What's News Today: August 23, 2016

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(WSLS 10) - The trial begins today for the former Bedford police officer facing child pornography charges. Brian McAlexander was indicted on six felony charges. He served in the Bedford Police Department for more than 25 years. He was promoted before he resigned over the investigation.

The Grayson County couple charged in the death of a toddler will have be in court today for a preliminary hearing. Terra Connell and John Underwood face second degree murder charges after their dog mauled a 15 month old they were babysitting in January. The hearing could determine whether the prosecution has enough evidence to take the charges to a grand jury.

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The BelkGives on the Go Mobile Mammography Center will set up today at River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg. Women over the age of 40, who have not had a mammogram in the last year, can schedule an appoint to get one for free. Over the last two years, more than 7,400 mammograms have been performed, resulting in thirty cancer diagnoses. The mobile mammography center will set up in Roanoke on Thursday and Friday and Christiansburg on Saturday.

Martinsville City Council meets tonight to talk about personal property tax relief. The Commissioner of the Revenue recommends setting the property tax relief rate at 52.17 percent. The tax relief will be applied to the first $20,000 in value for each qualifying car.

Preserve Giles County and Preserve Newport Historic Properties will hold an open house tonight about the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The groups will talk about their efforts to oppose the pipeline. They will also talk about property rights. The forum begins tonight at 7 p.m. At Doe Creek Farm in Pembroke.

Inspections will wrap up today on the Airport Road tunnel in Roanoke. Crews will perform routine inspections between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Traffic will be rerouted during the inspection. Work was supposed to occur earlier this month, but was rescheduled because of poor weather conditions.

New road closure could affect your commute as crews continue work on the Downtown Waterline and Streetscape Project in Lynchburg. The intersection of Seventh and Church Streets will be closed starting this week. Traffic will be detoured. Buses will detour from Commerce Street to Ninth Street and to the remaining Church Street stops. Work on this part of the project is expected to wrap up in December.

The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will discuss the Greenfield Preservation Advisory Commission at its meeting tonight. Earlier this year, the board decided to create the commission to make recommendations for the restoration, presentation and interpretation of archeological and historic resources found at Greenfield. The board is expected to adopt charge and conditions for the committee and appoint its members. More than two dozen people signed up to be considered.