WVTF News

High gas prices cause change in driving habits

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-05-12 00:00:00

For many in Central and Southwestern Virginia, the point of "sustained pain" has arrived. That's when gas prices remain so high people start changing their driving habits to include carpooling, biking, or other methods. Organizers of this Friday's "Clean Commute Day" in Roanoke say commuters are pledging to do so in record numbers. WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli has more.

Dan Casey rides his bicycle to work in downtown Roanoke every day. (Photo by Dutchie Mirolli, WVTF News)

Sharebike has its main headquarters in the market building in downtown Roanoke. (Photo by Dutchie Mirolli, WVTF News)

Roanoke readies for deliquent property tax sale

Connie Stevens — 2008-05-09 00:00:00

In Roanoke and in many localities across the WVTF listening area, it's that time of year, when city governments auction properties that are behind on real estate taxes. WVTF's Connie Stevens has more.

W&L article causes outrage

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-05-07 00:00:00

An article in a student run newspaper at Washington and Lee University has prompted what one person calls a campus outrage, and sparked a community conversation. WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli has more.

Mark Warner begins U. S. Senate campaign tour

Connie Stevens — 2008-05-06 00:00:00

Former Govenor Mark Warner has begun a four-day, 11-city tour of Virginia, in his bid to win the U. S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring John Warner. WVTF's Connie Stevens has this report.

SW Virginia addresses daycare need

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-05-05 00:00:00

A recently formed group in southwestern Virginia is trying to address a critical need: Daycare for children and infants. WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli reports.

Camping out at new fast food restaurant

Connie Stevens — 2008-05-01 00:00:00

Why would people travel from as far away as South Carolina to Roanoke to camp out at a new Chick fil A restaurant? WVTF's Connie Stevens explains in this feature report.

Family holds fundraiser for meningitis research

Connie Stevens — 2008-05-01 00:00:00

The American College Health Association reports close to 125 cases of meningitis occur on college campuses every year. In 2006, the statistics came to life for a Charlottesville family, now on a mission to raise awareness and money for research. They're holding the Second Moonlight Walk/Run for Meningitis in memory of Jennifer Wells, Saturday, May 3 at 7:45 p.m. at Monticello High School. WVTF's Connie Stevens has this report.

County's greenway complete

Connie Stevens — 2008-04-28 00:00:00

It was a rain-drenched party at Roanoke County's Green Hill Park April 28th, celebrating completion of the latest portion of the Roanoke River Greenway. Here's more from WVTF's Connie Stevens.

Philpott Lake a local vacation

Fred Echols — 2008-04-25 00:00:00

For people in Southside Virginia with a taste for the outdoors there are plenty of opportunities just a few gallons of gas away. Some of the best can be found in the parks and hillsides around 3,000-acre Philpott Lake, which covers parts of three counties a few miles northwest of Martinsville. WVTF's Fred Echols paid a visit.

- You can also view pictures of this story.

- Visit the Friends of Philpott website.

Zoo plans for upcoming season

Beverly Amsler — 2008-04-18 00:00:00

Animals at Roanoke's Mill Mountain Zoo are starting to move around in their cages a bit more now that the weather is a little warmer. WVTF' Beverly Amsler has an update with zoo Director David Orndorff about plans for the coming year. He says the quarantine building is up and ready to go.

Hokies gather on drillfield for remembrance

Connie Stevens — 2008-04-17 00:00:00

At Virginia Tech, the drillfield was a sea of Hokie orange and maroon on the morning of April 16, 2008...as the University held its official commemoration on the anniversary of the campus shootings, one year ago. WVTF's Connie Stevens has this report.

Providing pastoral care to VT victims' families

Susan Geary — 2008-04-16 00:00:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of the shootings which claimed 33 lives on the Virginia Tech campus. As the tragedy unfolded, a newly-hired instructor volunteered to provide pastoral care to grieving family members. WVTF's Susan Geary shares his story.

VT panel chair discusses recommendations

Anne Marie Morgan — 2008-04-15 00:00:00

Nearly one year after the deadly shootings at Virginia Tech, the head of the panel that investigated the tragedy and its aftermath is reflecting on the events of that day. Former State Police Superintendent Colonel Gerald Massengill and the Virginia Tech Review Panel made more than 70 recommendations in response to systemic problems exposed by the shootings. The Colonel discussed the panel's findings with WVF's Anne Marie Morgan.

Exhibit is a remembrance of April 16th

Beverly Amsler — 2008-04-14 00:00:00

Perspective Gallery in the Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech is hosting an exhibit of photos from April 16th and the days that followed. WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Gallery Director Mary Tartaro and has this report.

- You can also view photos of this story.

Items reflect support, sympathy for Tech

Beverly Amsler — 2008-04-14 00:00:00

Tens of thousands of items, ranging from origami cranes and letters to a car hood, came from around the world to Virginia Tech following the April 16th shootings. More have arrived in recent weeks in time for the first year anniversary. WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Tech archivist Tamara Kennelly and has this report.

- You can also view pictures of this story.

Hollins University hosts play about race

Gene Marrano — 2008-04-11 00:00:00

Set on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, "Caroline or Change" was a broadway production from noted playwright Tony Kushner in 2004. Now it's a Hollins University production, putting race relations in the spotlight. WVTF's Gene Marrano reports.

Car Fit program helps aging drivers

Connie Stevens — 2008-04-11 00:00:00

Nearly one in five drivers will be 65 or older by the year 2030. That translates to more than 30 million older motorists on the road across the country. With advancing age comes changes in vision, flexibility, range of motion-even height-all adding to drivers being less in control. WVTF's Connie Stevens reports that's where the American Society on Aging's "Car Fit" program comes in.

Disabled martial artist gets fourth degree

Beverly Amsler — 2008-04-08 00:00:00

Many students study karate and some make it to black belt. WVTF's Beverly Amsler has the story of a man who recently earned his fourth degree black belt. Listen.

Area food banks face increased food costs

Connie Stevens — 2008-04-03 00:00:00

Food prices are increasing dramatically throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. WVTF's Connie Stevens visits the Southwest Virginia Food Bank and has this report.

Railroad gives cats second chance

Fred Echols — 2008-03-31 00:00:00

Every year countless thousands of abandoned cats and dogs are brought to animal shelters in Virginia. Most of them will never leave alive. But some dedicated volunteers are working very hard to provide a new chance at life for a fortunate few. WVTF's Fred Echols reports from Franklin County.

- You can also view pictures of this story.

Inhalent abuse is growing

Beverly Amsler — 2008-03-27 00:00:00

Inhalent abuse is widespread throughout the country and especially here in Virginia. Children and some adults are huffing or sniffing at an alarming rate. Martz Szuba chairs the Virginia Inhalent Abuse Prevention Coalition. The group recently hosted a summit on inhalent abuse. WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Szuba who describes the results of a recent survey.

School students try rollerskating

Susan Geary — 2008-03-27 00:00:00

Gym class isn't what it used to be. Instead of dodgeball and calisthenics, some schools are branching into lifetime activities. WVTF's Susan Geary visited Huff Lane Elementary School in Roanoke and reports on roller skating in the classroom.

Race relations in Lynchburg

Libby Fitzgerald — 2008-03-27 00:00:00

Lynchburg has undertaken an exciting and some might add - courageous - endeavor by conducting a citywide conversation on race. There have been many projects of this kind nationally but only a handful in Virginia. WVTF's Libby Fitzgerald has the story.

Blacksburg promotes locally growers

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-03-25 00:00:00

Buy local. Eat local. Be local. If you've seen that bumper sticker, you probably know it's a promotion for downtown Blacksburg. The Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg hope people will take the slogan seriously and support the growing 'burg. More from WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli.

UVA raises awareness on brain injuries

Beverly Amsler — 2008-03-24 00:00:00

Women are more at risk than men for mild traumatic brain injury. That's according to members of UVAs traumatic brain injury (or TBI) Quality Support team who are getting this information out during TBI Awareness Month. Dea Mahanes is a UVA clinical nurse specialist in the neuro-intensive care unit at UVA. WVTF's Beverly Amsler asked her to describe traumatic brain injury.

Giles County crash impacts environment

Fred Echols — 2008-03-21 00:00:00

When a tanker crashed in Giles County and spilled thousands of gallons of diesel fuel into a creek, it not only spoiled a delicate ecosystem but also left a couple without much confidence in the government agencies responsible for reacting to the situation. WVTF's Fred Echols reports.

- You can also view pictures of this story.

Do students at single sex colleges fare better?

Beverly Amsler — 2008-03-20 00:00:00

A new study suggests women's colleges score better than co-ed institutions in a variety of issues, including ethics, values, and how prepared they felt for their first jobs. WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Ken Huus, the Dean of Admissions at Sweet Briar College who explains why the study was done.

College makes transition to co-ed

Libby Fitzgerald — 2008-03-20 00:00:00

The former Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg has made a tumultuous transition to become the coed Randolph College. Other single sex schools are no doubt watching to see how it all turns out. WVTF’s Libby Fitzgerald has taken the pulse of the campus and this story.

Yankees show support for Hokies

Gene Marrano — 2008-03-19 00:00:00

Yesterday’s exhibition baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Virginia Tech Hokies was a show of support for a college campus reeling from the tragedy of April 16th. Even though they lost it was also a thrill of a lifetime for the Tech players. WVTF’s Gene Marrano has more.

Property waiting to be claimed

Connie Stevens — 2008-03-18 00:00:00

From a couple of bucks, to thousands of dollars....one in seven Virginians has unclaimed property awaiting pickup from the Department of the Treasury. It's all part of the Unclaimed Property Act-- a consumer protection law-- designed to make sure everyone gets their due. WVTF's Connie Stevens has more.

Pi Day turns in "pie" day for one school

Connie Stevens — 2008-03-14 00:00:00

Around the world, March 14 was a big day in the lives of many a nerd. That was international Pi Day, celebrating one of the most revered mathematical constants-- the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It's approximately equal to 3.14, and that's why every year, the 14th day of the third month is Pi Day. Pi has been calculated to more than a trillion digits past the decimal. Listen in, as some 5th grade math enthusiasts at Crystal Spring Elementary School are well on their way to memorizing this irrational number. The class Pi-Master is Peyton Thomasson. To date, he's memorized 108 digits of Pi. Peyton and his classmates celebrated Pi Day with another kind of pie-- the chocolate cream variety-- and Peyton threw the first, and last, of a dozen pies at the school's principal, Dave Merritt.

Series probes aging in Roanoke

Beverly Amsler — 2008-03-13 00:00:00

The Roanoke Times will deal with a very important but somewhat sensitive subject beginning Saturday, March 14. Reporters Beth Macy and Josh Meltzer will have the first installment of a multi-part series titled "Age of Uncertainty". WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Beth about why the Times decided to do the story about aging in the Roanoke Valley.

Girl Scouts sell light bulbs

Connie Stevens — 2008-03-07 00:00:00

The Girl Scouts get greener in our latest installment of our series, "What Have You Done for the Environment Lately?" As we hear from WVTF's Connie Stevens, the Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council is launching an educational program and selling compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Foster care cases increase in SW Va.

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-03-05 00:00:00

One social services supervisor calls it a catastrophe: Foster care cases in far southwestern Virginia are rising dramatically, and social workers are blaming widespread abuse of painkillers and methamphetamines. Statewide, foster care cases have gone up just under five percent since 2000. But some localities in far southwest have seen increases from 28 to 126 percent in the same time period. WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli spoke with Rex Bowman, the Richmond Times Dispatch reporter who first reported on the problem.

Roanoke eatery becomes green

Connie Stevens — 2008-02-22 00:00:00

Our series, "What Have You Done for the Environment Lately?" continues, with the story of a Roanoke eatery that has just become only the second restaurant in Virginia to join the Green Restaurant Association. WVTF's Connie Stevens has more.

Customers, employees upset about closing

Susan Geary — 2008-02-18 00:00:00

Customers and former employees of American Standard Building Systems in Martinsville fear they will never see money owed them. The company abruptly shut its doors late last month, leaving about a dozen customers without the home they purchased, and more than 50 employees without a paycheck. WVTF’s Susan Geary reports.

Calculating your carbon footprint

Connie Stevens — 2008-02-15 00:00:00

The phrase "carbon footprint" is tossed around just about every day in the news...it's a measure of the amount of greenhouse gas produced by an individual, a household or a business. But just how do you calculate your own carbon footprint? WVTF's Connie Stevens has another installment of our series, "what have you done for the environment lately?" featuring the Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition carbon footprint calculator, on the web at www.rvccc.org.

Residents voice opposition to mining

Fred Echols — 2008-02-07 00:00:00

Controversy is brewing in Pittsylvania County over a plan to mine uranium. A 100-million pound deposit a few miles east of Chatham is one of the largest in North America, and a new company called Virginia Uranium has geologists on the site drilling test holes. But it's less than certain how far the project will go. WVTF's Fred Echols has the details.

- You can also view pictures of this story.

Exhibit highlights moonshine trade

Connie Stevens — 2008-02-04 00:00:00

White lightnin'.....white liquor....mountain dew....or moonshine. Whatever you call it, this is a story about the roots of illegal distilling in the Southern Virginia mountains. An exhibit at Ferrum College's Blue Ridge Institute showcases the folk tradition in a fitting location, as Franklin County was once known as the Moonshine Capitol. Produced by WVTF's Connie Stevens, here's the story as told from an interview with museum director Roddy Moore, with a little help from some Franklin County music recorded over the years on the topic of moonshine.

Southside resident hopes to mine uranium

Fred Echols — 2008-01-31 00:00:00

A Southside Virginia landowner has formed a new company with an eye toward opening a mine on his property. But unlike most mining projects in Virginia, this one has nothing to do with coal. WVTF’s Fred Echols reports from Pittsylvania County.

Vietnam graffiti project goes on the road

Connie Stevens — 2008-01-23 00:00:00

It was a couple of years ago that WVTF first reported on the Vietnam Graffiti project. It centers around hundreds of graffiti messages discovered on the canvas bunks of the General Nelson M. Walker Troopship, which carried U.S. servicemen to Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. Art and Lee Beltrone worked for years, removing the graffiti from the ship before it was eventually scrapped. Their findings are documented in their book, "Vietnam Graffiti: Messages from a Forgotten Troopship." And now, the project is going on the road in the form of a traveling exhibit. Here's more from Connie Stevens.

A day of remembering Dr. King

Connie Stevens — 2008-01-21 00:00:00

Monday, January 21st marked Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-- a national holiday honoring the legacy of one of the most important civil rights leaders in the country. WVTF's Connie Stevens has more.

Teen finalist in bubble wrap contest

Beverly Amsler — 2008-01-21 00:00:00

A 14-year-old Christiansburg girl is one of three finalists for the Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors. The winner will be determined Monday, Jan. 28, which is "Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day." WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Nicolette Mann and her family and has this report.

Director talks about his plans for the zoo

Beverly Amsler — 2008-01-18 00:00:00

David Orndorff is the new director of Roanoke's Mill Mountain Zoo. He's spent nearly four decades in the zoo business, at such places as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Orndorff has been in Roanoke for five months, working in another capacity at the zoo, before taking over as director earlier this month. WVTF's Beverly Amsler talked with Orndorff about his plans for the zoo.

Father registry sees activity

Connie Stevens — 2008-01-10 00:00:00

Officials with the Virginia Department of Social Services report they’re already seeing some activity on the state’s new putative father registry. That’s the database set up last summer, to protect the rights of men who think they may have fathered a child. WVTF’s Connie Stevens has more.

Roanoke building needs work

Connie Stevens — 2008-01-08 00:00:00

Roanoke officials will soon issue a request for proposals, in an effort to figure out development and management plans for the Roanoke City Market building. That’s the international food court that’s been an icon for more than two decades in downtown Roanoke. But, some say the building nearly 90 years old, needs major help so it can attract vendors and visitors. Here’s more from WVTF’s Connie Stevens.

Paper cranes at Tech gallery

Beverly Amsler — 2008-01-08 00:00:00

Crane, cranes, everywhere you look cranes. Thousands of these paper creations are on display at Virginia Tech’s perspective gallery at the Squires Student Center. The origami cranes were made by residents of Fresno, California and sent to Tech following April 16th. WVTF’s Beverly Amsler talks with gallery director Mary Tartaro about the current exhibition. Tartaro is now looking for photos from the community on how the area responded to April 16th. Those will be part of an exhibition commemorating the 1st anniversary of the tragedy.

Dogs move through underground network

Connie Stevens — 2008-01-07 00:00:00

One volunteer calls it addictive and greatly fulfilling. WVTF’s Connie Stevens has more on what’s considered an underground dog network of sorts.

Farmer hopes consumers go organic

Connie Stevens — 2008-01-02 00:00:00

According to the most recent numbers by the Organic Trade Association, organic food purchases now represent between two and four percent of US food sales. WVTF’s Connie Stevens reports though, one organic farmer in our region hopes still more people will consider fresher, healthier food, at the start of the new year.

Food banks still in need after holidays

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-01-02 00:00:00

With the holidays behind us, many will resume to a more normal routine, and a more normal approach to spending their money. But the director of an area food bank hopes people won't forget the thousands of Virginians who are hungry year-round. WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli reports.

Pilot project for single sex classes

Dutchie Mirolli — 2008-01-02 00:00:00

A Roanoke high school has seen positive results for a single sex pilot project this school year. WVTF's Dutchie Mirolli reports.