http://www.wfir960.com http://www.wfir960.com/images/wfir-logo.jpg http://www.wfir960.com 94 300 Top local stories from the WFIR AM 960 news team - the latest from the Roanoke Valley. en ©2007 wfir960.com 60 From a new recreation center to a new fire station, it is all covered in words and pictures in Roanoke County's new on-line annual report. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:09:26 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/07006_Annual-Report-WEB-03-12_100856.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/07006_Annual-Report-WEB-03-12_100856.asp The General Assembly passed sweeping reforms Thursday for the car title lending industry. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 4:32:23 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/07004_CAR-TITLES-WEB-3-12_043157.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/07004_CAR-TITLES-WEB-3-12_043157.asp The star attraction at the Virginia Museum of Transportation should be on the move this spring, but not all that far. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 4:25:45 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/07001_Locomotive-Move-WEB-03-12_042508.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/07001_Locomotive-Move-WEB-03-12_042508.asp Census forms are going out this month. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:34:59 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06999_Census-Scams-web-03-11_113425.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06999_Census-Scams-web-03-11_113425.asp Virginia is going after more tourism dollars by giving away four family vacations this year, each worth more than $5,000. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 4:42:23 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06997_VA-Tourism-WEB-03-11_044140.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06997_VA-Tourism-WEB-03-11_044140.asp Top school officials in the Roanoke Valley yesterday joined forces yesterday to send word to Richmond. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 4:38:27 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06993_ROA-COUNTY-SCHOOLS-WEB-3-11_043750.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06993_ROA-COUNTY-SCHOOLS-WEB-3-11_043750.asp Governor Bob McDonnell today is signing bills to allow for offshore oil and gas exploration. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:21:23 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06990_Energy-Conf-WEB-03-10_101859.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06990_Energy-Conf-WEB-03-10_101859.asp After a good year in 2009, Virginia's Child Support Services say collections of money owed by non-custodial parents has dropped some this year. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 4:36:27 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06988_CHILD-SUPPORT-WEB-3-10_043547.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06988_CHILD-SUPPORT-WEB-3-10_043547.asp All that winter snow may be gone now, but it should help your lawn for months to come. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 4:34:15 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06986_Lawn-Conditions-WEB-03-10_043341.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06986_Lawn-Conditions-WEB-03-10_043341.asp Roanoke City is providing free blood-lead screening Wednesday for kids under six. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 4:32:13 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06978_Lead-Testing-WEB-03-09_043146.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06978_Lead-Testing-WEB-03-09_043146.asp A new trend in vacations has the Hotel Roanoke teaming up with the Green Ridge Recreation Center. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 4:36:44 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06976_ROANOKE-GREEN-WEB-3-9_043614.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06976_ROANOKE-GREEN-WEB-3-9_043614.asp Something is happening at the zoo, with lots of construction projects in advance of the summer season. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 4:35:06 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06974_Zoo-Wrap-03-09_043432.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06974_Zoo-Wrap-03-09_043432.asp Investigators are trying to determine what caused a big fire at a large southwest Roanoke County home yesterday afternoon. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 7:48:56 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06960_FAIRWAY-FOREST-FIRE-3-8-WEB_074821.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06960_FAIRWAY-FOREST-FIRE-3-8-WEB_074821.asp Educational Programs at the Mill Mountain Theater are continuing to produce revenues, and officials say with a new financial plan in place, productions should begin in early... Mon, 08 Mar 2010 4:43:42 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06958_MILL-UPDATE-WRAP-3-8_044314.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06958_MILL-UPDATE-WRAP-3-8_044314.asp A new Amtrak train serving Lynchburg has many more passengers than expected, and that means plans can move forward to bring rail service back to Roanoke. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 4:42:27 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06956_Rail-Service-WEB-03-08_044155.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06956_Rail-Service-WEB-03-08_044155.asp The robo-calls are coming to homes in the 5th Congressional District as another vote on health care nears. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 4:41:03 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06954_Robocalls-WEB-03-05_044036.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06954_Robocalls-WEB-03-05_044036.asp A lot of interesting cars come to Roanoke this weekend for the 30th Annual MDA Car Show at the Roanoke Civic Center. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 4:45:17 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06952_MDA-CAR-SHOW-WEB-3-5_044447.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06952_MDA-CAR-SHOW-WEB-3-5_044447.asp The winter wait for many long-suffering golfers is just about over, even as reminders of the winter storms remain. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 4:42:27 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06944_Courses-Reopen-WEB-03-05_044155.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06944_Courses-Reopen-WEB-03-05_044155.asp A warm weekend forecast will have many people thinking spring, but area ski resorts hope many others will keep thinking winter. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 4:41:02 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06936_Snowshoe-WEB-03-04_044033.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06936_Snowshoe-WEB-03-04_044033.asp The budget cutting in Richmond will not affect the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke this year. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 4:37:54 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06934_Trans-Museum-WEB-03-04_043721.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06934_Trans-Museum-WEB-03-04_043721.asp Bad weather in December and January and a big show at the Roanoke Civic Center hurt the crowds for some of the shows in Salem. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 4:36:11 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06926_CIVIC-BUSINESS-WEB-3-4_043537.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06926_CIVIC-BUSINESS-WEB-3-4_043537.asp Snow in December, January, February and now March. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 4:34:26 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06918_Winter-Snow-WEB-03-03_043401.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06918_Winter-Snow-WEB-03-03_043401.asp A proposal to change the way Virginia redraws election districts has apparently died in Richmond. Lawmakers disagree whether that's good or bad. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:33:11 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06916_Redistricting-WEB-03-03_153247.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06916_Redistricting-WEB-03-03_153247.asp So far only two applicants have submitted their names to Roanoke City to serve on the school board--and they don't include the incumbents. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 4:36:52 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06914_SCHOOL-BD-APS-WEB-3-3_043626.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06914_SCHOOL-BD-APS-WEB-3-3_043626.asp Virginia State Police are turning to Facebook as their latest way to track down criminals or missing persons. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 4:32:37 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06910_VSP-Facebook-WEB-03-02_043208.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06910_VSP-Facebook-WEB-03-02_043208.asp Roanoke County School Administrators Tuesday night will hold the first of two public meetings to talk over the possibility of changing attendance zones in south county. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 5:17:46 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06908_REDISTRICTING-WEB-3-2_051718.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06908_REDISTRICTING-WEB-3-2_051718.asp A local food bank continues to feed more and more of the areas hungry. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 4:50:56 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06904_Million-Up-3-2-WEB_045027.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06904_Million-Up-3-2-WEB_045027.asp A new study shows women are almost three times more likely to have a stroke than men. News/Talk 960's Timothy Martin reports. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 4:49:24 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06902_Stroke-Risk-3-1-WEB_044855.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06902_Stroke-Risk-3-1-WEB_044855.asp The bi-partisan Health Care Summit has come and gone and many Republicans feel it was all for show. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 4:37:12 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06900_GOODLATTE-HEALTH-WEB-3-1_043617.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06900_GOODLATTE-HEALTH-WEB-3-1_043617.asp Need help with your taxes? Blue Ridge PBS is ready to assist. News/Talk 960's Timothy Martin explains. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 4:35:35 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06898_PBS-Tax-3-1_043508.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06898_PBS-Tax-3-1_043508.asp The IRS prosecuted more than 200 people for falsely acting as tax preparers last year, including a few in Virginia. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 4:33:27 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06895_IRS-Alert-2-26_043258.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06895_IRS-Alert-2-26_043258.asp The 2010 baseball season is just around the corner and final preparations are underway to make your trip to the ballpark special this year. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 4:50:32 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06893_RED-SOX-2010-WEB-2-26_045000.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06893_RED-SOX-2010-WEB-2-26_045000.asp The new Petco at Towers Mall will hold an adoptahon this Sunday. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 4:49:22 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06890_Petco-Adopt-2-25-WEB_044801.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06890_Petco-Adopt-2-25-WEB_044801.asp The City of Roanoke launched a new website this week. City officials hope it will improve their communication with Roanoke citizens. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 4:48:50 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06888_City-Site-2-26-WEB_044815.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06888_City-Site-2-26-WEB_044815.asp Virginia officials are highlighting the success in reducing cardiac mortality rates. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 4:48:30 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06882_VA-Heart-2-25-WEB_044757.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06882_VA-Heart-2-25-WEB_044757.asp The Old Dominion Athletic Conference Basketball Championships kick off Thursday at the Salem Civic Center. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 4:47:18 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06880_ODAC-CHAMPIONSHIP-WEB-2-25_044650.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06880_ODAC-CHAMPIONSHIP-WEB-2-25_044650.asp Volunteers are needed for Earth Day activities in Roanoke. News/Talk 960's Timothy Martin reports. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 4:45:44 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06878_Earth-Volunteers-2-24-WEB_044518.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06878_Earth-Volunteers-2-24-WEB_044518.asp Roanoke County is closing Bent Mountain Elementary School at the end of the school year, but two other schools appear to be getting a reprieve for now. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 4:43:43 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06876_SCHOOL-BUDGETS-WEB-2-24_044306.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06876_SCHOOL-BUDGETS-WEB-2-24_044306.asp With many schools facing massive cuts, some wonder if there is anything Washington can do. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 4:41:43 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06874_Schools-Perriello-2-24-WEB_044115.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06874_Schools-Perriello-2-24-WEB_044115.asp Roanoke City Schools report the plan to help 5th and 8th graders with extra instructional time has gone well this week. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 4:38:58 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06872_EXTRA-SCHOOL-WORK-WEB-2-24_043829.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06872_EXTRA-SCHOOL-WORK-WEB-2-24_043829.asp The Green Ridge Recreation Center in Roanoke County continues to add members with an eye toward summer. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 4:35:11 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06865_GR-Update-2-23-WEB_043449.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06865_GR-Update-2-23-WEB_043449.asp Parents who would like to get up to speed on technology issues facing their kids may want to attend a session on Internet safety offered by Roanoke County Schools and the... Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:56:40 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06862_Internet-safety-C-C-02-23_105516.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06862_Internet-safety-C-C-02-23_105516.asp Speed limits will be increasing soon on many highways throughout Virginia. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 4:42:32 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06835_SPEEDS-VOICER-2-23_044205.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06835_SPEEDS-VOICER-2-23_044205.asp The National Weather Service is recognizing the City of Roanoke as being StormReady. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 4:40:04 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06833_StormReady-2-23_043933.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06833_StormReady-2-23_043933.asp No Shame Theater is coming to Roanoke Public Libraries. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 4:38:11 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06831_No-Shame-2-22_043742.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06831_No-Shame-2-22_043742.asp New credit card regulations take effect today. Among other things, they tighten requirements for college students--or almost anyone that age. Mon, 22 Feb 2010 4:44:46 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06811_Credit-Cards-WEB-02-22_044412.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06811_Credit-Cards-WEB-02-22_044412.asp The National Weather Service is confirming that the 2009-2010 winter season has been wetter than normal, and by a lot. Mon, 22 Feb 2010 4:43:08 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06809_PRECIP-UP-web-2-22_044237.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06809_PRECIP-UP-web-2-22_044237.asp Coming soon to your home .. the 20-10 census forms. As News/Talk 960's Evan Jones reports, even in this Internet age .. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 5:11:35 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06807_Census-WEB_052016.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06807_Census-WEB_052016.asp Another major electronics retail chain is preparing to open in Roanoke .. and they're hiring right now. More from News/Talk 960's Evan Jones. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:24:49 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06743_HHGregg-Wrap-web_122418.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06743_HHGregg-Wrap-web_122418.asp The latest bout of winter weather likely re-covered some sidewalks in Roanoke. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 4:26:04 EST http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06726_Sidewalk-Clear-2-10-WEB_042536.asp http://www.wfir960.com/wire/stories/06726_Sidewalk-Clear-2-10-WEB_042536.asp