Gene Marrano
Stik-Pak groundbreaking/G Marrano photo
There’s a good chance if you tear open a tube of something powdered and pour it into a liquid it was packaged by Stik-Pak Solutions in Franklin County – which broke ground this morning on a new headquarters facility at the Summit View Business Park on US 220. Its the second company to do so recently. Stik-Pak plans to move into its new 50,000 square foot building by mid 20-20. Its a 14- million dollar project that will eventually double in size and triple its workforce to almost 100. The new Stik-pak jobs created will average about $46,000 a year. Michael Burnette is the economic development director for Franklin County:
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: