Thomas Gates- Roanoke County

Thomas C. Gates, a deputy city manager and Chief of Staff for the City of Alexandria, VA, as been named as Roanoke County’s new County Administrator.  Board of Supervisors chairman Joe McNamara made the announcement a short time ago:

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Its been a long time coming but the hotel promised for the South Peak development in Roanoke County will finally open … More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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The cold weather is here … that means people will be pulling their space heaters out of storage and stoking up the fireplace. Roanoke Fire-EMS has a few safety pointers. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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The non-profit that helps people – mainly recent immigrants – with their English writing and reading skills is moving from one side the of main Roanoke Library branch on Jefferson Street to the other side. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more on Blue Ridge Literacy:

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Hunter Hayes and David Stewart Wiley shoot a selfie

More than $500,000 from VH1’s “Save the Music Foundation” over the past 5 years has helped bolster music education programs and provided instruments for Roanoke City Public School students. They held a celebration concert last night. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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More kudos for the Roanoke Valley from national publications and travel writers … Jennifer Huber is a travel writer on the “Solo Travel Girl” blog …WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more:

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Hunter Hayes (center) with Roanoke City high school students

Roanoke City Schools celebrates 5 years of partnership with VH-1’s “Save the Music Foundation,” at a special concert tonight. Save the Music has issued $510,000 in grants to Roanoke City for music education and instruments. Country Music star Hunter Hayes will be on hand to mark the occasion … the 23-year-old Hayes is a VH1 Save the Music Foundation ambassador … He was also at an event this morning. He spoke with WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Buzz Williams (far left)

Virginia Tech basketball fans and alumni are expecting big things from new head basketball coach Buzz Williams – who got off to a good start last Friday. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Its one more sign of the Holiday season ahead … the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” kickoff tomorrow. The Southwest Virginia Ballet will offer a special performance kick-line style at 10am, at Valley View Mall. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Improved website security, a streamlined on-line experience and more choices … the Affordable Care Act gears up for the new open enrollment period, which starts tomorrow. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more:

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