News
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.
The Roanoke Greek Festival returns this weekend for its 11th year. WFIR’s Starr Anderson has more details on the three-day event that gives attendees the chance to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Greece.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia officials have signed a contract with a vendor to obtain execution drugs, but are shielding the name of the vendor and the price of the drugs. A new state law passed last legislative session allows officials to keep secret the suppliers of drugs used to carry out executions. A memorandum of agreement obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch through a Freedom of Information Act request redacts not only the identity of the supplier, but the date the contract was signed and the amount the state will pay for each batch of drugs. The agreement may be good for up to seven years, but can be ended by the vendor at any time. There are seven men currently on death in Virginia, but no execution dates have been set.
General Electric has purchased Roanoke-based software developer Meridium. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
The latest accreditation standards for Virginia schools include some revisions to reflect differences among some that are not fully accredited. Designations for some Roanoke City schools reflect that change, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports.
Click here for accreditation reports for all Virginia public schools
