Gene Marrano
LewisGale Medical Center in Salem opened its new rooftop helipad yesterday. The hospital has had a helipad on ground since 1972. On average 15 to 20 LewisGale patients are transported via helicopter each month. CEO and President Lance Jones tells WDBJ-7 the new rooftop landing area will help get patients into emergency treatment quicker:
Clark Palmer photo
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s stop-work order last Friday on a two-mile stretch of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Montgomery County isn’t enough for opponents of the project and they talked about it at the Roanoke City Main Library branch early this afternoon. Russell Chisholm is with several local environmental groups; he is also a lead coordinator for the Mountain Valley Watch, which has been monitoring construction crews for issues like related soil erosion. MVP maintains they strive for best practices during pipeline construction.
RoCo police Chief Howard Hall with gun lock/ G Marrano photo
An event that was already scheduled before the weekend mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton to promote gun safety in the home drew extra attention this morning perhaps when local Police Chiefs gathered on Mill Mountain. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
After a groundswell of grass-roots public support, Roanoke City Council passed an amended Parks And Recreation master plan today that DOES include a skatepark – albeit 5 to 10 years out. City Manager Bob Cowell also said at today’s meeting it is possible they could find a home for a temporary skatepark once the facility under the Wasena bridge comes down when that is replaced.
Dave Trinkle (left) and students/G Marrano photo
Its become an annual ritual for first year students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine – a “public health walk” that takes them to health care centers and other venues along the greenway and in downtown Roanoke. Its hot out there but today’s public health walk does include a mid-point stop at Blue Cow Ice Cream on Walnut Avenue. Dave Trinkle is the associate dean for community and culture:
