News
A series of resolutions and bills that will be introduced by a local delegate during the next General Assembly session will tackle the ex-felons voting rights issue. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:
The Roanoke County Police Department will begin its next Citizens Police Academy on Tuesday. The goal is to educate the public on why and how the department carries out its mission. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has more details.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concludes that construction and operation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline “would result in limited adverse environmental impacts.” FERC regulators found the pipeline would have some adverse effects, but that those effects could be reduced. The 781-page study, released today, covers areas that include water resources, forest lands, soil, and property owners. The statement will now be subject to a public comment period before FERC prepares a final Environmental Impact Statement. The proposed pipeline would carry natural gas from fields of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania to customers in southeast states, and its proposed route includes portions of Montgomery, Craig, Roanoke and Franklin Counties.
Click here for full FERC Mountain Valley Pipeline DEIS information.
The news that Tanglewood Mall had been sold came just hours before the first 419 “re-imaging” meeting last night, drawing more people. WFIR’s Ian Price has details on the sale:
United Way of Roanoke Valley has honored its “50 Most generous workplaces in the valley” as a way to pay back. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
From Botetourt County Police: On September 8, 2016, Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office reports that dispatch received a call at approximately 5:51 p.m., to respond to the Happy Food Mart located at 8216 Roanoke Road regarding two males that were fighting. Upon arrival Deputies located a unresponsive male subject laying at fuel pumps. The male was transported by Botetourt County Emergency Services to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Identification of the deceased is pending notification of next of kin. The other individual involved has been identified, interviewed and was also transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the incident. Charges are pending further investigation.
Tanglewood Mall has been sold to a partnership of Alabama-based Blackwater Resources and Lubert Adler in Philadelphia. Blackwater has developed large retail shopping centers in Virginia for over 20 years, in cities such as Harrisonburg and Mannassas. No details on the sale price yet. Its anticipated some development at the mall could begin next year says Roanoke County
No longer will drivers involved in minor vehicle accidents have to sit on the road of a busy road while a police officer fills out a detailed report. WFIR’s Gene Marrano explains why:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ The University of Virginia’s board of visitors says it will consider student-submitted proposals for how to use money from a $2.2 billion investment fund that has been the subject of recent criticism. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Vice Rector Frank Conner made the announcement Wednesday, responding to a letter of concern from the Student Council that students were not given a voice in the establishment of the Strategic Investment Fund. Rector William H. Goodwin says the board will begin reviewing grant proposals on Friday. Former rector Helen Dragas characterized the fund as a “slush fund” in a July column in The Washington Post. UVA says the fund is not connected to tuition or public funding. State auditors told lawmakers last month that there was nothing improper about the fund.