Evan Jones

Bud Robertson

“Bud” Robertson (VT photo)

On this 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination, a retired Virginia Tech history professor recalls his role in the White House funeral arrangements. James “Bud” Robertson, Jr. helped transform the East Room to appear exactly as it did when President Lincoln’s body lay in state almost a century before. He spoke with WFIR’s Evan Jones.

Great American SmokeoutToday is the American Cancer Society’s annual “Great American Smokeout”, and as more people are able to kick the habit, that often leaves toughest cases still trying. Smoking cessation experts say it often takes six or more tries — and successful treatment must be tailored to each smoker’s lifestyle and personality. Evan Jones has the story.

Click here for Great American Smokeout information.

Creigh Deeds

Sen. Creigh Deeds

Long-time colleagues of Creigh Deeds says they were stunned at word of his stabbing and his son’s shooting death. Roanoke State Senator John Edwards says he was not aware of anything that might suggest in advance any such thing might happen. He praises Deeds as an effective champion for causes important to all Virginians. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

libertyLynchburg Police identify the student shot to death by a Liberty University security officer as 19-year-old Joshua Hathaway of Lubbock Texas. Police say the two got into an early-morning physical altercation inside a women’s-only dorm, and that led to the fatal shooting. The Liberty officer is not yet being identified; Lynchburg Police say he was treated and released from Lynchburg General Hospital.  The fatal shooting occurred around 4:00 am inside Women’s Annex II, a university-run female residence hall located off campus.

Russell Jones

Dr. Russell Jones

A Virginia Tech professor knows better than most of us what the weekend Midwest tornado victims face in coming months — he studies how people cope with natural disasters. Dr. Russell Jones says those who lost home or loved ones face some tough months ahead, but most will eventually get through it pretty well. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Livability.com logoA new national survey puts Roanoke on the list of top 10 ten places in the country to retire.  Livability.com looked at things like health care, cost of living, climate and range of outdoor activities — and Roanoke placed sixth. The top three cities: Cincinnati, St. Louis and Baton Rouge. Evan Jones has the story.

Click here for the livability.com list of Top Ten Places to Retire 2013.

Livability.com editor Matt Carmichael is also author of the book BUYagraphics, a book of demographic and consumer trends.

Krispy Kreme logoKrispy Kreme plans to build new production facility and store near Crossroads Mall on Hershberger Road. An application on file with the city requests a rezoning for the site currently occupied by the Appliance Outlet near the K&W Restaurant. As proposed, the new facility would include seating for 50 people and a drive-through window. Fire heavily damaged the former facility on Melrose Avenue six months ago.

Click here to read the full Krispy Kreme rezoning application

Wildfire-New-2U.S. Forest Service officials say several large wildfires appear to be the likely source of the smoke reports across the Roanoke Valley today. The nearest is in Wythe County, where more than 500 acres have already burned about 80 miles from Roanoke, but the Forest Service says a much larger fire in North Carolina may also be contributing.  Roanoke County Fire-EMS reports answering several calls for the smell of smoke, but the source appears to be simply what’s blowing our way.

(Continue reading for the full Roanoke County Fire & Rescue news release.)

Continue reading

Roanoke Police now have a high-tech center in operation to help quickly analyze all the crime data that pours in to the department — and to quickly turn that into valuable guidance for officers on the street. Chief Chris Perkins says the I-Star Center can help police quickly know about crime incidents and patterns and predict on short notice where future crimes are more likely to occur. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

I-Star Center1I-Star Center 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roanoke Police photos

Roanoke-CityRoanoke City crews are nearing the end of week one leaf collection, but there is still plenty to go.  And inspectors are on the lookout for people who try raking leaves onto city streets — leaves that can wash into and back up storm drains during heavy rains. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

If you have arranged for a private contractor to pick up leaves you rake onto the street, you must notify Roanoke City by calling (540) 853-2000.

Leaf collections are also scheduled for the weeks of November 24th and December 8th.