The vote follows years of study and debate in a city that is contending with declining enrollment and aging school buildings that need significant renovations.
Steve Hemphill
Steve Hemphill has worked for more than 30 years as both a sports reporter and editor. He is the former sports editor of The Roanoke Times and Longmont (Colo.) Times-Call, both of which earned national recognition under his watch. He grew up on the Eastern Plains of Colorado and is a graduate of Colorado State University.
Posted inCulture
Roanoke’s Jefferson Center in need of $6 million worth of repairs
The city owns the former school, which is used as an arts center, but a nonprofit foundation manages it.
Posted inSports
Injured Boston Red Sox pitcher from Botetourt County will throw rehab innings in Salem
Zack Kelly will pitch three times during Salem’s homestand starting Sept. 5 and then hopes to be back in the majors.
Posted inEconomy
Carilion considers drones for deliveries to patients and health providers
The Roanoke-based health system is testing a drone delivery service that would ship products above the city instead of through it.
Posted inSports
From Botetourt to Boston: Zack Kelly hopes for early return to Major League Baseball after injury
The former Lord Botetourt star, who labored in the minors before getting called up to the Red Sox last year, faces arm surgery after an injury.
Posted inSports
Virginia Tech’s first women’s basketball coach will be watching – from Hawaii
John Wetzel retired from the NBA and returned to Virginia Tech to finish his degree. Then he got recruited to coach the school’s first women’s basketball team.
Posted inEconomy
The pandemic forced this plant to automate. Now Eldor has fewer workers than it planned for, but higher salaries.
The Botetourt County auto parts manufacturer, which got a visit Monday from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, recently was approved for a second extension to meet the hiring targets set out when it received a $3.2 million grant from the state.
Posted inPolitics
In Lexington, Pence says Republicans have better choices than Trump in 2024
The former vice president teased a presidential run during an appearance at Washington and Lee University.
Posted inSports
Mountain Gateway Community College’s new way to recruit students: sports teams
The Clifton Forge school has modeled itself after Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, which has the biggest athletic program in Virginia’s community college system.
Posted inVHSL Football
Graham bids for a state championship – and something its teams have never done
Since 2016, the team from Bluefield has only lost twice to a Virginia opponent in the regular season.