Evan Jones
A public service announcement urging donations of old cellphones led to a surprise in at the Roanoke County Sheriff’s office — but they’ve worked out a solution to the unexpected deliveries. The story from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
Foreclosure filings went up in the Roanoke Valley last month at a time when the national numbers were lower. But as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, that doesn’t mean things are worse around here.
River Laker -- before the striptease
A downtown Roanoke restaurant faces an ABC hearing today for the fund-raising event in February that included a striptease. 202 Market says it was as surprised as anyone else to find it taking place at a charity event. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones has the story.
[audio:https://wfirnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/08-17-202-Market-Wrap1-WEB.mp3|titles=08-17 202 Market Wrap1-WEB]A YouTube video, since deleted, showed River Laker placing flowers in a bicycle helmet before taking the stage at the Valentini Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction auction February 4th. The performance turned into a striptease — eventually nothing left but the strategically-placed helmet and flowers. Nudity is not permitted in Virginia restuarants serving mixed drinks, and even though organizers and 202 Market both say they had no idea this was coming, the restaurant faces an ABC charge of allowing a striptease. Today’s hearing has a wide range of possible outcomes, anywhere from dismissal of the charge to liquor license revocation. Rulings in such proceedings typically come 30 to 45 days later.
The surveillance photos are somewhat indistinct, but Roanoke County Police hope they will help lead them to two men who held up a McDonald’s restaurant. The two walked in to the Oak Grove McDonald’s around 10:30 pm Sunday, displayed weapons, and got away with some money. There is no word on how much was taken in the holdup. Roanoke County Police released surveillance photos today. The images are not sharp, but police hope it might help someone identify the men. The two may also be connected to an attempted holdup 80 minutes earlier at the Kangaroo station near Starkey Road. (Continue reading for photos and more information.)
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new school year is about to begin at colleges across the region. As students move in, many publications reveal their latest campus rankings. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones looks at their impact at two area campuses.
Virginia is preparing to carry out its first execution using a new sedative for the first time. Death penalty opponents say it may mask any pain the inmate might feel. Capital punishment supporters say that pales compared to the pain a murder causes a victim and his or her family. 30-year-old Jerry Jackson is scheduled for execution Thursday night for raping and killing an 88-year-old woman in Williamsburg 10 years ago. More on the latest chapter to the death penalty debate from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
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The fatal weekend stage collapse at the Indiana Fair has the full attention outdoor concert sites across the country — including Salem. The story from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
It’s been a good year for jobs in Botetourt County, even in challenging economic times: three manufacturers have announced expansions this year, and another started operations. And as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, there are signs another announcement is coming.
[audio:https://wfirnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/08-15-Botetourt-Jobs-Wrap1-WEB.mp3|titles=08-15 Botetourt Jobs Wrap1-WEB]
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A Botetourt County company is about to bet bigger, and that means more jobs are on the way. TREAD Corporation says it will expand its workforce by 100 over the next three years. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
The latest Adequate Yearly Progress school performance results show only four Virginia school systems met the federal standards for reading and math proficiency in the last school year. State officials say despite a laudable intent, the “No Child Left Behind Act” no longer serves as a useful tool to measure a school’s performance. As News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones has the reaction from Salem City and Roanoke County Schools.
In Roanoke, seven of 24 schools made AYP, down from 11 schools last year.
In Roanoke County, 21 of the division’s 26 schools made AYP; last year, the number was 23.
In Salem, Andrew Lewis Middle was the only school not to make AYP — all six did last year.
In Botetourt County, 8 of 11 schools made AYP. Last year, 10 did.
In Franklin County, 11 of 16 schools made AYP, down from 12 last year.
Click here to access the state data base for all school systems and all individual schools in Virginia.
