The possibility of passenger rail service coming to Roanoke has re-energized a more than ten year old committee in the New River Valley.
Members of TransDomninon Express are more confident now than ever before about expanding rail service from Roanoke to Bristol and well into Tennessee.
The committee met Tuesday morning to talk about next steps if a transportation bill is passed.
Leaders in Richmond are trying to hammer out how to pay for the bill that will likely include rail service expansion.
One of the stops along a route to Bristol would likely include Wytheville.
"We have little doubt that there's a demand and a need. The challenge is proving it to the people who have the money to make it happen," said Bill Smith, a small business owner in Wytheville.
"It's been our vision for more than ten years to expand passenger rail service across the Commonwealth so that a vast majority of our citizens can take advantage of it," said Rex Hammond, CEO and President of the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce.
One of the most important next steps the committee says they will take is working to find out how to improve bus service from Bristol to Roanoke.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:38 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:38:00 GMT
When you think of a good place to eat lunch chances are the Crossroads Mall area doesn't come to mind. But within the last six months that stretch of Hershberger Road has added two popular chains, Cookout
With the help of national chains like Cookout and Steak'n Shake, the Crossroads Mall area is getting popular again.
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little...
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against...
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:09 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:09:22 GMT
Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley will continue its mission with a twist starting today. Instead of doing its usual build of homes for low income families, the organization will do what it
Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley will continue its mission with a twist starting today.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:00 AM EDT2013-05-21 12:00:29 GMT
As the summer vacation season gets underway, you don't have to go to an exotic location to make lasting memories with your friends and family. All this week WSLS 10 is highlighting some of the unique
As the summer vacation season gets underway, you don't have to go to an exotic location to make lasting memories with your friends and family. All this week WSLS 10 is highlighting some of the unique places you can visit right in your backyard -- including Natural Bridge.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:06:06 GMT
Roanoke police are examining a potential DNA link to a cold case murder from 2005, WSLS 10 has confirmed. On August 16, 2005, police found Jamie Penn, 23, dead of gunshot wounds in his SUV. It was parked
On August 16, 2005, police found Jamie Penn, 23, dead of gunshot wounds in his SUV
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:04 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:04:39 GMT
The Jodi Arias is expected to finally take the stand today as defense lawyers say she will be the only witness they put on. This after the judge denied their request for a retrial. State and local emergency
Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:23:13 GMT
Roanoke has a new "Super Teacher" and he learned of his reward in surprise fashion! Garden City elementary school threw a surprise party of sorts for Matthew Miller. Miller won a $2,000 cash prize as
Garden City Elementary School threw a surprise party of sorts for Matthew Miller
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:13 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:13:03 GMT
WSLS is working together with Southwest Virginia relief organizations to collect supplies for victims of the EF-4 tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma.Danville based God's Pit Crew will join WSLS and
Randy Johnson of GPC describes this as a massive relief effort, and a "Katrina moment."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:22:15 GMT
Dr. Bill Fintel with Blue Ridge Cancer Care says double mastectomies as prevention have become more common for women with breast cancer gene. Dr. Fintel says they are born with it and it. For every
Dr. Bill Fintel with Blue Ridge Cancer Care says double mastectomies as prevention have become more common for women with breast cancer gene.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:45 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Authorities say the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town's parade won't likely face charges. Damascus Police Chief Bill Nunley says the driver
The driver in the Saturday incident that injured about 50 people had a medical issue that caused him to lose control of his car
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:52 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:52:39 GMT
APPOMATTOX, Va. (AP) - Two Civil War-era cannons in Appomattox Court House Square are getting a lift. On Monday, workers replaced the deteriorating wooden carriages with new metal ones ahead of the
Workers replaced the deteriorating wooden carriages with new metal ones ahead of the weekend's Memorial Day festivities
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:51:17 GMT
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - State Police statistics show both violent and property crimes fell about 3 percent in Virginia in 2012 compared to the year before. The report released Monday showed there were
State Police say drug and narcotics offenses rose 9.4 percent and increased for the third straight year
