What's News Today: Tuesday, January 12

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(WSLS 10) - Lynchburg City Council will continue discussions about the city's zoning ordinance. Over the past several months, city staff has worked to update the current law. Council will review some of the proposed changes including the type and number of farm animals allowed and bicycle parking. Council will also discuss the process for hiring a new city manager.

The Roanoke School Board meets tonight to discuss and possibly vote to outsource its food services to Sodexo. Leaders with the school system believes it could bring improvement to the food quality and save money for taxpayers. Opponents say it could negatively impact jobs and local businesses. Superintendent Dr. Rita Bishop has told WSLS 10 in the past that a contract would protect current vendors and employees. Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Patrick Henry High School.

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The Salem School Board will recognize the Salem High School Football team tonight on its state title. In December, the team beat Lake Taylor in overtime to bring home its seventh state title. Over the last two years, the team has won 28 of 29 games.

The Virginia Department of Transportation holds a meeting tonight at Ramey Memorial Auditorium on construction at a major intersection in Lynchburg. Project leaders will talk about the Odd Fellows Road intersection with Route 29/460. They will present the construction schedule and potential impacts on traffic. Work is expected to start this month and wrap up in August of 2018.

Renovations are expected to begin today at the Grandin Theatre. The front façade of the building will be renovated. Changes include new doors and windows, a new box office and new marble footers. A $50,000 grant from the Roanoke Economic Development Authority will help pay for the repairs. That grant will cover about 60% of the total cost.

Sewer rates are on the city council agenda in Martinsville tonight. The city is currently working to repair sewer lines in the city at a cost of $22 million. The $3 proposed rate increase is needed to sustain funding for the debt. Martinsville has applied to borrow the money for the project from the state with a rate possibly as low as zero percent. If the rate increase passes tonight and again later this month, it will take effect on March 1st.