Evan Jones
Gov. Bob McDonnell
Governor McDonnell has informed the Obama administration that Virginia will not create its own health care exchange under the federal health care overhaul law. The governor says in a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services that there is insufficient information to do so. It means the federal government will operate the program in our state.
(Continue reading to see the governor’s full news release.)
Governor McDonnell’s proposal to raise teacher pay next year by 2%, conditioned on more strenuous teacher assessment standards and longer probationary periods for new hires. McDonnell says this would tie greater teacher pay with greater accountability. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for the governor’s full news release.
Public transit advocates hope a new Google Maps resource announced this week increases interest in and use of transportation options in the Roanoke Valley. Enter your start and end point, click the bus icon, and Google Maps lists the next public transit options. Along with Valley Metro schedules, it includes “SmartWay” services to Blacksburg and to Lynchburg. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Photo from Bedford County Sheriff’s Office
Five teenagers are charged with stealing a nativity scene from a Bedford County church, and investigators released a photo that shows the five posing with the stolen religious figures. They were taken from the Shiloh United Methodist Church in Forest late Sunday night. Three nineteen year olds and two juveniles face grand larceny and felony property damage charges. Investigators believe the suspects then destroyed the stolen figurines. The church had used them each Christmas for for 40 years.
(Continue reading for a larger photo more information from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office)
Amtrak service begins today to Norfolk, and with that, the next city on Virginia’s list for passenger trains is Roanoke, but exactly when — or whether — that will occur is not entirely clear. State officials say too many funding questions remain to set any projected start year, but Roanoke is now Virginia’s top priority. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The local Habitat For Humanity says it plans to build another 10 homes for needy families in the Roanoke Valley in 2013. The organization dedicates four more homes this week, bringing the total built in the Roanoke Valley this year to 10. WFIR’s Bob Clark has the story.
Click here for more Roanoke Valley Habitat for Humanity information.
Western VA Water Authority photo
Last night’s rains may have helped a little bit, but the Western Virginia Water Authority is already acting on the moderate drought conditions for this region in case normal weather does not return. The authority recently activated some standby wells to lessen the drawdown from Carvins Cove and Spring Hollow reservoirs. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
One of our driest Novembers ever is leading to moderate drought conditions right now — with potentially severe impacts next year on things like pastures, crops, and our water supplies. Forecasters say this is time of year when river and groundwater levels typically recover from summer lows, but we are well below what’s called the normal “recharge”. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for Virginia drought watch monitor information.
If you ever wanted to take a spin around Martinsville Speedway, you have the chance tomorrow when the speedway holds its annual toy drive. Donate $10 or a toy and you can ride several laps behind the pace car in you own vehicle. A $25 donation gets you a ride in a Sprint Cup car — uniformed and strapped in. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive information.
The Better Business Bureau says a recent loan scam with a Vinton connection demonstrates how quickly the scam artists set up shop — and how quickly they move on. Scammers used the name of a closed Vinton loan business to appear legitimate. Experts say as soon as investigators get wise to such sites, scammers close them down and set up new ones. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.