Robert Andrew Lawson, 23 and former civil engineering student at Virginia Tech, was sentenced in the United States District Court to five years of jail time for arson. Larson had been found guilty of setting three fires that took place in Terrace View Apartments last July, August and September.The fires had been set in utility rooms of the apartment complex, including storage areas and laundry facilities.Lawson pleaded guilty to one count of arson in April of this year.

Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said, "Mr. Lawson's actions repeatedly put the lives of every tenant in that apartment complex at risk. I am pleased that Mr. Lawson has taken responsibility for his actions and I am satisfied that today's sentence is appropriate given the potentially deadly consequences of his criminal conduct."

In addition to jail time, Lawson will have to pay $73,801.87 in restitution.

—Bernadette White

A portion of the right southbound lane of South Main Street will be completely closed to traffic between July 21 and Aug. 21. The area between the 1400 block and the 1600 block — from El Guadalupe to King Street — will be shut down. The closure will facilitate work near the First and Main project. A turn lane, curb, gutter and sidewalk will be constructed.

—CT news staff