Evan Jones
Snowflex Centre photo
It’s all downhill this weekend at Liberty Mountain’s Snowflex Centre in Lynchburg as it holds the grand opening for its three tubing runs. The center hopes the runs attract more people to hill and that some of them will take up interest in skiing and snowboarding. There are three tubing runs, and the longest is 500 feet with speeds that will sometimes reach or exceed 35 miles per hour. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre information.
When the former Crystal Tower building reopens late next year, it will include architectural elements from the 1930’s that were covered up in recent decades. The building was originally the Ponce De Leon Hotel, and its interior elements included terrazzo flooring and travertine wainscot; developer Faisal Kahn says they’re coming back. The building at Campbell Avenue and 2nd street will hold 90 apartments and ground floor commercial space. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Bottom row photos: WFIR. All others: Ponce De Leon Apartments.
Roanoke City’s first urban farm in years is nearing the end of its first outdoor growing season, and its managers say it has already proven to be financially self-sustaining. The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op set up “Heritage Point” to provide more produce for its store shelves.WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Upper right photo courtesy Heritage Point, all others WFIR.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner calls the partial federal shutdown a manufactured crisis from the most extreme voices in Congress. Congressmen Bob Goodlatte and Morgan Griffith see if much differently. Both voted for the House spending authorization version that they say is a “common sense” bill. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Critics say Lynchburg’s proposal for new bike lanes along Fort Avenue would wrongly take parking spaces from residents in front of their homes. Supporters say it’s part of a larger plan for more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets. City officials will present plans and answer questions at a public workshop this afternoon from 4:30 to 6:00 at the Aviary at Miller Park. More from WLNI/WFIR’s Evan Jones.
The Peaks of Otter asked for an exemption — but heard today the request is denied. That means it has no choice but to close during the federal shutdown, even though the Blue Ridge Parkway remains open to visitors. The Lodge has already closed its dining room and gift shop, and guests staying there will have 48 hours before they are required to leave. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Gov. Bob McDonnell
Governor McDonnell says Virginia has prepared itself for a government shutdown, but he scolded both President Obama and Congress for letting it reach this point. The most likely immediate impact on the state comes in lost state income tax wage withholdings from the many Virginia residents who work for the federal government. WLNI/WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
It’s nothing new, but Roanoke Police say it has a new name — “car hopping” — and they want to keep it in check. Car hopping occurs when thieves go car-to-car through neighborhoods or parking lots, pulling on each car’s handles and stealing whatever they can when they find a car that’s unlocked. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A retired Army general is leading a new mission: construction of an Army museum just outside Washington, a mission that brought him to Roanoke. General Creighton Abrams, Jr. says the Army has 41 museums scattered across the the country, but what each holds is limited in scope, and they’re often difficult to get to. He spoke before the Association of the U.S. Army’s local chapter. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full information from the Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army.
Attorney General candidate Mark Obenshain gladly traveled to Roanoke today to pick up a statewide endorsement. The National Federation of Independent Business Virginia office provided that endorsement, citing his voting record over ten years. Obenshain is a Republican state senator from Harrisonburg. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.