Evan Jones
Our hot, dry summer may mean less-than-ideal crops for some fruits, but grapes appear to be a notable exception. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Tolls will soon be coming to a busy Interstate highway in Virginia, but unlike an earlier proposal, it is not for Interstate 81. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Roanoke County fire investigators say the man killed in today’s apartment fire probably fell asleep while smoking, with the cigarette eventually setting combustible material on fire. They identify the victim as 83-year-old Fred Shiplett. A woman rescued from the same unit at “The Pines” apartment complex is expected to survive. Her name has not been released. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Virginia is preparing to erect a memorial too all public safety workers who have died in the line of duty, and Roanoke’s Fire-EMS Chief is among those leading the effort. As WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, coming up with a full list of names for the memorial sometimes presents challenges.
River Laker -- before the striptease
An ABC administrative law judge has ruled that 202 Market’s liquor license should be suspended for the striptease at a fund-raising event last February. The decision suspends 202 Market’s liquor license for 10 days, but if the restaurant pays a $1,000 civil penalty, the suspension will be shortened to three days. The ruling was handed down earlier this week and made public Friday afternoon. (Continue reading for a link to the full decision)
The calendar says it’s still summer, although the third weekend of September certainly feels like fall. For weather forecasters, summer is already over — it runs from June through August. And as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, if you thought it was a hot one, you’re right.
[audio:http://wfirnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/09-16-Hot-Summer-Wrap1-WEB.mp3|titles=09-16 Hot Summer Wrap1-WEB]
An Austrian-based company will establish its first US operations in the Roanoke Valley, and it’s more good economic news for Botetourt County. FCTech will manufacture specialty optical fiber at a new plant just north of Daleville. It’s the fifth big economic development announcement this year in the county, and this one means 25 prized high-tech jobs paying an average of $70,000 to $80,000 a year. The president of FCTech says there are several reasons they chose the Roanoke Valley from all the US possibilities. He spoke with WFIR’s Evan Jones.
The U.S. Postal Service is considering whether to close more than half of its mail-processing facilities across the country — including the ones in Roanoke and Lynchburg. It could impact 357 employees in Roanoke, another 155 in Lynchburg if those sorting centers are among those closed. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
It’s happened for the fifth time this year in Botetourt County: a company expanding in or coming to the county and bringing more jobs. And this time, the jobs are prized high-tech, high-paying ones. WFIR’s Evan Jones was at today’s announcement.
An accrediting group is placing LewisGale Regional Health System — and all four of its area hospitals — on its national list of top performers in key quality measures. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
[audio:http://wfirnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/09-15-Hospitals-Wrap1-WEB.mp3|titles=09-15 Hospitals Wrap1-WEB]
Continue reading