Evan Jones
A Franklin County company is expanding, and that will mean more jobs. McAirlaid’s makes absorptive materials found in hyigenic products and food packaging. The company today unveiled its 75,000 square foot expansion near Rocky Mount and says it expects to hire about 40 more workers in the near future. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding Virginia Tech a $450,000 grant to establish a laboratory in Blacksburg for nuclear energy research and education. Federal energy officials say with no new U.S. nuclear plants coming on line in recent decades, the workforce running them has aged, and with new nuclear plants now on the way, the need for trained engineers to safely run them increases even more. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
It’s a new day in more ways the one for Shenandoah Life Insurance. After three years and three months under state receivership, the company has resumed normal operations under new owners. What isn’t changing is the company name or its Roanoke headquarters. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Four years after closing down amid financial difficulties, Explore Park is gradually coming back, with many activities now open every day. More are coming this summer, including covered wagon rides starting Memorial Day weekend. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Click here for full Explore Park information.
Abbott Laboratories will pay $1.5 billion in penalties to settle a health care fraud case prosecuted in western Virginia. As WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, the region’s top federal prosecutor played a central role in the case.
Police photo of Joseph Via
Roanoke Police are looking for a man they say shot a woman several times early Sunday morning. Police say 38-year-old Joseph Via should be considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen in a black Ford Explorer with Virginia license plate XDB-9570. Police want him in connection with shooting of a woman outside a home on the 5600 block of Green Ridge Road.
Bill Chapman
Construction work to renovate the Shenandoah Building should begin by Labor Day. A Richmond developer took ownership of the century-old downtown building last week, and as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, he appears to be wasting little time preparing to make changes.
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Roanoke’s final plan for the former Countryside Golf Course may not yet be entirely in place, but funding for one of the first changes should soon receive final approval. It’s a greenway, and as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, part of a much bigger plan.
Leaders from local governments and non-profit organizations have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills today at the “Chick-fil-A Leadercast”, an event they probably wouldn’t be able to attend without some corporate goodwill from Advance Auto Parts. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
A change is already in the works for the recently-renovated City Market Building. A big part of the ground floor should have a new look and new purpose later this year. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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(Continue reading to see artist conceptions of the planned ground floor use)