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Federal building ATM idles while construction wraps up

by Jeff Sturgeon Saturday, September 14, 2013

Each orifice is duct-taped shut right now. But the ATM sitting idle outside the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke will dispense cash again, its owner predicted Friday. Angela Price, president and CEO of FedStar Federal Credit Union, said the credit union plans to resume ATM and full-time branch services after a three-year, $51 million renovation of the Poff building is completed next year. A construction crew began work in 2011

Men charged in state Lowe’s stores scam

by Jeff Sturgeon Thursday, September 12, 2013

Two men were in court Wednesday on allegations they collected more than $80,000 apiece through a conspiracy involving fraudulent merchandise returns at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Virginia over three years. The case could grow larger still. “Total loss amount of this fraud is up to a million dollars,” Charlene Day, assistant U.S. attorney, told Judge Robert Ballou on Wednesday at a hearing in federal court in Roanoke for defendants

Haley Toyota's move to Roanoke Civic Center area gets planning commission nod

by David Ress Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Haley Toyota’s plan to buy the city land where Roanoke officials once wanted to build a stadium won a green light today from the Roanoke Planning Commission. The commission’s recommendation now goes to the city council for a final say. The city’s plan to sell the land is subject to a rezoning, which the commission formally recommended. Haley wants to relocate from its current site on Franklin Road Southwest to

Peaks of Otter Lodge to offer special discount to area residents

by Ralph Berrier Jr. Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant is offering room deals to local residents and is bringing back its seafood and Thanksgiving buffets. Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, which took over management of the lodge this year, re-opened the Bedford County facility in July after it closed shortly after Thanksgving last year. The company will offer 30 percent discounts on room rates for certain nights this month and in

Bayou Lucy's owner close-mouthed about status of New Orleans-style restaurant

by Amanda Codispoti Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Bayou Lucy’s in Roanoke appears to have closed, but many details are unclear. The owner, Yolanda Jimenez, said Friday she was “going through a lot.” Asked whether the restaurant had closed, she said: “I don’t want to say anything more,” and hung up. The New Orleans-style eatery opened in October on Brandon Avenue across from Towers Shopping Center. It has closed several times since then while Jimenez traveled to source

Keep your guard up against health insurance scams

by Michelle Singletary Sunday, September 8, 2013

WASHINGTON — Obamacare is upon us, and already fraudsters are out to cheat people. With a lot of confusion about the health insurance marketplaces, consumers are receiving phone calls from people claiming to provide insurance cards needed under the Affordable Care Act. Keep your guard up, says Edward Johnson, president and chief executive of the Better Business Bureau of Metro Washington, D.C., and Eastern Pennsylvania. One of the more controversial

Daleville Town Center’s perking up

by Matt Chittum Sunday, September 8, 2013

Starting construction on a major residential, retail and office complex just as a major recession strikes doesn’t exactly sound like fortuitous timing. But it has turned out that way for Daleville Town Center, its developers say. Fralin & Waldron broke ground on the 118-acre mixed-use development in 2006 — just as the economy was beginning its slide. The development progressed, but at a lagging pace — a couple of retail

Changes under way at Valley View Mall

by Amanda Codispoti Sunday, September 8, 2013

Shoppers will notice several changes at Valley View Mall as the property owners improve the building. One of the most visible changes is happening now in the courtyard bordered by Zumiez, Zales Jewelers, Ulta Beauty and Victoria’s Secret. The area is cordoned off and the fountain and tile have been ripped out. Mall manager Louise Dudley said workers will lay colorful tile and add electrical outlets and plumbing to accommodate

The scouting camera

by Mark Taylor Sunday, September 8, 2013

With opening day of Virginia’s archery deer hunting season less than a month away, many hunters are eagerly readying for the season. Preparation includes sighting in bows and, in anticipation of later gun seasons, zeroing in muzzleloaders and rifles. Many hunters are also committed to pre-season scouting, the important reconnaissance that can help determine what hunting areas stand to be fruitful later in the fall. Scouting used to be a

Roanoke Valley realty transfers: September 9 

by The Roanoke Times Sunday, September 8, 2013

Roanoke Over $300,000 BGGT LLC to Mary Jo Glick, 3301 Somercroft Court S.W. Roanoke VA 24014, $399,950 08/15/2013. Downtown Holdings LLC to J&K Residential, 15th St. S.W., 553 Westwood Blvd. N.W., 532 Westwood Blvd. N.W., 1904 Meadowbrook Road N.W., 451 Albemarle Ave. S.W., 3914 Dakota Ave. N.W., 1235 Grayson Ave. N.W. Roanoke VA 24016 and 24017, $507,497 08/16/2013. Gentry Locke Rakes and Moore to 135 Salem Ave. LLC, 135 W.

Area business names and changes: September 9 

by CASEY RICHEY Sunday, September 8, 2013

Education Kathy Kaplan has been named director of development for the division of student affairs at Virginia Tech. Robert Moore, a professor at Virginia Tech, has been selected as a fellow by the American Chemical Society. Ferrum College has announced the following additions: Alyson Brackin, residence hall educator; Brandon Bradley, assistant wrestling coach; Ryan Brittle, head baseball coach; Ransom Coslett, head tennis coach; Horace Green, assistant football coach; Joseph Kelley,

Salem gastroenterology practice closes, but doctors stay in area

by Laurence Hammack Saturday, September 7, 2013

An independent gastroenterology practice in Salem has closed, with four of its physicians joining Carilion Clinic and two going to LewisGale Physicians. Carilion announced Friday that Valley Gastroenterology of Southwest Virginia was joining Carilion Clinic Gastroenterology. The four physicians from the Salem clinic will nearly double the size of Carilion’s practice, the Roanoke-based health care system said in a news release. However, two of the six doctors at the former

Bubblecake opens in Christiansburg

by Amanda Codispoti Friday, September 7, 2103

Bubblecake has opened its third store, this time in the New River Valley. The Christiansburg store opened Thursday at Village Square on Peppers Ferry Road, said Lisa Lusk, who owns the cupcake business with her husband, Rob Lusk. Bubblecake also has stores on Crystal Spring Avenue in Roanoke and on Electric Road in Roanoke County. The Lusks decided to expand into the New River Valley because they had a lot

Virginia tourism revenue hits new high: $21.2 billion

by Associated Press Thursday, September 5, 2013

The Roanoke and New River valleys are reaping more tourism spending than ever, as Virginia celebrates a new record high for tourism across the state. Gov. Bob McDonnell said tourism revenue rose to $21.2 billion in 2012. That's a 4 percent increase over the previous year. McDonnell announced the tourism figures Wednesday at a news conference at Brown's Island in Richmond. Roanoke and New River valley tourism revenue set records

Sorting fact from fiction about health insurance

by Michelle Singletary Sunday, September 1, 2013

WASHINGTON — I’ve had health care coverage throughout my working life. The most I’ve had to contend with has been the increasing amount of co-payments. And even then, they’ve been affordable. But having insurance hasn’t kept me from understanding the plight of people whose employers didn’t offer coverage. I’ve witnessed and tried to console folks worried that a health crisis could bankrupt them. I’ve become concerned when people I know

Lexington store to celebrate 50 years

by Amanda Codispoti Sunday, September 1, 2013

A Lexington store that has employed and clothed generations of Washington and Lee University students will celebrate its 50th anniversary Friday and Saturday. Alvin-Dennis Inc. got started in 1963 as an all-men’s clothing store. Alvin Carter, now 78, was just 28 when he decided opened the store with business partner Dennis Dixon. Carter bought out Dixon after 10 years and has been operating the store on West Washington Street since

Roanoke, New River Valley business names and changes

by CASEY RICHEY Sunday, September 1, 2013

EDUCATION Michele Deramo has been named director of diversity education and initiatives at Virginia Tech. Robert Smith has been appointed head of the sustainable biomaterials department at Virginia Tech. Brian Bolton has been named director of the Cranwell International Center at Virginia Tech. Jeremy Ruch has been named the middle and upper school dean of students at Faith Christian School. ENGINEERING MB Contractors has announced that Stephen Bowers has been

Roanoke Valley realty transfers

by The Roanoke Times Sunday, September 1, 2013

ROANOKE Over $300,000 Doherty, Sarah T. and Thomas G. Tune to Steven Sheik and Jessie Sheik, 2602 Stanley Ave. S.E. Roanoke VA 24014, $480,000 08/05/2013. Eskenazi, Allen E. and Joan M. Fisher to Thomas D. Denbert, 115 26th St. S.W. Roanoke VA 24014, $645,000 08/07/2013. Gust, W. William to Suzette Stafford Turner Declaration of Trust, 3341 Somercroft Court Roanoke VA 24014, $330,000 08/09/2013. Nehi Bottling Lofts LLC to Daniel W.

Paradise Pet Supplies opens on Shenandoah Ave. to serve western side of Roanoke

by Amanda Codispoti Friday, August 30, 2013

A Roanoke man has opened a pet supply store to serve pet owners on the west side of the city. Jesse Taylor opened Paradise Pet Supplies at 3543 Shenandoah Avenue, just east of the intersection with Peters Creek Road. The store carries supplies for dogs, cats, birds and fish, including crates, cages, flea and tick remedies, and food, Taylor said. The store does not sell animals. Taylor, who breeds bulldogs, said

Judge freezes accounts of Star City Title in Roanoke 

by Neil Harvey Thursday, August 29, 2013

A circuit court judge has granted a temporary injunction against a Roanoke title agency under investigation for financial improprieties. Judge David Carson signed the order Thursday, freezing the accounts of Star City Title, and it was entered in Roanoke Circuit Court on Monday. Star City Title has until recently represented two companies — Fidelity National Title Insurance Co. and First American Title Insurance Co. — as a local policy-issuing agency.

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Saturday, September 14, 2013

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