Gene Marrano
Torc Robotics in Blacksburg has been named Company of the Year by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council. Torc was established in 2005 and has built autonomous equipment for military and mining applications. Michael Fleming founded the company and spoke at today’s “eXperience” conference for young professionlas in Roanoke. The company has completed several autonomous cross-country drives. Fleming says Torc has also worked with some of the big players in the commercial autonomous vehicle field.
Virginia Tech’s women’s golf team is off to Austin Texas for an NCAA regional that starts on Monday. And tonight the Roanoke College men’s lacrosse team faces Hampden Sydney in the ODAC semifinals:
Local community activist and former Roanoke City Council candidate Freeda Cathcart doesn’t avoid the spotlight – this weekend she’ll make a pitch for sustainability in front of Warren Buffett and 20-thousand stockholders. WFIR’s Gene Marrano explains:
Last year 16 Million people visited the national park in our backyard – the Blue Ridge Parkway. And the new superintendent says that number could go up. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:Roanoke City officials and Taubman Museum of Art executives helped cut the ribbon this morning for Morning Brew Coffee, the new cafe that’s been open inside the museum for about two weeks. Owner Toya Jones moved her business from Williamson Road to downtown; she likes the vibe. Jones also operates the Dojo Grill food truck and offers the same signature gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches at Morning Brew – which is open 7 to 5 daily.
A 60 Minutes story on safety practices for Allegiant- the discount airline that flies from Roanoke to Florida every week – may have raised some eyebrows. A Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport spokesman says there is another side of the story, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports
Changes are happening at the Science Museum of Western Virginia. We have more from WFIR’s Bob Clark:
LG courtesy photos
Lewis Gale Physicians presented donations to Ronald McDonald House this morning – raising close to $10,000 that will be used to help stock the “magic room” where children can select a toy they keep after their family’s stay at the South Jefferson Street shelter. Ronald McDonald House hosts families while they visit from out of town, so an ailing child can receive special medical care.