Evan Jones
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling
Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling says he made the right call to stay out of the governor’s race as an Independent — even if a leading political analyst says Bolling would win. The Lieutenant Governor says he could certainly have run a competitive campaign, but running a winning one is a much taller order. He spoke with WFIR’s Evan Jones.
If you are planning a road trip in coming weeks, you probably know that gas prices have risen in recent weeks. But if it is any consolation, several nearby states have some of the lowest prices in the country. They include South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A 20-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed through one of its most scenic areas until further notice after a large crack was running right down the pavement. Parkway officials say earth is shifting under the roadway on a mountainside, the apparent result of recent heavy rains. The affected area is between Mount Mitchell and Asheville, North Carolina.WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke County Police say they are conducting what’s termed an “emergency situation” at this hour in the 200 block of Orlando Avenue, a little south of the Hollins area. Police ask you to avoid the area including Brookside Park and Verndale Drive. Here is the full police communication:
ROANOKE COUNTY POLICE DEPT IS OPERATING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IN THE 200 BLOCK OF ORLANDO AVE IN NORTH ROANOKE COUNTY. PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO AVOID THE AREA, INCLUDING BROOKSIDE PARK, VERNDALE DR, AND ORLANDO AVE AT THIS TIME.
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling
One of Virginia’s best-known political analysts says Bill Bolling was “foolish” to pull out of the governor’s race when he did. Larry Sabato at the University of Virginia Center for Politics says with both the Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe campaigns throwing ethics charges at each other, Bolling could have run a strong Independent campaign — and could have won. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
UPDATE: Park officials report one of the young ospreys flew from the nest Friday morning.
A 
rescue effort last weekend probably saved the lives of two young ospreys at Smith Mountain Lake State Park — but no one knows what happened to the third. The ospreys are the subject of much attention because their nest is visible on line. The young birds were found on the ground below the nest and placed back in their home a few days later. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here to see the Smith Mountain Lake State Park “ospreycam”
Click here for full information on the rescue effort.
The recent rain has been keeping Roanoke Fire EMS swift water rescue crews busy — and teaching them things they can’t learn in training. Deputy Chief Jeff Beckner says the training for the crews is ongoing, but in training you can’t learn what it really feels like to rescue someone in need. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has the story.
Larry Sabato
One of Virginia’s most noted political analysts says the latest revelations involving Governor McDonnell have all but eliminated any chance of his successfully seeking future office. The Washington Post yesterday reported $120,000 dollars of gifts — $70,000 to a company McDonnell co-owns and $50,000 to his wife Maureen. At the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, Director Larry Sabato says the size of these gifts appears unprecedented in Virginia political history. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
David Preston
The Salem School Board has a new chairman for the first time in almost 15 years. Board members selected David Preston as chairman last night; he will succeed Sally Southard, who is leaving the board when her term expires in December. Southard joined the board in 1996 and has served as chairman since 1999. Michael Chiglinsky is the board’s new vice-chairman.
(Continue reading for the full Salem City Schools news release.)
The ACLU of Virginia says it will file a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on gay marriage. It comes on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a key provision of the federal same-sex marriage ban. Supporters of traditional marriage laws say the ACLU is attempting to subvert the people’s will by judicial fiat. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.