Evan Jones
The first retail business in the former Patrick Henry Hotel is preparing to hold a grand opening ceremony later this month, but as many downtown residents and workers already know, it’s already open inside the landmark building. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
Jennifer Agee
The estate of Jennifer Agee is seeking more than $20 million from Jonathan Agee and Franklin County Sheriff Ewell Hunt in a wrongful death lawsuit filed today. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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This week’s rains may have helped ease the drought conditions in many parts of Virginia, but they’re not likely to help the quality of the upcoming fall foliage season. Hot, dry weather earlier this summer is likely to mute the brightness of this year’s foliage. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
The area is under a flash flood watch until late tonight. Heavy rains have flooded many low-lying roads in the region, making some of the impassable. Click here for the latest VDOT road reports.
Appalachian Power crews are busy today handling a lot of weather-related outages. Most of the work today is concentrated in Bedford County. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.
Virginia’s wine industry is still growing. Governor McDonnell says sales increased more than 11% for the 12-month period that ended June 30th, and a Roanoke County winery says much of that is the result of more out-of-state visitors. The story from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
A flash flood watch is in effect across the region through Tuesday night. Forecasters say rivers and streams are sure to rise in the next few days from the remnants or Tropical Storm Lee. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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This is Labor Day, the day created as a national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength and prosperity of our country. There are far fewer American manufacturing jobs than used to be the case, but for now at least, there is a notable exception in Roanoke. The story from WFIR’S Evan Jones.
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After a year-long renovation costing almost $8 million, the Roanoke City Market Building is set to reopen tomorrow. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more on what to expect when you walk back inside.
(Continue reading for information on reopening day ceremonies and activities.)
Tyson Wohlford (Family photo)
The first weeks of parenthood are becoming very challenging ones for a first-time dad who grew up in Roanoke County and his wife. Less than 24 hours after their son was born, things started to quickly go downhill, but they have reason to hope their son can live a full life. The story from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
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The Virginia Department of Forestry has raised the region’s wildfire threat level to “Class 3” — an unusually high threat for this time of year. The story from WFIR’s Evan Jones.