Evan Jones

Gas prices are supposed to head lower after Labor Day, but so far, at least, that’s not the case at all. And a leading tracker of gasoline prices says it’s much harder than usual right now to predict where they might go. GasBuddy.com analysts say the big reason is uncertainty over Israel and Iran — and whether a military strike might come before our election day. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

A Blacksburg social  media company is expanding — and creating 50 jobs over the next two years. Heyo plans to invest $100,000 in its expansion.  The company helps small businesses drag and drop together Facebook fan pages, mobile apps and websites.  Heyo was founded in 2010 by three Virginia Tech students.

(Continue reading for the  full news release.)

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Roanoke Police now have a full fleet of Harley Davidson motorcycles for traffic patrols, and the city’s police chief says they also help reduce crime. Chief Chris Perkins says police use both traffic and crime stats to determine where traffic enforcement efforts should be concentrated because most crimes involve the use of a motor vehicle at one point or another. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.

Allegiant Airlines says it is very happy with passenger counts to the two Florida destinations it serves from Roanoke, but there is no word whether it might add two other Florida cities to its service here. Allegiant also serves the Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers areas in its national system, but not from Roanoke. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Allegiant is conducting a “Vote For Vacation” tour that features giveaways of tickets and other prizes. The tour is in the Roanoke area Thursday morning, September 6th at Tanglewood Mall. Click here for full information.

The state Board of Elections has rejected the Republican Party’s bid to keep the name of Constitution Party presidential candidate Virgil Goode off the Virginia ballot.  The GOP raised questions about some signatures Goode submitted to qualify. The Board of Elections referred the fraud allegations to the Attorney General’s office but put his name on the ballot. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.

The Board of Elections also approved placement of the Libertarian and Green Parties’ presidential candidates on the November ballot in Virginia.

Arthur Gene McClard (Henry County Sheriff’s photo)

Henry County investigators are looking for 37-year-old Arthur Gene McClard for questioning in a Ridgeway woman’s death. Authorities say McClard was last seen in southeast Roanoke Monday wearing a light blue shirt, blue or black sweatpants and white tennis shoes. Investigators say the photo of McClard is a recent one, but at the moment, he has no facial hair, and his head is shaved. Anyone who may have information is requested to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or their local police department.

(Continue reading for the full Henry County Sheriff’s Office news release.)

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Salem City schools open their doors today — among the last in the region to do so. They have opened before Labor Day at times in the past but won’t consider it now unless Richmond gives them full control to decide. School officials say they do not want to swing the start back and forth from one year to the next unless and until the opening days are fully in their control. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.