Public hearing on Roanoke City Council pay raises tonight

by The Roanoke Times Monday, May 20, 2013 11

The public will have a chance to comment on the pay raise proposal for Roanoke City Council and the mayor during this evening's council meeting.  The council plans a June 3 vote on the proposal, which calls for a 28.5 percent pay increase for the council and a 15 percent bump for the mayor.  The public comment session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Noel

Cooking fire at Roanoke apartment sends 1 to hospital

by Zach Crizer Monday, May 20, 2013

One person was taken to the hospital Sunday night when a cooking fire damaged a Roanoke apartment. According to a Roanoke Fire-EMS Department news release, crews responded to the 2300 block of Longview Avenue at 6:09 p.m. They found a fire in the kitchen, with heavy smoke. Crews contained the fire to the kitchen and controlled the fire by 6:30 p.m. Two people were in the building when the fire

Looking back: May 20, 2013

by The Roanoke Times Monday, May 20, 2013

1988 (25 years ago) “The U. S. Education Department on Wednesday named Roanoke County’s Mountain View Elementary School as being among the top schools in the nation.” “For all the titles his teams have won in track over the years, William Fleming’s Sherley Stuart had to wait until nine days before the end of his track coaching career to win an outdoor region crown. Fleming’s girls gave Stuart his first

Roanoke's 'Mr. Fitness' Artie Levin lives on in B'nai B'rith Awards

by Robert Anderson Monday, May 20, 2013 1

Each year on a Monday night in late May, Cindy Goldstein steps to a podium at the B'nai B'rith Athletic and Achievement Awards banquet and announces the name of a local high school senior. And each year, a grateful teenager takes home the Artie Levin Personal Life Award, named in memory of Goldstein's father. [ See the nominees ] The winner receives a trophy after the audience is treated to

WOYM: Star City Star has co-starred in some Hollywood films

by Tom Landon Monday, May 20, 2013

Q: I'd like to know which major movies have been shot in and around the Roanoke Valley over the years. - Sherrick Drews, Roanoke A: I hesitate to answer this question because I know I'll be leaving some out, but a little digging reveals that Hollywood has been visiting our region for more than 90 years. My personal opinion is that the best of the bunch is "What About Bob?"

ON THE RECORD: Government meetings for week of May 20, 2013 

by The Roanoke Times Monday, May 20, 2013

Roanoke City Council Regular meeting When: 2 p.m. today, work session, 7 p.m. public hearings Where: Council chamber, fourth floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave S.W. On the agenda: School board member interviews and public hearings, public comment at 7 p.m. on pay raise proposal for the council and mayor. Franklin County Board of Supervisors Regular meeting When: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday; public hearings at 6 p.m. Where:

Police investigating Saturday crash at Trail Days in Damascus

by David Ress and Associated Press Monday, May 20, 2013

Police are continuing to investigate a crash of a car into the Trail Days parade in Damascus that injured more than 50 people on Saturday. Damascus Police Chief Bill Nunley said he expects to make a recommendation to the Washington County commonwealth's attorney on whether or not to charge the driver later this week. The driver's 1997 Cadillac was one of the last vehicles in the parade. The car accelerated

Blacksburg man charged after reports of fight Sunday morning 

by The Roanoke Times Sunday, May 19, 2013

A Blacksburg man was arrested and charged with malicious wounding and obstruction of justice early Sunday morning.  Police responded to the intersection of Draper Road and College Avenue in downtown Blacksburg at 2:35 a.m. in reference to a fight and possible stabbing, according a news release from the town's police department.  Blacksburg police, with assistance from Virginia Tech police, found one person with multiple lacerations, the release said. A suspect description was

Give your input on 401(k) projections

by Michelle Singletary Sunday, May 19, 2013

WASHINGTON - If you have a defined benefit pension or a traditional plan provided by your employer, federal law says you have to be provided with an illustration of how much money you can expect to receive each month. But if you have money invested in a 401(k), the only thing you may see is a lump sum amount and little if any direction on how that money translates into

Business promotions and recognitions: May 19, 2013 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

ADVERTISING Brandi Surber has joined Access Advertising & Public Relations as an account executive. EDUCATION The National Academic Advising Association awarded two Virginia Tech faculty members with Outstanding Advising Awards: Andrew Becker, associate professor of ancient Greek, Latin and classical studies and associate chairman in the department of foreign languages and literatures in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, was named winner of the Outstanding Advisor Award -

No item is too icky for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers

by Jeff Sturgeon Sunday, May 19, 2013

They’re deserving of more than a little appreciation, these fans of neat streets who stoop beside moving traffic to collect the public’s litter. No item is too icky as they scoop up every scrap. “Car parts, road signs, old license plates, baby bottles, baby diaper bags, dirty baby diapers,” said Melissa Campbell of recent finds. She is chief of the Adopt-A-Highway crew at NanoSonic in Giles County, which cleans U.S.

DAN CASEY: Bicycle safety event is overdue

by Dan Casey Sunday, May 19, 2013

If you’re curious why Roanoke County is sponsoring a bicycle safety event June 8 at Tanglewood Mall, you should listen to the stories of local lawyer David Harrison. Twice in the past five years, he has been hit by cars while riding his bike carefully and legally. The first time was on the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2008 when he was bumped off the road by a passing sedan pulling

Organizations leave Adopt-A-Highway duties by the roadside 

by Jeff Sturgeon Sunday, May 19, 2013 1

Three out of four groups registered with Adopt-A-Highway in Virginia didn’t report collecting any trash last year, state records show. That’s possibly why there was an empty plastic motor-oil bottle on the side of Buck Mountain Road recently, 500 feet east of a blue Adopt-A-Highway marker that reads “Roanoke County Democratic Committee.” The Democrats withdrew from the program and quit collecting trash three or four years ago. The sign seen

Attorney General Cuccinelli not subject to Freedom of Information Act 

by David Ress Sunday, May 19, 2013

The state’s open government law doesn’t apply to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, his office says, elaborating on responses to requests for public records connected with a company whose CEO gave $35,000 in gifts to Cuccinelli and Gov. Bob McDonnell. The office says the Freedom of Information Act doesn’t apply to it because the office is established by the Virginia Constitution and is not therefore a “public body” as defined by

SAVE THE DATE  Woofstock Dog Festival

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Celebrate dogs and support local animal rescues at the 7th Annual Woofstock Dog Festival. Music, food, vendors, contests and games will be featured during this fundraising event, benefiting animal rescues through Sponsor Hounds. Donated items for the rescues will be collected at the festival.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Today Grandin Village Block Party Sponsored by the Grandin Village Business Association and the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League. When: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Where: Grandin Village, Roanoke Cost: Free Contact: 774-6690, jkploesel@aol.com TUESDAY Writers at Liminal: Anything Goes II We welcome readings in all genres. This reading is open-themed. When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Liminal: Alternative Artspace at Community High School, 302 Campbell Ave., Roanoke Cost: Free Contact:

The Next 21 Days: Upcoming business events

Sunday, May 19, 2013

TUESDAYMAY21 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT GOLF TOURNAMENT Proceeds purchase classroom kits for grades K-12. Where: Roanoke Country Club, 3360 Country Club Drive N.W., Roanoke When: 11:30 a.m. Cost: $800 team registration; $200 hole sponsorship; $200 individual golfers Contact: 989-6392, betsy@ja.roacoxmail.com BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS Network and enjoy breakfast with fellow Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce members. Registration recommended. Where: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W., Roanoke When: 7:30 to

Retail roundup: South Peak development in Roanoke County drawing attention

by Amanda Codispoti Sunday, May 19, 2013

The first condo building at the South Peak development has been completed, and a different part of the project will start to take shape soon. Dirt has already been moved to prepare the site of a Hilton Garden Inn at the Roanoke County development, situated on a 62-acre hillside at the intersection of U.S. 220 and Virginia 419. The hotel is expected to take about a year to complete, opening

Realty transfers: May 19, 2013 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

ROANOKE Over $400,000 Barnhardt, Richard J. Jr. and Neely Barnhardt to Theodore G. Keller Jr. and Anne Mason Keller, 2938 Wycliff Ave. S.W. Roanoke VA 24014, $775,000 05/03/2013. CBW Rentals LLC to SBC Properties LLC, 2230 and 2232 Plantation Road, 2501 Delano St., 2507 Delano St. N.E., 2101 and 2103 Riverdale Road S.E., 931 and 933 Van Buren St. N.W., Roanoke VA, 24012, 24013 and 24017 $410,000 05/01/2013. LaFollette, James

Think your office is a zoo? Meet Mill Mountain Zoo veterinarian Paul Stewart 

by Michelle Skeen Sunday, May 19, 2013

Dr. Paul Stewart is no ordinary veterinarian. Instead of dogs and cats, his patients include marmosets, wolverines and $10,000 hyacinth macaws. Stewart has practiced exotic animal veterinary medicine for 17 years and is the current veterinarian-in-charge at Mill Mountain Zoo. Three years ago, he opened his own exotic pet clinic to fill a need for emergency vet services for exotic animals in southwest Virginia. Stewart recently talked about his love