Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Brian Powell/G Marrano photo
The owner of Wine Gourmet has formally announced his run for Cave Spring Supervisor. 33-year-old Brian Powell says he wants to move economic development projects like “Reimagine 419” in southwest County past the planning stage and into action. Powell is seeking the Democratic nomination in a district that skews Republican. No other Democrat has announced a run with the filing deadline at the end of the month. Paul Mahoney has announced his intention to run for the Cave Spring supervisor seat as a Republican. At a news conference outside the County Administration building today Powell was also critical about how the oft-delayed Cave Spring High School rebuild was handled. (George Assaid is not running for reelection this fall)
Rep. Ben Cline
Congressman Ben Cline says the U.S. should not consider any additional restrictions on owning semi-automatic rifles — as New Zealand is now doing in light of last week’s mass shootings in two mosques. The freshman Republican’s comments came in a wide-ranging live interview Monday morning on The Roanoke Valley’s Morning News. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Here is the full conversation:
The goal for the 24-hour Roanoke Valley Gives event that took place on Wednesday was $800,000. It was more than met – the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia says the 160 non-profits that received donations over that 24 hour period topped $823,000 dollars. In 2018 the total raised during Roanoke Valley Gives was more than $740,000. Michelle Eberly is with the Community Foundation:
There will be a primary election on June 11th for the Republican nomination in Roanoke County’s Windsor Hills district, now that a former candidate who came close last time has thrown her hat in the ring again. More on that from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Thomas McCracken
After some soul-searching and despite the urging of some in the Catawba District, Thomas McCracken now says he will NOT run for the Roanoke County School Board seat he had to give up almost four years ago due to conflict of interest issues surrunding his wife, an assistant principal in that same district. Instead McCracken said today he will focus on launching a new anti-bullying campaign with the help of Don Butzer – the current Catawba representative and school board chairman. McCracken says Butzer – who intends to run again this fall – will introduce his anti-bullying program at the School Board meeting this Thursday. It’s based on the CommUNITY Church pastor’s doctoral dissertation research.
The Woodrum family in Roanoke includes some high-achievers – Josh Woodrum is a pro quarterback who has been with several NFL teams, while his younger brother Chris is overcoming his own challenges and getting ready to help run a business that should open by June. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano: