Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
The contract has been signed and now some of the heavy lifting follows. More on TAP’s agreement to sell the historic Dumas Hotel to a citizen-led group from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
It’s been months of debate and research… and Roanoke leaders are sticking with plans to replace a historic fire station in the Grandin neighborhood. WFIR’s Lillian Boyd with the latest.
A federal grant being funneled through the local LEAP program will enable SNAP recipients statewide to purchase more produce at farmer’s markets. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
You may have seen them in past years around Valley View Mall – firefighters at intersections and store entrances – asking people to help “fill the boot” for a worthy cause. That fundraising drive is back this weekend as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Roanoke County public school start classes a week earlier past this year – the first day is August 13th. That also means the first semester will now end before before the Christmas break.
Cave Spring district school board member Mike Wray says everything will be ready to go when students return to Cave Spring High School on August 13. Roanoke County has been scrambling to get the 50-year-old building up to speed after originally planning to start extensive renovations this summer. During a media tour today Wray said certain needed-repairs were instead “nursed” through the previous school year instead of being fully made because of the anticipated renovations – now on hold since the only contractor’s bid came in 17 million dollars over what was budgeted.
A joint effort focused on exposing more underserved youths to the outdoors is ready to take a next step with the help of several grants. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Roanoke area schools are holding the annual ‘Load the Bus’ drive this weekend to give school supplies to less fortunate children. WFIR intern Brandon Wells reports.
Roanoke County Windsor Hills Supervisor Joe McNamara could be the Republican nominee in the 8th House district. This comes after Delegate Greg Habeeb announced that he would step down at the end of August. More from WFIR Intern reporter Brandon Wells:
From press release: House Democratic Leader David Toscano and Caucus Chair Charniele Herring issued the following statement about Delegate Greg Habeeb’s resignation and the special election to replace him.
“We respectfully request that Speaker Kirk Cox call for the special election to replace Delegate Habeeb to coincide with the general election this November. To hold it at a separate time would be fiscally irresponsible, especially after the House Republicans have already spent millions of taxpayer dollars to defend racially gerrymandered districts. We call on Speaker Cox to act in the best interest of Virginia taxpayers and voters and make this decison swiftly.”