Evan Jones

We’re not quite three weeks into Roanoke’s new fiscal year, but Mayor David Bowers says he’s confident this is the year that plans to improve Elmwood Park are put into final form. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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Tim Donner

US Senate candidate Tim Donner says compromise is an important part of the legislative process, but the “Gang of 6” budget proposal is the wrong kind of compromise at the wrong time. The story from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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Franklin County has already requested it — now Roanoke County is also considering asking VDOT to place through truck restrictions on Crowell Gap Road. As News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, it’s a rough road by any standard, especially one for trucks.

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Close to 10,000 athletes will compete in the Roanoke-based Coventry Commonwealth Games this coming weekend, but as the games get set to begin, they do not have a title sponsor lined up after this year. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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Newly-released EPA rules will require another round of emissions cuts in coal-fired power plants, but Appalachian Power hopes the deadline can be extended. The new rules are designed to improve the nation’s air quality, but as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, there are differing views on how successful — or necessary — that will prove to be.

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The test score cheating scandal in Atlanta does not appear likely to deter Roanoke school officials from moving ahead on a merit pay plan for Roanoke teachers. Investigators found widespread manipulation of standardized test scores in Atlanta  — scores which, among other things, determined whether teachers there got pay bonuses. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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Beacher Hackney

The man suspected of shooting and killing two co-workers at the Homestead Resort more than two years ago has been added to the U.S. Marshal’s Service 15 Most Wanted list. Details from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

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The City of Roanoke has no limits on tree and brush collection next week, this in efforts to help residents clear the damage from Monday’s strong storms. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones has the story.

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Roanoke residents are typically limited to about a pickup bed-sized amount of trees, limbs and brush for each collection. But City Solid Waste Manager Skip Decker says next week, there are no limits, btt if you hire a contractor to help clear away storm damage, that contractor must do the removal.

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The ABC has scheduled an August hearing date for 202 Market, the Roanoke restaurant where a fund-raising event last winter led to a strip-tease. The latest from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.

By all accounts, River Laker pulled an unexpected striptease during the Valentini fund-raiser at 202 Market February 4th. A YouTube video, since deleted, showed Laker placing flowers in a bicycle helmet (as seen in this story’s photo), then stripping down to nothing but that helmet strategically placed. Surprise or otherwise, nudity is not permitted in Virginia restaurants serving mixed drinks. So 202 Market faces a hearing next month, charged with violating the state liquor code. The outcomes can range anywhere from dismissal of the charge to alcohol license suspension or revocation. The hearing is scheduled for 1:00 PM August 17th at the ABC’s Roanoke Region office.