Evan Jones
State passenger rail officials say Governor McDonnell’s transportation funding plan could bring Amtrak service back to Roanoke in 2016 — if the General Assembly approves that plan this year. Until now, Roanoke city officials believed 2018 was the earliest likely starting date. It’s all part of Governor McDonnell’s campaign to change the way Virginia funds transportation. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Governor McDonnell proposes raising vehicle registration fees $15 a year — from $41 to $56 — and using a part of the increase to provide $55 million a year dedicated to intercity passenger rail in Virginia.
Chief Chris Perkins
Roanoke Police Chief Chris Perkins delivers his annual public safety update to City Council this morning, one that will show overall aggravated assaults down about 12% last year in the city — but the number of aggravated assaults and murders involving firearms rising 20%. Chief Perkins says the department is developing strategies to reduce the number of illegally-possessed guns, which he believes account for a significant portion of that increase. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for visual material prepared to accompany Chief Perkins’ report to City Council.
Carvins Cove
The heavy rains of recent weeks assure the Roanoke Valley of an adequate water supply for the entire year. The region’s main water source, Carvins Cove, is once again full. Spring Hollow Reservoir, the other main source, has recently risen to 78% of capacity. The Western Virginia Water Authority says that means no chance of water restrictions for 2013, even if the rest of the year is dry. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Former Sen. John Warner
Long-time Virginia Senator John Warner returned to the Capitol today in support of President Obama’s choice for Secretary of Defense. Warner is a former Chairman of Armed Services Committee which now considering former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel to lead the nation’s military. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
It didn’t take scam artists very long to try hitting up Virginians using the state’s new debit cards for their tax refunds. The Virginia Department of Taxation says phone scammers are already at work with robocalls telling people their tax refund debit card is locked for security reasons — and requesting personal information to unlock it. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
(Continue reading for the full Department of Taxation news release.)
Some major components of Governor McDonnell’s education reform package moved another step forward today in Richmond. The House Education Committee voted to to advance legislation that would develop a state system of grading public schools on an A to F scale. The committee also endorsed another McDonnell-backed proposal to give state government the power to take over failing schools. Also moving to the full House floor: the latest effort allowing schools statewide to open before Labor Day without state permission, but this measure has a long history of defeat when it reaches the Senate.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has developed an app for mobile phones that could be especially helpful on days like today when severe weather is possible. Among other things, it automatically forwards weather warnings and alerts. The free “Ready Virginia” app works on iPhones and Android platform phones. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Click here to for full information on the “Ready Virginia” app.
Roanoke Police hope their latest effort to combat drug sales — and drug-related crimes — will bring a big quality of life improvement to the Melrose-Rugby neighborhood. The Drug Market Initiative results in criminal charges to dealers with violent records, but it also offers a second chance to dealers without such backgrounds. Police say an earlier effort has already improved the quality of life for the Hurt Park neighborhood. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Police say second-chance offers were presented to six drug dealers this time: five men and one woman. They ranged in age from 20 to 60. Five showed up to agree to it last night. The sixth dealer lost his eligibility because he was in jail in Bedford County.
Governor McDonnell’s transportation proposal faces its next legislative hurdles this week in General Assembly committees. The governor would eliminate the 17.5 cents a gallon state gas tax and raise the sales tax from 5% to 5.8% to fund transportation projects. Critics say that would give out-of-state drivers a free ride through Virginia, but supporters say all the tourists would actually contribute more through the higher sales tax. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.