Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Photo: Patricia White-Boyd, taken from her Facebook page
There are two candidates vying for the State Senate District 4 Democratic nomination in next Tuesday’s primary. Both are currently on Roanoke City Council. WFIR’s Gene Marrano spoke with Trish White-Boyd about her campaign:
Gene Marrano photos
After several years of planning, community meetings and some pushback from local residents and businesses, where the issue of “safety” was a topic, the Third Street Station that is the new transit hub for Valley Metro buses cut the ribbon today. The 17 million dollar facility is also the new home base for Greyhound and the Smart commuter bus. Valley Metro’s former hub – Campbell Court – is now being turned into a mixed-use development. Roanoke Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb is also the Greater Roanoke Transit Company board chairman:
The future of Preston Park Elementary School is up in the air as officials wait to see whether their rezoning proposal will be approved. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
A student in the College of Engineering fabricates semiconductors in a clean lab. The lab uses a special yellow UV light and enhanced air filtration systems. (Photo by Luke Hayes/Virginia Tech)
One Virginia Tech spokesperson says a new initiative could further draw the semiconductor industry to the Commonwealth. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
Roanoke College has been awarded a grant of over 190,000 dollars for a new dual-enrollment program targeted at-risk high school students in Salem City schools. Roanoke was one of 16 schools in Virginia to be awarded a Lab School planning grant from the Virginia Department of Education. Roanoke College will work with Salem High School to create a plan for dual-enrollment classes that allows students to get a head start on college and their careers. This plan will take about 12 months to create and implement in the school system. President Frank Shushok explains the importance of providing opportunities, affordability, and access for all high school students.
From the crowded streets in busy downtown Roanoke to rural roadways and small towns in the Highlands. A regional organization wants to know how people use transportation as it plans for the future. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Pete Peters at greenway bench dedication. G Marrano photo
The Town of Vinton, Precision Fabrics Group, Food Lion and the Daughters of the American Revolution have joined forces to turn three-thousand pounds of discarded plastic into park benches. The first one was dedicated along the Glade Park Greenway this morning. Three benches have already been installed along the greenway and the rest will soon follow. Pete Peters is Vinton’s Town Manager: