Evan Jones
There’s a guarantee of snow in downtown Roanoke for Friday, December 16th — tons of it. And as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, this forecast looks like a sure thing.
Work on renovating the former “Ice House” building is well underway, and Roanoke is now taking steps designed to make it the centerpiece of a new urban neighborhood. It was the subject of a public hearing last night on rezoning properties near the five-story building to permit mixed commercial and retail use nearby. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Virginians with serious medical conditions can now get brief hold on utility shutoffs — if they follow the procedures under a new state law. It provides a 60-day grace period if a household member can document a serious medical condition. You still have to pay the utility bill, but this provides those people more time to make arrangements. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.
Click here for the Serious Medical Condition Certification Form from the State Corporation Commission.
Federal funds will soon pay to train inmates for careers in computer technology. The Tech Careers program is targeted at non-violent offenders with mental health disorders. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
There’s something unusual going on with gas prices. They’re hardly low, but as crude oil prices rise sharply once again, pump prices may actually fall between now and Thanksgiving. The prediction comes from GasBuddy.com, which runs more than 200 gasoline price tracking web sites. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.
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Roanoke County photo
Roanoke County hopes a day-long event on Saturday will help them find qualified candidates for its 911 center. Only a small percentage of applicants typically get through the screening and training process. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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A balanced budget amendment introduced by Congressman Bob Goodlatte goes up for a House vote this week. Goodlatte says he is seeking bi-partisan support, but Democratic leaders oppose it. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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There are almost six weeks to go until Christmas, but two Roanoke radio stations are already in full holiday mode, playing Christmas music around the clock — with very mixed reactions. Some love it and others hate it, but the stations say there’s one simple reason they start so early. The story from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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E.W. Grubbs
The Associated Press reports the former Bedford County deputy accused of running off to Kentucky with a 16-year-old girl has waived extradition. The report quotes a court clerk in Kentucky as saying authorities there are notifying Virginia State Police to come get Ernest Grubbs. He faces an abduction charge — and taking indecent liberties with a minor. Kentucky State Police stopped Grubbs and 16-year-old Audrey McCombs last Wednesday. The girl has been back home for several days. Continue reading
The U.S. Postal Service holds a public meeting in Roanoke tonight on a proposal to move mail processing operations from Roanoke to Greensboro, North Carolina. You are invited to present your thoughts at tonight’s meeting which begins at 7:00 pm at William Fleming High School. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
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