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Around Town

Salem Lions want 125 kids on bikes next school year

Salem Lions Wheels of Hope, run through Salem Area Ministries, plans to hand 125 bikes and safety gear to Salem elementary students starting in 2026-27, WFXR reports. School staff will pick kids who need one; the bike is theirs after that. Stadium concession money is backing it, and they want Salem police, parks rec, and the Roanoke College cycling club in on the safety lessons.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WFXR

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Crime

Mayor Cobb says downtown crime dropped 50% this year

At Thursday's State of the City, Mayor Joseph Cobb said crime in downtown Roanoke is down 50% this year, WDBJ reports. A police report on the first half of 2026 put the city at nine homicides year-to-date, matching all of 2025: seven in the first three months, one from April through June, and two since July 1.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

Development

The Least of These is renovating a house it bought for affordable rent

The Roanoke ministry bought a home in October and is renovating it for individuals, couples, and families leaving its motel program, WSLS reports. Founder Dawn Sandoval says owning the place lets the group set rent instead of depending on outside landlords, and Renovation Alliance is helping. No completion date yet; organizers want cash and discounted HVAC and plumbing help. The Board of Zoning Appeals recently upheld zoning violations against the ministry.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WSLS

Schools

Roanoke County schools remind fans: clear bags, no re-entry, cheer for your team

With Friday lights coming, RCPS is restating stadium rules: clear bags only, no outside food or drinks, no re-entry on ticketed games, and elementary and middle school students with an adult. WDBJ reports district leaders also asking fans to cheer hard without fouling referees, coaches, or the other side — and that discourteous fans can be asked to leave. Official clear-bag details are on the county schools site.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

Development

FOIA records: Franklin County talked with Crusoe AI before Project Flash died

Project Flash at Summit View Business Park in Rocky Mount is off after more than a week of public pushback. WSLS reports FOIA records show Franklin County had talked for months with Crusoe AI, which builds AI infrastructure and prefab data-center units, and that power talks with Appalachian Power had started. County officials remain under an NDA and say they are not specifically hunting a data center for the site.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WSLS

Crime

County police identify pedestrian killed on Colonial Avenue

Roanoke County police say John Scritchfield, 69, died after a crash about 4:18 a.m. Aug. 20 near Colonial Avenue and Thompsons Lane. Officers found him with life-threatening injuries; he was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police say he was walking in the travel lane in the same direction as traffic on an unlit stretch. The Honda CR-V driver stayed and cooperated. The crash is still under investigation.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · Roanoke County

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News

Amtrak Virginia trips to D.C. face an October tunnel outage

Amtrak says temporary work in the First Street Tunnel from Oct. 16 through Oct. 26 will cut and cancel some trains between Washington Union Station and Virginia. Virginia Express bus service is also affected. The railroad says it will rebook riders and offer alternatives. Valley travelers booking Christiansburg or Lynchburg runs for mid-October should check the schedule.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

Crime

Shawsville man gets 20 years in a Montgomery County meth case

Matthew Scott Pettus, 34, of Shawsville was convicted Thursday in Montgomery County Circuit Court on multiple Schedule II distribution counts after a 2025 undercover operation, the sheriff's office told WDBJ. Under a plea deal he was sentenced to 80 years with 20 to serve, then 15 years of probation.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

Around Town

Roanoke College's R-House is the first Habitat build in Salem since 2014

More than 400 Roanoke College freshmen are on the 21st R-House this week, part of orientation with Habitat for Humanity of the Roanoke Valley. WFIR reports it is the first Habitat house in Salem since 2014, and the first college build raised stick-by-stick on Chapman Street instead of modules trucked from campus. The two-story, three-bedroom is for a single mother and child; Habitat-Roanoke is marking 40 years.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · WFIR

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Around Town

Renewal Studios aims for a Sept. 20 opening in the old Calvary Baptist

Headline and link only — we do not reprint that outlet.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · The Roanoke Times

Food & Drink

Vinton Cafe will take your French toast at dinner. Rules are optional.

WDBJ's Hometown Eats stops at Vinton Cafe on E. Lee Avenue, where Keriann Campbell and family opened in November 2025 in the old Our Daily Bread space. Burgers at breakfast, French toast whenever, crepes and a gift shop of local makers. Hours are Monday–Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for now, with dinner and a patio still on the to-do list.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

News

Blue Ridge Parkway closed from milepost 115 to 120

Roanoke County says the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed from milepost 115 at the Roanoke River Parkway to milepost 120 at the Mill Mountain Parkway. Explore Park stays reachable from Route 24 and points north; Mill Mountain Parkway from Route 220 and points south. Detour maps and status are on the National Park Service road-closures page.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · Roanoke County

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City Hall

Mayor Cobb says legacy businesses are keeping the city strong

Mayor Joseph Cobb delivered the 2026 State of the City at Hotel Roanoke this morning after a 7:30 a.m. chamber breakfast. WFIR reports Cobb said legacy businesses are helping keep the city strong. The city streamed it on YouTube, with RVTV replays planned.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WFIR

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Food & Drink

Taco Fest is Saturday at Elmwood Park. Huddle Up Moms gets the proceeds.

Roanoke Taco Fest is Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Elmwood Park, 706 S. Jefferson. The city's calendar lists taco trucks, other vendors, entertainment, and kid-friendly activities, with proceeds going to Huddle Up Moms, a Roanoke nonprofit for new and expectant mothers. Confirm the lineup on that page; we are not taking tickets.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · City of Roanoke

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Around Town

Friendship honors Chubb, Edlich, and Tilley-Lubbs at Vision and Values

Friendship recognized Richard Chubb, Ted Edlich, and Kris Tilley-Lubbs on Wednesday at its Vision and Values Awards. WSLS reports the senior-living nonprofit has given the awards since 2021 to people whose service has stacked up in the valley. We are not inventing a fourth honoree.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · WSLS

Development

Christiansburg's passenger-rail station is on the state's $8.4M ARC list

Governor Spanberger recommended about $8.4 million in 2026 Appalachian Regional Commission grants for Southwest Virginia. WDBJ reports the New River Valley Regional Commission's Christiansburg passenger-rail station project is recommended for $1 million, with Radford's New River Crossing also listed. Federal commission approval still has to clear.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

News

Giles County will stop using Flock cameras now and end the contract Oct. 16

The Giles County Sheriff's Office will stop using Flock Safety immediately and end the contract Oct. 16, a year early, WSLS reports. Chief Deputy Scott Moye said public feedback drove the call and that the office had been working toward the announcement for about three weeks. One of the two county cameras was stolen and thrown off a bridge.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WSLS

Schools

Virginia Tech board advances smaller on-campus housing projects

After scrapping a larger Student Life Village, Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors on Wednesday approved new dorms for about 1,200 beds near the Inn at Virginia Tech and phased renovations of Campbell, Hoge, Pritchard, and Slusher halls. Cardinal News reports the package tops $400 million, with Slusher no longer getting extra beds after a foundation-load snag. Blacksburg's mayor backed more on-campus beds as enrollment pressure hits town housing.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · Cardinal News

News

Christiansburg Town Council votes 6-0 to end its Flock camera contract

Christiansburg Town Council voted 6-0 Tuesday night to terminate the town's contract with Flock Safety and take the license-plate cameras down. Councilwoman Kim Bowman made the motion; Johana Hicks seconded and said the issue is the data system, not the police department. WSLS reports the town has not said which cameras come down first or when — some in town are privately owned.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · WSLS

Around Town

Roanoke held an overdose-awareness vigil Wednesday night

WDBJ reports the city held a vigil Wednesday night for International Overdose Awareness Day. The Virginia Department of Health counted almost 1,200 overdose deaths in the state in 2025. First responders told the station they still want Narcan in houses before the ambulance.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

Around Town

Cave Spring hosts William Byrd on Friday in the valley's first lights

WDBJ's Game of the Week is Cave Spring and William Byrd at Bogle Stadium on Friday. Both sides made the playoffs last year, and both bring back a pile of starters. County rivalry, real scoreboard. Confirm kickoff on that broadcast — we are not the PA.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · WDBJ

City Hall

City Council candidates face voters at a Greater Deyerle forum

Seven candidates for three Roanoke City Council seats are on the docket for a Greater Deyerle Neighborhood Association forum at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Aug. 27. Meet-and-greet is at 6:30 p.m.; moderated Q&A starts at 7. The general election is Nov. 3.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · Cardinal News

Development

Botetourt board approves a waterline for the Dal-Nita Hills subdivision

Headline and link only — we do not reprint that outlet.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · The Roanoke Times

City Hall

A Satanist asks to lead the prayer at Roanoke City Council

Headline and link only — we do not reprint that outlet.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · The Roanoke Times

Food & Drink

Salem's first Wawa is set for next Thursday on West Main

Cardinal News says the region's first Wawa — already in Lexington and Lynchburg — is scheduled to open next Thursday on West Main Street in Salem. Hoagies without the highway trip, if the calendar holds.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 · Cardinal News

News

Multi-vehicle crash near Business U.S. 220 is cleared

VDOT told WSLS the multi-vehicle crash near the ramp to Business U.S. 220 has been cleared. Earlier Wednesday, northbound lanes were closed with about a mile of backup as of 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · WSLS

Read at Virginia Tech News

News

VTC medical school cuts in-state tuition by $15,000 a year

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a $15,000-a-year cut in the in-state tuition rate at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke — 23.4 percent below the nonresident rate — starting this fall. The university says $6.5 million a year in new state operating money is what makes a resident rate possible. The school wants about half of each class to be Virginians.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · Virginia Tech News

Around Town

Former mayor asks City Hall to deny a casino link to the Hotel Roanoke sale

The Roanoke Rambler reports former Mayor David Bowers wants city leaders to deny, on the record, that dissolving the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission is a step toward a casino at the hotel. The city has an NDA with an unnamed casino developer who has paid Roanoke $75,000 on a Berglund entertainment-district pitch. The Rambler says it found no public document tying the hotel sale to that developer — and asks City Hall to say so out loud.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · The Roanoke Rambler

News

Water authority says it is 'very comfortable' supplying Google's Botetourt data center

Headline and link only — we do not reprint that outlet.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · The Roanoke Times

Development

Botetourt names Shannon Turner to the planning commission after a packed meeting

Headline and link only — we do not reprint that outlet.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · The Roanoke Times

Around Town

Cardinal News names a new editor in chief

Ricky Young started Monday as editor in chief at Cardinal News, the Roanoke-based nonprofit. The shop says he is there to grow investigative and accountability reporting in Southwest and Southside Virginia. Young has edited in Denver, Orange County, San Diego, Nashville, and Chattanooga.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · Cardinal News

News

I-81 blasting this week: slow rolls between 143 and 150

Roanoke County says blasting on the I-81 widening in Roanoke and Botetourt counties is on for Wednesday and Thursday this week, 9 to 11 a.m., inside an eight-week window through late October. Northbound slow rolls start at the 146 on-ramp; southbound at 156 in Troutville. Each pause can run about 15 minutes. Pack patience, not a new route through someone's driveway.

Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 · Roanoke County

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Around Town

Hotel Roanoke goes on the market as one Downtown pile

Virginia Tech is selling the hotel and the conference center together after folding the conference center under the university foundation. Cardinal News reports the university wants a buyer who keeps the current use — rooms, meetings, the brick at the foot of the Market — not a rumor of what else it could become.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 · Cardinal News

Schools

A Round Hill kindergartner boarded the wrong bus. The district is reviewing the stop.

Roanoke City Public Schools says a Round Hill Elementary kindergartner who is listed as a car rider got on a bus Aug. 20 and was dropped at Westwind Apartments. The Roanoke Rambler reports the leasing office called the school about 17 minutes after the drop-off; the district says it investigated, is taking personnel action, and is working with contractor Zum on boarding procedures. We are not naming the child.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 · The Roanoke Rambler

News

Daleville blasting for Project GVO is coming. The letters missed some front yards.

WSLS reports Carolina Drilling told Daleville and Troutville residents that controlled blasting for Project GVO starts in mid-September, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is expected to last at least a year. Neighbors next to the site say they did not get the letter; wells are the worry. The contractors did not comment on camera.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 · WSLS

City Hall

Salem seeking an interim council member after Saunders's death

Salem City Council is taking applications through 5 p.m. Sept. 8 for an interim appointment. The seat is filled until voters elect a replacement at a special election on Nov. 2, 2027. Applicants must be registered Salem voters and submit a resume and letter of interest.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 · City of Salem

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News

A Canvas breach reached valley schools. RCPS briefed the board on the next one.

The Roanoke Rambler reports a spring Canvas attack attributed to ShinyHunters hit Roanoke City and Roanoke County schools, exposing names, emails, student IDs, and message histories. RCPS told the School Board this week it has layered email filters, endpoint software, and an audit of cameras and other devices on the network. Virginia Western's cybersecurity center says most of the holes still start with people, not magic.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 · The Roanoke Rambler

Around Town

Dolly's Imagination Library is still mailing books in Roanoke

Roanoke City Public Libraries and the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley say they will keep Dolly Parton's Imagination Library going here after her death Tuesday. WSLS reports the program has signed up close to 2,000 children ages 0 to 5. Sign-up help is at the Community Empowerment Center; the books still have to be read aloud.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 · WSLS

News

Carvins Cove keeps dropping while the rest of Virginia's drought map eases

The Roanoke Rambler reports Carvins Cove sat about 17.5 feet below full pond in mid-August, down four feet in two months. The state's Roanoke drought region has been in emergency status since July 7 even as the national map looks milder. Spring Hollow is holding better; household cuts are still voluntary.

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 · The Roanoke Rambler

Food & Drink

Downtown's restaurant math: three closed, three opened, nobody calls it a boom

The Roanoke Rambler counted the ledger: Beamers 25, Unleashed, and Tuco's Taqueria are gone from downtown. In 2026, The Haven took the old Awful Arthur's on Campbell, Dorothy turned a flower shop on Church into a bar and kitchen, and Salem's Parkway Brewing opened a taproom in The Bower. Same district, opposite outcomes on different blocks — we will not invent a biscuit shop to even the score.

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 · The Roanoke Rambler

City Hall

Salem Councilman John Saunders dies at 66

The City of Salem said Councilman John Saunders died Saturday afternoon. He was a Salem High School and Roanoke College graduate in his second council term. A celebration of life is Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Salem Civic Center, visitation 4 p.m. and service at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 · City of Salem

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News

Virginia Tech board takes up a $15 million athletics loan

The Board of Visitors is discussing a university loan of more than $15 million to Hokie Ventures, a nonprofit tied to athletics. WDBJ reports the Athletics Committee took it up in Blacksburg this week; the Hokie Ventures board meets in September.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 · WDBJ

News

Williamson Road overnight milling starts — Orange to Malvern

The city is milling and paving Williamson Road from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Orange Avenue and the city limit near Malvern Road, WFXR reports. It is part of Envision Williamson Road and is listed through early October. If you use that stretch after supper, leave earlier or don't.

Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 · WFXR

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News

A new Walmart bus stop, years in the making

Headline and link only — we do not reprint that outlet.

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 · The Roanoke Times

City Hall

Bulk and brush pickup is running behind. Trash day is not.

The City of Roanoke says a CDL driver shortage has crews putting weekday trash and recycling first. Bulk and brush are being caught up on weekends. Leave piles at the curb; if you can haul it yourself, the Tinker Creek transfer station still takes 12 free visits a year.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 · City of Roanoke

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Development

Williamson Road's lane diet is staying. Crashes are down.

A lane reconfiguration on Williamson Road is becoming permanent after city public works told council total crashes on the stretch dropped about 40 percent. Cardinal News has the Field Notes. The overnight paving this week is the same corridor, different shift.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 · Cardinal News

Crime

Man in custody after a stabbing in the 400 block of 4th Street

Roanoke police say officers were called about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to the 400 block of 4th Street, where an argument ended in a stabbing. WSLS reports the victim was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with injuries police said were not life-threatening. A man is in custody.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 · WSLS

Crime

Salem police charge a Roanoke County man after an assault that ended in a Roanoke barricade

Salem police said a 59-year-old Roanoke County man was charged with multiple felonies, including malicious wounding, strangulation, and abduction, after an assault they say began in the 1200 block of W. Main Street in Salem early Aug. 19. The city said Roanoke officers later took him into custody at a residence without further incident.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 · City of Salem

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Crime

Barricade on the 3300 block of Bandy Road SE ends without shots fired

Roanoke police spent hours Tuesday night around the 3300 block of Bandy Road SE after a man went inside a house and would not come out. The Roanoke Rambler reports he surrendered after negotiations. Salem police later tied the case to an earlier assault on W. Main Street.

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 · The Roanoke Rambler