A Franklin County man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2011 shooting death of his girlfriend.

Christopher Neil Dotson, 22, was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and a jury trial was scheduled for later this month, said Franklin County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Deatherage.

A ruling on the Clery Act appeal could come as victims' parents head to court.

Nearly five years after 33 people died in the worst school shooting in U.S. history, two civil tribunals are expected to render verdicts on how Virginia Tech officials managed the crisis that unfolded on April 16, 2007.

County and school employees have not received raises in three consecutive years.

The proposed budget shortfall for Roanoke County Public Schools continues to grow - but school officials still explore ways to fund raises for employees.

In a joint meeting Wednesday evening, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors told the school board to expect a reduction in local funding ranging from $1.1 million to $2.6 million.

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Salem police are investigating two apparently unrelated cases of young girls being molested by adult acquaintances.

In one case, reported Jan. 24, the mother of a girl complained to police after a family member made statements to her regarding her daughter, who is younger than 12, prompting the mother take the child for a medical evaluation, said Salem Police Sgt. Mike Crawley. It's unclear when the sexual assault allegedly occurred, but it was not in the immediate few days prior to the complaint, Crawley said.

Montgomery County officials will be asked to accept the land as a donation.

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