Gene Marrano
Tshane Johnson (far left) photo-Hike Across America
Almost dying three times after a motorcycle accident and becoming homeless didn’t stop TShane Johnson, who was in Virginia last week as part of a fundraising and motivational walk from New York to Florida. WFIR’s Gene Marrano met Johnson in the press box at the Virginia Tech football game on Saturday:
Diana Christopulos
Local environmentalist Diana Christopulos is in the running to win the Cox Conserves National Hero award – and she’s close. Taking that top prize would mean $50,000 that she says in this promotional video would go towards Appalachian Trail protection in the valley. A Virginian has never won the Cox Conserves National Hero award; you can vote for Diana Christopulos ONLY through tomorrow at coxconservesheroes.com/vote.
A program that will fight the opioid crisis regionally on several fronts was announced by Total Action for Progress this morning. The focus is on women, especially those who are also sustaining a household. It includes partners in the Alleghany Highlands and the New River Valley. Local partners for the RESTORE progam including Carilion and the Bradley Free Clinic, which has monthly drop-in hours for those that seek help in kicking their opioid addiction. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea noted that TAP was among the select few social agencies to receive funding for the new initiative:
Tulsi Gabbard/ tulsi2020.com
Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard could spoil the party – she’s threatened to skip Tuesday’s 12-person debate, saying the Democratic National Committee and “corporate media” is “rigging” the 20-20 election – but at least one of her local supporters hopes that doesn’t happen, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
The transformation of the old William Byrd High School into The Billy Byrd apartment complex is complete. Town of Vinton and Roanoke County officials helped cut the ribbon today. There are 82 1-and-2 bedroom apartments ready to be leased says developer David Walker. Waukeshaw Development invested 12 million dollars in the project; which left many of the old high school features intact – including the gymnasium floor – in order to be eligible for historic tax credits.
Roanoke Vice Mayor Joe Cobb offers greetings before survey was presented this morning/G Marrano photo
Arts and Culture in the Roanoke Valley is big business that reaches into many different sectors and in fiscal year 2018 the non-profit arts industry generated 64 million dollars in local economic activity. That’s what came to light in a sweeping survey conducted by “Americans for the Arts.” The arts support 1774 local jobs and 6.5 million in state and local tax revenue according to the study. The Roanoke Cultural Endowment is looking to raise 20 million dollars so it can then issue grants to local arts organizations. Shaleen Powell is executive director for the Roanoke Cultural Endowment, which commissioned that study; she says it should provide talking points when reaching out to potential donors.
