Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994 TAG: 9406300116
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
B.Y., Roanoke A: Your question may prompt a look at the situation by traffic engineers, a Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman said.
That means they'll check it out, but it's not a guarantee of change.
Most of Virginia's "left exit" signs are in Northern Virginia and Tidewater.
A VDOT engineer said I-81's southbound exit sign for I-581 hangs over the left lane, and that's considered adequate notice that it will be a left turn.
However, your suggestion was regarded as worthwhile, and VDOT will investigate whether another sign is needed because of traffic increases and tourist travel on I-81.
Federal guidelines for an area's population and the distraction of too many signs also figure into the study.
Police vs. sheriffs
Q: We have police departments for Roanoke and Roanoke County, plus sheriffs and state troopers. Is there any redundancy in this, particularly with having both Roanoke County police and sheriff?|
D.S., Roanoke County A: Is this a political issue, by any chance?
There probably is some duplication of effort among the several police departments, but most of it stems from having multiple governments.
Lines of authority are crystal-clear between police departments and sheriff's offices.
The city and county sheriffs run the two jails, provide courtroom security and serve legal papers, such as subpoenas.
Police departments for the city and county patrol the streets and investigate crimes.
On traffic patrols, radar and DUI surveillance, state police may seem to be mingling with local police on the highways.
Basically, state troopers patrol Interstate 81 and I-581. They will investigate an accident or back up valley police any time and place they're asked, a trooper said.
Ratty experience
Q: I'd like to know what can be done about sewer rats. I found one 8 inches long in my toilet and had to call an exterminator to get rid of it. Somebody should know of something you can flush down commodes to get rid of sewer rats.
W.D.W., Roanoke A: Your experience was rare, and chances are excellent that it won't happen again.
Exterminators and environmental health officials say that occasionally a rat goes bonkers and swims up into a commode. Nobody knows why, but maybe they're being chased by a larger rat.
Usually, rats have no reason to leave the sewers, because they dine well on the food our garbage disposals send down the pipes.
There's no point in flushing any kind of poison, because it doesn't stay on site; it keeps flowing down the line to the sewage treatment plant.
To be on the safe side, leave the lid down.
Got a question about something that might affect other people too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB