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TheRoanokeStar.com community | news | perspective

July 6 - July 12, 2012

[Extreme Weather]

“Derecho” Slams Valley Gang Summit

P3– Virginia Deputy Attorney General G. Michael Favale, who has crisscrossed the Commonwealth speaking about gang influence, held a Gang Summit at The Hotel Roanoke last week.

Dick Baynton

Good Example P4– Dick Baynton says that the rest of the USA should take a lesson from the recent political wranglings in Wisconsin.

The Classic P7– Bill Turner uses his inside credentials to bring the full scoop on Tiger Woods, First Tee Roanoke and the general “goings on” at the Greenbrier Classic.

Patriot Painting P8– Army Veteran Paul “Buddy” Rhoades takes lessons learned in the military and returns to Roanoke to open his own painting franchise.

Photo by Gene Marrano

High winds brought trees down on homes, power lines and automobiles like this one in downtown Roanoke. Officials at AEP said it was the largest and most widespread power outage they have ever experienced. (See More Pics on P6.)

Freak Storm System Takes Several States and Southwest Virginia By Surprise

Market Square May Get Whole New Look

The main portion of Market Square has been dubbed “Roanoke’s Living Room” and has functioned as such since Roanoke’s existence. “The nature of our commerce has changed,” said Sean Luther, Downtown Roanoke Inc. CEO. The two squares adjacent to Center in the Square and 202 Market accommodate 24 onstreet parking spaces. Luther wants to see a more pedestrian focus. It would eliminate the 24 parking spaces that would be replaced with pavers, trees and stalls. Luther was selling the idea to city council and hopes to get funding for the project estimated to be $250,000. “This is the center of our downtown,” he said. “It’s a traffic engineering negative” for parking and maneuverability. Lucas Thorton with Hist: Re Partners LLC gave a presentation to the DRI board and Luther said that they were very impressed with the concept. Joyce Waugh with the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce represented the business community and told council that, “The board had not yet taken a positive position on the project but are impressed with the innovative approach.” “How do we activate the square,” asked Luther rhetorically. The square will be a priority for pedestrians rather than for cars, he said. The project will connect Center in the Square with the Market Building and Elmwood Park. It may not be exactly the final result but “it’s the beginning of a conversation,” said Luther. The plan is to create “super stalls” for farm vendors that will provide

hey call it “Derecho,” a term now seared into the minds of Roanokers after an up close and personal experience of the unusual natural event last Friday. That’s the night when hurricane-force winds of 80-90 mph blew into the valley just before 9 pm, wrecking havoc before moving on. On I-581 heading towards downtown Roanoke debris including what appeared to be hay, blew across the highway at high velocity, while cars crept along in the reduced visibility, drivers gripping steering wheels tightly in order to stay in control. “It almost blew my minivan off the road,” said Peg McGuire, who handles communication duties for the Virginia Museum of Transportation, “I had to pull over.” Near Roanoke Regional Airport, others reported that they had trouble staying on the pavement as they attempted to turn from Thirlane onto Hershberger. In the concrete canyons of downtown Roanoke, leaves, branches, paper and other debris funneled through the streets

while people took cover in doorways. Tree limbs, that came down in the city, blocked off Kirk Avenue near the Music Hall and smashed an automobile parked in front of Center in the Square. The massive straight-line wind storm was over almost as soon as it started, shortly after 9 pm. The Derecho, which began in the midwest and swept across to the eastern United States, was a byproduct of the tremendous heat buildup that saw temperatures rise to 100 degreesplus in Roanoke. But the worst was yet to come as the windstorm downed trees and limbs, snapping power lines that has left many in the dark – and without air conditioning – for days. Downed trees meant extensive property damage. Officials at AEP said it was the largest and most widespread power outage they have ever experienced. Crews were sent throughout Virginia and West Virginia to restore power to critical infrastructure properties such as hospitals, public services and gas

Roanoke Named 2012 All-American City

Wind, Heat Keep Numbers Down But It was Still Motor Madness

Roanoke was named an All-America City by the National Civic League this week based on its ambitious plan to ensure that more children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Chosen from a field of more than 100 entries, Roanoke’s plan was submitted by a community coalition that included Roanoke City Public Schools, the city government, United Way of Roanoke Valley, Roanoke Public Libraries, Total Action Against Poverty, Smart Beginnings of Greater Roanoke, Dr. Craig Ramey and Dr. Sharon Ramey from the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Blue Ridge Literacy and the City Manager’s Office. The community was one of 14 awardees selected from 32 finalists. “It is an honor for Roanoke to be selected as an All-America City for its ‘Star City Reads’ campaign,” said Roanoke Mayor David A. Bowers. “We are confident this initiative will be an effective tool for us to ensure that more Roanoke children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Special thanks go to our partners for their contribution to the development of this campaign. In Roanoke, we affirm that ‘reading is everybody’s business.’ This is because reading lets our children become ‘STARS’ in their own right – capable lifelong learners with open minds and > CONTINUED, P2:All-American

Meridian Wealth Management 540-855-3348 | www.ubs.com/team/meridianwealth

10 South Jefferson Street, Suite 1050, Roanoke, VA 24011

> CONTINUED P2: Market

> CONTINUED, P2: Derecho

Scorching hot temperatures and a freak windstorm that knocked out power to thousands of homes locally may have kept some of the numbers down, but plenty of vintage car owners and aficionados turned out anyway for the 11th annual Star City Motor Madness last weekend. Many were watching on Williamson Road last Friday night as classic cars cruised, much as was the norm fifty years ago. But the high velocity “Derecho” windstorm that swept into the Roanoke Valley around 9:00 p.m. put a damper on that activity. The next day dozens of vintage automobiles were displayed on Jefferson St. and Franklin Road, where the pavement reflected temperatures that reached around 100. Still many came out for the Madness,

Photo by Gene Marrano

Star City Motor Madness took place in downtown Roanoke. which began as a fundraiser for the Virginia Museum of Transportation’s automotive gallery and continues to support the VMT today through car owner entry fees and corporate sponsorships. Now the annual event

also supports other local charities chosen by the Star City Motor Madness board. Roger MacMurray from > CONTINUED P3: Motor