Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission released a comprehensive economic development strategy for public review…WFIR’s Rob Ruthenberg has this report
CLICK HERE to view the strategy
Bob Cowell
At today’s Roanoke City Council meeting a proposed balanced budget of more than $307 million was presented by City Manager Bob Cowell, who said the expected severe revenue loss associated with the pandemic hasn’t happened. The proposed 2021-22 fiscal year budget represents a 3.2 percent overall spending hike, totaling more than $9.5 million. It must be adopted by next month.
(LU release) Liberty University’s virtual Commencement ceremony on Saturday was the grand finale to a week of in-person and online degree presentation ceremonies. Keynote speaker and former Heisman Trophy winner and two-time college football National Champion Tim Tebow encouraged Liberty’s graduates to view their future work as worship unto the Lord as they seek to be Champions for Christ in their respective fields.
Following an opening prayer by Flames Football Head Coach Hugh Freeze, Lieutenant Stephan Petett, 2nd. Lieutenant Explosive Ordnance Disposal, led the Pledge of Allegiance and the School of Music’s Sounds of Liberty worship team sang the National Anthem.
President Jerry Prevo then gave the opening address, welcoming all viewers and graduates. While congratulating the graduates, Prevo highlighted the outstanding accomplishments and resilience of the entire student body throughout this past year of the COVID-19 pandemic. He congratulated the university’s athletics teams for their stellar performance, which included a first-ever AP Top 25 ranking for Flames Football as well as several sports earning conference titles.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday and passed various resolutions involving economic development in the town of Vinton. WFIR’s Rob Ruthenberg has more.
Photo: verlettawhite.com
The Roanoke City School system has big plans, which were laid out this morning at a joint session with Roanoke City Council. Superintendent Verletta White says that includes buying the Roanoke Times building downtown and converting it into the Central Office over the next few years. And the former William Ruffner Middle School would become a second Roanoke Technical Education center serving William Fleming High School. Right now says White about two thirds of students who attend the current “Ro-Tech” center come from Patrick Henry High School. White and the Roanoke City School Board laid out an “equity and empowerment” program that includes curriculum and infrastructure changes.
After reports they were doing away with accelerated Math courses, Virginia Education officials are discussing what changes they are planning to make and what they mean for your child’s future. WFIR’s Clark Palmer explains with this In-Depth report.
To read the full Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/infographic-vmpi-virginia.pdf
Lynchburg, VA — Liberty University President Jerry Prevo has announced that professional athlete, author, speaker, and philanthropist Tim Tebow will address graduates at Liberty University’s main Commencement 2021 Ceremony on Saturday, May 15, at 7 p.m. EST. The event will be virtual and will take place at the Center for Music and the Worship Arts Concert Hall and streamed on Liberty’s Commencement website.
“I’m excited to return to Liberty’s campus,” Tebow said. “Liberty is a special place, and they are doing great work in advancing His Kingdom. I’m honored to celebrate these new graduates, recognize their achievements, and encourage them to go out and impact this world.”
“We are grateful that Mr. Tebow has accepted our invitation to join us for Commencement and excited to hear him address our graduates,” Prevo said. “In all of his success, Mr. Tebow has never lost sight of God’s plan for his life. He is bold in professing his faith and serves others as unto the Lord. He is a prime example of a Champion for Christ.”
Tebow’s success on the athletic field and his unwavering commitment to his faith has made him a source of inspiration to people all over the world. He is the founder and chairman of the board of the Tim Tebow Foundation, which operates ministries that are dedicated to serving and celebrating people with special needs, caring for homeless and abandoned children, providing physical and spiritual care to children with profound medical needs, and fighting human trafficking.
Tebow was born in Makati, the Philippines, to missionary parents Bob and Pam Tebow. He played football for the University of Florida and became the first homeschooled athlete and college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. In the NFL, Tebow played for the Denver Broncos, the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles and recently retired from playing professional baseball with the New York Mets. Tebow is a New York Times bestselling author, international speaker, and ESPN sports broadcaster. This will be Tebow’s second visit to the Liberty University campus; he spoke at Convocation in March 2013.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jobless workers collecting unemployment benefits will be required to report looking for work beginning in early June, the Virginia Employment Commission announced Tuesday.
The work search requirement, part of state and federal law, was suspended during the pandemic. The commission announced earlier this month that it would be reinstated, and on Tuesday gave the effective date: the week ending June 5.
“Claimants must search and report two job searches per week,” commission spokeswoman Joyce Fogg wrote in an email.
The requirement will also apply to people who get Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
Virginia Employment Commissioner Ellen Marie Hess said earlier this month that the requirement is coming back as demand for workers rises and as vaccines become more widely available.
Photo: City of Roanoke
Roanoke City will have a new Deputy City Manager this summer. Clarence Grier was most recently Deputy County Manager in Guilford County, North Carolina — the Greensboro area. According to He left that position earlier this year; according to the Guilford County-based Rhino Times, Grier was relieved of his position after a new majority took control of the county’s board of commissioners. Grier will succeed Sherman Stovall, who will retire in June.
NEWS RELEASE: Clarence G. Grier has been named Deputy City Manager for the City of Roanoke. Following the retirement of Deputy City Manager Sherman Stovall in June 2021, Grier will assume the responsibility of managing and directing City departments, public safety agencies, and programs based on general direction and policy of the City Manager and City Council.
Since 2015, Grier has served Guilford County, N.C. as Deputy County Manager, where he supervised nine departments: Animal Services, Child Support Enforcement, Emergency Services, Family Justice Center, Fleet Operations, Information Services, Purchasing, Risk Management and Minority Women Business Enterprises. His local government experience includes service as Assistant County Manager-Chief Finance Officer for Orange County, N.C. (2009- 2015); and as Director of Finance for the Greensboro Housing Authority (2008- 2009).
Grier holds a Bachelor’s degree from Campbell University (Buies Creek, N.C.) in business administration. He also is a Certified Public Accountant, an AICPA Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and an AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).
Grier and his wife have family in Roanoke, and he secured his first job out of college here more than 30 years ago. He was a high school and college basketball star, having been drafted by the NBA’s Houston Rockets in 1987.
“Finding someone to carry on the incredible work of Sherman Stovall, who is retiring in June, was no easy task,” said City Manager Bob Cowell. “After receiving well over 100 applications and interviewing six highly qualified professionals, I feel very fortunate to have found someone of Clarence’s caliber, available and interested in joining our team. Clarence’s long tenure in public service, deep understanding of public budgeting and financing, and stellar reputation helped him stand out above all the other candidates. I am thrilled we were able to secure someone who I believe will serve the residents of Roanoke well for many years, just as Sherman has done all these past years.”
“I am excited and truly honored to be provided the opportunity to return to the Star City where my career began and serve the citizens of the City of Roanoke. Roanoke is very dear to me both personally and professionally,” said Clarence Grier.
Cody Sexton- Town of Vinton
(Vinton release) The Town of Vinton is pleased to announce the selection of Cody Sexton as the new Assistant Town Manager. The selection is the culmination of a comprehensive search process undertaken by the Town’s leadership as a result of the promotion of Richard “Pete” Peters to Town Manager. In his position, Sexton will assist in the overall management of the day-to-day operations of the Town government and work with the Mayor, Members of Council and the Town Manager to implement their strategic vision for the community.” Vinton is truly a special place and is quickly becoming one of the best places to enjoy every aspect of the high quality of life we have come to love in the Roanoke Valley,” said Sexton.