Evan Jones
Image: VDOT
A busy parking area for hikers heading to a popular Appalachian Trail overlook will close November 30th — and remain closed for about a full year. A lot of hikers must cross Route 311 to head off for McAfee Knob, and work is set to begin next month on a pedestrian bridge to take that foot traffic over the roadway. While it is progress, the trailhead parking lot will be closed. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Vinton town officials see this afternoon’s official opening of a new restaurant as another important step to drive a continued revitalization of the town’s central business district. You may have seen Pollard 107 South in recent months as you enter Vinton on Gus Nicks Boulevard. It sits on a main corner at the downtown’s first stoplight — a highly visible location. And Vinton’s Economic Development Specialist Marshall Stanley says hopes are high it brings more business to the town. The restaurant conducted a low-key soft opening a few months ago in a building that had most recently served as home to the Star City Playhouse. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
A lot of Virginians are now receiving tax rebate checks in the mail — many arrived yesterday, one day before this election day. But speaking live this morning on WFIR, Governor Youngkin said there is no intentional timing in play. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Party control of the General Assembly is at stake, but don’t be surprised if final resolution is at least one week away. That’s because all absentee ballots postmarked by today and received through the mail by next Monday must be counted.
Youngkin’s comments came in a live interview today on the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News. Click here to see the full conversation:
Photo: Ian Price/WFIR
Roanoke’s newest police chief is now on the job. Scott Booth was sworn in today, promising he can reduce violent crime here just as he did as chief if Danville. City leaders say one of the main reasons they chose Booth to lead the force was his record in Danville, where crime numbers decreased significantly in his five years as chief. Booth says a key component is more effective community policing. It’s a a practice previous Roanoke chiefs have talked about and employed, but Booth says it needs to be done better. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Election day is two weeks away, and at stake in Virginia is party control of the General Assembly. Our political analyst says both Republican and Democratic insiders tell him one party appears more likely to gain full control — but it is hardly a given. Bob Denton says from all indications, control in the State Senate and House of delegates will come down to 11 contests or so that appear most competitive, mainly in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas. In the Roanoke region, the State Senate race between Republican David Suetterlein and Democrat Trish White-Boyd appears tight, especially with the recent release of some negative TV ads. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Dr. Pepper remains very thankful to Roanoke for its historically-high consumption of the soft drink, and that is why it throwing a party Tuesday, a date that is hardly random. The numbers for October 24th — 10 2 4 — are those you find on vintage Dr. Pepper products and of course, Roanoke’s iconic clock. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Click here for full Dr. Pepper Day event information.
Images: The Highlander
Anyone choosing to visit Radford’s newest hotel will be immediately greeted by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. The Highlander Hotel opened in April, fulfilling a vision of the Radford University Foundation. That vision also includes artworks throughout, highlighted by a Picasso lithograph and Warhol screenprint as you enter. Also featured: some paintings of Dorothy Gillespie, who became internationally recognized over time after graduating from Radford, and there are plenty of works from current students. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Just when new car prices were starting to edge downward, the cost of purchasing a recent used vehicle has jumped dramatically from pre-COVID levels. It’s a national trend, and Roanoke is no exception; what you would have paid to buy a three-year-old used car in 20-9 is now good enough only now to purchase a similar vehicle that is 6 to 10 years old. Karl Brauer is Executive Analyst for iseecars.com, which tracks vehicle prices nationwide and by region. He says the main reason for that is the relative lack of new vehicle production during the pandemic. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
From iseecars.com:
The findings for Roanoke show:
-
In 2019 a 3-year-old Ford Fusion cost $15,004, but in 2023 a comparable budget of $14,454 can only afford an older 9-year-old Ford Fusion.
-
The average cost of a 3-year-old car in Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA was $22,187 in 2019, but it’s now $30,623 in 2023 – a change of 38.0%.
- Compared to the price of a 3-year-old car in 2019, a comparable budget of $23,281 will only buy a 6-year-old car today.
Here are popular cars with the biggest change in budget vs. years in Roanoke:
|
Used Car Budget and Age Comparison for Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA: 2019 vs. 2023 – iSeeCars Study |
||||
|
Rank |
Vehicle |
Average 3-Year-Old Price in 2019 |
Age of Car With Closest Average Price in 2023 |
Average Price (for “Age of Car”) in 2023 |
|
1 |
Ford Fusion |
$15,004 |
9 years old |
$14,454 |
|
2 |
Chevrolet Sonic |
$11,279 |
8 years old |
$11,930 |
|
3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
$12,368 |
8 years old |
$12,069 |
|
4 |
Volkswagen Jetta |
$13,193 |
8 years old |
$12,225 |
|
5 |
Kia Forte |
$11,982 |
8 years old |
$12,575 |
|
Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA Average |
$22,187 |
6 years old |
$23,281 |
|
Click here to see the national report
An organization funded by companies involved in highway construction says congestion and sub-standard road conditions cost Roanoke-area drivers hundreds of dollars a year — while increasing driving safety risks. The report comes from TRIP — The Road Information Program. Director of Policy and Research — and it says traffic congestion in in the Roanoke area costs an average driver $629 a year, the result of time stuck in traffic and wasted fuel. The report also says rough roads in our area cost drivers more than $400 dollars a year on average in additional operating costs. TRIP says recent increases in Virginia highway funding have been helpful, but more state and federal spending is needed to address congestion, road conditions and traffic safety. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones: