Franklin County hopes to encourage more business development — and help address a county-wide housing shortage — by transforming more than 80 acres of county-owned land into residential development. County officials say there are no homes listed anywhere in Franklin County right now for under $100,000 and just seven homes between $100,000 and $200,000. With…… Continue Reading
Virginia Tech Student-Athletes are helping out their community The Hokie way. WFIR Intern Reporter Alex Torres has more on this new non-profit’s mission: The post Tech athletes team up with Feeding Southwest VA; Boys and Girls Clubs first appeared on News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR.… Continue Reading
NEWS RELEASE: August 2, 2023 — The Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc. (VMT) and the Virginia Scenic Railway (VSR) are excited to jointly announce that the Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam passenger locomotive will be operating a series of specially scheduled passenger excursions later this fall within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The…… Continue Reading
For the first time in Virginia, both political parties are fully embracing early voting as a major part of their campaign efforts. At stake this fall is which party controls the General Assembly. Former Virginia Tech Professor and WFIR Political Analyst Bob Denton says both Democrats and Republicans realize that early voting is essential to…… Continue Reading
From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the events coming up this weekend and in the near future. That includes a new book author discussion and signing, and a full weekend of music at Dr. Pepper Park. The post A new book on “Murder…… Continue Reading
All teachers in at least four Roanoke-area school systems are back at work today — Roanoke, Franklin, Botetourt and Craig Counties — preparing for the resumption of classes next week. As they do, one main goal across the region is closing the learning gap that developed during the pandemic. State and national student tests scores…… Continue Reading
Botetourt County Supervisors will continue leaving it to library staffers to determine what books should be available. Teens can visit and make choices without a parent, but children under 13 must still have a parent present. That continues current policies and practices, but in recent months, some opponents have been urging Botetourt County to restrict…… Continue Reading
Six new outdoor Pickleball courts painted in bright colors at Walrond Park in northeast Roanoke County made their official debut with a ribbon cutting this morning. An app being used to help schedule local Pickleball games – usually played in a doubles format – now has close to 2000 members on it. Walrond park has…… Continue Reading
Roanoke City recorded its first fatal shooting for August less than one hour into the new month. Police say officers were called to the 400 block of Westside Boulevard around 12:50 am where they found a man lying outside a vehicle. He died later under hospital treatment. As has been the case with a series…… Continue Reading
Foster Care organizations all over the region are in need of your help because there are more children in need than homes to take them in. DePaul Community Resources matches children in need with foster parents, and officials there say they saw the need grow during the pandemic. Potential foster parents go through a 10-week…… Continue Reading