Evan Jones
One woman is arrested and another is being sought for a recent series of purse snatchings. Roanoke County Police say they occurred at the Cave Spring Goodwill store, the Clearbrook Walmart and the Williamson Road Kroger. 52-year-old Sandra Coleman of Roanoke is charged with the thefts, but police say they have not yet identified the second suspect.
(Continue reading for the Roanoke County Police news release.)
It’s primary day in New Hampshire, a relatively small state that often plays a very big role in weeding out presidential hopefuls. A Virginia Tech political analyst says several Republicans will need to do well there to have much chance in primaries to come — including Virginia’s. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Gas prices will soon be heading up, but experts predict that once again, average prices will be lower than the year before. The reason for the annual rise: higher demand in warmer months and the changeover to a federally-required and more expensive summer blend. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
George Takei
“Star Trek” star George Takei is coming to Roanoke in May at the city’s invitation. The City of Roanoke and Local Colors are hosting “An Evening with George Takei — “On Inclusion and Diversity” — May 4th. A free public event at a yet-to-be-determined venue will focus on the acceptance of immigrants and refugees and to warn against systemic racism. Chris Morrill is the Roanoke City manager:
Takei was critical of Mayor David Bowers in November after Bowers released a statement citing the mass detention of Japanese-Americans during World War II in order to deny Syrian refugees the chance to resettle in the Roanoke Valley. Takei, who was one of 120,000 people of Asian descent put in internment camps in the wake of 1940s-era prejudice, took issue with Bowers’ grasp of history. “There was no threat. We loved America. We were decent, honest, hard-working folks. Tens of thousands of lives were ruined, over nothing,” Takei wrote on his Facebook page.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Continue reading for the city’s news release.
The Roanoke region’s population grew about 1.7% in the past five years according to estimates from a University of Virginia research center. That compares to a statewide growth of almost 5%. In our area, Montgomery County led the way, growing 4%, and Bedford County was not far behind at 3.6%. Click here to read the full report, which breaks down the numbers by city and county.
The water authority that serves most of the Roanoke Valley knows of no pipes within its system that contain lead, but it takes steps nonetheless in efforts to ensure no customers are exposed to lead in their water — as has notably occurred in Flint, Michigan. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
