Gene Marrano
Landon Howard VVBR
After ten straight years of revenue growth and hotel room bookings associated with business visitation and tourism, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge president Landon Howard says 2020 was lining up to be another record setter – but that was pre-pandemic. Howard said live on WFIR this morning that Virginia’s Blue Ridge and the outdoor amenities are ideal for the shorter, less-crowded “staycations” many are looking for as Virginia emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown. Hear the complete conversation with Landon Howard below:
The Earth Fare organic and natural foods-only grocery store chain went bankrupt earlier this year – but a new investment group purchased the name and 8 locations. The Roanoke Earth Fare on Franklin Road was one of them – and on Monday at 8am they will open the doors again. David Issinghood is Earth Fare’s chief operating officer; he calls Monday’s 8am Earth Fare re-boot in Roanoke a “soft opening,” hoping to avoid a crush of people with social distancing in mind.
Gov. Ralph Northam
Governor Ralph Northam has held the last of what turned out to be 47 regular updates on the Virginia’s COVID-19 response – which since March went from daily to 3 times and then twice a week. He took that opportunity today to address evictions and homelessness associated with the pandemic, school openings and changes at Department of Motor Vehicle service centers that will require an appointment for now, for social distancing reasons.
Stephanie Moon
(news release) Stephanie Moon is pleased to announce her Independent candidacy for Roanoke City Council in the November 2020 General Election. Moon is no stranger to the City of Roanoke’s government. Moon’s career with the City spanned 42 years, during which she rose to one of the most prominent positions – Roanoke City Clerk. “Because of my 42 years of experience with the City, particularly working directly with the City Council and the senior-level management team, I have a keen understanding of how the City works internally,” Moon said. “And I have experience working with local, state and national groups, organizations and agencies to address citizen concerns and improve our quality of life.” Moon’s plans for Roanoke include:
Assist in bringing community policing programs to all quadrants of the
city so every neighborhood will have the reputation of being a safe place
to live and raise a family.
Advocate for job skills and education programs to increase opportunities,
and work with business organizations and industry leaders to develop
economic growth strategies.
“I wish to express appreciation to the citizens of Roanoke for their encouragement and support of my candidacy for Roanoke City Council,” Moon said. An official Campaign Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., on Saturday, June 27 at 4501 Oakland Blvd., N.W., Roanoke, VA, 24012. To learn more about Stephanie Moon and her campaign for City Council, visit www.moon4roanoke.com or email Moon4roanoke@gmail.com.
Coinciding with Phase 3 Center in the Square will reopen to the public on July 1st. A ten thousand dollar donation from Green Home Solutions will provide for a hospital-grade cleaning before the museums and other attractions at the downtown Roanoke cultural institution welcomes back patrons. Center president Jim Sears says all COVID-19 safety protocols to protect the public will also be in place.
(Facebook news release) Center in the Square to reopen on Wednesday, July 1st. Within days of closing in March due to COVID-19, the team at Center in the Square began offering engaging content via social media and their website including “Get Schooled” virtual tours, educational activities, and games as well as highly successful programs via Kids Square including “take home” activity kits, “Camps on the Go” and more. Their virtual content can be found on the Center in the Square Facebook page and by visiting their, “On Demand” page on their website at: https://centerinthesquare.org/on-demand
In preparation of reopening; Center in the Square graciously accepted a donation from Green Home Solutions for a hospital grade building disinfection with an estimated value at $10,000.00. Green Home Solutions is a locally owned air quality company specializing in decontamination and mold remediation. Center in the Square will be adhering to all physical distancing guidelines, face covering requirements of staff and patrons, occupancy restrictions, routine cleaning of high contact areas, hand sanitizer stations, new signage, staff training and staff health monitoring and more. “We are excited about welcoming our guests back into Center in the Square on July 1st, 2020. We have truly missed them. It has been lonely not having an atrium, rooftop, and museums full of families learning and creating memories. It seems that even our aquatic life in the six aquariums miss seeing children and families. We have been very meticulous in preparing the space for reopening following CDC and the Governor’s Guidelines to reopen.” Jim Sears: President – Center in the Square
Photo: Ian Price
Those who are going out to vote in Roanoke County today for the Republican U.S. Senate primary seem to be finding their way to the 5 “super precinct” sites that were put in place instead of the typical and more numerous neighborhood precincts. So says Ken Srpan, chair of the Roanoke County electoral board: