Evan Jones
There are two weeks left now until election day, and both parties still view the 21st State Senate seat race as among the most important in Virginia, one likely to help determine which party controls the Senate. A long-time Richmond political observer says the historically-lower voter turnout in this election cycle may present more of a challenge to Democrats, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports.
The Virginia Department of Elections is offering a new way to apply for an absentee ballot — on line through the department’s web site. You have until a week from tomorrow to do so, and you must still meet one of the qualifying requirements to be eligible for an absentee ballot. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Click here for full information from the Virginia Department of Elections
A federal grant will help Goodwill Industries offer training for health care care jobs to people who might not otherwise be considered — more than 100 a year in central and southwest Virginia. One focus will be on people currently on public assistance, and another is on those in workforce who don’t earn a lot, but make too much to meet the usual assistance eligibility guidelines. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Virginia Tech Political Analyst Bob Denton says Hillary Rodham Clinton has strengthened her chances of capturing the Democratic party’s presidential nomination after her performance in this week’s debate. Denton says Clinton did what she had to do, making no major mistakes — and with none of the other candidates attacking her, she spent little time on the defensive. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Roanoke City officials say they are exploring more options in efforts to complete the Roanoke River Greenway through the city. At issue is the proposed section that would run alongside Walker Foundry, where company officials say greenway construction would threaten an existing environmental permit that allows the firm to operate. Options now on the table include building a wall alongside that portion of the greenway, or even covering it. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the latest.
The region can now begin drying out after a week and a half of almost steady rains — with some astonishing totals of up to 24 inches. The National Weather Service is reporting rainfall amounts for the 11-day period through yesterday, and they include:
Roanoke Airport: 7.89″
Cave Spring: 13.26″
Rocky Mount: 12.55″
Mabry Mill, Floyd County: 24.11″
(Continue reading to see the full list of rainfall totals)
A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect through Saturday evening, and now, a High Wind Watch is also scheduled to take effect Friday evening and continue through Sunday morning. A watch means a potential exists for severe weather; it is different from a warning, which means a severe condition is either imminent or occurring. The High Wind Watch is in effect because expected speeds may be enough to uproot trees in ground already saturated.
Vicky Clarke
A Bedford County area woman is charged with fatally shooting her brother early today, the apparent result of an lengthy late-night dispute in the Chamblissburg area. The Sheriff’s office says 54-year-old Vicki Clarke faces a second degree murder charge. Deputies say her brother, 55-year-old Paul Thomas, was dead when they arrived around 2:00 am. The sheriff’s office says the victim had twice damaged Vicki Clarke’s private road in the hours immediately before, once in a car, the second time in a tractor.
(Continue reading for the full Bedford County Sheriff’s Office news release.)