News
Governor McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency as the remnants of Hurricane Hermine move up the Atlantic coast. The greatest concern right now is a potential storm surge along the coastline and up Chesapeake Bay, but heavy rains, flooding and damaging winds are also possible. A state of emergency permits state resources, like the National Guard, can be made quickly available.
(Continue reading for Governor McAuliffe’s full news release.)
Anne Holton stopped by the Hillary Clinton headquarters in Roanoke this morning to thank dozens of campaign workers. She was greeted by Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea and several City Council members. Holton is the wife of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine – the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate on Clinton’s ticket. Holton will also tour Virginia Western Community College this afternoon. Virginia’s former Secretary of Education will also talk about the Clinton-Kaine campaign plank regarding debt-free college
Angels of Assisi and Roanoke Parks and Recreation are working together on a new dog walking wellness program. The story from WFIR’s Starr Anderson.
An independent movie shot in Roanoke makes its television debut on the Sci-Fi Channel in a few weeks but before that there is a screening on Labor Day at the Grandin Theatre. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Click below to hear much more from Matt Oyler about #FollowFriday
The annual Chamber of Commerce “State of the City” breakfast took place at Hotel Roanoke this morning. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:
A truck spilled metal shavings and debris onto highways east of Pulaski this morning, leading to flat tires on more than a dozen vehicles. Officials say the spill and resulting damage is along routes 11 and 114 between Pulaski and the Radford Arsenal. VDOT crews were called in to sweep the debris off the roadways.
From the Pulaski County 911 Center: The 9-1-1 Center has been receiving reports of metal shavings/debris in the roadway on Lee Hwy in Dublin from the Pulaski Golf Club area down Lee Hwy and Peppers Ferry Blvd. in Fairlawn. The debris has caused numerous tires on vehicles to be damaged. VDOT is currently working to sweep the debris from the roadway but motorist are encouraged to use caution and avoid this area until the roadway has been swept. Updates will be provided as they are received.
September is “Hunger Action Month” and at Feeding America Southwest Virginia in Salem a kick-off event this morning had local elected officials sorting produce before it was shipped out. A “Certificate of Recognition” from Governor McAuliffe read aloud by delegate Chris Head cited the work of Feeding America Southwest Virginia and other food pantries to assist more than one million Virginians who don’t have enough to eat. President and CEO Pamela Irvine says there is always a need in the 26-county region it serves:
It’s National Preparedness Month, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management is encouraging all residents to take precautions that could save their lives in an emergency situation. The story from WFIR’s Starr Anderson.
From Roanoke County Public Schools: SALEM – Ben Amos has been named the new boys baseball head coach for the Glenvar Highlanders. Amos, a graduate of William Byrd HS and Roanoke College, was the assistant coach for Glenvar before being named the head coach. At Roanoke College, Amos was the starting shortstop and captain for the Maroons. He has played under a multitude of coaches, which brings diverse and effective strategies to his coaching philosophy. He was on the first ten & under AAU team in the Roanoke Valley, the Virginia Cavaliers.
Amos played for the Cavaliers year around until the age of eighteen. He played in Amateur league baseball at the age of 21. He has been coaching since he was 19. Amos was an assistant coach for American Legion Post 80 for three years, a middle infield coach for Salem High Junior Varsity.