Gene Marrano
The Carolina Panthers can only make the playoffs now after last night’s 12 to 9 loss to the Saints if a lot of other pieces fall into place. And after along break for final exams the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team is back in action tomorrow night:
Nearly half the voters in a new poll give the Interstate 81 corridor a “D” or “F” – and a majority are willing to pay for upgrades as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Jason Ferguson – courtesy Botetourt County
The new Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Botetourt County is a familiar face – after a 7 month national search the county stayed in house and promoted Battalion Chief Jason Ferguson to the top job. Ferguson came to Botetourt in 2001 as the county’s first staff paramedic. He was recently recently appointed by Governor Northam to serve a second term on the State EMS Advisory Board. A Botetourt County news release says Ferguson continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Science from Jefferson College of Health Sciences and the Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech. In 2017, he received the Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy.
The completion of the Franklin Road Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway tracks has been delayed until Mid-March 2019. Roanoke City says the two-month delay is due to significant rain from hurricane events in September and October that prevented concrete from being poured and the early onset of colder weather.
From Roanoke City: The completion of the Franklin Road Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway has been delayed until Mid-March 2019. The delay is due to significant rain from hurricane events in September and October, and the onset of colder weather earlier than expected. The rain events delayed pouring the concrete bridge deck in September and October. The contractor was delayed due to having to reschedule the deck bridge pours and coordinating available time with Norfolk Southern to access the deck. The onset of colder weather, along with the recent snowfall, has impeded the contractor’s last remaining major work item of the pouring the concrete barrier (sidewall) or parapet along the bridge. Also, with the early onset of colder weather, the contractor will have to take more care, time and precautions constructing the barrier.
A groundbreaking this morning in Vinton for “Rosie’s Gaming Emporium” – the former Colonial Downs offtrack betting parlor. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
The Taubman Museum of Art has rolled out a new “Vitality Arts” program, beginning with students at Wasena Elementary School and Friendship Retirement. (photos courtesy Friendship) More on the program’s goal – and a first-time get together last week from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Photo: Corey Stewart Facebook
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – The Virginia Republican who lost the U.S. Senate race last month and also lost primaries for two statewide races in recent years says he’s stepping back from statewide elections. The Washington Post reports that Corey Stewart announced his decision to Republican Party activists and leaders at a weekend retreat in Norfolk. About 350 people attended the gathering, down from about 500 in recent years. Republicans haven’t won statewide since 2009.
Stewart lost to Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine last month. Previously, he ran unsuccessfully for Republican nominations for governor and lieutenant governor. During his campaigns, Stewart embraced Confederate monuments and associated with white supremacists. Stewart says he’s stepping back from statewide races for at least a couple of years. He hasn’t ruled out a re-election bid for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.