Evan Jones
Hundreds of D-Day veterans are converging on the region today in advance of tomorrow’s 70th anniversary observance in Bedford. National D-Day Memorial officials say it is likely to be the last time so many D-Day vets are assembled together and able to tell of their experiences on that day. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full 70th anniversary observance information from the National D-Day Memorial.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe
Less than four weeks remain now before Virginia’s July 1st budget deadline. Political experts say both parties have a lot at stake in breaking the impasse, but Governor McAuliffe may have most — for reasons that have nothing to do with Medicaid expansion or saving political face. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Virginia Museum of Transportation officials say the temporary absence of the 611 steam engine may lower attendance some — but once it is restored and returns to pull passenger excursions, that may well make up for any economic impact lost during its absence. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke TV meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner returned to the air today for the first time since October 20th, when he came down with vertigo. Hirsbrunner went through months of rehabilitation; and he went back to work several weeks ago, but this was the first day he returned to his normal morning weathercasts. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
RVARC photo
The Roanoke region will soon have a “blueway” to go along with its greenways — a way to develop and promote the Roanoke River from eastern Montgomery County to Smith Mountain Lake. Planners have identified and mapped amenities already in place, and now it’s on to phase two: determining what is needed next and how to fund it. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for the Roanoke River Blueway web page
Roanoke Gas Company says it will refund about $700,000 to its customers, starting with bills sent out in June. The average residential customer will see a credit of about $8.60. The utility says its rate structure provides for customer refunds if winter temperatures are significantly lower — and its resulting revenues noticeably higher — than anticipated. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
With June just around the corner, experts say gas prices are likely to head lower in the coming month, just as many people hit the road for vacations. Pump prices have been gradually declining in the Roanoke region since their high point in late April. At GasBuddy.com, which tracks prices across the country, analysts say prices are likely to reach their low point as we approach July 4th. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
National D-Day
Memorial photo
The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford will honor Bob Slaughter at its Memorial Day observance, unveiling a bronze bust. It will be distinguished company — alongside others there that include Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Winston Churchill. Slaughter is credited as the driving force behind the Memorial’s creation. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full National D-Day Memorial information.
Bedford County fire investigators say they still don’t know for sure what started a destructive fire last month at Central Virginia Pallet and Stake — and they are unlikely to ever know. It burned for more than two weeks before burning itself out. But the county fire marshal says there is nothing suspicious; the two most likely causes being sparks from a cutting tool or an electrical problem.
(Continue reading for the full Bedford County Fire and Rescue News Release.)
Roanoke region tourism officials have unveiled a new ad campaign called “Blue Ridge Standard Time”. It’s aimed largely at the Raleigh and Hampton Roads areas: ads will play on cable, and Kroger is setting up electronic kiosks at 55 stores promoting “Virginia’s Blue Ridge”. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here to see the director’s cut of the new video commercial
(Continue reading for the full news release.)