Across Virginia
Botetourt and Roanoke Counties and the Town of Vinton are working together on a comprehensive Safety Action Plan. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more on what it means for you.
The Federal High Administration’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Program seeks to prevent deaths and serious injuries on local roads. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us Botetourt and Roanoke Counties and the Town of Vinton are working together on a comprehensive Safety Action Plan.
Links to meeting schedules and survey
https://www.botetourtva.gov/874/Safe-Streets-and-Roads-For-All-SS4A
https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/3055/Safe-Streets-and-Roads-for-All-2024-Comm
https://www.vintonva.gov/536/Safe-Streets-4-All-SS4A-Comprehensive-Sa
Many Virginia Tech students were arrested last night and charged with trespassing after authorities broke up the Pro-Palestinian protest we told you about on Friday. Virginia Tech officials released a statement on situation which can be found below:
Virginia Tech’s statement on Pro-Palestinian protest on campus:
On Friday morning, protestors began to occupy the lawn of the Graduate Life Center. Virginia Tech officials informed the protestors that the gathering was in violation of University Policy 5000 (University Facilities Usage and Events). Virginia Tech values free speech and the protestors’ right to be heard, but only if the rights of others and public safety can be assured.
Through constant dialogue between university officials, the Virginia Tech Police Department, and protest organizers, we were able to maintain a safe and peaceful environment through much of the weekend.
As Sunday progressed, protestors continued to refuse to comply with policy and took further steps to occupy the lawn of the Graduate Life Center and outdoor spaces next to Squires Student Center. Given these actions by protesters, the university recognized that the situation had the increasing potential to become unsafe.
Those who gathered were advised by university officials to remove their possessions and to disperse voluntarily; those who failed to comply were then approached by Virginia Tech Police and were again asked to leave and advised that anyone who failed to comply would be charged with trespassing, in accordance with Virginia law.
At approximately 10:15 p.m., police approached protesters to ask them to disperse within five minutes. Those who remained were subject to arrest.
In the interest of public safety, the university issued a VT Alerts at approximately 10:15 p.m. asking members of the community to avoid the area.
For the safety and welfare of all students, faculty and staff, Virginia Tech requires that all members of its community comply with all university policies and the Code of Virginia.
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.
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.
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/
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.
The General Assembly will reconvene tomorrow to discuss the fate of the skill games bill, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:
Acquired Through MGN Online on 04/22/2022
The Virginia NAACP 2024 Legislative Agenda released ahead of the reconvene session set for tomorrow includes youth justice reform that would make the minimum age to be charged with a crime in Virginia 11 years old. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
Hundreds of convenience stores will reportedly stop Virginia lottery sales today in response to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s skill games amendments. The amendments proposed by the Governor last week place restrictions on the arcade-style games, banning them within about a half-mile of churches, and banning them from metro areas that have gambling establishments, like Rosies Gaming Emporium. No word on how long stores will halt Virginia Lottery sales.
There’s a new community theater in town. “Exit Pursued by a bear theatre” plans to offer 4 plays in its inaugural season. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.
A community theater with an unusual name is bringing community theater back to Roanoke CITY. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more on “Exit Pursued by a bear theatre” which is branding itself as downtown community theater.