Some photos of gas lines in Salem, VA yesterday evening.
Photos of Gas Lines in Salem Yesterday
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Category Archives: Roanoke Area
4 People Charged With Attacking Man Because He Asked Them Not To Curse
Four Carroll County, VA residents have been charged in connection with beating a man after he asked them not to curse in front of his children at a convenience store, according to the Wythe County, VA Sheriff’s Office. Three of the suspects are being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail without bond.
[Read](http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/new_river_valley/article/4_charged_with_attacking_father_over_cursing/14531/ “Read the Article”) (WSLS 10)
Bear on Wildwood Road in Salem
Loyd Tingler captured some photos of a bear trying to raid his bird feeders last month.
We’ve had raccoons, opossums, and deer at our feeders, but as far as I know, we haven’t had a bear.
I’d like to find out what kind of cam he’s using. I’d be interested in setting up a couple of those – a good project for the kids and I before summer break ends.
Advance Auto To Transfer 40 Jobs From Roanoke to Minneapolis
Advance Auto is moving 40 Inventory and Merchandising jobs from Roanoke to Minneapolis. Considering that Minneapolis is [31% more expensive](http://www.bestplaces.net/col/?salary=50000&city1=55168000&city2=52743000 “Sperling’s Best Places Cost of Living Comparison”) than Roanoke, let’s hope the affected employees receive large pay raises.
Earlier this year, three executives were hired, and they also plan to work in the Minneapolis office. The CEO said that the office in Minneapolis will make it easier for Advance to add new talent.
I have the feeling that we’ll see the Advance Auto decision makers and better paid employees leave Roanoke permanently.
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/168725 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)
Why Can’t We Keep Chickens in Salem?
A Salem, VA couple decided they’d like to keep some chickens in their back yard. They checked the city code and asked animal control. It looked like everything was okay, so they purchased a breed of chicken that’s known for being quiet.
One of their neighbors has complained, and the couple has been given 30 days to get rid of their chickens. They’re now trying to have the city code changed.
We’re concerned about where our food comes. Why can’t we keep a couple of chickens in the back yard? Let’s correct this, so I can try to talk my wife into a couple of chickens and some bee hives.
[Read](http://host1.bondware.com/~ourvalley/news.php?viewStory=2883 “Read the Article”) (OurValley.org)
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/community/salem/neighbors/wb/167974 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)
I Smell Smoke
When we stepped outside earlier, it smelled like something was burning. My 5-year-old also noticed that he couldn’t see the mountains, because a hazy smoke was obscuring the view. I initally thought it was due to the [Poor Mountain Fire](http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/165533 “Roanoke Times”), but an [article from WSLS](http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/southside/article/smoke_alert_for_southside_floyd_co_seeing_smoke_too/12473/ “WSLS”) states that hazy smoke is probably from a fire in North Carolina.
It feels like Summer has arrived
Weather for Salem, VA 24153
|
93°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: NW at 0 mph Humidity: 44% |
Fri
 97°F | 72°F |
Sat
97°F | 70°F |
Sun
97°F | 70°F |
Mon
90°F | 68°F |
Some Things That Irritated Me Today
* Mill Mountain Coffee – When I order a coffee, I expect the coffee to be a plain, black coffee, not a HAZLENUT coffee.
* People who bring dogs to kids’ games. The dogs really distract the kids. Leave the dog home next time.
* Parents who bring potato chips when it’s their time to bring snack for their kid’s game. I don’t want my child to have potato chips at 10 o’clock in the morning!
* Home Depot – Normally the sales people come up to you every couple of minutes, but today I couldn’t find one to help me. If you’re cutting back on employees and/or service, at least put the lawn mower boxes in a location where I can grab one and put it on my buggy myself.
* The Gold Chevy Trailblazer who sped up and tried to cut me off while I was merging today. How are you able to drive, blow the horn, flash your lights, yell at me, and flip me off with both hands all at the same time? As you saw, I merged, and you proved that you’re a huge jerk. Let’s hope you calm down before you get behind the wheel again.
1,100 slated to lose jobs at Volvo truck plant in Dublin, VA
Citing a weak truck market and soft economy, Volvo Trucks North America announced it would slice employment at its Dublin plant by more than a third and reduce production at the facility to one shift.
The 1,100 people who will lose their jobs beginning the week of May 12 represent a significant increase from the number the company expected to shed when it first announced layoffs late last year. At that time, up to 650 people were expected to be laid off at the end of January.
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/158618 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)
Red Light Management to Develop and Manage New Roanoke Amphitheater
Roanoke city officials announced late today that they have selected Charlottesville’s [Red Light Management](http://www.redlightmanagement.com “Red Light Management”) to develop and manage an amphitheater at the former Victory Stadium site on Reserve Avenue.
A press release issued just before 6 p.m. said the city’s selection committee thought that Red Light Management’s proposal was “the most responsive to the city’s needs” and **also in Roanoke’s “best interest**.”
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/157931 “Read”) (Roanoke Times)
Roanoke City made the perfect choice. Let’s hope Red Light Management makes the new amphitheater just as successful as they’ve made the [Charlottesville Pavilion](http://www.charlottesvillepavilion.com “Charlottesville Pavilion”).
First, [Plan 9](http://www.plan9music.com “Plan 9”) and now, a new amphitheater managed by Red Light Management. Can we get [WNRN](http://www.wnrn.rlc.net/ “WNRN”), [Bodo’s Bagels](http://www.bodosbagels.com/ “Bodo’s Bagels”), and a local version of [C’ville Weekly](http://www.c-ville.com/ “C’ville Weekly”), too?
Elliston chosen as intermodal site, but they don’t want it
Salem recognized the opportunity and wanted the intermodal yard but didn’t have a site that would work. Norfolk Southern and the state of Virginia have determined that the only suitable site is in Montgomery county. Montgomery county doesn’t want it, and they are determined to fight it tooth and nail.
The proposed site is across the street from a furniture plant. It’s near an industrial park and the new regional jail. The state of Virginia is willing to spend an additional $15 million to upgrade a road to keep truck traffic off of Route 460.
According to a state report released in January, the rail yard would employ about a dozen people and generate $3.5 million to $5.3 million in annual economic activity. Its spinoff effects could spread 740 to 2,900 jobs, annual economic output of $140 million to $550 million and $18 million to $71 million in taxes over a nine-county, five-city area from Lynchburg to Radford, from Franklin County to Monroe County, W.Va.
Do we look the gift horse in the mouth and complain and fight until the opportunity’s lost, and then we sit around and continue to complain about the poor economy here? Or do we seize the opportunity and try to improve our lot?
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/breaking/wb/157334 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/157508 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/157496 “Read the Editorial”) (Roanoke Times)
Buchanan, VA Rubber Plant Plans to Close and Leave 70 People Without Jobs
About 70 people will lose their jobs in the months ahead at a manufacturing plant in Buchanan.
MTI Groendyk, a subsidiary of Canada-based MTI Global, described to employees Monday its plans to close the factory. The gradual closing probably will begin in about 60 days and may not end until late this year.
The company announced several months ago that it would consolidate manufacturing operations that were then under way at three plants. Buchanan was the plant that lost out.
[Read](http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/157392 “Read the Article”) (Roanoke Times)
If You’re Driving on I-81 or I-95 in VA Today or Tomorrow, You’d Better Slow Down
The Virginia State Police are conducting a land, air, and speed campaign, from 5am to 9pm, daily, Sunday, March 9th, and Monday, March 10th.
The campaign covers all of I-81 north and south and all of I-95 north and south.
**Motorists are advised to follow all speed limit restrictions**, and drive safely.
157 Positions Eliminated at Virginia Employment Commission
Next week, statewide staff cuts by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) will land some of its employees on the other side of the counter — or online — filing claims for unemployment benefits.
Citing insufficient federal funding for operations, the VEC said layoffs are unavoidable. The state agency is eliminating 157 positions. The last work day for most affected employees will be March 14.
The Roanoke branch is losing 11 of 34 employees, and Martinsville is losing half of its staff.
Read (Roanoke Times)
Universal Forest Products in Fishersville, VA Has Closed
Universal Forest Products’ manufacturing facility in Fishersville closed Friday. The company cited a slowdown in the housing market as the reason for the shutdown. 25 more jobs lost…
Read (Staunton News Leader)