
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 5, 1993                   TAG: 9307050006
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CAN'T KEEP LOTTERY WIN A SECRET

Q: If someone were to win the lottery in Virginia, is it an automatic rule that the news media have the right to publish the winner's name? Can you remain private so your life won't be inundated with phone calls and everything else? P.H., Troutville

A: Winners' names are public information, and that's not just because the media want them.

The attorney general says disclosing names helps maintain the players' and public's trust in the lottery.

For a Lotto prize, the minimum exposure for a winner is announcement of his or her name, home town and amount of the jackpot. People don't have to go before the cameras at a news conference.

The public is entitled to know real people are winning the prizes.

In fact, everyone winning $600 or more may have their names used in lottery advertising in their region.

Becoming a millionaire overnight has its price.

Flood study just starting

Q: Last November in Roanoke County, we voted for a bond issue that was supposed to study and correct flood control on tributaries of the Roanoke River, including Mason Creek. Has anything been done? W.B., Salem

A: The bond referendum had $300,000 for Roanoke County's share of a study that also covers Roanoke, Salem and Vinton tributaries.

Two things have started: The county has applied for a matching grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the selection of a consultant to do the first engineering study is expected to be made by October.

The project is just beginning. After the initial study the localities will have to agree on a regional policy; then comes more engineering work followed by construction. The $300,000 is just a beginning, too.

Left turns not easy

Q: Can we hope for a protected left turn onto Hershberger Road from Rutgers Street by the time the new lumber megastore opens at Towne Square? N.A., Roanoke

A: The city's traffic engineer says a new study might be done after the Lowe's store opens this fall to see if traffic increases enough to justify lights with a left-turn phase.

A previous study didn't find enough traffic to require protected left turns. New equipment and new timing of adjoining lights would be involved.

\ 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