What's News Today for Tuesday, January 2, 2018

News and events happening today

ROANOKE – Roanoke city council meets today. On the agenda are discussions about pieces of land the city may consider selling on Norfolk Avenue, Salem Avenue, 19th Street and Preston Avenue.

They will also be talking about dumpsters in the road in downtown Roanoke. With redevelopment downtown, contractors need dumpsters. But those dumpsters are taking up parking spaces and sidewalks. The city is looking at finding balance and possibly charging people to have those dumpsters like many other Virginia cities do. Right now, there's no charge.   

Vinton Town Council will be talking about real estate assessments. According to the 2018 Roanoke County numbers homes are selling for the most since 2008. The median sales price in 2017 was more than $209,000 ($209,750). In 2008, prices topped $208,000 ($208,500). Overall, Roanoke County residential and commercial assessments show a 10 million dollar increase ($10.3 million) or more than 2-percent (2.22%) increase over last year's assessed values.

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Interstate 77 is getting some work in Carroll County. VDOT is adding a truck escape ramp at mile marker 1.5. Construction is expected to begin this month at a cost of about $300,000. Work is expected to be finished by May. You can expect some lane closures as they're working. There are three truck escape ramps along the mountains portion of southbound I-77 in Carroll County that were built in the 1970s as part of the interstate's original construction.  These ramps enable vehicles experiencing braking problems to stop safely.   The southernmost ramp at mile marker 1.5 is the one most frequently used.  

Work zone closures across the Virginia go back into effect at noon. Those are lifted from major roads and interstates over major holidays to help with traffic flow.


About the Author:

You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.