News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR

Fiddlefest cites construction, financial pressures for “taking this year off”

Evan Jones — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:20:03 +0000

Roanoke’s annual Fiddlefest has cancelled this year’s festival just three weeks before it was set to begin. Fiddlefest started in 2003 and has become a summer staple on the Hollins University campus. But the festival’s home page now has a statement saying it is taking this year off, citing construction at the site and financial pressures. Fiddlefest says it is offering refunds, but here is what we heard when calling the number given to get one:
Download audio file (05-18-Fiddlefest-Bite1-WEB.mp3)
In an e-mail to us, Festival Chairman Mike Conner says anyone seeking a refund can call his workplace at (540) 366-4616. Conner says Fiddlefest lost a lot of its traditional financial support in recent years, due in large part to reduced corporate ad budgets. Conner says they’ll regroup and Fiddlefest will “come back strong” next year.

Flood damage keeps some national forest sites closed

Evan Jones — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:00:28 +0000

Parts of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest remain closed, the result of last week’s heavy rains and localized floods. The forest service says some roads, trails, and recreation areas near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties are affected. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.
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Click here to see the latest alerts from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.

Click here for U.S. Forest Service information on flash floods.

Why you should check your insurance before having a yard sale

Timothy Martin — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:05:52 +0000

This is the time when yard sales start popping up around the Roanoke Valley. But are you prepared should something happen to someone on your property? WFIR’s Timothy Martin spoke to an insurance specialist about the risks.

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Saturday parade will honor hospitalized veterans

Evan Jones — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:59:42 +0000

A parade for hospitalized veterans is set to step off tomorrow morning in Salem. Organizers say it’s an important way to thank veterans no longer able join in a parade on their own. The story from WFIR’s Evan Jones.

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Tuition going up at Virginia Tech

AP — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:10:25 +0000

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) _ Annual tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students at Virginia Tech are rising by 3.9 percent next academic year. Meeting in Arlington on Thursday, Tech’s Board of Visitors approved the increase, which translates to an annual cost of $10,923. That’s up from $10,509 from the just-completed academic year. Room and board fees will also rise. Tech’s Board of Visitors considered three tuition and fee options, and decided to go with the mid-range increase. Even so, President Charles Steger said his administration will have to cut or restructure the university’s $1 billion-plus operating budget to reflect the 3.9 percent increase. Public higher education officials have been pressed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to hold down in-state tuition increases for the 2012-13 academic year.

Union rep: Roanoke spared from first round of Postal Service cuts

Evan Jones — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:19:51 +0000

A local Postal Workers Union official say he has been told the Roanoke Mail Processing Center will survive a first round of national cuts, but its future beyond that remains unclear. The President of American Postal Workers Union Local 482 sasy he is still awaiting further information. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the latest.
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Advance stock declines after latest earnings report

Evan Jones — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:45:29 +0000

It was a pretty good winter for Advance Auto Parts, but the latest results are still below expectations. Advance reported its first quarter earnings today, and its stock price promptly dropped almost 17% in Thursday trading. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.

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Click here for the latest Advance Auto parts stock price information from Yahoo! Finance

Cicada swarms make a racket after 17-year wait

Evan Jones — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:01:05 +0000

They’re making a racket, but not for much longer — and after that, not for another 17 years. This particular group, or brood, of cicadas lives in several counties along Virginia’s Blue Ridge. They’ve been underground for 17 years, living off tree roots. Now it’s time to emerge, mate, lay eggs, then die off. The noise comes from the males seeking to attract the females. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.

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Titanic fan? Antique store in Rocky Mount may have what you’re looking for

Timothy Martin — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:55:06 +0000

Perdue Antiques

An antique store in Rocky Mount is using Hollywood to get people through the doors. WFIR’s Timothy Martin reports.

Download audio file (Antiques-Wrap-1-WEB.mp3)

Click here to find out more about the store.

Police, prosecutors: dangerous synthetic drug use growing

Evan Jones — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:21:03 +0000

Roanoke Valley police and prosecutors say synthetic drugs are becoming increasingly popular in the region, and these can be especially harmful. As WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, they want parents of teens to pay attention.

Download audio file (05-16-Synthetic-Drugs-Wrap_WEB.mp3)

Such drugs are frequently sold as “not for human consumption” in efforts to circumvent existing law, but police say the laws are changing — and they are stepping up enforcement.

Click here for Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition’s information page.

Retired Marine marches through Roanoke on a new mission

Evan Jones — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:01:23 +0000

MacCollum in Iraq

A retired Marine who served in Iraq is now on another mission, and he is walking 500 miles to accomplish it — a mission taking him through Roanoke. Mac McCollum is walking from Knoxville, Tennessee to Washington D.C. to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps treat war veterans for their physical and psychological wounds. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.

Download audio file (05-16-Marching-Marine-Wrap1-WEB.mp3)

Click here for McCollum’s web site, which includes links to the Wounded Warrior Project and the opportunity to make a donation.

VWCC motorsports students prepare for national competition

Web Staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:24 +0000

Virginia Western Motorsports students will spend the first few weeks of their summer break making final touches to their off road vehicle for a national competition. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has more on what the team hopes to achieve with its hard work.

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Apco: faulty gauge led to excessive water SML water release

Web Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:17:41 +0000

Heavy rains should help raise the water levels at Smith Mountain Lake. They may have been lower than normal to begin with, but a faulty downstream water gauge also led Appalachian Power to release too much water for a while. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has more.

Download audio file (5-15-SML-WRAP-1-WEB.mp3)

Virginia State Police release 2011 crime report

Jim Kent — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:03:49 +0000

State police report a crime is committed every 74 seconds in Virginia. That’s just one statistic contained in the latest crime analysis report.

“2011 Crime in Virginia” reports narcotics offenses rose about 7%, but violent offenses were down 6.2%.

The story from WFIR’s Jim Kent:Download audio file (05-15-crime-report-wrap-2-WEB.mp3)

Greenway advocates to announce “Bridge the Gap” funding campaign

Evan Jones — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:01:20 +0000

A Roanoke River Greenway ribbon-cutting today will serve as both a celebration and campaign kickoff to build the greenway’s missing link. The “Bridge the Gap” campaign hopes to raise $7 million to complete the four-mile stretch from the Memorial Bridge area to Rotary Park in Salem. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-15-Greenway-Wrap2-WEB.mp3)

Gas Buddy: you may save some by holding off on next fill-ups

Evan Jones — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:29:45 +0000

One of the country’s leading trackers of gasoline prices says we’re at one of those times when you might save at least a little by holding off on your next fill-up. Gasbuddy.com expects national averages to fall another 20 to 30 cents a gallon by July 4th. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-14-Gas-Prices-Wrap2-WEB.mp3)

Greenbrier owner says Woods will play in Classic

AP — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:28:30 +0000

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) _ The Greenbrier’s owner says Tiger Woods will play in this year’s Greenbrier Classic. Jim Justice tells The Register-Herald that Woods has committed to play in the tournament. The third annual Greenbrier Classic will be held July 2-8 in White Sulphur Springs. According to The Greenbrier’s website, this year’s field also includes defending champion Scott Stallings, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Kenny Perry, and Tom Watson, who is the resort’s golf professional emeritus. Justice says The Greenbrier has worked for more than two years to bring Woods to the tournament.

VT Board of Visitors to again take up tuition

Evan Jones — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:30:23 +0000

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will hold a special meeting later this week to consider tuition and fees for the next school year. The Visitors postponed action last month, indicating they would like to see in-state rates hold steady, but there is no indication yet whether that will actually occur. The board meets in Arlington Thursday.

(Continue reading for the full Virginia Tech news release)

Here is the full Virginia Tech news release:

BLACKSBURG, Va., May 14, 2012 – The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will meet Thursday, May 17, at noon in the third floor conference room of the Virginia Tech Research Center – Arlington (http://www.ncr.vt.edu/Arlington/) (900 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203) . The board will consider a resolution for 2012-13 tuition and fees. The public may view the meeting in Blacksburg via video conference in 1100 Torgersen Hall on the Virginia Tech campus.
Find more information on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors online<http://www.bov.vt.edu/> (http://www.bov.vt.edu/).

Next step today in Bedford plans to revert from city to town

Evan Jones — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:01:34 +0000

Bedford’s plan to revert from a city to a town within Bedford County takes the next step forward today when a state commission meets. The State Commission on Local Government has five members, all with past local government experience. Its review is part of the state-mandated process for reversion from a city to a town. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-14-Bedford-Reversion-Wrap_WEB.mp3)

Click here for Bedford City’s web page on the planned reversion to town status.

Virginia Tech to talk “green” this week in Roanoke

Timothy Martin — Sat, 12 May 2012 07:55:13 +0000

Graduation may be over at Virginia Tech, but the work there never stops. Later this week, the university is co-hosting a conference in Roanoke about green technology and building ideas. WFIR’s Timothy Martin reports.

Download audio file (Tech-Green-Conf-Wrap-1-WEB.mp3)

Click here for more information

First lady to VT grads: invent your own futures

Evan Jones — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:17 +0000

First Lady Michelle Obama says the Virginia Tech community is setting an example for the country on how to deal with adversity. Speaking at Tech’s commencement ceremony today, she cited the university’s own motto — “Invent the Future” — in saying the new graduates can define who they are as adults by inventing their own futures. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.

Download audio file (05-11-Obama-VT-Wrap_WEB.mp3)

Steam engine to pull weekend train rides at transportation museum

Evan Jones — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:41:29 +0000

New Hope Valley 17

The Virginia Museum of Transportation is bringing in a working steam locomotive this weekend to kick off its 50th anniversary celebration. The New Hope Valley #17 steam engine will carrying passengers for the Roanoke Rail Fest. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.

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Click here for full Roanoke Rail Fest information.

Letter carriers help stamp out hunger

Web Staff — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:17:28 +0000

A big food drive returns Saturday and local letter carriers will be busy. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has more on the 20th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive:

Download audio file (StampOutWrap1-WEB.mp3)

First Lady at VT today; traffic, parking & security impacts expected

Evan Jones — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:01:11 +0000

It’s spring commencement day at Virginia Tech, always a busy day and even more so than usual today. First Lady Michelle Obama is one of the graduation speakers, and that means more people, more traffic, and more security. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-11-VT-Commencement-Wrap1-WEB.mp3)

The commencement ceremonies at Lane Stadium begin at noon. Click here for full Virginia Tech commencement information.

Treasure hidden in Roanoke County

Timothy Martin — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:55:41 +0000

The “Amazing County Treasure Hunt” is coming up tomorrow in Roanoke County. WFIR’s Timothy Martin has more on the fourth annual event.

Download audio file (Treasure-GPS-Wrap-1-WEB.mp3)

Click here to find out more about the event.

Things literally looking up on Market Building’s top floor

Evan Jones — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:11:27 +0000

Charter Hall - Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce photo

The Roanoke City Market Building may still be working on the best use for its main floor, but it is a different story two floors up. Interest in and bookings for the updated and renovated Charter Hall are running well ahead of expectations. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-10-Charter-Hall-Wrap1-WEB.mp3)

Click here for full Charter Hall information

Tuition costs on the minds of many parents

Timothy Martin — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:05:28 +0000

Parents paying for their kids’ college education will have to dig a little deeper during the next academic year. Tuition and fees are going up at many colleges and universities across the state. WFIR’s Timothy Martin talked to a local financial advisor about what to do now and in the future when it comes to writing those tuition checks.

Download audio file (Tuition-Financial-Wrap2-WEB.mp3)

Bolling: not thinking about McDonnell VP possibility

Evan Jones — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:01:45 +0000

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling says he’s not really thinking about the chance of being elevated to Governor if Bob McDonnell becomes a winning Vice-Presidential candidate. If that would occur, Bolling would become Governor in the year he seeks his party’s nomination for the office. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-10-Bollng-Wrap2-WEB.mp3)

Obama voices his support for gay marriage

AP — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:48:45 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama says he now supports same-sex marriage, ending months of equivocation on a subject with powerful election-year consequences. Obama says he has concluded that it is important for him to affirm that he thinks same-sex couples should be able to get married. He says he came to the conclusion over the course of several years of talking to family and friends.

Obama has previously said his personal views of gay marriage were evolving, a stance that frustrated gay rights supporters. Obama revealed his support for gay marriage in an interview with ABC News.

Franklin County company expands, will add jobs

Evan Jones — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:13:09 +0000

A Franklin County company is expanding, and that will mean more jobs. McAirlaid’s makes absorptive materials found in hyigenic products and food packaging. The company today unveiled its 75,000 square foot expansion near Rocky Mount and says it expects to hire about 40 more workers in the near future. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Download audio file (05-09-McAirlaids-Wrap1-WEB.mp3)

Here is the full McAirlaid’s news release:

McAirlaid’s expands in Franklin County

Manufacturer of absorption material adds jobs, increases global output with larger high-tech manufacturing center

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. (May 9, 2012) – McAirlaid’s Vliesstoffe GmbH & Co., which manufactures absorptive materials found in hygienic products and food packaging, today unveiled an expansion that will increase employment by a third in Franklin County as part of a multi-million-dollar investment.

With state dignitaries, business leaders and elected officials on hand for a ribbon-cutting and tour of the high-tech manufacturing center at The Commerce Center of Franklin County, McAirlaid’s president and CEO Alexander Maksimow said the expansion will increase the company’s global capacity by about a third.

“McAirlaid’s found a warm welcome in Franklin County when we opened here in 2008,” Maksimow said. “Now, with growing demand met by a world-class facility and outstanding employees, we are pleased to show off an expansion that will position us even better in the U.S. market.”

The 75,000-square-foot expansion at the German company’s only U.S. manufacturing facility and U.S. headquarters at 180 Corporate Drive increases McAirlaid’s footprint to 145,000 square feet. The additional space provides for additional manufacturing equipment and storage to make products such as absorbent pads for food packaging, medical and wound care products, absorbent cores for hygiene products, materials for wiping and filtration, pet care products, and table decorations. The expansion will allow the company to reduce imports of raw materials and use U.S.-produced materials.

The company’s patented airlaid, nonwoven material is made without glues, binders or synthetic material. Its proprietary machinery eviscerates pulp to create absorptive materials.

The expansion will enable McAirlaid’s, currently with 120 employees, to grow to 160 jobs almost immediately.

McAirlaid’s made a multi-million-dollar investment when it began operations in Franklin County in 2008. The company was founded in 1997 and also employs 250 in its two German facilities.

“As a major employer in Rocky Mount, McAirlaid’s is making a highly visible impact on the community with quality jobs, an international presence and a management team that enjoys living in the region. This expansion further signifies the company’s commitment to grow and prosper in Franklin County,” added David Cundiff, chairman of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors. “We enjoy having McAirlaid’s as part of our community and look forward to providing the support they need to flourish.”

“This could not have been possible without our customers, employees, and the community leaders who welcomed and supported us enthusiastically,” said Peter Gawley, U.S. president of McAirlaid’s.

“McAirlaid’s is the kind of company we love to see grow in the Roanoke Region,” said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. ” McAirlaid’s has benefited from a productive, skilled workforce, low costs of doing business, and one-day transportation to two-thirds of the U.S. population.”

ABOUT McAIRLAID’S

McAirlaid’s Vliesstoffe GmbH & Co. is a German-based, privately held airlaid producer withproduction facilities in Rocky Mount and Berlingerode and Heiligenstadt, Germany. The company produces proprietary airlaid materials specializing in absorptive applications. With the application of the modern airlaid technology based on our proprietary patented bonding technology we can offer an airlaid non-woven, which is produced without the use of any glues or synthetic fibers. To learn more, please visit http://www.mcairlaids.net/en/company/profile/.