Mental Health Recommendations

Governor McDonnell has unveiled recommendations for making improvements to Virginia’s mental health system, in the wake of the tragic events from November that involved Senator Creigh Deeds and his son, Gus.
McDonnell had requested Health and Human Resource Secretary Bill Hazel to review the November 18 incident.
Hazel made recommendations in several areas, including proposed changes to the civil commitment process, the operation of temporary detention facilities and making sure that service capacity is adequate to meet needs.

Holiday Travel Update

AAA Mid-Atlantic says more than 2.7 million Virginians will be traveling during the year-end holiday season Saturday through January 1.

More than 90 percent of the holiday travelers will drive to their destinations.

AAA officials say air travel in Virginia is expected to decrease by 1.6 percent.

Rate Hike Request

Appalachian Power is asking the State Corporation Commission for a $49.9 million rate increase.
It’s the company’s first rate hike request in 4 years.
The proposed rate increase would raise the average monthly bill for customers by $3.98 beginning next May.

New Police Chief for Altavista

Kenneth Walsh Jr. has been named Altavista’s new police chief.
Walsh, a VMI graduate, had been serving as the town’s interim police chief since July.
Walsh has served with the Altavista Police Department since 1997.

Obenshain Concedes Attorney General's Race

Republican Mark Obenshain has conceded the attorney general's race to Democrat Mark Herring in the wake of a statewide recount.

Obenshain acknowledged defeat and congratulated Herring on his victory.
Herring's final margin of victory was expected to be a bit over 800 votes following this week's recount.

 

Name Change for Airport

The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission has voted to change the name of the airport.

In the future, the Roanoke Regional Airport will be known as the Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport at Woodrum Field.  

Board members cited economic growth in the Blacksburg area as one of the major factors for the name change.

Traffic Congestion on I-81

There was heavy traffic overnight on Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County due to bridge repairs.
The traffic congestion began to ease Wednesday morning.
VDOT officials say scheduled bridge repairs at mile marker 195 caused heavy congestion late Tuesday into Wednesday morning.