Evan Jones
Roanoke County Police are now receiving more reports of someone attempting to lure children into a white SUV — and police say the accounts are pretty similar. The first report came from a six-year-old boy in the Hollins area Monday afternoon, and police say they have received another report since then. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
(Continue reading for a larger photo and full information from Roanoke County Police.)
Roanoke City Police say two men who tried to force their way into an apartment late last night were met with a struggle and gunfire. It happened at the Westwood Village Apartments just off Salem Turnpike near Fairview Elementary School. Roanoke Police say someone knocked at the door, and when a man inside answered, two people tried to force their way in — one showing a gun and wearing a ski mask. Police say a struggle followed, and someone else inside the apartment fired a shot that killed the masked intruder and leading the second suspect to flee.
(Continue reading for more information, including the suspect’s description.)
A Texas-based company that develops apps for mobile devices will establish a new office in Blacksburg. Atomic Axis expects to bring 30 new jobs to the region over the next three years. Economic development officials say these are exactly the kind of jobs most needed for the region’s future growth and well-being.WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A new Roanoke College poll shows President Obama holding an eight-point lead over Mitt Romney in Virginia. The poll was conducted over nine days in late September. It has the president leading Romney 47% to 39%. On the Senate side, the Roanoke College poll has Democrat Tim Kaine with a 10% lead over Republican George Allen 47% to 37%.
(Continue reading for full poll information.)
The $27 million renovations of Center in the Square should be complete within three months and the new Center set to re-open next May. The main building has been closed for more than year so crews can make big changes inside and out. The museums and cultural organizations calling the center home have been working out of temporary locations. The latest from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
The former Shenandoah Hotel building best-known in recent decades for housing “Twist and Turns” will soon be the new home for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, which says the move will ultimately affect what concertgoers hear. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here to read to full Roanoke Symphony Orchestra news release.
Roanoke County planners take the next step today toward what could eventually become a new greenway in the southwest county. A public meeting is scheduled today to measure community interest in turning the current S-curve on US 221 into the first portion of a Back Creek Greenway once the current road reconstruction there is complete. As WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, there is a big reason some parts are completed much more quickly than others.
Click here for full Roanoke Valley Greenways maps and information.
Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte says he and Democratic challenger Andy Schmookler have agreed to three October debates. In an e-mail sent to supporters this afternoon, Goodlatte says the two will debate 1:30 pm October 13th at Breckenridge Middle School in Roanoke, 10:30 am October 15th at Turner-Ashby High School near Harrisonburg, and 7:30 pm October 16th at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
TSA photo
The Transportation Security Administration says x-ray screeners at Roanoke Regional Airport found a stun gun Thursday inside a Boones Mill woman’s carry-on bag. Stun guns are not permitted aboard flights. The TSA says there was no disruption to airport operations, and the woman was permitted to continue on her flight to Philadelphia.
This comes one week to the day after Roanoke TSA screeners found a loaded handgun inside a Franklin County man’s carry-on bag.
(Continue reading for the full TSA news release.)
Roanoke County planners already have an idea in mind for the S-curve on US 221 once the current construction work to replace it is done. The present right-of-way there could become the first part of the planned greenway to run along Back Creek. Roanoke County planners will hold a public meeting Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the South County Library to answer questions and measure community support. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.