Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Steve Mason/Red Velocity photos
The iconic 1959 Jupiter rocket that sits out the Virginia Museum of Transportation just got a much-needed facelift – a new paint job says VMT executive director Mendy Flynn. The 67-foot tall, 22,000 lb. Jupiter rocket moved along with the museum from Wasena Park after the flood of 1985 led to the VMT’s closure there.
The City of Roanoke unveiled an historical marker this morning at Perry Park off Norfolk Avenue, honoring Henrietta Lacks, a Roanoke native who eventually died from cervical cancer. Cells collected during her diagnosis are still used for research today and are considered to be the ‘gold standard.” Lacks will also be honored on October 4 with a downtown Roanoke statue at what used to be Lee Plaza. The historic highway marker at Perry Park is near the birthplace for Henrietta Lacks. Former Roanoke mayor and historian Nelson Harris helped track down that information. Council member Trish White-Boyd today:
The Wiley Drive low water bridge that is often closed after heavy rain along the Roanoke River Greenway is one step closer to being replaced with a bridge that sits up higher. US Senator Mark Warner returned to the site a year to the day after vowing to deliver federal infrastructure funds for the project. Joined by fellow US Senator Tim Kaine and members of Roanoke City Council, a ceremonial “big check” for $2.5 million was unveiled at the greenway event this morning. It may still be about two years to replace the low water bridge. Hear from Warner and then Kaine below:
Thomas McCracken
Thomas McCracken, the pastor at CommUNITY Church in Salem and a former school board member, has formally announced his bid for the Republican nomination for the Catawba seat on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. Martha Hooker is the Republican two-term incumbent. School construction projects, creating more new jobs in the county and more public input on what might go into the Woodhaven industrial park – near his home – are on McCracken’s agenda. Local Republicans have scheduled a June 20th primary. Three county school board members – chair Brent Hudson, Tim Greenway and Cheryl Faciani, have endorsed McCracken and were on hand today for the formal announcement that we reported on last week.
Martha Hooker
( Courtesy of Roanoke Board of Supervisors)
All five Roanoke County Supervisors were on hand this morning to announce a 130-million dollar budget proposal that would fund a new career and technical education center, and renovate Glen Cove and W.E. Cundiff Elementary Schools. The County school board must approve the proposal first; the funds would be available in the Spring of 2024 to start planning and construction. Martha Hooker from the Catawba District is the Supervisors Board Chair:
During his State of the Town Address, Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, says ground will be breaking soon on a project that could change the face of the town. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
A pro-life speaking engagement at one of the Commonwealth’s universities is attracting national attention after a protest leads to its shutdown. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story: