Category Archives: Roanoke Area

More than 130 to lose jobs in Roanoke Region

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A lighting manufacturer, a hospital chain, and a logistics company intend to lay off more than 130 employees in Western Virginia.

[ABX Air](http://www.abxair.com/ “ABX Air”), which worked for [DHL](http://www.dhl.com “DHL”), plans to close its Roanoke freight hub and layoff 73 employees by January 30.

[Hubbell Lighting](http://www.hubbell-ltg.com/ “Hubbell Lighting”) will cut its payroll at its Christiansburg plant by 39.

[HCA](http://www.hcahealthcare.com “HCA”) plans to layoff 20 middle managers at 4 Southwest Virginia hospitals. 7 people will lose their jobs at [Lewis Gale Hospital](http://www.lewis-gale.com “Lewis Gale”) here in Salem.

The layoffs at the four HCA Southwest Virginia hospitals are the first of any hospital system in the state.

[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/184956 “Read the Article”)

What is the Price of Gas in Salem, VA Thursday, 11.20.2008? (down)

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The gasoline prices at the [Shell @ 4th & Union Streets](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=40+W+4th+St+24153&sll=37.295274,-80.056729&sspn=0.030214,0.06609&ie=UTF8&ll=37.285646,-80.05865&spn=0.007554,0.016522&t=h&z=17&g=40+W+4th+St+24153&iwloc=addr “Google Map”)
in Salem, VA:

Grade | Price
——– | ——-
Regular | $1.699
Mid | $1.799
Premium | $1.899
Diesel | $2.799
Kerosene | $3.499

Diesel is down 9 cents per gallon.

Virginia Tech Alert System Crashed During Most Recent Real-Life Test

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Virginia Tech officials say a computer crash caused the university’s “VT Alert System” to fail during Thursday’s (11/13) shooting scare. It’s not what they expected for the system’s first real-life test since being implemented following the April 16th shootings. Tech officials are blaming the system’s private contractor.

The alert system had previously passed 4 simulated tests.

[Read](http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1108/570111.html “Read the Article”) (WSET-13)

Lack of Money Forces Junior Achievement to Shut Down in Lynchburg, VA

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Junior Achievement has shown kids how to handle money for more than 40 years, but a tough economy is forcing Lynchburg, VA’s Junior Achievement to close its doors.

Two fundraisers were held this year, but they didn’t produce enough money to keep the program going.
Unless additional funds can be raised, Junior Achievement in Lynchburg will close for good November 15th.

The Lynchburg branch served students in six counties.

[Read](http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=9272640 “Read the Notice”) (WDBJ-7)

*Update 11-10-2008:* The Junior Achievement Board voted unanimously to keep the program, after community businesses came forward with needed donations. [Read](http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1108/569520.html “Read the Notice”) (WSET-13)

Sarah Palin to campaign in Roanoke area on Monday, 10-27

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We’re getting some attention from the Republican camp next week.

Sarah Palin will hold a rally at the Salem Civic Center at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 27th. Tickets will be required.

[Read](http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/politics/article/sarah_palin_to_campaign_in_salem/19829/ “Read the Article”) (WSLS)

**Update:** The event has been moved from the Salem Civic Center, which can hold 6,800, to Salem Stadium, which can hold 15,000 people. [Read](http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=9238333 “Read”) (WDBJ7)

General Wesley Clark to campaign for Obama in Roanoke on 10-22

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We’re getting even more attention from the Obama campaign on Wednesday, October 22nd. In addition to Ethel Kennedy coming to Roanoke Wednesday morning, [Retired General Wesley Clark](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Clark “Wikipedia”) will be here Wednesday afternoon to campaign for Barack Obama.

[Read](http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/politics/article/general_wesley_clark_to_campaign_for_obama_in_roanoke/19686/ “Read the Article”) (WSLS)

Ethel Kennedy to campaign for Obama in Southwest Virginia on 10-21 and 10-22

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[Ethel Kennedy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Skakel_Kennedy “Wikipedia”), the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, will campaign for Barack Obama in Southwest Virginia on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21st and 22nd.

She will be in Wytheville and Radford Tuesday, and she’ll be in Blacksburg and Vinton (Roanoke) on Wednesday.

[Read](http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/politics/article/ethel_kennedy_to_campaign_for_obama_in_swva/19672/ “Read the Article”) (WSLS)

Barack Obama to hold rally at Roanoke Civic Center on Friday, 10/17

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Barack Obama will hold a “Change We Need Rally” in Roanoke on Friday. The event will be held at 12:30 p.m. at The Coliseum at Roanoke Civic Center. He will be joined by Senator Jim Webb.

[Read](http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=9181379 “Read the Article”) (WDBJ)

Apparently, we are in play. Bill Clinton was in Roanoke Sunday, and now, Obama less than a week later.

I’ve walked 43 miles over the last 2 weeks mostly in the South Salem area, and other than the magnet on the back of my van, yesterday was the first time I saw any Obama signs – 5 signs in 3 yards. There are numerous McCain and Goodlatte signs, and Mark Warner barely edged out Jim Gilmore in signs.

Business drops at Roanoke City Market

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The Roanoke City Market closed for two weeks earlier this month after a big mouse problem was discovered. During that time, 21 mice were found and the place was turned upside down for a major cleaning.

There’s been a lot of talk that many will never eat there again, but vendors say this is now one of the safest, cleanest places in town.

Since reopening, business is down by as much as 50 percent.

“I would say in this 18 years I’ve been there this is probably the slowest week I’ve ever had,” says David Estrada of Chico’s Pizza.

Vendors say the downturn in the economy is partly to blame, but a bigger reason is probably the recent rodent infestation inside the market.

[Read](http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=9173351 “Read the Article”) (WDBJ)

Economy Affects Local Restaraunts

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People are trimming the fat from their budgets, and for some local restaurants, that means fewer families eating out.

Because of the drop in customers, some restaurants have closed, and others have seen a significant decrease in the number of customers. Their wait staffs have also seen a drop in tips.

With the economy the way it is, when families do decide to dine-out, they say they want to eat economically.

[Read](http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1008/561196.html “Read the Article”) (WSET)

Salem, VA Receives $800,000 From FEMA to Buy Flood Properties

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Salem, VA has received $800,000+ from FEMA to buy properties that repeatedly flood.

The FEMA program looks at homes and properties that have been flooded in the past, and those likely to be flooded in the future.

The targeted areas will be along the Roanoke River. So far, the program identified 21 structures in Salem on the list. Nine of them are single family homes.

[Read](http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/salem_receives_800000_to_buy_flood_properties/17197/ “Read the Article”) (WSLS 10)