Evan Jones
It’s no longer just an agreement in principle — Virginia and Norfolk Southern Railway have signed a definitive agreement to bring Amtrak service back to Roanoke. The state will spend almost $93 million to make it possible, mostly for improvements permitting passenger service to operate without disrupting the railroad’s ability to run its freight trains. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Doucette says Levon Martin collapsed and died from a drug overdose last summer after being taken into police custody. As a result, no city police officers will face charges in connection with Martin’s death. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The General Assembly is set to open its 2014 legislative session later today, and in the State Senate, it could be an especially confusing one. Republicans have control as the session begins — and committee assignments are determined — but Democrats may gain the edge after a special election two weeks from now. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke Police say a woman struck in a hit and run accident in late October has died in the hospital, and they are again asking for the public’s help in identifying the driver. Police say 56-year-old Christine Turner was hit by a pickup truck on the 2200 block of Melrose Avenue and had been hospitalized ever since. Investigators say surveillance photos taken nearby show the pickup truck involved, and they ask anyone who might identify it to call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500.
Roanoke Police photos
(Continue reading for the full Roanoke Police news release.)
Virginia political leaders will pay close attention tomorrow when Roanoke voters select a successor to Delegate Onzlee Ware in the House of Delegates 11th District. Republican leaders think they have a rare chance to grab a normally solid Democratic seat. On-line records show each state political party has sent more than $25,000 to its candidate — Democrat Sam Rasoul and Republican Octavia Johnson. In addition, the House Republican leadership has contributed another $80,000 to Johnson. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Terry McAuliffe
Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe is bringing pre-inauguration celebrations to southwest Virginia Saturday night with a regional inaugural ball in Abingdon. Tickets are $25 each, and all proceeds from the “Southwest Inaugural Ball Celebrating Local Artisans and Agriculture” benefit SustainFloyd, which works to preserve Floyd County’s agriculture and craftsmanship resources. Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones is McAuliffe’s Inauguration Co-Chair:
McAuliffe will be sworn in as governor January 11th.
Click here for full Southwest Inaugural Ball information.
Liberty University is closely watching a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court involving a federal health insurance mandate for religious-affiliated institutions. It is similar to a challenge that Liberty itself filed to the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare”. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
2014 is the year Roanoke joins the list of cities and counties instituting stormwater management fees, but City Manager Chris Morrill expects the year to be remembered more for other projects already under way or well into the planning process. They include renovations to Countryside and Huff Lane Parks and to the city’s main Library building. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Bad weather in other parts of the country is disrupting travel plans for some people flying into and out of Roanoke today. The airport tells us an early-evening United Airlines round trip between Chicago and Roanoke has been cancelled due to weather in Chicago. If you have flight plans to cities impacted by winter weather, you are urged to check with your airline before heading to the airport.