News
From Christopher Newport University: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – With the candidates and voters poised for the first presidential debate tonight, Democrat Hillary Clinton leads Republican Donald Trump in Virginia, according to a new survey of likely voters by the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. But Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson is winning support, especially among Millennial voters.
In a head-to-head contest, voters prefer Clinton, 48-38 percent. But among all five candidates who will be on the Nov. 8 ballot, the tally is Clinton 39, Trump 33 and Johnson 15. Green Party nominee Jill Stein and independent Evan McMullin each take 3 percent. The margin of error is +/-3.9 percent.
The 6th annual City Works (x)Po next week is still about “big ideas” that make cities more livable – but it has a new home this year as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
The much-anticipated first of three presidential debates is set for tonight. Many analysts say its outcome could impact the rest of the campaign, one in which polls suggest Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are having trouble swaying younger voters. WFIR’s Evan Jones samples the campaign mood from one area campus.
WFIR will carry the debate live at 9:00 pm.
(Garry Carson website photo)
The Botetourt Kiwanis Club is bringing a magician with thousands of Las Vegas performances for a fund-raiser this Saturday at Lord Botetourt High School. Club member Ed Lynch has seen one of Garry Carson’s performances:
Lynch says Garry Carson is donating Saturday’s performance, so all the proceeds will benefit the Lord Botetourt High School Key Club and the service projects its members perform. Tickets are available from any Kiwanis or Key Club member or at Digital Image Printing near the high school.
Click here for Garry Carson’s web site.
From Virginia State Police: FLOYD, Va. – A Floyd County Sheriff’s Investigator has been released from the hospital Sunday after being shot by a Floyd County resident during a domestic incident Saturday evening (Sept. 24). Investigator R. Stanley was being treated for serious, but non-life threatening injuries, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., Saturday, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call for a domestic disturbance in the 2500 block of Ridgeview Road in Floyd County.
When deputies arrived at the residence, they encountered David J. Annarelli, 41, of Floyd County, armed with a shotgun and standing on the rear porch of the residence. As the deputies made repeated demands for Annarelli to drop the shotgun, Investigator Stanley arrived at the scene. Annarelli aimed at the sheriff’s investigator and shot at him multiple times. Investigator Stanley returned fire.
From the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: Our office is seeking assistance from the public in identifying the suspects involved in vandalism and breaking/entering of the Longshop/McCoy Fire Department, a nearby residence, and a church in the McCoy area of Montgomery County. Each of these incidents caused property damage and there were multiple items stolen, to include, a dual cassette deck, 5 disc DVD player, microphone, microphone stand, audio mixer, 18 hp Briggs & Stratton, portable motor, and a various other items. These incidents occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday September 17, 2016. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigations Captain Ed Hertling at (540) 382-6915 ext: 44418.
Good Samaritan Hospice is holding free volunteer training for those interested in working directly with patients, providing support to their caregivers and their families in homes and facilities. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has more details.
Contact Rayelle Williamson at, (540) 776-0198 or rwilliamson@goodsamhospice.org
From Mill Mountain Zoo: Friday, September 23, 2017 Since January of 2016, staff and board members at Mill Mountain Zoo have been busy completing their application for accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums(AZA). An exhaustive process, the application includes written documentation about the Zoo’s animal welfare and care practices, organizational issues, facilities, education outreach and fiscal stability as well as an on-site visit by a licensed veterinarian and a Zoo professional from another AZA facility. The application and inspection were completed in July and the Zoo was informed of the outcome at AZA’s national conference in San Diego two weeks ago.
Unfortunately, the AZA’s increasingly stringent standards for financial stability and sustainability have been steadily rising and the Zoo’s transformational change work which is supported by Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Virginia Tech and Virginia’s Blue Ridge Convention & Visitors Bureau, couldn’t overcome a 10-20 year history of tentative finances and the Zoo was informed that it would not receive accreditation. The Commission acknowledged the positive impact of the organizational and planning work done by Zoo staff and board over the last 18 months and also found no issues with the care and ongoing welfare of the Zoo’s animal collection and were complimentary of the Zoo’s staff in that regard.