Across Virginia
Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is in full force for the holiday season. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports that means more officers on the road looking for impaired drivers.
Thirty-six percent of Christmas Day traffic fataliities in the United States involve driving under the influence. On New Year’s that number jumps to 40-percent. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is working to make holiday roads safer.
For more information ActLikeIt.org
(Roanoke County, VA—December 19, 2023) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, to the 2700 block of Tulip Lane, in the Vinton area, for the report of a residential structure fire. Upon arrival units from Station 2 (Vinton) found a two-story home that was heavily involved in fire from the rear of the house. The home was occupied at the time of the fire by 2 adults and 4 children all of whom escaped unharmed thanks to the presence of working smoke alarms. The family will be displaced. They are staying with family and will be assisted by the American Red Cross Virginia Region. There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighting personnel. The fire was brought under control in about twenty-five minutes. We want to express our appreciation to the City of Roanoke Fire and EMS for their assistance on this fire. This was the second working fire for units from Roanoke County tonight. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate a cause and provide a damage estimate.
The association representing Virginia’s hospitals has unveiled a new website designed to help you know what health care consumer laws are on the books — and best understand pricing before any scheduled hospital procedures. The Virginia Hospital and Health Care Association started with a statewide poll, one that found that most Virginians are unaware of state and federal health care rights laws, some protecting patients from things like surprise medical bills, others promoting transparency in health care cost information. Then it conducted focus group session in three cities, one of them in Roanoke, where most people expressed similar unfamiliarity. That has led to the “Control Your Care” campaign, the main goals being to explain those state and federal laws in plain English and provide helpful health care cost information. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
CLICK HERE for the Control Your Care website
Holiday travel in Virginia is expect to approach some of the highest levels ever seen, and it doesn’t matter much what kind of transportation is involved. For the millions of Virginians who will travel by road, you will be paying some of the lowest gasoline prices in more than two years. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
AAA expects holiday air travel will set records, so plan accordingly — and cruises are way ahead of any previous numbers.
Here is the full AAA news release:
NEARLY 3.2 MILLION VIRGINIANS EXPECTED TO TRAVEL OVER YEAR-END HOLIDAY PERIOD
- More than 115 million people are predicted to travel 50 miles or more from home this year for the holidays. That’s an increase of two percent from last year and the second highest year-end travel forecast since AAA began tracking in 2000.
- Nearly 104 million Americans are forecast to drive to their holiday destinations.
- 7.5 million Americans are predicted to fly this year, meaning airports will be the busiest they’ve ever been over the Christmas and New Year’s travel period.
- AAA estimates travel by bus, rail, and cruise ship will rise to more than 4 million this holiday season, a 10% increase from last year and 4% higher than 2019.
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Abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
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Snow shovel
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Flashlight with extra batteries
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Window washer solvent
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Ice scraper with brush
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Jumper cables
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Extra warm clothing (gloves, hats, scarves), and blankets
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Warning devices (flares or triangles)
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Drinking water and non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers
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First-aid kit
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Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
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Mobile phone, charger and power bank
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced a $2 billion public-private partnership to create a world-class Entertainment District in the City of Alexandria at Potomac Yard – bringing the NBA and NHL to Virginia. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
Read more for the full press release.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin delivered remarks at the renaming ceremony of the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Roanoke this morning. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the Center is one of three state veterans care centers operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services recieving new names.
Three Virginia Veteran care centers have been renamed including one in Roanoke. Govenor Glenn Youngkin was in the area this morning for a ceremony to mark the renaming. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
The Feel Good Tour is looking for good homes for their instruments. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the nonprofit wants to make sure any child can get music for Christmas.
The 9th annual Music for Chistmas gives free instruments to children who cannot afford them. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us The Feel Good Tour warehouse is open for holiday shopping.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFeelGoodTour/
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