Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republicans have canceled a meeting where they were to present GOP-backed proposals to curb gun violence.
State Sen. Mark Obenshain said Friday that he had canceled next week’s planned meeting of the state’s Crime Commission because of the results of Tuesday’s legislative elections.
Republicans tasked the commission earlier this year to come up with ideas on how to improve public safety in the wake of a mass shooting at a Virginia Beach municipal building. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam had instead wanted lawmakers to vote on gun-control measures during a special session.
Democrats ran aggressively on gun control in legislative elections and won majorities in both the state House and Senate on Tuesday.
Northam said he expects lawmakers to pass several gun-control bills next year.
Becci Sisson and Kevin Berry from Roanoke Rescue Mission/C Palmer photo
The Roanoke Rescue Mission’s more high-end thrift store – the 2nd Helpings Cafe, which also serves food and features original artwork, is holding a holiday open house tomorrow from 9 to 5. The 2nd Helpings Cafe is located on Williamson Road near Orange Avenue. Becci Sisson is Director of Development for the Rescue Mission:
We heard live in-studio about the open house and the upcoming Drumstick Dash 5K this morning. Hear much more on the link below. Here is a 20 percent discount code for the Drumstick Dash registration fee to use online: WFIR
Cameron Johnson from Magic City Ford Lincoln (at right)
Roanoke City Public high school students at the Roanoke Technical Education Center now have a more recent, updated vehicle to work on after Magic City Ford-Lincoln donated a 2013 Ford Fiesta to the program today. That Ford Fiesta has around 60,000 miles on the odometer. Magic City Auto Group Chairman and CEO Cameron Johnson was on hand for the presentation. Johnson also dabbles as an internet investor when he’s not selling cars.
The former Villa Heights Recreation Center in northwest Roanoke sat vacant and dilapidated for more than a decade before Restoration Housing bought it from Roanoke City several years ago and then invested around $800,000 dollars to bring it back to life as a community center, with several non-profit tenants. LEAP for Local Foods and The Humble Hustle are two of the tenants leasing office space from Kingdom Life Ministries International,the anchor tenant in a building that dates back to the early 1800’s. Isabel Thornton is president of Restoration Housing; she spoke at this morning’s ribbon cutting:
Courtney Plaster (L) from VMT/C Palmer photo
This Friday several thousand local school children will descend on downtown Roanoke for STEAM Day – a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The Virginia Museum of Transportation is one of four venues that will welcome K-through-12th grade students. Courtney Plaster is education director at the VMT; she was live in-studio this morning:
There is now just one day to go before election day, and while candidates handle last-minute campaigning, local elections officials will spend a busy day getting things set up for tomorrow. The voting machines are all programmed, and today is the day they actually head to their respective voting precincts. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Three men are vying to become Roanoke County’s next Commonwealth’s Attorney. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has the story.