Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411280055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BIG STONE GAP - A federal court jury has decided that the Wise County Board of Supervisors fired the county public works director for political reasons.
The U.S. District Court jury returned a verdict in favor of George Roberson, who filed a lawsuit seeking his job back and an undetermined amount of money.
Testimony from Roberson's witnesses depicted the board of seven Democrats and one Republican as a politically motivated group eager to make room for a Democratic buddy.
But the defense, led by lawyers Jim Jones and Susan Oglebay, cited Roberson's job performance, a lewd cartoon and the fact that Roberson was retiring as reasons he lost his job.
In July 1992, the board voted 6-2 to fire Roberson. His lawyer, John Farmer, argued that a deal already had been made to put Democrat David Cantrell in the public works position.
- Associated Press
Murder-for-hire trial begins Monday
FAIRFAX - The prosecutor in a murder-for-hire trial says his case will rely largely on circumstantial evidence because one person thought to be involved committed suicide and another was found dead in a well.
Builder John Kowalczyk, 38, of Fairfax, was shot to death June 10, 1993, in a Vienna parking lot where he had returned his son to his ex-wife after a scheduled visit.
Commonwealth's Attorney Robert F. Horan Jr. said in a hearing Wednesday that he believes defendant Ralph Shambaugh Jr. pulled the trigger and that Shambaugh's friend and co-worker, James Alting, drove the getaway car. Alting was found dead five months ago in a West Virginia well.
``We're dealing here with a circumstantial evidence case,'' Horan said during the pretrial hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court. ``We're dealing here with murder, and we're dealing with conspiracy.''
Shambaugh, 34, is charged with capital murder in the trial scheduled to start Monday.
- Associated Press
`Never close' diner closed after fire
HARRISONBURG - A well-known Shenandoah Valley diner with the motto ``We Never Close'' shut down Thursday after fire broke out above the restaurant.
Careless smoking apparently caused the early morning fire in the apartments above Jess' Quick Lunch, said Harrisonburg Fire Chief Larry Shifflett.
About 10 to 12 apartments were damaged, Shifflett said.
The 12 people in the apartments escaped injury.
Although the fire did not reach the downstairs, the restaurant received water damage from fire hoses and from water lines that broke upstairs.
The restaurant, a popular stop for politicians on Virginia's campaign trail, last closed during the March 1993 blizzard.
John Floros, son of owner Gus Floros, said he expected the restaurant would reopen Friday evening.
The restaurant was the scene of an arson in June 1979. That blaze killed a volunteer firefighter and destroyed Jess' and two other stores. The restaurant was rebuilt at the same location.
- Associated Press
by CNB