Web Staff
All the heavy rainfall so far this month has caused some serious troubles for many people, but it is also good for some businesses, like those providing lawn care. More rain means greener lawns, and that means more business in July and August when lawns are typically brown and need much less cutting. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has the story.
A Roanoke College official says people are focusing too much on the percent increase of student loan interest rates and not on what it really means in terms of dollars and cents. Unless Congress approves a change, subsidized Stafford loans taken out since July first have an interest rate of 6.8% instead of the previous 3.4%. Roanoke College’s Brenda Poggendorf says when it comes down to actual numbers, the increase isn’t significant enough to discourage students from borrowing. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has the story.
Scammers are posing as part of the FBI to gain access to your computer. The Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia says some residents are receiving phone calls from a person claiming to be calling on behalf of the FBI — and warning that your computer has been attacked by hackers. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has the story.
Click here for the full BBB news release.
UPDATED 3:55 pm — Salem Police say they have confirmed the body found yesterday is that of Edward Clark, Junior.
Salem Police believe a man’s body found Monday is that of a city resident who may have been swept away last week by high waters behind his home. 54-year-old Edward Clark Junior was last seen alive July 4th. A medical examiner is expected to provide positive identification. WFIR’s Jay King has the story.
(Continue reading for the full Salem Police news release.) Continue reading
A Roanoke area businessman says revamping federal regulations will help with economic growth and getting more Americans back to work. Robert Sells is president of the Roanoke Cement Company, and he testified Tuesday before a House Judiciary subcommittee in Washington. WFIR’s Jay King has the story.
Franklin County is getting ready to assign career firefighters to the Boones Mill fire station. They’ll make the changeover on Monday, July 15th. County public safety officials say this will improve the response times and level of care in the Boones Mill area. WFIR’s Jay King has the story.
Texting while driving becomes a primary offense today, and now, the Virginia DMV is turning more attention toward texting while walking. Distracted walkers can be a danger to other pedestrians and themselves and could accidentally walk into traffic. As WFIR’s Jay King reports, The DMV is gathering information on the safety issue.
The Virginia Museum of Transportation announced plans today to restore the iconic 611 steam engine to operating condition. They have to raise more than $3 million first, but if all goes well, the Roanoke-built locomotive could be hauling passenger excursions as soon as next year. It last did so in 1994.
Click here for the “Fire Up 611” web site.
Several new traffic laws take effect in Virginia July 1st. Among them, texting while driving becomes a primary offense, provisional drivers will be limited on the number of teen passengers they can carry, and rules will be stricter for moped riders. WFIR’s Jay King has the story.