Gene Marrano
NEWS RELEASE: ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs have announced that the franchise will opt out of the 2020-21 season. This decision was made amid ongoing COVID-19 conditions that impact statewide restrictions on mass gatherings and events.
“Today is a tough day for the team,” said Rail Yard Dawgs President Mickey Gray. “We have been working diligently to attempt to have a season, but unfortunately due to current conditions and restrictions we simply cannot. Virginia is still in Phase 3, which limits all gatherings, including hockey games, to 1,000 people. The SPHL gave all teams a decision deadline and we had to make the best decision for our organization long term, which is opting out this season.”
The SPHL will proceed with a 42-game season that includes five of its member teams, the Macon Mayhem, Pensacola Ice Flyers, Birmingham Bulls, Huntsville Havoc, and Knoxville Ice Bears. Along with the Rail Yard Dawgs, the Quad City Storm, Peoria Rivermen, Evansville Thunderbolts and Fayetteville Marksmen have opted out.
“The Rail Yard Dawgs will be back for the 2021-22 season; there is absolutely no question about that. We are already preparing for it,” said Gray. “We have seen a tremendous amount of community support over the past seven months, but our battle isn’t over yet. We will endure the coming months without our normal game-related revenue like tickets, jersey auctions, concessions, and more. Our hope is that fans and supporters continue to rally around the team during this challenging time.” Season ticket holders and corporate partners who have purchased packages for the 2020-21 season can find information concerning the credit and refund process via the Rail Yard Dawgs website.
“We want to thank our fans, partners, and Rail Yard Dawgs ownership for getting us through this ordeal,” said Gray. “It’s because of them that we will endure this and that we will return for the 2021-22 season and beyond in the Roanoke Valley.”
Dr. Cynthia Morrow-VT photo
There are currently 26 active “outbreaks” of the coronavirus in the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. That was the word today from Dr. Cynthia Morrow, the new director. Its the largest number of COVID outbreaks since the pandemic was declared in March. Morrow says its important to “stay vigilant” – avoid large crowds, close contact and closed- in spaces. Looking at the numbers Morrow also said the local health districts should really be in Phase 1 or 2 “at the best” – not the current Phase 3 level.
Ian Price photo
Another historical marker was unveiled this morning honoring a rescue crew – this one on Luck Avenue in downtown Roanoke. Founded in 1928, the Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew was organized by Julian Stanley Wise and is recognized as the first independent, all-volunteer rescue squad in the country. Former Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris researched the background and applied for the state historical marker on the First Aid Crew. He’s written numerous books on Roanoke’s history. (Last week another marker recognizing a former Gainsboro crew was also unveiled). Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb says it took a few years to catch on:
Nicholas Betts
Rep. Ben Cline
Incumbent Republican 6th district Congressman Ben Cline faced off with his Democratic challenger Nicholas Betts yesterday via Zoom in a debate sponsored by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. Some of what they said from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Villa Heights before and after – submitted
The non-profit Restoration Housing buys older substandard homes, rehabs them and then rents affordable living spaces to Roanokers. Until October 15 they are releasing testimonial videos to raise funds and awareness as part of the “PreServe campaign.” WFIR’s Gene Marrano more on that story, “In Depth”:
(Roanoke PD release) On October 5 at approximately 1:15am, Roanoke Police responded to reports of a person with a gunshot wound in the 300 block of 9th Street SW. Officers located a juvenile female with a gunshot wound behind a residence in the area. She was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be a non-life threatening injury. Details on this incident are limited at this time. No arrests have been made regarding this investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 or text 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
The following five candidates will be interviewed by Roanoke City Council to fill the unexpired City Council term of Djuna Osborne, beginning at 3 p.m. today, Oct. 5, in the Council Chamber. John Randolph Clements – 3:00 p.m., Elizabeth Doughty – 3:30 p.m, Alvin L. Nash – 4:00 p.m., Luke W. Priddy – 4:30 p.m and Vivian Sanchez-Jones – 5:00 p.m.
City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. this evening in the Council Chamber to hear the views of citizens regarding these candidates.
About a year ago we introduced Huddle Up Moms to our listening audience when several founding members of the Roanoke-based support group were live in-studio. This morning “HUM” was back with an update and news about an upcoming virtual summit on October 17. Dr Jacklyn Nunziato, a Carilion OB-GYN physician and Kim Whiter, HUM’s Director of Fundraising & Development/business owner/college faculty development specialist/mother of two joined us again this morning by phone. Hear the full length conversation below: