Local News

ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville postponed to Sunday

ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville postponed to Sunday

Due to a forecast of rain throughout the day and evening, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway has been postponed until Sunday, September 24. The qualifying races will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET, while the main event will start at 5:00 p.m. ET. The autograph session has been canceled. Bobby McCarty, who trails Brendan… ... Continue Reading
Something is Rotten at Showtimers these days

Something is Rotten at Showtimers these days

Something Rotten is going down at the Showtimers Community Theatre. WFIR’s Alex Torres has details on a musical that also involves William Shakespeare: The post Something is Rotten at Showtimers these days first appeared on News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR. ... Continue Reading
Tips for wet weather this weekend involve avoiding cruise control

Tips for wet weather this weekend involve avoiding cruise control

Wet weather could impact our area with potential Tropical Cyclone 16 heading this way. WFIR’s Ian Price has some tips for driving in dangerous warm weather.

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Photo of double homicide suspect released

Photo of double homicide suspect released

Roanoke City police have released an updated picture of 25 year old Edward Denoyer, wanted as a suspect for Second Degree Murder regarding two homicides that occurred on September 17th in the 1200 block of Melrose Avenue NW. He is considered armed and dangerous. See the picture here  – do not approach Denoyer but call… ... Continue Reading
Suspect arrested in Hershberger Road NW shooting

Suspect arrested in Hershberger Road NW shooting

Roanoke Police have arrested 26 year old Marquest Hairston of Roanoke and charged him with two counts of Malicious Wounding after a shooting incident where two men were wounded on Hershberger Road NW earlier this week. Hairston was identified as a suspect throughout the course of the investigation and surrendered at the Police Department yesterday… ... Continue Reading
First numbers suggest early voting will be big this year

First numbers suggest early voting will be big this year

MGN

Early voting is now underway in Virginia, and if Roanoke County is any indication, there will be plenty of people marking their ballots well ahead of election day. The number of absentee ballots already mailed out is around 3,500 — well above the figure when early voting began in the last two years. In addition, initial in-person voting was well above recent years.  More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:

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Doug Doughty writes about the new Roanoke College AD and football’s return

Doug Doughty writes about the new Roanoke College AD and football’s return

Curtis Campbell Roanoke College photo

Four months after the announcement that Roanoke College would be restoring football after a 75-year absence, the Maroons have taken another step that could speed up the process. That was clear Monday night at a meeting of the Roanoke Valley Sports Club, where the featured speaker was new Roanoke College athletic director Curtis Campbell.

Campbell succeeds Scott Allison, a former Roanoke lacrosse standout who had held the position for 36 years before retiring. Campbell, who grew up in Pulaski County, comes to Roanoke College after serving as athletic director at Morehouse College in Atlanta following stops at Western Oregon, as well at two Alabama colleges, Tuskegee and Stillman.

“I grew up in a modest environment; they had everything I needed,” Campbell said of his upbringing. “I worked in middle school and high school. I had part-time jobs I had to take care of buying my own school clothes. I bought my high school annual. I bought my class ring.” He played basketball and ran track but admits he didn’t have a great attitude.
“I look back on it and that’s one of the things I regret,” Campbell said this week. “I should have stuck it out.” The summer before his senior year at Pulaski, Campbell joined the army and was headed to Korea as a military policeman. “Lo and behold, they changed my orders and I was going to Fort Bragg and went to jump school,” Campbell said. “Jumping was one of the funniest things that I ever did and also one of the scariest.”
His history also includes a traffic accident that limited his mobility and he proceeded to attend New River Community College on crutches. “It ended up turning into something positive because at the time, I was waiting to get out of the house and have something to do,” he said. “Pretty much for two years at New River, I was in casts or on crutches.” He considers it a blessing that he was able to transfer to Longwood College, where he received a degree in social work.
“Had I not been in that car accident, I’m not sure that would have happened,” he said.  Along the way, he became an assistant manager for a Macado’s in Boone, N.C. Back home, Campbell’s mother passed away unexpectedly in Pulaski and his dad had terminal cancer. “At the time, I was the only one of the siblings who wasn’t married or didn’t have kids,” Campbell said this week. “I moved home to take care of my dad, so he wouldn’t have to go to a nursing home.”
Campbell was working in the Pulaski County YMCA and working in the weight room, where he ended up meeting his future wife.
“Things happen for a reason,” he said. “My dad lived for another nine months. I’m so glad that I did it.” When Campbell went to college, he started at 23. By the time he went to Longwood, he was 25, and he graduated when he was 27.
“I really enjoyed being on a college campus,” he said, “and I did internships at Radford University and at Virginia Tech. The whole time, I was still figuring out resumes for athletic jobs.” Campbell has enjoyed a 23 year career in athletics throughout the country “and now I’m back home,” he said to the crowd at the Salem Civic Center. “I sort of came full circle.”
He didn’t know what kind of chance he had, telling his wife, “They’re going to have a bunch of people. Every job like this has 50 to 75 people. Lo and behold, I was lucky enough to be selected.” “It’s one of the greatest experiences that I’ve had. Roanoke College has been one of the most welcoming institutions that I’ve ever come to. It’s the faculty, it’s the staff, it’s the students.”
Roanoke has 23 sports “and that’s a lot,” he shared to fans and alumni at the civic center. Kim Blair advised the crowd that there have been 547 student athletes over the past year.  “We’ve heard that Virginia Tech has 620,” Campbell said. “And, so, we’re right there.”
He was captivated upon hearing in the summer that Roanoke College would be adding football.

“I really wanted to be a part of that,” he said. “I managed football everywhere that I’ve been. In my interview with [Frank] Shushock, how often do you get to do something for the first time.” “Especially as you get a little older and think you’ve done everything, Now I get to something that I’ve never done before. It’s exciting and it’s sort of scary, too, at the same time.”

“We advertised for a head coach and had over 100 applicants,” he said. “Our finalists are all working coaches. They all have jobs currently at other institutions. We won’t be able to inform the public until their season is complete.”  That will be a big story in itself.
– Doug Doughty
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Virginia’s U.S. Senators concerning the budget battle on The Hill

Virginia’s U.S. Senators concerning the budget battle on The Hill

The House and US Senate have a week from tomorrow to pass the spending bills agreed to in June for the new fiscal year. If not – or unless a short-term continuing resolution is passed to pay the bills – the Federal government could partially shutdown. What Virginia’s US Senators are saying, from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Free parking at state parks tomorrow during National Public Lands Day

Free parking at state parks tomorrow during National Public Lands Day

Virginia State Parks has something to offer this weekend – free parking for starters at all 41 state parks. WFIR’s Alex Torres has details:

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Dawgs head coach looks forward to raising championship banner… however

Dawgs head coach looks forward to raising championship banner… however

G Marrano photos

Forward Mac Jansen has been added to the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs training camp roster for the upcoming season. The team captain helped Roanoke to its first President’s Cup SPHL title last season. Dawgs head coach Dan Bremner said today they look forward to raising the championship banner at the Berglund Center on October 20. Hear more in this extended conversation:

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Huddle Up Moms looking for Diaper Duty teams

Huddle Up Moms looking for Diaper Duty teams

Huddle Up Moms – the local non-profit support group for new and expectant mothers – is looking for more volunteer teams to take part in “Roanoke Diaper Duty 2023.” The goal is to recruit 10 teams that will collect 10,000  diapers and 50,000 baby wipes by October 14.  Huddle Up Moms has extended the team signup deadline through September 29 on their website. The diapers and wipes collected will be distributed from the “HUM” support shop at The Haven on 5th Street SW. 1 in 12 U.S. families struggles to provide enough diapers. Whitney Good is with Huddle Up Moms:

 

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Bi-annual LFA Kids consignment sale starts today at Berglund Center

Bi-annual LFA Kids consignment sale starts today at Berglund Center

A discount sale for kids clothing and items is being held this week at the Berglund Center now through Sunday

 

 

 

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Roanoke College asks “who do you trust?”

Roanoke College asks “who do you trust?”

Alice Kassens Roanoke College photo

For the first time, the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College has issued the “Virginia Trust Index Report,” based on three questions its been asking since 2017 when it also gauges Consumer Sentiment. The Trust Index results can be tied to economic factors as well. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Carilion’s healing arts program now a part of new tower construction

Carilion’s healing arts program now a part of new tower construction

As the Crystal Spring tower at Carilion Clinic gets closer to completion, young patients and families at Carilion Children’s Tanglewood Center spent some time today painting designs on a large steel beam that will be added to one of the top floors of the new addition. The Carilion’s Healing Arts program also includes an annual employee art show and local school children who paint designs on ceiling panels that are then installed in the children’s hospital wing.

The new Crystal Spring tower at Carilion Clinic is scheduled for completion in early 2025. Carli Holtzhauer is a childhood life specialist at Carilion Children’s Hospital – she works with the health system’s Healing Arts Program:

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Congressman speaks out against another state’s gun ban

Congressman speaks out against another state’s gun ban

A U.S. Congressman who represents our area took to the floor to talk about New Mexico. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

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“Something Rotten” at Showtimers and an Opera Roanoke season preview

“Something Rotten” at Showtimers and an Opera Roanoke season preview

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

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EPIC training looks to enhance leadership skills for rising stars

EPIC training looks to enhance leadership skills for rising stars

Lynda McNutt Foster submitted photo

Cortex Leadership Consulting and The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber have joined forces to strengthen area business leaders. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the program has the potential to help area leaders become a global force.

 

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Gauntlet participant launches geriatric care coordination business

Gauntlet participant launches geriatric care coordination business

April Jones

While working in the fashion industry in New York City, April Jones watched a plane crash into the south World Trade Center Tower on September 11th, 2001. That tragedy led her back home to Virginia and now after several stops in between, the recent Gauntlet competition participant has launched a business focused on seniors. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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Jeff Center is a fixer-upper these days – needs extensive upkeep

Jeff Center is a fixer-upper these days – needs extensive upkeep

Cyrus Pace-Jeff Center pic.

Jefferson Center Executive Director Cyrus Pace says the Center is needs 6-million dollars worth of repairs and renovations. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports Pace told city council yesterday there is an immediate need for $250-thousand dollars worth of work.

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Realtor created workshop series for home sellers

Realtor created workshop series for home sellers

Stacey Porter submitted photo

Is repainting the house or replacing kitchen cabinets really the best move to make before selling a home? Its time sellers had more information at hand says a local Realtor, who will offer a “Selling Smart” workshop over the next month. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

 

Workshop schedule

Wednesday 9/27/2023 Williamson Road Library  6:30-7:30 pm

3837 Williamson Rd, Roanoke, VA 24012

Thursday 10/5/2023 Hollins Library  6:30-7:30 pm

6624 Peters Creek Rd, Roanoke, VA 24019

Thursday 10/12/2023  Glenvar Library  6:30-7:30 pm

3917 Daugherty Rd, Salem, VA 24153

Monday 10/16/2023  South County Library  6:30-7:30 pm

6303 Merriman Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018

Pre-registration is required at Equitybuildersworkshop.com or interested participants can email [email protected]

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