Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Almost $2.7 million in federal “YouthBuild” grant funding to provide job training and education for at-risk youth is headed to this region. That includes $1.2 million for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Roanoke. Mary Ann Gilmer with Goodwill says YouthBuild will focus on academic training, life skills and construction training in conjunction with several community partners. Another $1.5 million will support workforce programs in the New River Valley.
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Its a streaming service first and a broadcast television channel second – that’s how Blue Ridge PBS is describing the new “ECHO” channel that debuted today. It harkens back to the Roanoke-based station’s roots as an education resource. Virginia First Lady Pam Northam was on hand to celebrate the launch of ECHO – as in Education, Community, Health, Opportunity. Pam Northam is a former teacher. ECHO will be available on-line and over the air as well; the latest addition to the Blue Ridge PBS lineup of stations.
With all precincts reporting Master Deputy Antonio Hash appears to have won won the Democratic nomination for Roanoke City Sheriff over retired Lt. Lee Hill. (provisionals have not yet been counted). With no other candidates apparently filing by today’s deadline Hash will be the city’s next Sheriff.
LeMajors T. “Lee” Hill 2920 |
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Antonio D. Hash 3,404 |
The American Association of Community Colleges and the National Science Foundation announced the 12 finalists for the 2021 Community College Innovation Challenge, a competition that seeks to strengthen entrepreneurial thinking among community college students by challenging them to develop STEM-based solutions to real-world problems.
Of the 12 finalists, a team from Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke was selected to move onto the next phase, a Virtual Boot Camp in June that will have participants interact with entrepreneurs and experts in business planning, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and marketplace dynamics. The Boot Camp culminates in a Student Innovation Showcase with STEM leaders and Congressional stakeholders, and a pitch presentation to determine the first, second, and third-place winning teams, with cash-prize awards.
The VWCC Community Coral Project is supporting coral growth through 3D printing of porous structures made of PLA, a plastic substitute made from fermented plant starch.
(AP) Washington and Lee University’s trustees have voted against removing the name of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The board voted 22-6 to keep the current name. Friday’s announcement follows an 11-month review of the name, symbols and other issues related to the Virginia school’s history and campus environment. And the board says it’s addressing problems by committing $225 million to scholarships and student support, and creating a center for the study of Southern race relations, culture and politics. They will rename the Lee Chapel on campus, and they are dropping Founders Day. Other diversity and inclusion initiatives are planned.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia has awarded its first annual educational scholarship to a club member – Jack Graves is headed to William and Mary; he attended the Shawsville club branch for more than 6 years. The Jim Barker Educational Scholarship Fund – named after a Board Member who grew up in an afterschool Boys & Girls Club program – has reached over $100,000 in endowment funding with sights set on raising $1 million. Jack Graves will receive almost 4000 dollars for his college costs.