Sheriff says be safe, watch for buses and new vans as school opens

Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle of The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office wants the public to know school opening means that speed in school zones and stopping for buses will be monitored. He reminded the public, “Yellow amber lights mean prepare to stop – NOT speed up to beat the bus’s stop sign.”

 There will be several large white vans picking up students this year in their driveways, but will be on the road to and from schools along with the regular yellow school buses. Please make a note they will be marked Botetourt County Public Schools and all rules with school buses apply to these vans.

Lt. Jeff Stritesky of the BCSD and head school resource officers said,” We are excited for the beginning of a new school year. We wish the students and parents, faculty and staff a prosperous and safe school year. We ask parents and students to reach out to our school resource officers (SRO) and get to know them. Lord Botetourt has a new SRO this year, Chuck Davis.

Davis has 21 years in law enforcement and has been a Marine MP, worked with Roanoke City Police and has been in Botetourt County as a deputy for 5 years. He is married with three children.

–Story and Photo Cathy Benson