Gene Marrano
Ralph Northam
WISE, Va. (AP) – Gov. Ralph Northam is set to visit a health clinic in Southwest Virginia that’s expected to draw thousands of people seeking free care. Northam’s office announced that he will attend the Remote Area Medical clinic at the Wise County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Northam is a pediatric neurologist who has treated patients at the clinic in the past. This is 19th year the event will be held at the fairgrounds. Patients will receive provide dental, medical and vision care. All care is offered free of charge. Registration begins at 6 a.m. daily from July 20 through July 22. Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
HOT SPRINGS, Va. (AP) – The two major party candidates in Virginia’s U.S. Senate race are set to square off in their first debate. Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Corey Stewart are debating Saturday at the Homestead Resort. The event is sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association. Kaine is seeking a second term. He was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election and the early favorite to win this year’s contest.
Stewart is a devotee of President Donald Trump and an outspoken defender of Confederate imagery. Several Virginia Republicans, including those seeking re-election to the U.S. House, have publicly distanced themselves from Stewart.Virginia was once considered a swing state. But Republicans haven’t won a statewide contest since 2009.
Today through Tuesday 16 Little League baseball all-star teams from all around the Commonwealth are convening at Starkey Park in Southwest Roanoke County for the state Little League championships.
One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays is the comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” A new local theater company called Two Muses is staging it outdoors tonight and tomorrow – for free – at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is being staged at the ampitheatre inside Sherwood Memorial – which is a cemetery just off East Main Street. Show time tonight and tomorrow – weather permitting – is 6pm. Liz Bradley is the director:
After seeming to entertain the idea of allowing Russia to interview a former US Ambassador to that country the White House said “no” yesterday. Virginia’s junior Democratic Senator says that was a bad idea from the start. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Live music in an assortment of genres on numerous stages, craft beer, eclectic food offerings, outdoor activities, camping – and lots of interesting people of all ages. If it sounds like FloydFest it is:
Wikipedia photo
The man whose story inspired the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam” has passed away at age 79. Adrian Cronauer was a radio disc jockey, a community theater actor, an attorney and a Pentagon advisor who once worked at Roanoke FM station WPVR – now Wheeler Broadcasting’s Star Country. Robin Williams earned an Academy Award nomination for portraying Cronauer’s Vietnam disc jockey character in the 1987 film. Production Director Mitch Todd calls Cronauer a mentor:
The City of Roanoke wants residents to “dream today – so that we can shape tomorrow” by giving their input on the next comprehensive plan. More on the “Plan Roanoke” kickoff today from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded to a fire in the 100 block of Poplar Street in Vinton around 1 this afternoon – where they found smoke and flames coming from a single-story home. A juvenile and three dogs got out safely and will stay elsewhere locally. Two adults were not home at the time. The fire was declared under control in about 30 minutes. The damage is estimated at $60,000 and smoking materials were determined to be the cause. Several county squads and Roanoke City crews responded.