Local News

PCC Executive Director Karen McNally (right), and PCC Board of Directors Chairman Bev Fitzpatrick (left).

Southeast Roanoke will have a bigger hub for community assistance thanks to a project that broke ground this morning, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:

A study of “most gambling-addicted” states shows improvement in Virginia from last year. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

Photo from Aaron Rouse Twitter account

A former Virginia Tech football player is running to be the Commonwealth’s next Lieutenant Governor. More from WFIR’s Clark Palmer:

Former Virginia Tech football player and current Virginia State Senator Aaron Rouse announced this morning that he will pursue the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor. Rouse says in a statement that it’s time for a new generation of leaders to lift up Virginians in every corner of the Commonwealth. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is also vying for the party’s nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Brandy S. Faulkner-VT

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week stemming from two cases out West – where cities wanted to forcefully remove the homeless from public places – but do they have the right to do so? More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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.

A legislative wrap-up this morning revealed additional construction for Interstate 81 in our area. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

(Right to Left) Terry Austin, Sam Rasoul, Eric Phillips, Wren Williams, David Sutterlein, Chris Head, Eric Sicheu, Chris Head, (Unnamed) The Host of the event

From Levar Stoney Twitter Account

Current Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced this morning that he intends to run become the Commonwealth’s next Lieutenant Governor. Stoney had been running against current 7th District Virginia Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

What was once “Roanoke Valley Gives,” became “Give Roanoke” two years ago, but the goal remains the same – local non-profits looking to raise funds and gain more exposure in a 24 hour period that begins at midnight tonight. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:

See link to GIVE here

Gold’s Gym in North Roanoke is doing something a little different this Saturday to support those that are differently abled, WFIR’s Alex Torres reports:

From Roanoke City Police Department: Roanoke Police were involved in an officer-involved shooting on Moorman Avenue NW.

At approximately 8:05 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a disorder in the 600 block of Moorman Avenue NW. As officers were responding to the scene, they were advised that there was a disorderly male subject on scene, armed with a knife and threatening people in the residence.

Two officers responded to the scene and located the armed man outside of the residence. Officers repeatedly gave verbal commands to drop the knife, and the male subject refused to comply with those commands. He continued to advanced towards officers while armed with the knife.

At a point during the confrontation, officers deployed both a department-issued Taser and service weapon. Officers immediately rendered aid on scene until Roanoke Fire-EMS arrived and transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. As of this release, the man was listed in stable condition. No Roanoke Police Officers or other community members were injured during this incident.

In accordance with department policy, Virginia State Police were notified and will be investigating this incident. The officers involved will be placed on administrative leave, per department policy. Virginia State Police will be releasing further updates to this investigation.

Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash late Saturday night which resulted in two fatalities, on Route 24 at its intersection with Goodview Road in Bedford County. A stolen 2013 Harley Davidson being pursued by police in a high speed chase struck a 2016 Subaru Legacy turning on to Goodview Road. The driver and the passenger of the Harley Davidson were ejected from the motorcycle. 46 year old Travis Perdue of Thaxton and 35 year old Michael Bishop both died later at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The driver of the Subaru was also transported to the hospital for injuries received in the crash.

Stewartsville-Chamblissburg Vol Fire Dept Chief John Foutz (L) Lt. Andrew St. Clair (R)

We are right in the middle of National Volunteer week. Many of our communities are served by volunteer fire departments. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports departments use this week to stress their need for volunteers.

April is National Volunteer Month. Have you considered helping your local volunteer fire department? WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Stewartsville-Chamblissburg-Volunteer-Fire-Dept-100069535092233/

Alex Torres photo

ROANOKE, VA. – The Rail Yard Dawgs (3-3) finally ran out of that late game magic they had possessed for so much of the 2023-2024 season on Saturday night, falling 3-1 to the Huntsville Havoc (4-1) in Game Three of the 2024 President’s Cup Semifinals at Berglund Center. Dominiks Marcinkevics scored the lone goal for Roanoke The win sends the Havoc back to the President’s Cup Final for first time since 2019, and Huntsville will face the second-seeded Peoria Rivermen in a best-of-three series.

To add insult to injury, what Roanoke Fire-EMS now says was a faulty gas leak sensor an evacuation order was issued after the game was over for the people that remained in the building.

The Minnesota-based non-profit, Artspace, is pleased with the number of creatives who participated their survey. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the organization provides affordable living and work spaces for artists.

The Minnesota-based non-profit, Artspace,is moving forward with a project in Roanoke City. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports it will be one of the features in the mixed use plans for the Roanoke Industrial Center.

An apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan activated Iranian air defenses. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.

Are you feeling uninspired by your choices for President of the United States in 2024? Our political analyst tells WFIR’s Ian Price you are not alone.

A popular festival is returning to the skies of Green Hill Park, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and work zones continue to be a dangerous area for workers, WFIR’s Alex Torres reports: