies have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to expand product offerings and solutions—especially for the data center and enterprise sectors. As a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, Lightera has a long history of industry-leading innovation, design and manufacturing capabilities, including high-performance optical fibers. OCC is a leading manufacturer of fiber optic and copper cabling and connectivity solutions and is internationally recognized for its innovative technologies and product designs. As respected manufacturers in the fiber optic industry, OCC and Lightera have partnered in various ways over many years, and this new strategic collaboration agreement builds on a long successful relationship between the two companies. As a result of this strategic collaboration, OCC and Lightera both expect to benefit from opportunities to capitalize on the ability to offer expanded fiber optic and copper cabling and connectivity solutions to the enterprise sector, the data center sector, as well as an expanded presence in other sectors. The companies will combine portions of the extensive product portfolios of both OCC and Lightera to deliver integrated cabling and connectivity solution offerings, which will be sold by OCC. In connection with this strategic collaboration, Lightera has made an investment in OCC, purchasing shares of OCC common stock from the company and Lightera holding 7.24% of the company's outstanding shares. Management Comments: "We recognize the importance of this strategic joint effort with OCC and the potential opportunities it brings to expand Lightera's presence in the data center and enterprise Passive Optical LAN sectors," said Foad Shaikhzadeh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lightera. "Lightera is delivering a comprehensive, next-generation solution purpose-built for the modern data center—combining advanced edge technology, scalability, and performance. Our long-standing relationship with OCC, grounded in mutual respect and proven product excellence, positions us to jointly serve the growing demands of this critical customer segment. We are confident that OCC's established presence and reputation in key sectors will amplify the impact of our solution, and we look forward to building on this partnership." Neil Wilkin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC, said, "We are excited about the opportunities this strategic relationship provides to both companies. OCC has successfully worked with Lightera (and its predecessor OFS Fitel, LLC), for decades, and we look forward to the expansion of our valued business partnership, as well as our continued engagement with the Lightera team. Importantly, we are confident that our strategic collaboration with Lightera, and the resulting Lightera-OCC integrated solutions offered, will significantly expand our opportunities in the data center and enterprise sectors, will accelerate OCC sales growth, and will create significant value for OCC and its shareholders." Lightera, LLC – Company Information Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across a wide range of industries—including telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, utilities, medical, aerospace, and defense—as well as advanced technology sectors such as data centers, 5G/6G, generative AI, and sensing. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications. Optical Cable Corporation—Company Information Optical Cable Corporation ("OCC®") is internationally recognized as a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic cable and copper cabling and connectivity solutions. OCC offers integrated suites of high-performing, high-quality products that function as a complete system or seamlessly integrate with other components. OCC's broad portfolio includes fiber and copper technologies designed to meet the highest industry standards and perform in the most demanding environments ranging from: commercial, enterprise network, data center, residential and campus installations to customized products for specialty applications and harsh environments, including military, industrial, mining, petrochemical and broadcast applications, as well as for the wireless carrier market. Founded in 1983, OCC is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A. with offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in Roanoke, Virginia, near Asheville, North Carolina and near Dallas, Texas. OCC's facilities are ISO 9001:2015 registered. Optical Cable Corporation™, OCC®, Procyon®, Superior Modular Products™, SMP Data Communications™, Applied Optical Systems™, and associated logos are trademarks of Optical Cable Corporation. Further information about OCC® is available at FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release by Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, "OCC") may contain certain forward-looking information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The forward-looking information may include, among other information, (i) statements concerning our outlook for the future, (ii) statements of belief, anticipation or expectation, (iii) future plans, strategies or anticipated events, and (iv) similar information and statements concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations, and such known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks may also adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries, OCC's future results of operations and future financial condition, and/or the future equity value of OCC. A partial list of such variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that could cause or contribute to such differences from our expectations or that could otherwise adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries is set forth in Optical Cable Corporation's quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the heading "Forward-Looking Information." OCC's quarterly and annual reports are available to the public on the SEC's website at In providing forward-looking information, OCC expressly disclaims any obligation to update this information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable laws and regulations. OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION LIGHTERA LLC 5290 Concourse Drive 2000 NE Expressway Roanoke, VA 24019 Norcross, GA 30071 (Nasdaq GM: OCC) AT OCC: AT LIGHTERA: Tracy Smith Sherry Salyer Senior Vice President & CFO Director of Marketing Communications, (540) 265-0690 Marketing / Specialty Solutions investorrelations@ FOR OCC AT JOELE FRANK, WILKINSON BRIMMER KATCHER: Aaron Palash Spencer Hoffman (212) 355-4449 ext. 8603 212) 355-4449 ext. 8928 occ-jfwbk@ occ-jfwbk@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Optical Cable Corporation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinpoint Weather: Tropical Storm Chantal to bring some rain tomorrow
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Tropical Storm Chantal will be moving inland and over the Carolinas during the next 24-36 hours which will influence our weather and increase rain chances for some tomorrow. Some areas of patchy fog will be possible tonight, mainly in the valleys west of the Blue Ridge. Low temperatures will range from the upper 50s to mid 60s. Tomorrow will begin to feel a bit more humid as dewpoints rise with high temperatures in the 80s. The morning will be dry as high clouds on the outskirts of Chantal stream in from the south. Into the afternoon, showers and a few storms will be possible with the outer bands moving in from the south along and east of the Blue Ridge into the Piedmont. Overall rainfall amounts will be modest with up to 1″ through Monday possible over far southeastern portions of our area. The heaviest will remain to the south over the Carolinas. Showers remain possible into the night as well for eastern areas. As what is left of Chantal moves away Monday, a frontal boundary from the northwest will approach and will likely stall out near or over the area. This will return the chance for daily showers and storms across the region through most of the week. Temperatures will remain warm and hot in the mid 80s to lower 90s. Humidity will be elevated which will increase the heat index values to the upper 90s near 100 degrees east of the Blue Ridge by mid-week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southern Trust Home Services marks 30 years of serving Virginia homeowners
Owner Ted Puzio looks back on humble beginnings, hard times and the journey to become leading Roanoke home services company ROANOKE, Va., June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Trust Home Services, a leading electrical, HVAC and plumbing company serving southwest Virginia, is celebrating 30 years of business — overcoming numerous challenges and landing big wins — on the path to success. Owner Ted Puzio says the road to Southern Trust's current iteration was bumpy at times, but he wouldn't have it any other way. "To say we started off small would be an understatement," Puzio said. "When I first opened shop, I was a single dad with two boys, and I was running the business out of our home. We lived on one floor, and the business was on the other. It was challenging, and it was tough keeping that balance between family life and the shop, but we made it work." Southern Trust Home Services has gone through a few changes since the days of working out of the Puzio home on its path to becoming the southern Virginia powerhouse it is today: Initially called TP Electric and focused on new construction, it wasn't long before Puzio realized the business needed to go a different route and focus on residential work, becoming Southern State Electric in 1997. In 2011, Puzio added plumbing services, and just three years later, he added an HVAC division. The new divisions made the company the first in its market to offer service across multiple trades. In 2015, the company rebranded as Southern Trust Home Services and moved to a large, commercial location in Roanoke. Southern Trust began to receive national acclaim when Puzio was named Contractor of the Year by Contractor Magazine in 2017. Additional recognitions include becoming a 2021 Contractor of Excellence by Contracting Business, multiple other honors such as "Truck of the Month" spotlights and placement on the Inc. 5000, a list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Puzio says the company faced hard times as well, but the challenges helped him learn, fortify his processes and services, and remain determined to become the best home service company in the area. "I've got multiple employees who have been with me for more than a decade, and in this industry, that kind of loyalty and dedication is hard to come by so we must be doing something right," Puzio said. "My team has put their faith in me through thick and thin, and together we've built a name and a place in this community that's welcomed us into their homes for more than 30 years. It wasn't always easy, but I couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished." For more information, contact Southern Trust Home Services at (540) 343-4348 or visit About Southern Trust Home ServicesFounded in 1995 as TP Electric, Southern Trust Home Services provides residential plumbing, electrical and HVAC services and drain cleaning to homeowners in more than 60 cities throughout southwest Virginia. Trucks are ready and on stand-by for emergency services 24/7, and financing options and lifetime guarantees are also available. As Roanoke's first home services company to offer a lifetime guarantee on all recommended repairs, Southern Trust Home Services staffs dedicated, certified, licensed and insured, drug and criminal background checked technicians who provide timely, same-day services for a variety of home repairs, installations, and maintenance. An A+ Better Business Bureau accredited company since 2006, Southern Trust Home Services has financing available including 0% for 18 months, and Lifetime Repair Guarantee on stated repairs. To find out more, call 540-343-4348 or visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Southern Trust Home Services Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
