No bomb at editorial writer's home
By Donna Alvis-Banks and Paul Dellinger
UPDATED 4:05 p.m.
The mysterious package that was delivered today to Roanoke Times editorial writer Christian Trejbal's home and prompted the closing of a Christiansburg street turned out to be full of blank mailing labels and cardboard mailers.
School Lane was closed, a state police bomb squad was called and at least some neighbors were evacuated after Trejbal, who attracted a deluge of criticism with a column about concealed carry firearms permits, found the package during a lunch-time trip home. Trejbal has received threats in the wake of his Sunday column, which celebrated open government and public records and was accompanied by an online database listing the about 135,000 Virginians who are licensed to carry concealed firearms. The information is available to anyone who inquires at county courthouses, or can be obtained on a statewide basis from Richmond.
Angry responses poured into the paper's message boards after the column ran, with readers complaining that putting the database online would make it easier for thieves to find weapons to steal or for abusive spouses to track down partners who'd acquired weapons to protect themselves. The Roanoke Times removed the database from its Web site Monday afternoon due to concern that it might include names that should not have been made public, president and publisher Debbie Meade said.
Lt. Mark Sisson of the Christiansburg police said today that Trejbal said he definitely didn't order the package "so we're going to take every precaution."
Susan Thomas, who lives near Trejbal, called him a good neighbor, but said he had upset people with his columns. She and others who live in the neighborhood were confused as police arrived at his home.
"We don't have any idea what's going on," Thomas, 64, said as the bomb squad examined the box. "... I saw a yellow truck this morning. They delivered a package this morning. It said DHL on the side. ... Then I saw all the police cars. I asked them, 'Should we be concerned?' and they said 'Just give us a minute.' 'A minute has been two or three hours.' "
The box was full of blank DHL mailers and labels. Wendy Parmalee of DHL's Blacksburg office said the box sounded like something that went to new customers and she was not sure why it was delivered to Trejbal.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/breaking/wb/108505
Article also conveniently confirms his address as School Ln, Christiansburg. How cool is that!?!
By Donna Alvis-Banks and Paul Dellinger
UPDATED 4:05 p.m.
The mysterious package that was delivered today to Roanoke Times editorial writer Christian Trejbal's home and prompted the closing of a Christiansburg street turned out to be full of blank mailing labels and cardboard mailers.
School Lane was closed, a state police bomb squad was called and at least some neighbors were evacuated after Trejbal, who attracted a deluge of criticism with a column about concealed carry firearms permits, found the package during a lunch-time trip home. Trejbal has received threats in the wake of his Sunday column, which celebrated open government and public records and was accompanied by an online database listing the about 135,000 Virginians who are licensed to carry concealed firearms. The information is available to anyone who inquires at county courthouses, or can be obtained on a statewide basis from Richmond.
Angry responses poured into the paper's message boards after the column ran, with readers complaining that putting the database online would make it easier for thieves to find weapons to steal or for abusive spouses to track down partners who'd acquired weapons to protect themselves. The Roanoke Times removed the database from its Web site Monday afternoon due to concern that it might include names that should not have been made public, president and publisher Debbie Meade said.
Lt. Mark Sisson of the Christiansburg police said today that Trejbal said he definitely didn't order the package "so we're going to take every precaution."
Susan Thomas, who lives near Trejbal, called him a good neighbor, but said he had upset people with his columns. She and others who live in the neighborhood were confused as police arrived at his home.
"We don't have any idea what's going on," Thomas, 64, said as the bomb squad examined the box. "... I saw a yellow truck this morning. They delivered a package this morning. It said DHL on the side. ... Then I saw all the police cars. I asked them, 'Should we be concerned?' and they said 'Just give us a minute.' 'A minute has been two or three hours.' "
The box was full of blank DHL mailers and labels. Wendy Parmalee of DHL's Blacksburg office said the box sounded like something that went to new customers and she was not sure why it was delivered to Trejbal.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/breaking/wb/108505
Article also conveniently confirms his address as School Ln, Christiansburg. How cool is that!?!
