Evan Jones
Roanoke city revenues are about 1% lower than projected for the first eight months of the budget year. The main culprit is sales tax revenue, down about 2%. But budget officials Roanoke is holding up better than Virginia as a whole in that regard, and the city can get through June without any significant impacts. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Virginia General Assembly resumes its special budget session today, but Richmond political observers see little chance of any agreement soon. Democrats remain united with Governor McAuliffe on including Medicaid expansion in the budget, and House Republicans remain united in opposition, saying they should be considered separately. As WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, one possible scenario calls for eventual resolution through a complete budget breakdown.
The City of Roanoke calls it a “signature event” — bringing Sheryl Crow to the Star City this summer to kick off the city’s own concert events at the recently-renovated Elmwood Park. City officials say they will limit ticket sales for their first large-scale event at the park in hopes of ensuring everyone who attends is comfortable. The performance is set for July 31st. Tickets are $15 each and go on sale April 17th through the Jefferson Center box office. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The continuing budget impasse in Richmond is leading some schools to adopt a school calendar for the coming year without knowing for sure if they’ll be allowed to open before Labor Day. It’s all part of the complicated system of permanent and temporary waivers some school systems have to begin classes before September. But most waivers are included as part of the budget, and right now, there is still no budget approval — and no waiver yet. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport officials are celebrating the return of non-stop service to and from New York City. The service returned yesterday, with American Airlines providing one round-trip a day. Airport officials say non-stop service to New York makes any region a more attractive one to many companies. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s office says a man just released from mental health care created big problems yesterday for the person who agreed to take him in for the night. Officials say 25-year-old Benjamin Sparks of Christiansburg attacked his host, who then ran out of his Cloverdale home. Sparks then allegedly barricaded himself in the home, started a fire and broke a window in efforts to escape. He’s under treatment once again.
(Continue reading for the full Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office news release.)
State Senator Creigh Deeds says mental health reform passed in the General Assembly this winter is an “incremental change”. In an emotional speech before the National Press Club in Washington, Deeds said the “real work lies ahead”. Deeds’ son Gus stabbed his dad several times last November before fatally shooting himself. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more on the senator’s address.
Our weekend rains didn’t go down the drain in Roanoke’s recently-renovated Elmwood Park. Part of the project included a system to gather and store rainfall, water to irrigate the park’s landscaping — all 20,000 plants. It is part of a greater city effort to reduce the amount of rainfall runoff that picks up pollutants before flowing into storm sewers and eventually into the Roanoke River. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story…
David Bowers
Roanoke Mayor David Bowers says the budget impasse in Richmond is not likely to have a significant impact on the city’s own budget planning — at least not now. He says there are guidelines municipalities can employ to help predict how much state money will come in once there is a budget agreement in Richmond. Bowers supports Governor McAuliffe’s efforts to expand Medicaid in Virginia, an issue that has led to the budget deadlock. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Creigh Deeds
Bath County Commonwealth’s Attorney John Singleton has determined there was “no criminal involvement” in stabbing of Senator Creigh Deeds — and the subsequent suicide by his son Gus — and as a result, he will not pursue any criminal charges. Police say Gus Deeds stabbed his dad multiple times in the head and torso November 19th before using a rifle to take his own life. State Police say since then, they had been investigating “all circumstances surrounding this incident, to include the actions of individuals employed by Rockbridge Area Community Services.”
Click here to read the Commonwealth’s Attorney full letter to State Police