Evan Jones
May is now here, the month that FreightCar America is set to begin work on a big order building new coal cars for Norfolk Southern. The order calls for 1,500 new cars in the next 18 months, and that means 200 jobs. As News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, it’s an example of coal’s contribution to the Roanoke Valley economy.
17 Roanoke Valley firefighters face a busy Friday in Washington County, hard hit by powerful storms two nights ago. They train together several times of year for just this sort of mission. News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones was in Salem when the team left for the storm-battered region.
VA Dept of Emergency Management Photo
Governor McDonnell has declared a state of emergency after powerful storms killed at least eight people in Virginia. Seven died when one of those storms struck just over a hundred miles southwest of Roanoke. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
[audio:https://wfirnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/04-28-VA-Storms-Wrap1-WEB1.mp3|titles=04-28 VA Storms Wrap1-WEB]Click here for the latest VA Department of Emergency Management storm information
Virginia’s forest fire season officially ends on Saturday. That means as of Sunday, outdoor burning will once again be permitted before 4:00 p.m. But as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, fire officials say threat still remains.
Virginia Tech will appeal a $55,000 federal fine, and in making the announcement, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli blasted the U.S. Department of Education. Details from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
Click here to read the Attorney General’s full statement.
College professors and American Civil Liberties Union are entering a court case involving Virginia’s Attorney General and his demand for private communications from a former University of Virginia climate professor. But Ken Cuccinelli says he is merely fulfilling a constitutional duty. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
Crews are stringing new power lines into place in southwest Roanoke County. It’s part of a project designed to bring more reliable service to parts of the city and county. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
Click here for complete Appalachian Power information on the Sunscape Project
Virginia legislators are trying once again to redraw the state’s legislative districts, this after Governor McDonnell vetoed their earlier plan. And as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, they’re now looking at Congressional boundaries as well.
Virginia Western Community College wants to provide tuition-free education to any qualifying Roanoke area high school senior. And as News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones reports, it is announcing a program in hopes of making it happen.
Another section of the Roanoke River Greenway is almost complete, bringing a much larger long-term plan closer to completion as well. This latest stretch runs between Colorado Street and Eddy Avenue between the river and the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem. It’s another piece of a bigger puzzle which is slowly but surely filling in. More from News/Talk 960’s Evan Jones.
Click here for more Roanoke River Greenway information.