Town Council welcomes Officer St.Clair

By Debbie Adams

Vinton Police Chief Fabricio Drumond introduced the town’s newest police officer, Josiah
St.Clair, to council members at their meeting on July 7.

St.Clair was born in Jamaica and raised in Bedford County. He is a graduate of Staunton River
High School and studied Biblical Studies at Cedarville University in Ohio, where he was a
Dean’s List student. During his first year of college, he answered the call to serve by enlisting in
the United States Army, where he ultimately earned the rank of sergeant while serving as a Field
Artillery Cannon crewmember— a combat arms position. During his military service, St.Clair
defended the nation in the global war on terrorism, serving in combat operations in Syria during
Operation Inherent Resolve.

“Throughout his hiring process, it became abundantly clear that Josiah served his country with
unwavering pride, humility, and dedication to our nation and its safety,” Drumond said. “His
military evaluations consistently highlighted the same qualities. He was recognized as mission-
focused, technically proficient, a trusted leader, an exceptional teacher and mentor, instrumental
to mission success, resilient under pressure, and wholly committed to the welfare of those around
him.

“One accomplishment, however, stood above all the others to me. Recognizing that his unit
lacked a chaplain, St.Clair took it upon himself to establish a voluntary prayer and Bible study
group for his fellow soldiers. He sought to improve morale, provide encouragement during
difficult times and create an environment where others could find strength, purpose, and hope.
He routinely took the time to care for fellow soldiers who were struggling and demonstrated
genuine concern for their mental well-being far beyond what was expected of someone in his
position, much of this during his off-duty time. This, for me, says everything.”

While continuing to serve in the Army National Guard, St.Clair attended Cardinal Criminal
Justice Academy, graduating in October 2025, where he excelled academically, graduated with
outstanding scores, and earned the distinction of Class Officer, a reflection of the respect and
confidence his classmates and instructors placed in him.

He is married to his high school sweetheart, Samantha.

“We have every confidence that Officer St.Clair will serve our citizens with the same integrity,
compassion, and servant’s heart that have defined his life thus far,” the chief said.

Next on council’s agenda was an update on six corridor improvements and greenway projects by
Planning and Zoning Director Anita McMillan and Asst. Director Nathan McClung.

 Walnut Avenue Corridor Improvements–Phase 3. This project will construct
approximately 1,600 linear feet of new sidewalk on the north side of Walnut Avenue and
approximately 700 linear feet of new sidewalk on the south side. This includes pavement
markings for 1,600 feet of bike lanes and the installation of a new crosswalk at 2 nd Street.
This SMART SCALE-funded project is being administered by VDOT at an estimated
total cost of $7.7 million. It includes preliminary engineering, right-of-way property and
easement acquisition, and utility relocation. The project is expected to be advertised for
bids on October 13, 2026, with construction expected to be completed in Fall 2027.

 Dogwood Boulevard and Hardy Road Roundabout. The purpose of this project is to
enhance safety, increase intersection capacity, and improve traffic flow by replacing the
existing signalized intersection at Dogwood Blvd. (formerly Bypass Road) and Hardy
Road with a single-lane roundabout featuring three slip lanes. It also includes relocating
the entrance to the bank property, constructing a new bank exit onto Roop Street,
installing crosswalks with pedestrian refuge islands on Dogwood Blvd. and Hardy Road,
and constructing new sidewalk connections to existing pedestrian facilities. During
construction, Dogwood Blvd. traffic which currently turns left onto Hardy Road will be
detoured for four to six months. In 2023, average daily traffic volume at the intersection
was approximately 15,400 vehicles on Dogwood Blvd. and 12,200 vehicles on Hardy
Road. This is a SMART SCALE project, administered by VDOT. Total cost will be
approximately $14.1 million. A public hearing was held in May 2025. Construction is
expected to begin in October 2027 and be completed in Fall 2029.

 Glade Creek Greenway Phase 3 Preliminary Engineering Study. This project will provide
pedestrian and bicycle accommodation from the Glade Creek Phase 2 trailhead parking at
Gus Nicks Blvd. to Vinyard Park. It is being administered by the Roanoke Valley-
Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC). RK&K is the project consultant. Funding
for this project is provided through the Surface Transportation Block Grant. The cost is
estimated at $275,000.

 Route 24 Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. This project includes 14 pedestrian
crossing improvements, including five locations at unsignalized intersections and three
signalized intersections. Improvements include ADA-compliant curb ramp installations,
newly marked crosswalks, pedestrian signal heads with pedestrian countdown signals,
reconstructing existing access entrances, and pedestrian refuge islands. The project area
extends from the signalized intersection at PFG on West Virginia Avenue eastward
towards the intersection of South Pollard Street and then northward before terminating at
Jefferson Avenue. The funding source is the Virginia Highway Safety Improvements
Program (HSIP). The estimated project cost is $2.6 million. Bids will go out in the
summer of 2027.

 Vinyard Road Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. This project includes pedestrian
accommodations (sidewalks, ADA ramps/curb cuts, crosswalks) and the reconstruction
of commercial entrances along the corridor to improve pedestrian access/safety, transit
access, in addition to reducing congestion. Concrete sidewalks will be constructed in the
existing right-of-way area. A crosswalk will be added to the location of an existing bus
stop and shelter area that will allow pedestrians to access the eastern section of the project on Vinyard Road. An additional crosswalk will provide pedestrian access to the
Clearview Manor Apts., a senior low-income housing apartment building that contains
100 residential units. This project is being administered by RVARC and funded through
an STBG grant. The estimated cost is $1.2 million. Only preliminary engineering has
been funded with the intention of town staff applying for future grant funds to cover the
right-of-way and constructions aspects of the project.

 Road Safety Audit. Through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) the town has
determined that Hardy Road from Maple Street to Dogwood Blvd. is identified on the
High Injury Network, which represents the worst 10% of roadways within the town,
accounting for two-thirds of all severe injuries and fatal crashes. The project scope
includes completing a road safety audit, identifying safety concerns, and recommending
improvements for the Hardy Road Corridor. The estimated cost of the study is $100,000,
with a 20 % match required from the town. The study is estimated to begin in Fall 2027.

Council held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to convey portions of Walnut Avenue
right-of-way to adjacent parcels owned by the Lafferty Family, LLC, and Jeffrey and Amy
Belcher, in conjunction with development of the Walnut Avenue Corridor Improvements Project
Phase 3. Action will be taken at a later date.

After another public hearing, council adopted an ordinance to vacate, abandon, and discontinue
any right, title, or interest the town may have in a 10-foot wide, 115-foot-long, platted, but
undeveloped, alley that extends from East Cleveland near its intersection with Pine Street and
bisects the parcel identified as 528 East Cleveland Avenue. A major portion of this undeveloped
alley runs through the middle of the existing structure which currently contains a commercial
space and seven residential units, redeveloped by CMART Holdings, LLC. The town was aware
of the alley before and during the redevelopment of the property and it was the intention of staff
to request this vacation/abandonment. This action allows for future deed, title, and land research
and loan processes to not become problematic or cumbersome. This was the former Cleveland
Mart and is now Cleveland Commons.